He who has the gold... Should give it to the government

Tax brackets for federal income tax: http://www.taxbrackets2011.com/


Tax Bracket      Single                           Married Filing Jointly         Head of Household
10% Bracket      $0 – $8,500                    $0 – $17,000                        $0 – $12,150
15% Bracket      $8,500 – $34,500            $17,000 – $69,000                $12,150 – $46,250
25% Bracket      $34,500 – $83,600          $69,000 – $139,350               $46,250 – $119,400
28% Bracket      $83,600 – $174,400         $139,350 – $212,300             $119,400 – $193,350
33% Bracket      $174,400 – $379,150       $212,300 – $379,150             $193,350 – $379,150
35% Bracket      $379,150+                      $379,150+                           $379,150+

America, the land of opportunity...  Right?  Not if you are *ahem* RICH!

So my question is this... Who is Rich and why does everyone hate him!?  ;)

But on a serious note, what is the grudge the lower and middle class have against the higher class aka The RICH!  I can understand if people are a little bit jealous of others who have things that they don't, but are we right to begrudge them because of that? Are we really so jaded as to believe everyone with money is the same as Paris Hilton or Warren Buffet?  Just look at the numbers (well look at several reports about the "numbers" because they all have variations in them).  The "Rich" already carry the weight of the government's income.  The lower class doesn't pay taxes.  The middle class pays a small portion, but the so-called wealthy pay well over 50% of the federal governments income!  And some people have the nerve to say they need to pay more.  They need to pay their "fair share."  I IMPLORE you... Explain to me WHO are the rich, WHY should they pay more and WHAT would be considered their "fair share."

*crickets*

That's what I thought.  No one has a good answer for this. We throw the word rich around like it is all encompassing for anyone earning a gross income of $250,000/yr or more.  WHAT??  um, no, that just doesn't work for me.  Just because someone has a gross income of $250,000 doesn't mean they are riding around with limo service and eating lobster (or whatever the "rich" eat) for every meal and have a live-in
masseuse.  That all sounds over the top right?  So then if that is over the top and those "rich" aren't living like that, why do we as middle class citizens or the federal government think they deserve to pay more in taxes when it is career politicians making bad decisions that have run up the need for more federal income?  I know, that sentence was a mouthful, but it presents my point. 

I like to use myself as an example.  I am right now a Sgt in the Marine Corps with 7 years in.  My annual basic pay income is 31440 (you can look up all this military stuff online).  My annual housing allowance is 20052.  So my gross is roughly $52,000.  I'm a pretty average American.  I pay my state taxes, federal taxes and social security.  I contribute 10% to my retirement plan and pay my bills which are like most others.  I pay rent and have my utilities and insurance, car and credit cards, cell and internet; Same as MANY MANY others.  I don't have a ton of money fort extras but I live comfortably.  I give to charity when I can and I volunteer often.  Why do you care about any of this.  Well you may not.  But I wanted to present an "Average American" view before jumping into my illustration of the "rich".

Now lets look at Mr. Richy Rich making $250,000 A YEAR.  Lets say he has the identical bills that I have but in addition to all of that, he has small, family run restaurant.  He makes approximately 200,000 more a year than me right?  He should have TONS of money to spare... WRONG!!! He has either property taxes for his business or rent.  He has employees to pay.  He has food and equipment to buy.  He has lines of credit for the business to pay back, he has permits and licenses to renew.  AND NOW he has health care he must provide to his employees, and required paid sick days...  ETC ETC ETC!

How much money does he have now?  But he is an evil, corrupt, selfish rich guy!  He MUST pay his FAIR SHARE of taxes!! Where is the logic in that?

Now do the same scenario with a millionaire but realize that he has 3 companies and gives an additional 10% to different charitable organizations. 

How much money does he have now?  But he is an evil, corrupt, selfish rich guy!  He MUST pay his FAIR SHARE of taxes!! Are you catching my drift?



Here's fun project for you to try,  investigate your favorite politician.  Find out how much (s)he makes each year and how much (s)he pays in taxes. (I would suggest checking multiple sources, because facts can get a bit skewed).  Let me know what you find out!  The answers may surprise you...

Let me go on the record as saying, I am FULLY aware that not everyone that makes a significant amount of money (what ever amount you deem that to be) is living a simple and just over comfortable life.  But those "rich" people are entitled to what ever luxury they want as long as they have obtained it legally.  If you want what they have work your ass off and someday you might just have it too.  You are only limited by your own goals and effort put towards those goals.  If you believe you can't have those things, you never will... Well, if the "rich" continue to receive tax increases, then why even strive for it!?  

"A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it. "
Alexis de Tocqueville