The MSM and Demorats will find some poor slob working at McDonalds that can't feed his 6 kids and spin this as GWB's fault.

How many of you make between $50,000 and $300,000? Did you all get to pay the Alternative minimum tax? I did. Cost me $2,800.

Do you understand President Bush let the patch that fixes the AMT expire? In so doing he increased taxes on middle class earners by $13 billion dollars while at the same time a new rule takes effect that saves $13 billion dollars on investment taxes for the super wealthy. Those making over 1 million a year.

Yes the economy is humming but by far most of the wealth created by increased worker productivity is going to the wealthiest 1% of workers. The number of working poor is increasing, the gap between the wealthy and poor is growing, savings for the average American are negative, real income growth for the middle class has almost been completely consumed by increased fuel and health care cost, 9 million new Americans now have NO health insurance, the trade gap which funds the debt is at an all time high,, the debt is at an all time high and god help us if this housing bubble burst. Reminds me a lot of the dot com bubble...no one was concerned until POP!

Yes almost every neocon here is supporting a tax and policy structure that weakens the American middle class and bolsters the share of wealth for the extreme wealthy. And plan and simple you think you're so darn smart but in fact you are voting for policies that transfer more wealth and power to the class of Americans that you will likely NEVER be in. Cheers!!!!

Oh yeah and according to David Kay Johntson we have a tax code that favors Corporations to move money off shore and to move factories and jobs overseas while providing no advantages to home grown small businesses.

Muirgeo,
Gee, I never thought about it that way, all the good news from a roaring economy is cause for me to kill myself, thanks buddy, you sure know how to ignore the evidence to the contrary and make lemons out of lemonade. You won't be happy until everyone shares your misery.

What we need is more taxes on those filthy rich people that create jobs, pay more in taxes than their fair share, and contribute to the economy.

The "trade gap" doesn't add to the debt, this is New York Times groupthink. How much do you owe to China? Trade deficits don’t add one cent to the debt, or the annual deficit; it isn’t incurred by the government, it’s a balance sheet between trading partners.

George McGovern said, after proposing increasing taxes as a plank of his presidential bid, “I had no idea how many middle-class Americans there are that want to be Rich Americans.” Keep proposing those economy busting “tax the rich” schemes, they’ve never worked in the past, but like communism, it’s not that communism didn’t work, it’s the people that tried it that failed.

Oh yeah, is that the same David Kay Johnson of the New York Times that wrote in 2004 that the only way to increase revenues to the Federal Government was to raise taxes? The same David Kay Johnson that claimed the deficit was caused by falling revenue?
Yeah, he's reliable.

Did you all get to pay the Alternative minimum tax? I did. Cost me $2,800.

Cry me a river.

My first reaction, muirgeo, after reading your post was to do a little research and refute your allegations, but I decided you're really not worth the effort, especially since you didn't take the effort to substantiate anything you said.

It may come as a total shock to you, and I can only speak for myself, but I think most conservatives who comment here would like nothing better than to see the Federal tax code scrapped or, at the very least, overhauled.

I remember back in early 2004 the Bush Administration implemented a 1 year temporary patch to alleviate the growing AMT problem, during which time a task force was to study how best to permanently solve the problem. I haven't read anything about it since, but if that patch lapsed because of something that President Bush did or failed to do, then shame on him. Of course a President Gore or a President Kerry would have solved the problem - right? LOL.

The only viable solutions I've seen advanced in the last decade have been from Republicans (Flat tax and FAIR TAX). The only suggestions I've seen from Democrats have been to (1) cancel Bush's tax cuts, and (b) raise taxes on the "rich" even further. I'd be interested to hear how you would solve the problem.

It may come as a total shock to you, and I can only speak for myself, but I think most conservatives who comment here would like nothing better than to see the Federal tax code scrapped or, at the very least, overhauled.

...The only viable solutions I've seen advanced in the last decade have been from Republicans (Flat tax and FAIR TAX).

Posted by: Retired Spook at April 28, 2006 01:39 PM

Spook,

And the very wealthiest are against such a tax code because they benifit from the complicated regulations as they are.

I thought the Republicans where in charge of all 3 branches of the government. Can you tell me which one of them advanced a bill for a Fair flat tax.

I am no different then you. I'm for a fair tax. Its al about fairness.

Are you for a decreasing middle class? Are you in support of a widening gap between the rich and poor?

The current policies absolutely promote those things. And it blows me away to see a bunch of middle class chuckleheads making excuses for the super wealthy who game the system so that they stay super wealthy while guys like Bane have have to have their wives work just to get by.

The middle class thinks they are doing so good but as a family their total weekly work hours are way up. Lots of people working full time with 2 hour commutes while the kids grow up in day care not seeing their parents until the week end.....all to support increased wealth distibution to the top 1 % so they can own 50% of America's wealth because 40% isn't enough.

And you guys are actually making excuses for them...THANK YOU SIR MAY I HAVE ANOTHER.

PATHETIC SERF WANNA BE's

You know, when liberals say "ALL YOU REPUBLICANS DO IS CATER TO THE RICH!!!"

Yes, that's right! Because the top 10% pays 80% of the taxes in this country!!

"All the constitution guarantees is the PURSUIT of happiness. You have to catch up with it by yourself."

-Ben Franklin

REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IS NOT THE ANSWER!

IT BREEDS SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM.

Muirgeo,

Illegal immigration has more to do the gap between tha rich and poor than the tax code does.

I'll let my wife know you're concerned for her well being, but you have it backwards, she makes me go to work.

Oh yeah, is that the same David Kay Johnson of the New York Times that wrote in 2004 that the only way to increase revenues to the Federal Government was to raise taxes? The same David Kay Johnson that claimed the deficit was caused by falling revenue?
Yeah, he's reliable.

Posted by: Bane of Liberals' Existence

No David Cay Johnston claims to be Conservative/Republican. He also doesn't advocate increasing taxes only making the system fair (now its anything but fair) and collecting all the taxes do under current law. As is he claims several hundred million goes uncollected because of poor enforcement.

I thought the Republicans where in charge of all 3 branches of the government. Can you tell me which one of them advanced a bill for a Fair flat tax.

muirgeo, the original "flat tax" was proposed by former Republican Congressman and VP candidate, Jack Kemp over a decade ago.

Congressman John Linder, R-GA is the primary sponsor of THE FAIR TAX. It would go a long way toward rectifying what you say is wrong with the tax code. Can you identify any Democrats who are co-sponsors or who are even in favor of it?

I am no different then you.

The fact that you paid $2,800 more in AMT than I did is just one in a loooong list of ways that you are I are different.

muirgeo,

Oh, I don't know - I haven't got any technical skill to speak of, I'm not a college graduate...I just found a job and started working at it and tried to do the best I could...so, now I live in a 400k house in a wonderful suburb of Las Vegas...I and my wife are in possession of two cars (one new, one an old hunk of junk...but as long as its running)...we have a big screen TV, wood flooring throughout...take nice vacations...have money to fritter away at the local casinos...try to give a bit to charity (don't do nearly enough of this)...in other words, we're aren't special and yet we're living a life that 5/6th of the world's population would give just about anything to have.

You can carp about the super rich all you want - personally, I don't care that much about them, in that sense (I care about them as my brothers and sisters in Christ, but about their money I couldn't give a hoot)...in a way, I pity them...their vast wealth and possessions place them at greater risk of moral degradation than I'll ever have to face...vast resources, after all, lead to vast opportunities for temptation. I've got enough of that in my own little, upper middle class life...I wouldn't want any more. I admire those rich people who, in spite of those massive temptations to be dissolute and arrogant, yet retain their humanity and live decent lives.

I've often thought of what I'd do if, say, I ever to win one of those hundred million dollar + jackpots...considering one thing with another, I'd give most of it away, as quickly as I could. Thats just me, though - I've no right to tell another person what to do with theirs. And it is a sin for me to envy them, or to covet what they have, or be resentful that they have more than me, or other people.

REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH IS NOT THE ANSWER!

IT BREEDS SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM.

Posted by: Republican Aficionado

Redistribution of wealth via influence peddling, buying politicians and buying policy and via lobbying and corporate welfare is also NOT THE ANSWER.....It's fascist.

We need publically funded elections, we need to stop giving corporations the same rights as citizens, we need to make lobbying illegal and we need a fair flat tax.

Only in America would a liberal putz like Muirgeo complain of paying taxes on his $150,000 income!! ha ha ha With the economy booming these people will continue to bitch and ever be the victim in comparison to someone else's good fortune. Make your own Muirgeo...get off your ass and quit complaining that you are always getting stuck. The AMT needs to be done away with, but my friend, if its hitting you; then you have been taking a lot of advantages of the tax code. Why don't you let us know what your % of Federal Tax was on this years form? At Std. deduction and married Muirgeo's effective tax rate is only 19% on that $150,000. And if he protests that he only earns $65,000 all the better, cuz then his effective tax rate is only 9.5%....and he's bitching? Damn, move to France you piece of liberal crap.

Muriego, you need an accountant for crying out loud.

The entire tax structure needs overhauling...how about a flat tax?

Point is, stop penalizing people unnecessarily because they make money. There is a "fair share" and there is downright robbery.

Muriego

I am by no means a "rich" person. I live in Southern California where it is incredibly expensive to live. I'm in the 28% tax bracket...hardly rich. I still believe I am over taxed, however but things certainly are more fair now under the Bush tax cuts then they were in the past.

"Redistribution of wealth via influence peddling, buying politicians and buying policy and via lobbying and corporate welfare is also NOT THE ANSWER.....It's fascist."

SO then you would be against it when Unions do this too...eh Murigo?

Bottom line is I am fine. I'm not happy about taking a tax hit to fund yet another tax cut for the super rich...especially when the poor are fighting the "wars to keep them safe" But I worry about my country as a whole. Where would you guys rather live if you had to choose between Mexico and Canada?

My point would be that Bush's policies are moving us more towards becoming like Mexico.

Mexico has one party in power, they have incredible amounts of graft and political corruption, the gap between rich and poor is even greater then in our country, abortion is illegal, governement programs are minimal, the middle class is small, jobs are scare and most of the wealth is held by a small elite who also run the country.

I thought we were trying to keep Mexicans out yet you guys are supporting policies that will solve the illegal immigration problem because soon we will be no better then Mexico. Why do you want a government like Mexico?

Warrior,

Unions should be allowed to exist but ideally they too would not be able to monetarily effect campaigns, elections and policy making.

Politicians need to be seperated from monetary innfluence. Publically funded elections and no lobbyists. And every bit of official business should be recorded as a matter of public record. Ultimately the publics business needs to be done in the light of day except for truly top secret issues. No back room deals. The public has the right to see every step of the way when government contracts are handed out.

"Do you understand President Bush let the patch that fixes the AMT expire?" Murky

Could you explain this? I thought it was the congress that was responsible for writing the tax code. Sounds to me like more of your hatred of the President shining through again.

BTW: I thought you said you made $70,000 p/yr on your investments. By the amount you post here you can't be otherwise employed.

phnx;

Yes Congress is responsible and the Republican Congress has done nothing. Now some of the truly hardest working Americans are paying a regressive major tax while the wealthiest can scam out of it.

"It's estimated that the average AMT taxpayer owed an additional $6,000 in tax in 2004."

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=14004

At a Senate Finance Committee hearing last year, witnesses from the United States Treasury, the Congressional Budget Office and taxpayer advocacy groups testified to something some unsuspecting middle income taxpayers have recently discovered -- the AMT unfairly burdens taxpayers and penalizes people who are married, have children and own property. This serious problem must be addressed immediately. With my colleagues on the Finance Committee, I have co-sponsored legislation that would repeal the individual AMT. If the AMT is left alone, middle income taxpayers will foot the bill for an increasing percentage of federal expenditures, making this unfair tax all the more difficult to repeal.

On David Kay Johnstons,

"Perfectly Legal, The Covert Campaign to Rig Our Tax System to Benefitthe Super Rich - and Cheat Everybody Else

Roberto Goizueta, CEO of Coca-Cola, built a billion-dollar fortune without paying a dime in taxes on it.

*Tom and Cindy Toth, a corporate trainer and stay-at-home mom, live on $90,000 a year. But the alternative minimum tax will take back much of the tax cuts Congress voted them in 2001 and 2003. By 2010, 35.6 million households will pay this “stealth tax.”

*Ingersoll-Rand pays $26,000 a year to maintain a Bermuda post office box as its legal headquarters. That little trick lets them escape $40 million in corporate taxes each year.

*The IRS unjustly came after Maritza Reyes, a cleaning woman in East Los Angeles who earns $7,000 per year, but ignored the fact that billionaire art dealer Alec Wildenstein and his wife Jocelyn never filed a tax return in three decades

The rapidly widening gulf between the super-rich and everyone else is an American tragedy. Pundits have raged about it, but until now, no one has explained exactly how it happened, why it’s not a normal part of capitalism, or how much damage it’s really causing—not just to the poor, but to 99 percent of all Americans.

Whether your family makes $30,000 or $300,000 a year, you are being robbed because the IRS and other institutions have been systematically corrupted—under both Republican and Democratic administrations—to serve the needs of people who make millions. Your future is being undermined and chances are you will never come out ahead.

If you’re the kind of person who works hard and plays by the rules, prepare to be outraged. Perfectly Legal will show you why the American Dream is turning into a lie. This explosive book, by an award-winning investigative reporter, reveals exactly how the tax code and many other laws have been twisted over the past three decades to subsidize the incomes and extravagant lifestyles of the richest and most powerful fraction of 1 percent of our country.

For nine years, David Cay Johnston has been exposing this covert campaign, piece by piece, on the front page of The New York Times. His scoops about outrageous tax scams have ruffled the feathers of powerful business leaders, politicians, and members of the political donor class. He routinely exposes the CEOs who fly free corporate jets to Myrtle Beach for a day of golf and stick you with the bill; the business owners who build overseas factories to earn tax-free dollars; the former IRS employees who now teach multimillionaires how to hide their assets from the government.

Now Johnston offers a raft of compelling new stories, about real people across all areas of society. In Perfectly Legal, you’ll meet sleazy accountants and brazen tax cheats, clueless congressmen and crafty lobbyists. You’ll meet frustrated IRS agents who have been handcuffed from pursuing the most blatant lawbreakers. And you’ll meet ordinary Americans who are struggling to make a decent living with the system stacked against them, in ways they don’t even realize.

Compared to thirty years ago, every American now lives in a society much less equal and much more fraught with financial risk. Perfectly Legal lays out the details in plain English, and shows how we can stop these trends before it's too late.

David Cay Johnston won a Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for his investigative reporting in The New York Times and has been a Pulitzer finalist three other times since 2000. He lives in Rochester, New York, and New York City.