This is a concise statement on why I get so passionate about politics. I completely understand that not all people who need help are like the bass fisher (lack of ambition) in the story, but I am not so shortsighted to know that there are not a significant percentage in that category. Many of these people who have lost their homes and are in dire financial situations have two new car payments, a Wii, an XBox, new furniture, a new closed in patio, etc. We, as Americans, have to take more responsibility for ourselves. R & K are doing it, N & S are doing it, and D & A are doing it. Why is it ok that everyone is not held to this standard? Why do we want the government to get involved with extra taxes on those who earn a lot of nice nice? I just feel like we are raising a generation that it being lulled into the belief that if something goes wrong, the government will take care of it. I only wish we could find a system that helps those who need it, the truly poor, indigent, underserved, uneducated, the single moms, etc. without those who choose not to do more for themselves benefiting.
-The Crotetchy Old Man on the Porch
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It would definitely be nice to be able to decide who is worthy of the government's help and who is not. It certainly seems that there are some people who take advantage, like the young woman who works part time at the law firm where Kelly works. She makes sure not to work over a certain amount per week so she can still get the welfare check. She is able-bodied and could certainly work full-time. This sort of thing should not go on.
When it comes to taxing the rich, part of me just wants to say, "What do you care?" I know that's not really fair, but it's hard for me to imagine making above $250,000 per year and I don't have much sympathy when people who do bitch about having to pay more taxes. How much money do you really need?
I can't imagine making over $250,000/year either, but to say "What do you care?" is unbelievable to me. Where does that argument stop? Property taxes? Health care? Civil rights? Just because I have health care, I shouldn't care about others who don't have health care? I care because, to me, it isn't fair to pay more taxes ONLY because you are rich. Some people were given that money or do not earn those positions, but many people work very hard to build their businesses to a point of success. It may not matter to you because you work for a large company, but these tax increases casue many to opt fo rthe lower health care plan for their employees, cut services, or even may force the laying off of a worker. Why? So we can refuel the greedy companies who got us into this position? Or so we can afford to pay the part-time worker at Kelly's office.
And I have to say, I am a bit confused about this notion of fair (i.e."how much money do you really need?"). A prime example. When asked about the possibility of raising the capital gains tax during the Democratic debate between Clinton and Obama, Obama stated that he would raise the tax the the highest level that President Clinton had. Charlie Gibson rebutted that when President Clinton lowered teh capital gains tax, more total revenue came into the government helping to lower the deficit. He also gave another example that when the tax was lowered, more total revenue came into the government (btw, that is the point of capital gains...tax wealthy invenstments for revenue). Obama's response was that even if it brought in LESS revenue, it was more FAIR to increase the tax because people who make money should have to pay more for those who don't. Insane policy, but fair, I guess.
Bottomline, just because a policy doesn't affect me, I don't feel like I shouldn't have an opinion or feel passionate about it.
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