Wrapping my brain around all this

I am so tired of all the campaign rhetoric. I personally find the "redistribution of wealth" arguments interesting. I have a curse of being unable to sleep and complete my daily activities at times when my mind starts thinking about all this. I am a research hound. I could make a living doing research. Someday, I may find someone who would like to pay me to do that for them.

I do want to say, all income "classes" (I hate that word) of Americans have become very greedy. With that, there has been a redistribution of wealth the past 8 years. Many who are rich got even richer. The middle class has definitely fallen behind. And the working/lower income folks have been beaten badly in the last couple of years. Since most people I know are middle to working "class", (although some try to trick themselves into thinking they are upper income "class"), most people I know are not better off now than they were 8 years ago. Yes, I am a registered Republican. "My" party left me quite a few years ago, when the extremists took over, so I guess that makes me an Independent. Any logical thinker must be wary of extremist of any pole. I have been called a pragmatist. I think I am just that -- which is a result of my recovery from idealism.

I guess I view the "Economic Crisis" as a correction to peoples' misguided greed and extremism. I actually think it will benefit our society in the long run, as Americans will have to examine and re-think their priorities. It is sad that the greed of the sector that controls so much of the finances that affect all of us will cause pain and loss to many Americans. We will survive this and be stronger as a result, of this I am certain. Unless, of course, we continue to cater to the wealthiest few. Then, with virtually no middle class, we can say we succeeded in allowing our government to reduce us to a second or third world tier nation.

Sound radical? Look at all thriving nations, including ours over the past century. They all have a thriving middle class. There will always rise a group to become the "upper class". That's human nature. The problems arise when that group is allowed to use the rest to meet their greed. Many wealthy people are kind, considerate, and willing to help others. Many more are not. They talk the talk, but certainly aren't willing to walk the walk.

For example, the graduated income tax rate. If I make $10,000 per year and paid a flat rate of 10%, I would have $9,000 left to live on for the year. We may even be taking another 10% to tithe! So, let's up my theoretical income to $50,000 - I have $45,000 to live on. That is tight, but realistic. Now, let's go to $100,000/yr. Now at 10%, I have $90,000 left to live on. It could happen! At $250,00, I have $225,000 left to live on. Not too tough. What if at $250,00, I had to pay more, say 35%? I would "only" have $162,500 to live on. That would suck! Life would definitely be screwed up if I had to make do with that! Now, let's look at me when I made $10,000/yr, and see what 35% of that looks like. Oh! I would have to live on $6,500 for a whole year. At $100,000/yr, I would be left with $65,000 at 35% tax rate. What if I made $500,000/yr at 35%? Oh my God! I would have to make do with $325,000 per year.

Add to this point, most people of average to upper incomes own a home, or even a business. So, many things they buy can be a tax DEDUCTION, something the folks making under, say, $40,000 do not have to take advantage of.

Now you know how I feel about that. But, I am not done. No, Senator McCain keeps saying our economy will be bad if we raise taxes on businesses and income over $250,000. Obama insists the economy will thrive with a lower and middle class trickle up. Which is it? Which position is greed based? Which one seems the most un-American? I decided to check on world economies based on corporate tax rates and income tax rates. Since others have been doing better than us lately, let's see how they are doing, including Ireland, oft quoted by McCain as flourishing because they have a 10% business tax, and he can't blame anyone for taking their business there.

Here are some tax rate tables for many nations. After that, I have a link to a site where you can view various economic and social indexes for each nation. I just want all of us to THINK and not just accept every lame thing a politician throws out there as the truth. Let's all make our decision based on independent thought and facts. Be a pragmatist as if it's not a bad thing.


Tax Rates Around the World

Country -- Corporate tax rate/Individual tax rate
Argentina 35%/ 9-35%
Australia 30%/ 17-47%
Austria 25%/ 21%-50%
Belgium 33.99%/ 25-50%
Brazil 34%/ 15-27.5%
Bulgaria 10%/ 10%
Canada 19.5%/ 15-29%
China 25%/ 5-45%
Cyprus 10%/ 20-30%
Czech Rep. 21%/ 15%
Denmark 24%/ 38-59%
Egypt 20%/ 10-20%
Estonia 22%/ 22%
Finland 26%/ 8.5-31.5%
France 33.33%/ 10%-48.09%
Germany 30-33%/ 15-45%
Gibraltar 33%/ 0-40%
Greece 22/25%/ 0-40%
Hong kong 17.5%/ 2-17%
Hungary 16%/ 18% and 36%
India 30-40%/ 10-30%
Indonesia 10-30%/ 5-35%
Ireland 12.5%/ 20-41%
Israel 27%// 10-47%
Italy 31.4%/ 23%-43%
Japan 30%/ 5-40%
Latvia 15%/ 25%
Lithuania 15%/ 15%/24%
Luxemburg 22%/ 0-38%
Malta 35%/ 15-35%
Mexico 28%/ 0-28%
Monaco 33.33%/ 0%
Morocco 35%/ 0-41.5%
Montenegro 9%/ 15%
Netherlands 20-25.5%/ 0-52%
New Zealand 33%/ 0-39%
Norway 28%/ 28-51.3%
Pakistan 35%/ 0-25%
Philippines 35%/ 5-32%
Poland 19%/ 19-40%
Portugal 25%/ 0-42%
Romania 16%/ 16%
Russia 24%/ 13%
Saudi Arabia 20%/ 20%
Serbia 10%/ 10-20%
Singapore 18%/ 3.5%-20%
Slovakia 19%/ 19%
Slovenia 22%/ 16%-41%
South Africa 29%/ 24-43%
Spain 30%/ 24-43%
Sweden 28%/ 0-56%
Taiwan 25%/ 6-40%
Thailand 30%/ 5-37%
Turkey 20%/ 15-35%
U.K. 30%/ 0-40%
Ukraine 25%/ 15%
U.S.A. 15-35%/ 15-35%
Vietnam 28%/ 0-40%
Zambia 35%/ 0-35%

*These are federal taxes only -- does not include state or local, as well as any consumption taxes.


Take some time and make some comparisons between nations. I find it very interesting


http://www.offstats.auckland.ac.nz/browse/country/subject/

If Republicans are the only true American patriots, why then are they willing to put personal financial gain ahead of country? Better yet, why is their candidate publicly stating he cannot blame them for taking their business to other countries to pay less taxes on their business earnings??????

I am just a lowly middle school teacher. I think we all need to start thinking very carefully about where we each really fit into this puzzle.