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I simply do not agree with this idea and to be quite honest I see it as a social_istic policy more
in line to what a country like Cuba or Communist China would suggest than our own country.
What happened to the American Dream?
Let me start by saying I am fortunate to be well compensated for my work. I don’t believe I am Rich, however I am sure others may see it differently.
How did I get to the salary level I am at now? I can assure you it was not handed over on a silver platter.
I went to college, graduated with good grades, and worked hard. I often work 60+ hour weeks with late nights and weekends. I had to travel a lot and be away from my family for long periods of time.
Why do I do this? So I can better my financial situation and in effect that of my family. I can afford a nicer house, I can put money away for retirement, I can send my daughter to school and give my family some of the nicer things that they deserve.
So when someone tells me that they believe in redistribution of wealth is only fair, I have to ask why it is fair?
Why should I as an American who worked hard and long for the money I have, give more of it to supplement those who make less?
Is that not the American dream? Work Hard, Further Yourself and enjoy the good life.
Now before people start jumping on my case, I want to make a few other observations.
1) Last week I was in the local grocery store and I noticed the woman in front of me with a cart full of items from the meat case. She had Prime Rib, T-Bones, Rib eyes and lots of other better cuts of meat. I remember thinking boy, I should be going to her house for dinner as we rarely splurge like that.
That’s before I saw her pull out her "loneStar" card and pay for her entire purchase on a government issued card which is the equivalent of food stamps.
Wait a second, isn't she eating T-Bone on my tax dollars ??????
2) Everyone seems to believe that it’s the rich who get all the tax breaks. While once again I definitely don’t consider myself to be rich, I did just get around to filing my taxes for 2007 a few weeks ago after using up 99% of my extension time 
I ended up using Turbo tax this year as I just couldn't bear to pay any more for a tax guy who charged me several hundred dollars a year for what it says the box will do.
It asked me is I had tuition expenses, and I thought fantastic I can write that off. Then I found out that I make too much money to get that write off any of it as a deduction.
It asked me if I had medical expenses to which I thought great as my wife had over $15,000 in dental work done last year due to medical issues. She also has a special medical policy that we have for her because my company wont insure her pre-existing cancer. Guess what, I make too much money to write any of that off as well.
I am not sure where all these benefits for those who make more money are as I don’t see them at all. All I see is a higher tax bracket so I pay a much larger percentage than those who make a smaller salary.
Now while I am not complaining here as I feel I pay more than my fair share of taxes already. What I want to know why some people feel that I should be forced to pay for those who may have not made the sacrifices I did to further my career.
I understand the plight of those in need. I donate to the American Cancer Society, I sponsor riders in the MS150, I give groceries to the food banks, I believe I do my fair share already.
Its one thing to feed the hungry, its quite another to provide welfare to those who in many cases just don’t want to put in the effort to better themselves.
OK, I am off my soapbox now so late the berating begin………..
Doug
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