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This is a pretty important wake-up call to Long Islanders and their congressional representatives- the new tax hikes that are coming next year are deeply unfair to many. On Long Island, families living a bare bones existence need to make at least $113,000. That's doing without the "frivolous"-lessons for kids, eating at a restaurant as well as the basic- putting money in savings for the rainy day, retirement, and/or catastrophic illness. When those who make $150,000 or more- that's only $37,000 more than the basic amount needed to get by- are targeted with outrageous taxes, we all lose. There will be no more disposable income to shop (retail workers lose their jobs), no money to eat out (restaurant workers lose), no money to invest, and no money to save. You can rant and rave and sneer all you want about the "rich" who are complaining but the fact is $100,000 on Long Island means you are teetering on the line between making a life for yourself and your family and struggling to pay rent, pay a mortgage and put food on the table. Call your congressional reps now and make sure they've read the study. Ask them what they are going to do about the tsunami of federal taxes that are hitting us next year.
I don't see the elected officials in a deep blue state like NY EVER taking the boot off your (collective) throat, as Ken Salazar said about BP.
People see an annual income in the $113-150K range and act as if people making that much are wealthy. In the best case scenario, a family with that income is comfortable and, in a place like LI, it's enough to get by and nothing else (as you describe). Tax hikes are felt by everyone who pays them; I'm sure even uber rich people notice the difference, as a small % tax hike on a very wealthy family adds up to a LOT of dollars.
About how to lower the cost of living... housing prices have dipped and should decline further on LI as the Economy continues to weaken nationwide. The bailouts helped the NY Economy a LOT so housing prices on LI may not drop as much as expected. That said, when the value of a home drops, the Government just increases the tax rate so the dollar value of your RE tax NEVER drops. Heck... I doubt it ever stays the same or goes anywhere but UP!
From what I know of the Congressional reps from LI (like Tim Bishop)... I doubt they give a rip if you're getting squeezed. If they (or Obama) cared, they WOULD NOT be doing what they have done and plan to do in the future. They're happy to bend you over.
I dunno, I found myself playing stickball and street hockey with friends and various other outdoor activities during our summers. I'm 32, not the "olden days" kind of reminiscing... too many activities to pay for these days, not all necessary. Perhaps 1 or 2 things but parents are going nuts seemingly trying to compete with one another or maybe they just want them out of their hair as much as possible. You don't always have to tell your kids "ok we'll do it". They'll live.
I dunno, I found myself playing stickball and street hockey with friends and various other outdoor activities during our summers. I'm 32, not the "olden days" kind of reminiscing... too many activities to pay for these days, not all necessary. Perhaps 1 or 2 things but parents are going nuts seemingly trying to compete with one another or maybe they just want them out of their hair as much as possible. You don't always have to tell your kids "ok we'll do it". They'll live.
My children would beg to differ with you about olden days. To them, you're old and I'm ancient!
Given the number of children who are either sent to camp for the summer, or who are in day camp during the summer (both parents working) there is a dearth of children with whom to play when school is out. It is different from when my nieces and nephews (closer to your age, 5-8 years younger) grew up in this area, and way different than when I played with the rest of the kids in Bedrock. If there's not many people around to play with, it makes it difficult to get a good game of hide and seek going.
Someone else wrote their parents would have had to have dragged them kicking and screaming to summer camp -- my youngest is the same way, so no summer camp.
My children would beg to differ with you about olden days. To them, you're old and I'm ancient!
Given the number of children who are either sent to camp for the summer, or who are in day camp during the summer (both parents working) there is a dearth of children with whom to play when school is out. It is different from when my nieces and nephews (closer to your age, 5-8 years younger) grew up in this area, and way different than when I played with the rest of the kids in Bedrock. If there's not many people around to play with, it makes it difficult to get a good game of hide and seek going.
Someone else wrote their parents would have had to have dragged them kicking and screaming to summer camp -- my youngest is the same way, so no summer camp.
That was me. Kudos for you for accepting your little one's disdain for camp. I remember a lot of kids' parents forcing them to go because it was "good for them," when really, they just wanted the kids out of their hair!
I don't see the elected officials in a deep blue state like NY EVER taking the boot off your (collective) throat, as Ken Salazar said about BP.
People see an annual income in the $113-150K range and act as if people making that much are wealthy. In the best case scenario, a family with that income is comfortable and, in a place like LI, it's enough to get by and nothing else (as you describe). Tax hikes are felt by everyone who pays them; I'm sure even uber rich people notice the difference, as a small % tax hike on a very wealthy family adds up to a LOT of dollars.
I hear what the above poster is saying- if politicians couldn't put a chokehold on the middle class, where could they do it? The uber rich actually don't feel the difference- the top 10% usually have tax rates in the 17-20% range because of their shelters and structured investments. They laugh all the way to the bank.
We need to question why there is no cost of living adjustment for taxes. Why should Long Islanders, whose cost of living is sky-high (recent real estate prices non-withstanding) pay the same rate as someone in Wyoming? If you make $150,000 in Wyoming, Texas, heck, even Florida, you have a very comfortable lifestyle. Childcare is less, groceries are less, taxes are less, etc. Why should the federal government not take that into account? Please understand I am not addressing the chaos that are state and county taxes but saying- CALL your representatives about changing the federal tax structure.
I hear what the above poster is saying- if politicians couldn't put a chokehold on the middle class, where could they do it? The uber rich actually don't feel the difference- the top 10% usually have tax rates in the 17-20% range because of their shelters and structured investments. They laugh all the way to the bank.
We need to question why there is no cost of living adjustment for taxes. Why should Long Islanders, whose cost of living is sky-high (recent real estate prices non-withstanding) pay the same rate as someone in Wyoming? If you make $150,000 in Wyoming, Texas, heck, even Florida, you have a very comfortable lifestyle. Childcare is less, groceries are less, taxes are less, etc. Why should the federal government not take that into account? Please understand I am not addressing the chaos that are state and county taxes but saying- CALL your representatives about changing the federal tax structure.
In order for that to happen, the people in the other states would have to feel sorry for you. What on Earth makes you think a Senator from Wyoming or Texas or Utah or Nevada or Idaho or any number of states would ever consider approving a bill that gave people on LI or Southern California or the bay area a break from federal taxes because our property taxes are too high? You'd have to be smoking some pretty serious stuff to think that. They view us as the enemy. You already get your property tax write off. You should be thankful you have that.
Sorry you didn't have the chance to earn a black belt, play a musical instrument in school, have a shot at a dance competion in Ireland, perform community service through a scouting organization, attend a dance at school, purchase a yearbook, go on a field trip, etc.
We just went through the college app process. Schools are looking for students who are well-rounded, have interesting activities, who show initiative as well as the ability to stick with an activity. Grades figure in, but if Bobby has a 95 and played baseball and Bruno had a 93 and a blackbelt as well as other long term interests -- Bruno is getting in.
I didn't do as many activities either as a student, but then again, I was raised in a blue collar area where most parents had different priorities other than college.
Johnny has an 88 average, was one of three new speakers to the debate team that made it into the finals, not really good at sports, but volunteers at his local hospital. Guess what? Johnny will get into college, more importantly, Johnny will succeed in life because of perserverance and tenacity rather than Mommy paid $200 a month so I could obtain a black belt.
Getting into college is very subjective, there is no cookie-cutter approval process. Don't forget, colleges are looking for money, if all you do is go to school and perform half way decent, and live with Daddy Warbucks.....you are in!
Shocking news who would have known. Just moving saved me around 40-45% all around. It all adds up my friends.....
yeah, but now you're in the woods and have to "squeal like a pig" if you make a wrong turn!
Sorry, Mike, I couldn't resist. Really, you know I'm jealous and dream of moving but can't say that out loud or my wife might hear me and I'll be squealing like a pig.
I hear what the above poster is saying- if politicians couldn't put a chokehold on the middle class, where could they do it? The uber rich actually don't feel the difference- the top 10% usually have tax rates in the 17-20% range because of their shelters and structured investments. They laugh all the way to the bank.
We need to question why there is no cost of living adjustment for taxes. Why should Long Islanders, whose cost of living is sky-high (recent real estate prices non-withstanding) pay the same rate as someone in Wyoming? If you make $150,000 in Wyoming, Texas, heck, even Florida, you have a very comfortable lifestyle. Childcare is less, groceries are less, taxes are less, etc. Why should the federal government not take that into account? Please understand I am not addressing the chaos that are state and county taxes but saying- CALL your representatives about changing the federal tax structure.
This is why Long Island needs to gain some form of internal autonomy while still remaining in political union with the US. We need to find a way to avoid both state and federal taxes ... while still retaining US citizenship, control over foreign affairs, and defense.
The Federal tax structure is never going to change in our favor ...
This is why Long Island needs to gain some form of internal autonomy while still remaining in political union with the US. We need to find a way to avoid both state and federal taxes ... while still retaining US citizenship, control over foreign affairs, and defense.
The Federal tax structure is never going to change in our favor ...
Maybe we should just change our name to Puerto Rico.
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