jackiesic wrote:SDPirate40 wrote:jackiesic wrote:I've got run but this was too good not to pass along.....
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference -- just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
This was funny, at least to me.
I pay over 51% of my entire annual income and investment earnings in taxes today (federal, state, cap gains, personal property tax). I find great irony the vast majority of people supporting Mr. Obama do not pay either this rate, or the ridiculous total taxes in dollars I personally pay. It is painful to think my taxes both in raw dollars and tax rate will go up with Mr. Obama in office. How much is enough?
The above story does illustrate one thing related to my future behavior if Mr. Obama is elected. To make up for Mr. Obama taking money out of my pocket, I will give much less to my personal charities, and also be more conservative on other spending habits that does directly help people of lesser means. This does not mean I am not a charitable person. It just means the government taking my money at a higher rate to give money to those less fortunate will mean I give directly less. The government will then be my major designated charity.
Call it a resulting form of wealth redistribution.
PS: Other than the tax thing, I do like Mr. Obama.
You seem to have a better grasp on what you pay in taxes than most people.
Jackie....my exact point.
Many years ago I paid around 20% of my income and paid some $14K in taxes. It hurt, but it was fair.
Today, blessed with far more income. Instead of paying 20% of that income, I pay 51%. If we all had the same tax rate, trust me, I would still pay far more than the average, and it would be fair and in proportion to my income.
The average person voting for Mr. Obama would go absolutely bonkers if their personal tax rate was 51% today of their income versus half that rate they pay (or less). Said another way, an average person making $60K pays around the $14K I paid years ago. Could you imagine all of the people wanting "fairness" paid my tax rate and shelled out $32K of their $60K annual income and Mr. Obama actually had the nerve to ask for more? Somehow, I have a feeling a republican just might win.
Now, before anyone shoots back something to the effect "hey pal. quit your complaining, you seem to make a ton a money" Or "quit griping, I would love to make your money and have that tax problem" My answer to this comeback is simple. I earned every dollar, took many risks, invested well, saved money and made more investments. This took huge effort and my opinion it is insane to grab 51% and soon to be higher proportion of what I worked hard to earn.
PS: Still like Mr. Obama personally and he may not be bad for a million reasons. Also think John just made about the worst VP pick ever. Could anyone honestly really see Palin running a country? I would not hire her as a junior manager trainee in my company. I am not sure what John or even Alaska was thinking with this one. She is kind of good looking. Wish the good ol republican party could have offered up a better alternative than John and the others that did not make it to the final round.
Mr. Obama...hope you have what it takes, looks like "you da man".
Jackie, again, thanks for making me chuckle. Your story framed this single tax issue well.
). I happen to like him a lot. Regardless of experience on anyone's resume, I'm willing to trust his decision making ability (such as Biden to supplement foreign policy experience) to include other adept people who do have experience where he might be lacking.
