[fishbones]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Johnny - you're misinformed. This higher tax is NOT to get us out of the current economic situation, it is to FUND healthcare and other programs Obama is targeting. Its part of the budget, not the bailout. There is a general misunderstanding on how money works that the Dems capitalize on. Put your politics a side and hear me out.
Since you dont have kids, you dont see it, here is a brief overview. For hard working people that want a better life for their kids, In order to pay for college for their kids most people need two incomes in a family, thus they need some form of daycare to take care of the kids before and after work - cha-ching! Tens of thousands each year - AND THAT HELPS THE ECONOMY BY PAYING DAYCARE SALARIES, whihc means more tax for the governement!. A good thing.
Because the have two jobs, they make more money and thus pay more taxes, fair enough. But since they make more money, they get no benefits. If they make over 150K per couple (taxable income) they dont get to take the $1000 tax credit (and this is under Bush, not Obamas fault) . If you have 3 kids, thats 3000 of actual CASH you dont get! Lets say the Dad takes a big risk and starts his own business, his salary is now $200k per year. He works nights, weekends - he sacrifices for his family because he wants a better life for them. His wife still needs to work since sending 3 kids to college will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. His wife makes 60k per year. CHA CHING - well guess what? That now means they make 260K per year. Hey! THEY ARE RICH!!! It doesnt matter that they pay daycare for the 3 kids, doesnt matter that the have to fund their childrens education. Now, they will pay more taxes! And not just a higher rate. Their itemized deductions will be reduced, thus raising their taxable income ! Bottom line - by trying to fund their own life, they get screwed.
So -you ask how then do we fund government initiatives? How about helping this family? How about more money (ie; their OWN money) in their pockets so they can take their kids to Disney (helps the economy) take the kids to Chuckie Cheese (helps the economy) open a 529 to save for college (helps the economy) enroll the kids in gymnastics (helps the economy) , buy a new volvo (helps the economy) take the kids to a science museum (helps the economy)
See what Im saying. This is no politcal rhetoric, no Limbaugh replublican crap. Its the opinion of someone who works with people like this and who see these situations all the time.

Jimmy, I agree with most of this but you're off base on one point.

Anyone with children should not buy a Volvo. There just isn't enough room for children over the age of 5 to fit in the back seat of an S60 or even an S80 behind a normal or bigger size adult. Never mind trying to fit 4 grown men (and a cooler in the back seat because the trunk is too small) for a ride down to the Cape.