I am especially against regressive taxes, like those placed on food and clothing.

Why should people pay tax on necessities?

Don't get me started on the fair tax group. They were the root of a campaign to oust some Michigan legislators for supporting a tax increase.

If you're not from Michigan and did not hear about it in the news or forgot...last year Michigan had a budget problem...For a few days the government actually "shut down." Essential stuff was still running but for example, the Secretary of State's Office was closed. The final solution to balance the budget was various things, but one was a tax increase.

After the tax increase, this "fair tax" group stepped in and tried to recall many of the state legislators. The reasoning on most of the petitions was "...because they voted yes on a tax increase." (The majority of the legislators were dems but some were republicans).

I live in the district of one of those legislators and hugely supported her so when I heard about the recall, I went on the defensive.

The petition in my area for a recall was denied, as it was in every other area.

Let me point something else out here...if a petition was honored and a recall was done, the recalled legislator would only be out for a few months. House members in Michigan only serve 2 year terms and can only serve 2 terms. Bringing this petition to the courts cost the taxpayers money, and if an election occurred, that would be even more money.

For a group that wants fair taxes, they sure know how to make the government spend it in frivolous ways.

Edit: Spelling

they already do, the difference is you never get to see it taken out of your check, they have turned your employer into the sheriff of Nottingham, he does their dirty work for them. I write my own taxes out every quater, it is absolutely rediculous

I apologize if I misunderstood.

I think there has to be a balance.

Right now the status quo is unbalanced to favor the wealthy.

The middle class is seeing it's buying power dwindling.

Soon there may not be a middle class.

7 years of Republican control has been a disaster for the middle class.

it isnt republican or democrat, it is a problem of the two party system. Who has control of congress? What have they done to ease the plight.......nothing. God if there were only a real honest person running who would be given an even shot by the media. This election is lose/lose for everyone. Anyone who thinks different is just fooling themselves

Rob we understand your frustration ,but someone has to do these jobs....earned Income credit is abused I agree with that ,but you pay property tax right , well if you don't then here is my example say you have no kids do you believe the schools should not get your tax dollars which comes from property tax any way I understand where your coming from...this is the system and we all have Ideas to fix it.....but I'm for leaving it to the experts....just a nice note so don't take it personal

I understand your point but no, I dont pay property tax, we dont have that here. We have left fixing this "to the experts" for years, and it just keeps getting worse, and worse. Big government is a problem, not a solution. Less federal government, and stronger state and local is the way to go.

Each situation is different and I suppose I don't fully understand Rob's situation either.

I only know my own situation.

I have a college degree but it's hard to get work where I live.

Meanwhile gas prices keep going up and up.

Food is getting more expensive.

Being taxed on these items doesn't help.

I often find I have to cut back on one thing to pay another.

It's just an endless, frustrating cycle.

I here ya!! I used to live in Nothern MN Trf and good company I worked for ,but struggled and still do

ok, I can appreciate that, but let me play my normal, nasty, assinine self. If there are other markets more viable for your degree, why ot move there? I understand it may not be where you want to live, but how is that anyones problem but your own? LIfe, liberty and the pursuit of happiness remember, that is not a guarantee. If you think that a democrat president coupled with a democrat congress is going to net you less taxes paid out you are sadly mistaken. 100:1 says within 3 months of a dem taking the presidency taxes are raised. Care to make that wager with me?

thats awesome you guys don t have to pay property tax

And who is going to pay my relocation expenses?

I'll take that wager and Raise ya !!! land of the free man, live where we want ,demographics is more important to me then the money

as it is your life to live that would be for you to work out. You, being in the position you are should be the most outraged at social programs. You have paid your dues, done the right things, gotten your eduaction to make your way, and you struggle. Why do you struggle? Because they take money fro your wallet to support people who decided that the hard, and correct path was not the way for them. They take your money and hand it to people who had less motivation than you, and because of that feel they need a handout at your expense for your trouble.

If a Democrat gets in and closes tax loopholes that some wealthy people use to pay NO taxes, then I'm all for it.

Good one. You didn't specify WHO would pay more taxes!

ok, taxes will go up for middle, and wealthy americans with upper middle class shouldering more than the wealthy. They will not close the loopholes mn, they could do that now if they desired, they have control of the congress. Congress NOT the president passes legislation. Where is this valiant attempt that everyone is expecting.

Well I guess we'll find out.

I don't see much reform if McCain gets in either.

And just because the Democrats have control of Congress doesn't mean they can get everything passed that they want to.

There are still a lot of Republicans in Congress and if enough of them don't vote the same as the Democrats, the legislation doesn't go through.

No to mention the President can veto it if he chooses.

mcshame is as bad or worse than the other two possibilities. We have no options this election, there is not even a lesser of two evils argument

Mcshame. Good one!

Thanks for the hearty belly-laugh!