The Candidates and How They Will Affect Your Taxes

An article popped up on my iGoogle page a few days ago, titled "How McCain and Obama Will Change Your Tax Bill" I'm instantly interested, because the main argument of conservatives is that they don't want another "tax and spend Democrat" stealing all the money from their pockets. Yet, from what I understood of the candidates tax policies, it sounds to me like Obama will benefit 98% or the population, while McCains will only really benefit the top 2%. It turns out that isn't far from the truth.

The most intriguing aspects of the plans are clearly laid out in the table to the right. I don't understand how the American public has fallen for the claims of the conservatives. Everyone below $112,000 per year will do better under the Obama plan than under McCain plan. That's around 90% of the US. Those who would benefit the most are those below $66,000 dollars...those who need that money the most.

The Republicans can't even use the argument that the Democratic plan will increase the deficit...true, Barack's plan will increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over ten years. But McCain's will increase the debt by $4.5 trillion. All so that the members of our society who need the money the least won't have to pay as much each year.

I don't understand the logic. Is this simply pandering to those in our society who hold the most power? Do the Republicans get something in return for what appears to be such selfish and elitist tax policies?

I understand that this study is fairly simple, in terms of overall economic policy in each campaign. McCain's camp claims that his fight against earmarks and rampant government spending will reign in the deficit numbers. Yet, that still doesn't explain how giving money back to the people who need it least will improve the economy. I'm sorry, I just don't see the gains claimed by trickle-down economics. (Maybe someone can show me a site that refutes that?)

Baracky

This is silly, silly stuff...but I can't help but still get pumped up watching it.




YES!

WE!

CAN!

Inside the Mind of a Political Cartoonist

Caricaturist John Kascht has posted an amazing series of videos on the Washington Post website, detailing his thought process behind his amazing caricatures of the 2008 Presidential candidates. Not only do you get a glimpse of his methods of drawing, but he explains why he makes the choices that he does for each candidate. Fascinating, entertaining stuff.

Captain America is Dead...

I was surprised at the amount of attention this kicked up. So what? Cap is dead. He'll be back, people! It's a comic book!?! Does the name Doomsday mean nothing to you!? (er...probably not, I guess.) He killed Superman. Yeah, Superman died. Don't worry. He's back. Which is my point.

Seriously, though, it seems like EVERYONE is talking about this. But leave it to Stephen Colbert to put it all in perspective.

When comics meet politics. That's good stuff, there.

Wha - ?! You mean they won?!

What an odd sensation. This is the first election where I actually voted for winners!

I'm a late-comer to the political world. During High School and even college, it never interested me much. I remember reacting when I heard we had invaded Kuwait in 1990, but beyond that, nothing phased me much.

So, it wasn't until President Bush really started applying his unique brand of "Presidentin'" that I really started paying attention to politics.

Here's what I want to see happen now...

• Lower student loan percentages...Bush crows about his tax cuts like they are the solution to all that ails America...yet, when the basic student loan rose from 5.3 percent to 7.14 percent, I certainly felt that stronger than any tax cut.
• Come up with a new strategy for Iraq...instead of treading water, I'd like to see some progress. The firing of Rumsfeld was a great first step, and some of the "realist" ideas that are being pushed by James Baker's Iraq commission sound like they're plausible and sound.
• Alternative Energy Sources...whether it's for environmental, political or moral reasons, getting off our dependence on oil sooner rather than later seems like a win/win. Not sure why we haven't done it sooner?