Compassionate Conservative???? Huh

[MM38084]

What is going on with our "compassionate conservative?" Back in 2000 during the presidential campaign, George W. Bush continually harped on the theme of "compassionate conservatism."

He also spoke at great length about his plan to cut taxes over the course of his term if elected, a major premise being the existing inequity of our tax structure.

Well, to George's credit he did indeed cut taxes pretty much across the board, so to speak, to the tune of somewhere around $600 billion dollars.

Specifically, personal tax cuts totaled $446 billion (74 percent), while business tax cuts amounted to around $155 billion, or 26 percent.

Okay, that's the good news. However, while it looks good on paper and sounds good on sound bites, in actuality it leaves a lot to be desired.

For example, I'll bet you didn't know that the poorest 20 percent of workers who earn an average of under $17,000 annually will get a tax break of around $250 this year (or less than 2 percent of their income), while the richest 1 percent whose average income tops $1.2 million, will receive $78,460 in tax cuts this year, or nearly 7 percent of their income.

And that's only part of it. Obviously we're all aware of the high cost of war, what with our battle in Iraq, which could cost anywhere from $121 billion to $1.6 trillion.

I know: that's a ton of money, but if it's any consolation, that figure is all-inclusive, from waging war, occupation, nation-building, reconstruction, humanitarian aid, claims and reparations, impact on oil markets, macro-economics impact, just to name a few areas - and it's spread over a 10-year period.

How do we pay for it with tax cuts abounding? Why, we cut back on as many social programs as necessary over however many years it may take.

Of course we also go into heavy debt - can you imagine maintaining your own personal budget in like manner? (Oh, I know, some folks actually do.)

Here's more. Social Security taxes have increased nine times since 1977. For example, currently earnings are taxed for Social Security at a rate of 6.2 percent on income up to $87,900, but I'll bet you didn't know, or maybe just never thought about it, that there is no Social Security tax on income above that amount.

In other words, for those whose income is under $87,900, every dollar is subject to Social Security tax.

That's the bad news. The good news - for those (of us) who qualify, that is - is that the richest 10 percent who make on average $288,800 annually, will pay less than 2 percent of their income for Social Security.

To carry that a step further, while most of us pay into Social Security all year, millionaires are finished paying into Social Security the first four weeks of the year.

Now add to all this the ongoing government efforts to scale back on social programs such as job training, housing, higher education, daycare, nutrition, Meals-On-Wheels, home energy, child care assistance, government subsidies for low-income families - and welfare in general - and what have we got?

Frankly, a mess.

I don't know what the answer is. You know that I'm certainly not too liberal, and usually support more traditional (read: Conservative) value issues.

However, this current path we are taking could very well be a road to disaster, especially with all the money being expended for the war in Iraq.

You tell me: What should we do?

Oh, don't worry: I'm an equal-opportunity complainer, so John Kerry will get equal billing, sometime in the near future.

[razar]

Social programs and taxes are why we are in this mess.Even if there was no war we still be in this mess.Social plrograms are not just for those who need them,but are doled out to the lazy,and the various voting blocs that need to be pandered to.
The political hacks in side the beltway are only concerned about reelection.Republicans have become the party of Liberals as it relates to social programs,and destroyed the Contract with America .The Democrats have been taken over by hard core socialists.The answer?You don't want to hear it!!!

The choices we have now will not change the tax or financial outlook of this great nation.Where is Walt when we need him
---------Kerry or Bush----- Goofy or Daffy---God help us on this one.

---------GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR BRAVE TROOPS