Obamunism Explained

Wow, the ever elusive slow day at work has finally arrived. Maybe I'll share some thoughts on the upcoming election.

Obama is promising to cut taxes for the middle class. That sounds nice in theory. But let's look at what he's going to do with the tax money he does take. If you're low-income, you don't pay taxes anyway, so you'll get a check! So he's literally taking money from the rich and middle class, and giving it to low-income people. But he calls it a tax cut for the middle class in order to buy their votes. Sneaky.

What will be the effect of this? As someone who lived the life of a low-income person for about 14 years while doing undergrad, mission, grad school and med school, I can tell you that it was a big adjustment to break out of the welfare system. We had come to rely on WIC, CHIP, and a bunch of other government assistance. When I got a real job making about $35K a year, our standard of living took a hit. It's tough to pay taxes and tithing, as well as buy your own health insurance and peanut butter. I had the incentive of a well paying future to motivate me. But many low-income people will find it just doesn't pay to move up in the world, especially with Obama and the Democrats willing to buy their votes with an extra $1000 check every year. I know people who have turned down raises and better jobs because they would no longer qualify for government assistance. Obamunism promises more of this nonsense.

What about the effects on the "rich"? Raising income taxes on the rich by 3% would take another $7500 from someone making $250K. As someone who aspires to make that kind of money someday how would that affect me? Instead of hiring someone to do my yardwork or housework I might do it myself. Instead of contributing more to worthy causes I would figure "What's the use, the government is doing it, and they're already taking too much of my money". Instead of trying to grow my business I would figure "Why bother, I'll just have to turn most of the money over to Uncle Sam".

Obama thinks he can create jobs. The reality is it's mostly "rich" people who create jobs. The irony is that the help he promises to the low and middle class actually hurts them, and is based on the myth that class status is fixed. In reality people move up from low to middle to high income if given the freedom to do so.