Give to Caesar What is Caesar's...

my response to a blogger's comments:

"I'm not so indifferent to the current economical condition of our country to think that raising taxes in recessionary times is a good thing."

Oh Hogwash.  Raising taxes for people who make $250,000+  And of course, many folks don't catch that because they were tuned into easy-listening "McCain radio"  but should read the facts at http://origin.barackobama.com/taxes/. From Obama’s website I didn’t even see anything about raising taxes for the wealthier except only that their tax would remain. 

Don’t you think it’s a bit of a gamble to say the dreaded words “raise taxes” when you’re trying to win an election?   All people have to hear is “raise taxes” and they go berserk regardless of the economic conditions.  If the average American is making the above figure, then I’ve really been out of the loop.

I am ashamed right now of this country because of our greed, and because of that greed other countries are feeling the weight of it too.

Nobody is forced to do anything.  College students now tote Prada and Chanel bags, people in their early to mid-twenties go to banks, buy expensive cars and homes, and do what they do out of their own willingness to do so.  I get sick of the greedy "Joe the Plumber" stereotypes that are supposed to mirror the common man and his “pie in the sky” dreams. It’s just your typical stubbornness to pay taxes now masked as a reason to not vote for Obama during a recession.

It looks to me like the plumber is delusional with the belief that he is somehow rich, I guess, or that someday he will make $250,000 as a plumber and someone who is successful shouldn't be "penalized" for that.   What is this some sort of lame attempt to get others to share their wealth? 

It gets pretty funny because he’s helping along the relief effort for the wealthier guy he hopes to one day become while he continues with his $40,000 a year salary (which will see tax relief under Obama’s plan).  We don’t even know how much his wife makes.  Maybe she makes more than he does, which means he could very well be making nearly $100,000 a year and that still isn’t enough.  In the end, recession or no recession, come spring he will still be taxed something, which will undoubtably piss him off.

Nobody wants to pay taxes regardless of how much he makes or what the law is.  It’s absurd for a plumber to act in such a manner because he’ll never make the kind of cash he doesn’t believe should get taxed unless he strikes oil on one of his clogged toilet runs.

Unless you’re a stock junkie who placed his future in the bets of the stock market, I ask you, how many people making $250,000 a year are seriously being that hurt by the economy?  I can’t guess the extent and maybe I’d be shocked, but that’s only because as your average American, I’ve never seen that kind of money.  If Americans are making $40,000 a year and living like they make two or three times that, maybe they are in a hole, I don’t know.  Doesn’t the president himself make a salary close to or around $250,,000?  Maybe Obama should throw a hissy and stamp his foot at this supposed tax plan. 

“I'm a conservative and I know what the average American can afford.”

I find it particularly insulting that anyone would think that because they are a conservative that they have some sort of "insider knowledge" about what people can afford.  I can’t assume anything based on what any average American is able to afford.  In a country where everyone prides themselves on what they can do or have, I think it is nearly impossible to know what anyone can afford right now because many Americans live on credit and most everyone is living beyond their financial means-- it's the only way.   And now, with the current situation, maybe they aren’t going to be able to do that as easily.  Maybe they are actually going to have to have the money for what they want.

The price of gas supposedly made people nervous, but not enough to take the bus or carpool.  In fact, here in the city it seemed to me traffic increased.  It feels like no one wants anyone or anything to tell them they can’t have what they want to have or do what they want to do.  Gas prices could have reached $7 or more, people would have become more angry and food prices would have sky-rocketed, and I seriously doubt it would have affected the traffic that much.

It is greed and the money hungry who have thrust this country into the recession it is in.  It is the rich, the greedy banks and the Americans who live beyond their means being driven by that greed.  Everyone believes they need or deserve everything and yet shouldn't have to pay taxes.  Everyone is pointing their finger at everyone when maybe they should be pointing at themselves.  It makes absolutely no sense to bite the hand that is holding the trough one is dining in.  And from the time George Bush took office it has been corporate greed down the line for eight...long...years.  

"While I enjoy your cynical posts on culture at large, the personal attacks don't work as well for either entertainment or quality in my opinion. But, maybe that's just me. I don't care for it from either party."…

You don’t care for it from either party but you care more when it’s aimed at the party you favor.  It doesn’t work for you because you are on the flip-side.  I don’t think it’s your place to decide for me what works.  Typically, whatever I rant about, whether it’s the prices at Whole Foods, UGG boot trends, Lance Armstrong affairs, or gay pride parades it is an opinionated attack.  And just because it’s a presidential candidate doesn’t make it less cultural or that it should be less of an attack because someone might get hurt.  However, I give you credit for stating your opinion.  I get a few lame, passive-aggressive comments and catty, insecure viewpoints.  But the positive feedback far outweighs any negative responses on my blog. 

You have a right to your opinion and that's fine that you find my personal attacks on the candidate I don't like to be offensive.  Who cares?  So I should keep my opinions to myself?  I find attacks on Obama offensive because he is the candidate I choose.  If I get some applause or a chuckle from those who also support Obama, fine.  If by chance I think I’ve stepped over the line and actually personally hurt someone’s I might apologize.  But if I don't, I won’t.  There are plenty of bloggers that are perpetual brag sheets, and I read many posts that I find lame, boring, and even offensive.  More often than not, I choose to say nothing.  But if I do say something, and the blogger doesn’t like or agree and I say it on their blog, that person has every right to ignore, delete, retort, or even tell me to go to hell if they choose.

I don't write my posts to appease or sprinkle fairy dust around anyone.  If you don't like it, fine.  But if you choose to say something on my blog that I don't agree with (depending upon the subject matter and whether I think it's worth it), expect a retaliation.

I do know this:  I’m not apologizing for not liking a bitter old man and his maverick-on-the-back. With all the pressure and problems we are currently steeped in, he will most certainly die before his term is up.  Though older folks have a lot to reiterate and things for us younger folks to learn from, I just feel there is something inherently wrong with someone of his age and bad health to be so power-hungry for the presidency.  I think he’s just fine where he currently resides.  I mean 8 years ago he was a better choice , but now? 

I voted for George Bush in the last election and nearly didn't vote at all because I thought both candidates sucked.  My decision to vote democratic this time is based in my own discernment of character I see in the candidates. 

I don't stamp myself as either Republican or Democrat, though it's obvious I'm leaning left this time around. 

I am not a socialist or a communist. 

I’m not a supporter of terrorism who thinks Obama is a terrorist because his middle name is Hussein and he can be friends with a Muslim. 

And though I am a Christian, I don’t believe that God is on the side of my political views.  As far as taxes, give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.

And, there is no argument in the idea that this sort of rant doesn't work for you-- and that makes perfect sense to me--you're a McCain supporter.