General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: They shouldn't waste time debating $250K. [View all]HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)I ran two households on $77K (one of which was in Northern Virginia, the other in PA) and the tax increase we're talking about wouldn't have made a damn difference. I spent more on gas commuting between the two places (worked at home a lot) than the taxes would amount to. I was also paying rent on both places and the one in VA (on balance) cost 1 1/2 times the one in PA per month (including utilities). We're not even making close to that now, but we own our house outright (no mortgage) and property tax is the biggest expense involving the house.
Even that's not bad. I'd pay more if it meant the township would build a swimming pool in the expanded section of the park or eliminate the new activities fees they imposed on sports, music, and other such groups. Hell, my medical bills far outweigh ALL of the taxes I pay. They're the only debt I even have at the moment.
I've got good roads to drive on, an excellent local police and fire departments, working street lights, working traffic lights, a beautiful park, and everything is well maintained INCLUDING the storm sewer drain out front. Frankly, it's a damn good deal.
And yes, he should shoot low on the income limit. Let the GOP find the "middle ground" for once. Start at $50K, settle for $100 (a little lower than middle). At least it's a start. If I made a million a year, I really wouldn't give a shit about paying more in taxes. Hell, while we're at it, eliminate the FICA cap on the Social Security part. It's currently something ridiculously low like $110K. I pay the full rate on our income, why have the cap? Want to fix Social Security? Simple, isn't it?