Reply #49: I, my parents, and my neighbors are worse off.

[blonndee]

My parents made less money in real estate and paid more taxes.

I paid more taxes, despite having a "larger" income because of a small raise. The raise actually resulted in me making less money. Not to mention spending more money on my university-sponsored health insurance, which raised copays by a substantial amount. That, inflation, and higher energy prices (ALREADY!) have taken a big hit on my household.

My neighbors have lost insurance benefits AND the amount of healthcare benefits they are able to deduct on income tax...and their son and daughter-in-law had to file bankruptcy because she was laid off during maternity leave and so she lost her insurance, which she, her husband, and new baby were on. There's a lawsuit with the EEOC but in the meantime the collectors haven't stopped.