Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Obama in Dunedin!
On the spur of the moment, John and I decided to try to see Barack Obama last Wednesday at a rally held in the quaint town of Dunedin, Florida. We drove over there and were amazed at how many people were already in line! Some at gotten there very early that morning, knowing that he did not speak until 1 p.m. We patiently waited in the line for about an hour and a half, the line meandering about the cute cottages and stores of the downtown area. Someone had estimated that the line was a mile long, and I believe it! We made it to Knology Park just in time, and then stood through the hour or so for the speeches because there wasn't anywhere to sit by that point. It seemed like every time he gestured toward us, we felt like he could see us. I know the media cameras were all pointing in that direction, so I kept looking for us on the news. My cousin, Tobi, was standing right behind him the whole time, and after he came around and shook hands with people...and he held her little 4 month old boy! How exciting! His speech was incredible, the atmosphere so electric, so energetic, it gave me goosebumps. We knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and something we can tell our grandkids one day! It really felt like an important part of history. It was wonderful to see 10,000 people come together and support him, and one another. Because they know, we know, that "change is gonna come." Yes, we can! Peace and love, A.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Some facts about the Prez candidates' tax plans...
This is a compilation of fact-checking articles and websites that John and I put together as a response to those who say that Mr.Obama will increase our taxes. Check out the video too if you'd like!
If you want the truth, you should probably look to independent, non-partisan, non-profit organizations like the “ Tax Policy Center .” (http://www.taxpolicycenter.org)
**The Tax Policy Center (TPC) is a non-partisan, independent, joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution. The Center is made up of nationally recognized experts in tax, budget, and social policy who have served at the highest levels of government. TPC provides timely, accessible analysis and facts about tax policy to policymakers, journalists, citizens, and researchers. TPC analysis has been cited by CNN-Money, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, Time Magazine, US News and World Report, CNN, AP, UPI, Detroit Free Press, Forbes, and many other respected news agencies (even Fox News).
TPC has released their analysis of Senator McCain’s and Senator Obama’s tax plans.
In their educated, independent opinion: “The two candidates' tax plans would have sharply different distributional effects. Senator McCain's tax cuts would primarily benefit those with very high incomes, almost all of whom would receive large tax cuts that would, on average, raise their after-tax incomes by more than twice the average for all households. Many fewer households at the bottom of the income distribution would get tax cuts and those tax cuts would be small as a share of after-tax income. In marked contrast, Senator Obama offers much larger tax breaks to low- and middle-income taxpayers and would increase taxes on high-income taxpayers. The largest tax cuts, as a share of income, would go to those at the bottom of the income distribution, while taxpayers with the highest income would see their taxes rise significantly.”
(http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/url.cfm?ID=411749)
In simple terms McCain’s plan would give huge tax breaks to the top %5 of Americans, while Obama’s plan will give significant tax breaks to the bottom %95 and raise taxes on the top %5.
Here is a chart from CNN-Money that breaks down income and average tax bills under each candidate’s plans.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates_taxproposals_tpc/index.htm)
INCOME AVERAGE TAX BILL
MCCAIN OBAMA
Over $2.9 Million -$269,364 +$701,885
$603K and up -$45,361 +$115,974
$227K - $603K -$7,871 +$12
$161K - $227K -$4,380 -$2,789
$112K - $161K -$2,614 -$2,204
$66K - $112K -$1,009 -$1,290
$38K - $66K -$319 -$1,042
$19K - $38K -$113 -$892
Under $19K -$19 -$567
Factcheck.org says “McCain claims 23 million small-business owners would pay higher tax rates under Obama. He's wrong. The vast majority would see no change, and many would get a cut.” “We find that the overwhelming majority of those small-business owners would see no increase, because they earn too little to be affected. Obama's tax proposal would raise rates only on couples making more than $250,000 or singles earning more than $200,000.”
McCain argues that Obama's proposed increase is a job-killer. He has a point. It's true that increasing taxes on those at the top would leave them less money for other purposes, including investment and hiring in the case of business owners. But the number of business owners who would see their rates go up would be only a small fraction of what McCain says. Many would see their taxes go down.”
(http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/mccains_small-business_bunk.html)
CNN-Money says “This claim is misleading at best, because nobody knows exactly how many of those small-business owners earn more than $250,000 and are taxed as individuals. About 20 million claim business income, but have no employees. According to the Tax Policy Center , 663,608 taxpayers with business income (or losses) fall into the top two tax brackets and could be subject to Obama's tax increase. But according to Center fellow Len Berman, many - nobody knows how many - of those taxpayers are not full-time entrepreneurs. Most owners of small businesses, he says, have small incomes."
(http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/03/smallbusiness/mccain_obama_taxes.fsb/index.htm)
Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama and Biden will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 150 million workers the tax relief they need. Obama and Biden will create a new "Making Work Pay" tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. The "Making Work Pay" tax credit will completely eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans.
(http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/)
**Factcheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Their goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania . The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in 1994 to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels. The APPC accepts NO funding from business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals. It is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.
The only tax increase Senator Obama has pledged is to raise personal income tax on couples making more than $250,000 and singles making more than $200,000.
Factcheck says “Obama would only increase capital gains and dividends taxes only for couples earning more than $250,000 per year, or singles making $200,000. For the rest, taxes on investments and savings would remain unchanged.”
(http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/there_he_goes_again.html)
The Wall Street Journal also indicates “Obama would only increase capital gains and dividends taxes only for couples earning more than $250,000 per year, or singles making $200,000.” The same article also cites several financial analysts who agree “the next president will raise the capital-gains rate. It's just a question of when.” The article goes on to say “Sen. Obama wants to raise the long-term capital-gains rate for families making more than $250,000 to around 20% or somewhat higher -- but not above the 28% level it reached during the Reagan presidency.” Yes, that is conservative icon Ronald Regan. Obama only wants to raise the capital-gains rate for wealthy families back to the rate is was under Ronald Regan.
(http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121374794468982701.html)
Obama plans to reform Corporate Bankruptcy Laws to Protect Workers and Retirees: Current bankruptcy laws protect banks before workers. Obama and Biden will protect pensions by putting promises to workers higher on the list of debts that companies cannot shed; ensuring that the bankruptcy courts do not demand more sacrifice from workers than executives; telling companies that they cannot issue executive bonuses while cutting worker pensions; increasing the amount of unpaid wages and benefits workers can claim in court; and limiting the circumstances under which retiree benefits can be reduced.
(http://www.barackobama.com/issues/seniors/)
The US Census Bureau estimates only ~14,000 households over the age of 50 make more than 100,000. Assuming most households over 50 average 2.5 people, ~35,000 people over the age of 50 would have their taxes raised under Obama’s plan.
(http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032005/hhinc/new02_001.htm)
Furthermore, Barack Obama plans to eliminate income taxes for Seniors making less than $50,000: Barack Obama will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This proposal will eliminate income taxes for 7 million seniors and provide these seniors with an average savings of $1,400 each year. Under the Obama-Biden plan, 27 million American seniors will also not need to file an income tax return.
(http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/)
Factcheck, and the TPC say “Obama’s plan would produce tax cuts, not tax increases, for about 80% of all workers and families and about 95% of those with children, according to independent analysis by the Tax Policy Center .”
PolitiFact from the St Pete Times says “On Obama’s tax plan: In a speech this week, Obama said, "I will cut taxes — cut taxes — for 95 percent of all working families." The linchpin here is Obama's tax credit for workers, which is intended to offset payroll taxes. Single people can qualify for a $500 credit; married couples filing together could get $1,000. We consulted the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center , which has created detailed models for how each candidate's tax proposal would affect American taxpayers. Its analysis says that under Obama's plan: 95 percent of all tax filers (working and non-working) will get a cut in their individual income taxes and 95 percent of all families with children (working and non-working) will get a cut in their total federal taxes. We rule this statement true.”
(http://www..politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/724/)
Here are many more false claims about Obama’s tax plan.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/there_he_goes_again.html
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/more_tax_deceptions.html
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_32000_question.html
And snopes says most of the tax hype is false
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/taxes..asp
Newsweek on the tax distortions
http://www.newsweek.com/id/151621
If you want the truth, you should probably look to independent, non-partisan, non-profit organizations like the “ Tax Policy Center .” (http://www.taxpolicycenter.org)
**The Tax Policy Center (TPC) is a non-partisan, independent, joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution. The Center is made up of nationally recognized experts in tax, budget, and social policy who have served at the highest levels of government. TPC provides timely, accessible analysis and facts about tax policy to policymakers, journalists, citizens, and researchers. TPC analysis has been cited by CNN-Money, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, Time Magazine, US News and World Report, CNN, AP, UPI, Detroit Free Press, Forbes, and many other respected news agencies (even Fox News).
TPC has released their analysis of Senator McCain’s and Senator Obama’s tax plans.
In their educated, independent opinion: “The two candidates' tax plans would have sharply different distributional effects. Senator McCain's tax cuts would primarily benefit those with very high incomes, almost all of whom would receive large tax cuts that would, on average, raise their after-tax incomes by more than twice the average for all households. Many fewer households at the bottom of the income distribution would get tax cuts and those tax cuts would be small as a share of after-tax income. In marked contrast, Senator Obama offers much larger tax breaks to low- and middle-income taxpayers and would increase taxes on high-income taxpayers. The largest tax cuts, as a share of income, would go to those at the bottom of the income distribution, while taxpayers with the highest income would see their taxes rise significantly.”
(http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/url.cfm?ID=411749)
In simple terms McCain’s plan would give huge tax breaks to the top %5 of Americans, while Obama’s plan will give significant tax breaks to the bottom %95 and raise taxes on the top %5.
Here is a chart from CNN-Money that breaks down income and average tax bills under each candidate’s plans.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates_taxproposals_tpc/index.htm)
INCOME AVERAGE TAX BILL
MCCAIN OBAMA
Over $2.9 Million -$269,364 +$701,885
$603K and up -$45,361 +$115,974
$227K - $603K -$7,871 +$12
$161K - $227K -$4,380 -$2,789
$112K - $161K -$2,614 -$2,204
$66K - $112K -$1,009 -$1,290
$38K - $66K -$319 -$1,042
$19K - $38K -$113 -$892
Under $19K -$19 -$567
Factcheck.org says “McCain claims 23 million small-business owners would pay higher tax rates under Obama. He's wrong. The vast majority would see no change, and many would get a cut.” “We find that the overwhelming majority of those small-business owners would see no increase, because they earn too little to be affected. Obama's tax proposal would raise rates only on couples making more than $250,000 or singles earning more than $200,000.”
McCain argues that Obama's proposed increase is a job-killer. He has a point. It's true that increasing taxes on those at the top would leave them less money for other purposes, including investment and hiring in the case of business owners. But the number of business owners who would see their rates go up would be only a small fraction of what McCain says. Many would see their taxes go down.”
(http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/mccains_small-business_bunk.html)
CNN-Money says “This claim is misleading at best, because nobody knows exactly how many of those small-business owners earn more than $250,000 and are taxed as individuals. About 20 million claim business income, but have no employees. According to the Tax Policy Center , 663,608 taxpayers with business income (or losses) fall into the top two tax brackets and could be subject to Obama's tax increase. But according to Center fellow Len Berman, many - nobody knows how many - of those taxpayers are not full-time entrepreneurs. Most owners of small businesses, he says, have small incomes."
(http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/03/smallbusiness/mccain_obama_taxes.fsb/index.htm)
Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama and Biden will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 150 million workers the tax relief they need. Obama and Biden will create a new "Making Work Pay" tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. The "Making Work Pay" tax credit will completely eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans.
(http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/)
**Factcheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Their goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania . The APPC was established by publisher and philanthropist Walter Annenberg in 1994 to create a community of scholars within the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels. The APPC accepts NO funding from business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals. It is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.
The only tax increase Senator Obama has pledged is to raise personal income tax on couples making more than $250,000 and singles making more than $200,000.
Factcheck says “Obama would only increase capital gains and dividends taxes only for couples earning more than $250,000 per year, or singles making $200,000. For the rest, taxes on investments and savings would remain unchanged.”
(http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/there_he_goes_again.html)
The Wall Street Journal also indicates “Obama would only increase capital gains and dividends taxes only for couples earning more than $250,000 per year, or singles making $200,000.” The same article also cites several financial analysts who agree “the next president will raise the capital-gains rate. It's just a question of when.” The article goes on to say “Sen. Obama wants to raise the long-term capital-gains rate for families making more than $250,000 to around 20% or somewhat higher -- but not above the 28% level it reached during the Reagan presidency.” Yes, that is conservative icon Ronald Regan. Obama only wants to raise the capital-gains rate for wealthy families back to the rate is was under Ronald Regan.
(http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121374794468982701.html)
Obama plans to reform Corporate Bankruptcy Laws to Protect Workers and Retirees: Current bankruptcy laws protect banks before workers. Obama and Biden will protect pensions by putting promises to workers higher on the list of debts that companies cannot shed; ensuring that the bankruptcy courts do not demand more sacrifice from workers than executives; telling companies that they cannot issue executive bonuses while cutting worker pensions; increasing the amount of unpaid wages and benefits workers can claim in court; and limiting the circumstances under which retiree benefits can be reduced.
(http://www.barackobama.com/issues/seniors/)
The US Census Bureau estimates only ~14,000 households over the age of 50 make more than 100,000. Assuming most households over 50 average 2.5 people, ~35,000 people over the age of 50 would have their taxes raised under Obama’s plan.
(http://pubdb3.census.gov/macro/032005/hhinc/new02_001.htm)
Furthermore, Barack Obama plans to eliminate income taxes for Seniors making less than $50,000: Barack Obama will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This proposal will eliminate income taxes for 7 million seniors and provide these seniors with an average savings of $1,400 each year. Under the Obama-Biden plan, 27 million American seniors will also not need to file an income tax return.
(http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/)
Factcheck, and the TPC say “Obama’s plan would produce tax cuts, not tax increases, for about 80% of all workers and families and about 95% of those with children, according to independent analysis by the Tax Policy Center .”
PolitiFact from the St Pete Times says “On Obama’s tax plan: In a speech this week, Obama said, "I will cut taxes — cut taxes — for 95 percent of all working families." The linchpin here is Obama's tax credit for workers, which is intended to offset payroll taxes. Single people can qualify for a $500 credit; married couples filing together could get $1,000. We consulted the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center , which has created detailed models for how each candidate's tax proposal would affect American taxpayers. Its analysis says that under Obama's plan: 95 percent of all tax filers (working and non-working) will get a cut in their individual income taxes and 95 percent of all families with children (working and non-working) will get a cut in their total federal taxes. We rule this statement true.”
(http://www..politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/724/)
Here are many more false claims about Obama’s tax plan.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/there_he_goes_again.html
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/more_tax_deceptions.html
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_32000_question.html
And snopes says most of the tax hype is false
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/taxes..asp
Newsweek on the tax distortions
http://www.newsweek.com/id/151621
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Another one bites the dust.
Hey everyone!
It's been awhile since I've posting something...and for good reason! We've been busy!
We traveled to Panama City last week to visit with family and to attend my friend Betsy's wedding. We got in Wednesday and got to hang out with John's family. His parents and sisters are doing well, the kids (neices and nephews) are back in school and liking their classes and activities so far.
The next day we spent some time at the McCarthy house. Mom & Dad had just gotten back from Clearwater, and brought my grandparents back with them. So it was fun seeing them, and we also celebrated Dad's birthday.
On Friday, I got to spend time with the bride, Betsy, and some other ladies (including my friends Kelly and Carly) at the nail salon. We all got manicures and pedicures, and left feeling so relaxed! Later on that evening, John and I were invited to Betsy and Chris's wedding rehearsal dinner. It was held at Carly's parents house in the backyard, a luau theme. We got to see some friends we haven't seen in awhile and got to know Chris's buddies a little better.
Saturday we went out to P.C. Beach. The wedding was held at the Majestic Beach Resort, so we decided to stay the night there. Hurricane Gustav had just blown through the Gulf Coast a few days earlier, so it was still windy but very nice weather. The wedding was on the beach at sunset, beautiful! Then the reception was in a gorgeous ballroom...and we danced all night long. We all ended up at Salty's across the street later to continue to dancing once they kicked us out of the ballroom!
Fun fun had by all! Good people, good times!
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