Good idea... or not?
Sure. On the surface and in the short term, this seems like a good idea. We all could use a little extra money right now ~ I know I certainly could.
The responsible thing to ask though is: How will we (America) pay for it in the long run? A report on CBS Evening News tonight suggested that whatever amount of money is requested from Congress - the rebates would be paid for by adding $150 billion more to the national deficit. That's like overspending the limit on your credit card; the interest and fees alone will hurt real baaaaad. Believe me, I have unwanted experience in this area. I don't know if I like where this is going.
I mean, if Congress wasn't grudgingly signing bills left and right to fund George Bush's War in Iraq....
Waaaaaaaaaait a minute! Hey, here's an idea!
Instead of fighting a never ending war that we can not win (admit it - the war in Iraq is this generation's Korea/Vietnam), the {next} President needs to tell the Iraqis to defend their own country so that we can bring the vast majority of our troops home soon. Then the government can use the money saved to help rectify America's weak-a$$ economy and strengthen our borders and airports to help protect against possible future terrorist attacks...
And while I'm waxing political, let me talk about jobs for a sec, OK?
Bush says he wants to create more jobs here at home and that's fine. All well and good. Right?!?!? But what kind of jobs are we talking about, exactly?
Is he talking about creating more minimum wage jobs that keep people with families fighting against the poverty line trying to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck OR is he talking about real jobs that pay enough to allow families to not only meet their monthly bills but get ahead (even if only a little) and maybe - save a little bit?
Labels: jobs, life in general, tax rebates
posted by Tim @ 16:18
9 Comments:
I had the same reaction. This should be interesting to see what they actually do with it.
With your sentiment and confusion over this tax rebate in mind, how will Edwards, Clinton, and/or Obama pay for all their "grand" plans for universal health care and more government programs?
They don't have that part of the equation fully covered, and they're not talking about it. Even with a military pull-out from Iraq, this will not fund their plans in totality. They will have to institute higher taxes. No, it won't be focused on the "rich." It will come out of OUR pockets. The Federal Government (not including State Taxes) has already been getting 33% of our paychecks. How much higher can it go with a Democratic President???
The Democrats certainly won't be funding their "hopeful" plans on "hope" alone. Hard, cold cash will have to come from somewhere.
With the disdain I see for government from so many Democrats, why on earth do they want MORE financially invasive government from the likes of Obama and Clinton?
I believe in the Free Market model and less government NOT more.
yeah, how's that 'free market' thing working out for you so far?
I'm in a realtively low paying field, pay a much higher taxe rate than anyone in america and support 2 dependants (talian girl works part time, so our total income on which we support 4 people is still well below the median for an individual).
And yet...
we have socialised medicine so i can see my own doctor, with whom i have a long term relationship, for free. anytime. often on the same day as i make an appointment.
I own my home in a good neighbourhood free and clear.
And for the past 5 years have averaged better than one international holiday (often during my government mandated 4 weeks of paid annual leave) per year.
So by all means, keep repeating the mantra that things will be so much worse for the average american if they're foolish enough to follow the lead of most of the rest of the industrialised world.
autumn: yes, it will be interesting.
esther: I'm not sure any of the candidates, Republican or Democrat have quite figured out how they will pay for their programs.
ag: yes, you've said on a number of occasions that Australia's healthcare system is better and I would agree. But that's not what we in the US have to work with so we muddle along as best we can.
I'd love to see the US adapt a healthcare system as you have down under. Will it ever happen? Probably not.
my point green, is that I'm sick of people wailing about how bad things like taxes are when all you have to do is actually look at how the quality of life is so much better in places that pay more. In fact, i'd gladly pay a higher tax rate than i do now - cuz i know that it'd be in my interest.
So the question of 'how would we pay for it' is an easy one. Stop everyone whining about "it's my money" and just agree to pay your fair share!
sadly americans lack the guts (or dare i say the intelligence) to push for real political change.
Here I come AG!! I'm movin' to Australia!!
AG: you've missed the point of this post. It's not about higher taxes or paying a fare share. I have no problem paying taxes that fund public services.
Dubya wants to attempt to boost the economy by giving everyone a tax rebate - a propsed extra $800 for a single person or $1,600 for a married couple. This is above and beyond the normal tax refunds most people get when filing their income taxes.
My question is how will the government pay for this bonus without adding more taxes or cutting other necessary programs? The one answer proposed (that I heard) was just adding another $150 billion onto the already huge national debt.
So my suggestion, which I thought you'd appreciate, is to end the war in Iraq and use the funds that would have been spent on weapons and soldiers salaries and use that money to help the economy, which is far more important.
But your soap box is just too darn high to see that.
thought it was pretty obvious, but my response was headed in esther's direction, not yours. Being that I'm a dedicated pacivist, i'd think it'd pretty clear that i think ending this ridiculous war is a good idea, and yes, the money could be much better spent.
Autumn: excellent! we'll leave the (compact flourescent) light on for you.
Thanks Man! I can't wait!
I had been shopping around for a new country, But with you in Australia, how could I resist!
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