During the campaign we were promised repeatedly that if you make under $250,000 you would not see higher taxes. Here is one quote from Sept 12, 2008 from then candidate Barack Obama – “I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.” Well, that promise looks like it is going to go up in smoke. Literally.
- They have increased tax on tobacco products, the vast majority of users make under $250,000. Before you say “oh that’s just the smokers…” there is a tax being proposed on soda and snacks too! I am sure there are at least a few people who eat snacks who make under $250,000 a year.
- Cap and trade legislation is going to tax us to death for a minimum of $165 per family and a max of $3000+ per family. By the way, the Democrats sent in a 300 page amendment to the bill last night with no time for people to read it. Wonder why…and nobody is talking about this. This will be one of the greatest tax increases in the history of our country and very, very few people have even heard of it, much less know what this is all about.
- President Obama wants to cut the amount of charitable contributions those making over $250,000 can give. That will hurt many churches and other organizations.
- If the health plan goes through your health benefits will be taxed. Isn’t that the very thing he got onto McCain for proposing in the campaign?
How is that for not being taxed if you make less than $250,000? What is even stranger is whether or not he is even going to hold to $250,000 or if the cutoff will be reduced – See this link.
And here is another tidbit for you from Glenn Beck today regarding Chris Dodd:
“Tonight on television at 5:00 I’m going to talk about Chris Dodd. You know this whole scandal of Countrywide and sweetheart deals? Well, they’ve been investigating Chris Dodd now for a year, we’ve been waiting for the report to come out. We found out earlier this week that Bank of America says that they haven’t released any of his documents because no one from congress has asked them for the documents and issued a subpoena. How can you investigate someone when you don’t even have the original documents? Why hasn’t a subpoena been issued? Well, we did our investigation. We found. Because the ranking Democrat has to issue it. He doesn’t want to issue it because he’s afraid what it will lead to. Well, isn’t that the point? What will it lead to?” (Link)
Maybe it is nothing…who knows. But at least let’s get the information and find out. I am with Beck on this one. I think we have corruption in our government all the way up to the highest levels.
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I really wish I could say I’m surprised.
I think we all know that Pres. Obama was speaking about income taxes when he spoke about the $250,000 threshold.
As for tobacco, snacks & sodas, and carbon emissions, I think it’s good that the federal government will be making people think twice about spending money on and consuming products that lead to cancer, obesity, and further our dependence on fossil fuels. I like the idea that our taxes “reward” good behavior & “punish” less socially responsible behavior.
As for #4, you’re right on with that one. Pres. Obama chided Sen. McCain at every turn on that issue during the campaign. And the WH has now sent signals that a plan from Congress that included this would be favorable & welcome. It’s still uncertain what kind of health care reform we will get coming out of Congress, but I think GOP folks have every right to be upset at the President on this issue.
I’ve heard this said about taxes: “the art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing.” I’d imagine that that’s the idea here.
Philip,
Obama made it clear he was not just talking about income tax – https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/515/no-family-making-less-250000-will-see-any-form-tax/
I guess I had a different impression from the campaign then. I didn’t suppose then that he was including excise taxes in the kinds of taxes he would not raise.
To be fair, if you read all of what is in that link you will see that they disagree with me. However, I am not sure how else you take the statement any other way,
““I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.”
you will not see “any form of tax increase”…”not any tax” That is pretty broad and sweeping statement that should have been worded more carefully if that is not what he meant. I would be willing to wager there are many people who hear that and vote for him figuring that at the end of the year their expenses should be lower = more money in their pocket.
While the media waited with baited breath yesterday for a press conference from the corner concerning Michael Jackson – the House of Represenatives voted the largest tax bill in our nations history in the past 100 years! How fitting that the remains of the day were devoted by the media to feed the idol worshing beast while the U.S. economy was given it’s final death blow.
If this bill passes in the Senate — we alll will be paying $100 more for utlities a month and 50 to 70 cents more in taxes on a gallon of gasoline. Can you afford that? I can’t.
That doesn’t count the 2 million jobs that will be lost every year for the next 10 years that is projected but I has that number is low. Because the Coal and Steel industry were just given the death blow.
Energy affects every every business in this country. It’s a 1 for 2 trade. For every new job created – means that 2 will die. That’s progress according to the folks on the HILL. Welcome to 1984.
Humm, what does this have to do with Kingdom living?
Does this help me live a better, more Christlike life?
May I refer you to an article in the current issue of VISON titled Religion Politise an Interview with Emilio Gentile.
Also a quote from the same isssue: “There is no economic problem and, in a sense, there never has been. But there is a moral problem and moral problems . . . have to be understood and transended.” E. F. Schumacher; A Guide for the Perplexed.
I would contend that our economic problems stem from moral problems. And that the better we understand how the world works & what’s going on in it, the better we can name “the powers” (Eph. 6:12) for what they are & point out the ways that the Kingdom offers a new way.
At least that’s why I think politics is relevant to Kingdom Living.
Plus, I just enjoy hearing Matt’s take even if I disagree with it. He has a sharp mind, which is why I think a lot of us enjoy reading his blog. And it’s interesting to me to see him apply that sharp mind to other slices of life besides just textual or theological conversation (as rich & enjoyable as those are on their own).
Nolen,
Good question. I write about things I think are important and issues that I think are relevant to life and Christianity. Every once in a while I throw in some humor and politics. Bottom line, I write about what I want to and hope someone will find something here that interests them. Looks like you found it… 🙂 I will stick with what my about page says about the contents and intent of this blog,
“Kingdom Living is a Christ-centered blog that addresses relevant topics from Bible and theology to humor and culture. Feel free to comment on whatever you like. Your input is always welcome here.”
I agree with Philip that many of these issues are intertwined and it is hard to separate religion, morality,ethics and politics. They all have impacts on each other. Hope that helps. I hope you stick around.