What can I say, I’m flabbergasted. Are these crooks in Washington
really going to assume the American public is that dumbed down to see through
this guise? Uh… never mind.
Let’s call it what it is. This idea that Republicans failed
in the “fiscal cliff standoff” is pure poppy-cock. This notion that the
Democrats somehow “won” is equally a failure if we value logic and reason. For
what we seen these last two days has been what the American people have wanted
for years now… compromise.
The federal government finally compromised. Republicans and Democrats finally crossed the isle. With its legislative and executive branches all
on board, despite all its fury, anger and alleged partisan indignation, the
deal was struck. Just like the bailouts before it, along with every other hot
potato-political topic involving money; the sides "somehow" came to an
“agreement”. On the outside this looks like a victory for the people, and it
would be if it wasn’t such an absolute charade.
This was nothing more then a WWE broadcast, the winners and
losers were already predetermined. When push came to shove everyone got what
they want: more for them and their sugar daddy's and you footing the bill. The fiscal cliff was likening to a pay per view event, where
afterwards, backstage the heel and the face toasted champagne and laughed all
the way to the bank in their stretch limos and learjet's. Meanwhile the poor
bastards who bought tickets returned home in their minivans and via subways,
still in awe and totally oblivious of exactly how the farce that was just
performed before their very eyes.
Here’s the impact:
Wheres the cuts on defense spending?
The Payroll tax cut that saved everyone who works in our nation an average of anywhere between $500-$2,000 has ended (which is good for Social Security in the long run) thus acting as a tax increase from last year for everyone earning a paycheck. This will essentially raise the taxes for anyone making fewer than 100k by 2%.
Wheres the entitlement restructuring?
We have also seen the definition of "rich" get a facelift, as “rich” is anyone making over 400k per year. They will see their taxes rise from 35% to 39.6%. This is hardly the 250k cap that Obama sought re-election on.
And last but not certainly least... the dreaded “Death Tax”.
From the Republican perspective, one of the biggest hold-ups
in this “fiscal cliff deal” was the death tax or estate tax. It was 35% as of
2012 on Estates valued at five- million or more. The President wanted 45%. They
reached a deal at 40%, splitting the difference. Now, in case you are wondering
why you don’t know what this is or why you’ve never heard the particulars, its
because it doesn’t affect you. That is unless you have an estate valued at $5
million or more.
As of 2010, courtesy of the Federal Reserve board, only 4.4%
of American households had financial assets exceeding $1 million, much less $5
million. According to the IRS, the estate
tax will only affect about 3k families. With the additional five percent of
taxation of those that are required to pay, the liability may rise slightly,
but with the exemptions staying the same, there will be no new cap, thus the
limits stay the same.
What does it all mean? I’m not telling you anything you
already don’t know. It is what it is. This idea that there is a real tangible
difference between these two parties …is make believe. The only real
differences are on the margins and that is by design. From abortion, death-taxes, tax-break for billionaires, tax-breaks for multinational
conglomerates, gay-rights, funding public television, praying in schools, you name it.
Basically, anything that doesn’t benefit the bulk of the populous & affects less then 10% of the population is a heated,
highly-contested debate.
I don’t despise anyone for their success nor do I feel they
should be punished because of it. As being of Libertarian mindset, how could
I? However, the middle class has been
exploited by the wealthy elite who then help run elite corporations that are
gaming the system, all the way from General Electric to G.M and everyone in between. Meanwhile the small businesses, who make up the bulk of US employment, continue to be stifled with red tape, over regulation and are continuously outmaneuvered by big business lobbying efforts. And not to be
outdone, it cuts both ways.
There are a growing number of people on the bottom of the
pyramid, who are out to hustle every organization and opportunity they can.
Look no further then - Supplemental Security Income (Social Security Retirement
Survivors and Disabilities Income is for those who have paid into it) because
they are “too depressed to work” or have kids that are born one day early
(purposely) so they qualify for 18 years as a premature baby. I got story's for days on that topic.
Before you utter the words “class warfare”, read the writing
on the wall. This fiscal cliff deal did nothing to hurt those at the top or the
bottom, just everyone in between. The rich were not hit hard nor was those too
poor to pay taxes, with their 6-10k tax refunds on $13,000 in income.
One of the paramount reasons Obama was elected in the first
place was his promise of transparency. You can at least say that’s one campaign
promise he lived up to. The middle & working class, the backbone of this
country, is under siege and its right out in plain sight. So if you are looking
for politics for an ally on either “side” you might need to look again because the only thing these two parties have compromised on is you. They say jump, you say how high.
