U.S. Fiscal Cliff

[Sepukku]

He didn't raise taxes, he simply didn't renew a tax cut that was supposed to be temporary all along. Fuck, I'm 24 and even I remember when that kicked in - I was like cool, a few extra bucks. I make more money now a couple years later, but its still the same shrug type mindset - oh well, 15 less bucks/week. 2% shouldn't be making or breaking anyone and that 2% was never designed to be permanent.

[Ragnus]

Did anyone else notice their Social Security payments go up? Mine almost doubled from my last paycheck...

[Synbios]

He didn't raise taxes, he simply didn't renew a tax cut that was supposed to be temporary all along. Fuck, I'm 24 and even I remember when that kicked in - I was like cool, a few extra bucks. I make more money now a couple years later, but its still the same shrug type mindset - oh well, 15 less bucks/week. 2% shouldn't be making or breaking anyone and that 2% was never designed to be permanent.

The Bush Era tax cuts were supposed to be temporary too.

[falloutboy14]

Unless democrats issue lawsuits and go nuclear to redraw districts (probably unlikely/very unpopular), they will probably not get the House back until at least 2020.

Both sides gerrymander, but the amount of safety and comfort that republicans are enjoying is unprecedented.

I've heard that some republican held states that go blue in presidential elections want to go with a split vote system (like Nebraska and Maine). If they do that, Democrats will be very justified in going nuclear. I recall Eric Holder talking about getting involved in future elections over the long lines etc in Florida.

[Callisto]

He didn't raise taxes, he simply didn't renew a tax cut that was supposed to be temporary all along. Fuck, I'm 24 and even I remember when that kicked in - I was like cool, a few extra bucks. I make more money now a couple years later, but its still the same shrug type mindset - oh well, 15 less bucks/week. 2% shouldn't be making or breaking anyone and that 2% was never designed to be permanent.

I wouldn't say 2% is 'a lot', but it's enough to be noticeable. I have very mediocre income and 2% of it is enough to cover one of my monthly utility bills.

[archibaldcrane]

It'll be like $3500/year for my wife and I, but with capital gains taxes going up, it's acceptable.

[archibaldcrane]

Also, the DJIA is up 2%, stocks are near a 5-year high again.

[zoobernut]

He didn't raise taxes, he simply didn't renew a tax cut that was supposed to be temporary all along. Fuck, I'm 24 and even I remember when that kicked in - I was like cool, a few extra bucks. I make more money now a couple years later, but its still the same shrug type mindset - oh well, 15 less bucks/week. 2% shouldn't be making or breaking anyone and that 2% was never designed to be permanent.

It is going ot be an extra couple of grand per year for my wife and I. Yeah if you break it down by week it doesn't seem like much but it will definitely be noticeable and it will suck. That is quite a bit of money for a middle class family. Specially in a time when the economy has been down and I remember getting "cost of living increases" that were about that much. The last thing you want to do when you are trying to keep the economy recovering is make people feel like they have less money to spend. We need people to go out and buy useless crap and luxury items right now in this country.

[Bregor]

It'll be like $3500/year for my wife and I, but with capital gains taxes going up, it's acceptable.

^

My fiancée and I actually high-fived when we saw the new "top bracket" or whatever would be $450k for couples. I think I even did the throat slash. Don't fine me, Goodell.

[Lordender]

^

My fiancée and I actually high-fived when we saw the new "top bracket" or whatever would be $450k for couples. I think I even did the throat slash. Don't fine me, Goodell.

High-five is an excessive celebration penalty and the throat slash is a one year ban from the league. You shall be re-instated after our indepth review after we fabricate a 50,000 page document! - Roger Goodell.

[kuronosan]

Considering our employer cut our pay 3% last year (which amounted to about $100/mo) 2% will be rather noticeable for me.

[Talint]

I feel like I'm the only individual who doesn't care about paying taxes.

Considering the capital gains I have, I should.

[Callisto]

I'm not at all against paying higher taxes since I'm smart and know how top budget things to live within my means, though spending reform(more at the state level than federal, IL is atrocious) is a bit of am issue for me. I have no qualms pitching in for education, fire/police, and infrastructure but I want to know my money is being used somewhat responsibly.

That said, my monthly health insurance costs also went up 20% yesterday so between that and the payroll tax increase I'll feel a pinch, luckily I should be seeing a substantial raise soon.

[Talint]

I'm not at all against paying higher taxes since I'm smart and know how top budget things to live within my means, though spending reform(more at the state level than federal, IL is atrocious) is a bit of am issue for me. I have no qualms pitching in for education, fire/police, and infrastructure but I want to know my money is being used somewhat responsibly.

Arguably a fair concern, but no one has a say as to what their tax dollars are spent on. The best counter to this is to vote into office good officials (easier said than done sometimes).

Unless you're a psycho-religious nut that wants to make sure women don't have abortions or provide them health care coverage. Then I guess it's even okay to throw a temper tantrum.

[Melena]

Yea the payroll tax thing sucks, will be about 1500-2000 less a year between the wife and I approximately. Plus our union agreed to sharing the healthcare cost so now have to pay 10% of that, will be about 160 a month. At least that's pretax dollars though.

[Salodin]

Confused, we got a tattered deal instead of starting fresh in the new year? Tax raises on every one, including the people who really didn't need more money taken out of their pockets, and every one is a-ok and business as usual? I'm a little upset, I could use every dime in my meager paycheck.

[Talint]

Confused, we got a tattered deal instead of starting fresh in the new year? Tax raises on every one, including the people who really didn't need more money taken out of their pockets, and every one is a-ok and business as usual? I'm a little upset, I could use every dime in my meager paycheck.

There was market/economy concerns about a prolonged fiscal cliff fix. Also, there's a decent shot that John Boehner's speakership is in jeopardy, which would mean Speaker of the House Eric Cantor will be even less likely to get a deal through the House.

But that's congress for you. Apparently some prominent republicans are utterly furious at how this was handled.

-edit-

Also, House Republicans punitively kill a Hurricane Sandy relief bill, annoying New York/New Jersey delegates across the political spectrum.

[archibaldcrane]

Confused, we got a tattered deal instead of starting fresh in the new year? Tax raises on every one, including the people who really didn't need more money taken out of their pockets, and every one is a-ok and business as usual? I'm a little upset, I could use every dime in my meager paycheck.

Economy is recovering, this isn't a terrible time to remove the payroll tax holiday. For everyone under 400k, we're back to Bush-level taxes. It's not really enough revenue to meet our obligations, but its a start.

[Salodin]

Economy is recovering, this isn't a terrible time to remove the payroll tax holiday. For everyone under 400k, we're back to Bush-level taxes. It's not really enough revenue to meet our obligations, but its a start.

So we're making a compromise that doesn't really satisfy any one. Fixes small problems when we still have huge ones in the room, but let's call it a victory cause hey, why not. Nah, not buying it. I wanted some backbone, some tough choices that might hurt me in the short term but help me out so much more in the long term. Instead, I got nothing but higher taxes with no reason to believe I'll see it paid back in the future. Guess it really is business as usual.

[Tarage]

Also, House Republicans punitively kill a Hurricane Sandy relief bill, annoying New York/New Jersey delegates across the political spectrum.

Why can't we have competent republicans in office... We fucking exist.

I hate my party right now.