Class Warfare is not an evil term. Class Warfare is, to my way of thinking, an apt term to describe the actions of the wealthy and those they have bought in high government office who are right this minute actively waging war on the middle, working and lower classes.
Sales tax is added to everything you buy in the United States. State and city governments set the amount of these taxes so they vary from city to city. When I was recently in Seattle, I was shocked to find that the sales tax rate was 10%. Being from San Diego, I'm more accustomed to paying 7.75%, which to my way of thinking is already too much.
When I recently read that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer in Great Britain, increased the tax rate on the sale of hot take away food to 20% I became outraged from all the way across the pond. At the same time this 20% sales tax on hot take away food goes into effect, top earners in Great Britain will actually enjoy a 5% income tax break!
David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, has already expressed public approval for the new tax rates put forth by George Osborne.
Those Big Government Bullies
The New York Times has more details about the new tax rates in an article that can be found here.
I Didn't Win
Sadly, I didn't win the Mega Millions lottery which was up to $640 million before the winning numbers were announced on Friday.
Sad Making
I'm not sad because I didn't win so much as I am sad for everyone else who will now miss out on what would have been one of, if not the, greatest press conferences of all time. Had I won, I would have used all $640 million to finance the purchase of 640 million lottery tickets for the next drawing. Answering a reporter's question about what I will do with my winnings with a hearty "I'm gonna let it ride!" would have been awesome.
I'm sorry to hear you didn't win the lottery mate, maybe you should do what I do and start betting on sports haha. That taxation on hot food over here is ridiculous too although we're doing our best to oppose it so maybe it won't be passed, great post as usual man.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your disappointment with lottery ticket. Why do you need a reporter I could give "thumbs up" for your answer.
ReplyDeleteAnd tax it is just ridiculous. Chicago is 10%.
The place I live is 5%. I don't understand upping the sales tax while cutting taxes for top earners. Sales taxes affect the lower class more, because they have no money to spend. Thus they disproportionately affect the low and middle classes more. Fuck tax breaks for the rich. It's not going to make them start a business any faster.
ReplyDeleteThat is one insane tax rate, I thought the tax in California was bad. Don't worry if you won the lottery, its just another method to gain money by the government.
ReplyDeletewell, there's always next time...
ReplyDeleteYou only pay 7.75% sales tax? Lucky bastard. It was 17.5 here, then it moved up to 20% on some things, and then like you mentioned they upped it to 20% on more things. There was a whole lot of outrage at that. Especially because the people who mainly buy those things are the poorer folks, so it's seen as yet another tax on the poor. Bastards. That is Davey boy Cameron and his lackey Clegg. Not the poor. Those are my people.
ReplyDeleteLOL!! It's genius I say!!!
ReplyDeleteWish I won that lottery!
ReplyDeleteIt's just not fair.. it's at 7% here and that just felt like woah when it happened. We've all grown used to it, sadly.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm sorry you didn't win. Also, lol.
Whenever the poor or quasi-poor complain about anything, the rich like to throw that "class warfare" thing in our faces. As you point out, the rich are the ones who have been waging war on the poor...not the other way around. Sadly, the rich are never going to treat the poor fairly. Ordinary folks are missing the boat when they think their lot will change by supporting a certain politician or voting for a certain party. The best thing average citizens can do is to become successful big shots themselves and try to change the system from the inside. Although, the ideal Utopian society will perhaps never be achieved I subscribe to the philosophy of Smoochy the rhinoceros, "You can't change the world,...but you can make a dent."
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have this money!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I heard about the lottery thing even though I live in Asia. It came up in the papers. So who won?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bill up there, sales tax only hurts those with lower incomes as it raises the cost of living for everyone. I'm all in favour of taxes, being somewhat of a socialist (don't shoot me!) but it has to be fair and adjusted, not geared to keeping one set of people down while lining the pockets of others. I'm honestly not surprised at anything the current government has done here in the UK, I lived through the last Conservative regime and it's business as usual. People seem to have short memories when it comes to politics...
ReplyDeleteTegan Wilson
Yeah, I always thought 8% tax here was high, until, like Thinking Cap said, I went to Chicago and found out it was 10%. That's ridiculous to me. So 20%? That's just outright insane.
ReplyDeleteSales or income tax... Isn't sales the fairest? Since it directly correlates to the money you spend?
ReplyDeleteThis particular sales tax is on hot take away food, which, to my way of thinking, is typically consumed by working people.
Deletegood to know we agree politically
ReplyDeleteI don't know all the math, but I'm pretty sure that with the way they tax lottery winnings, "letting it ride" would probably be a bad idea ;D
ReplyDeleteIncome tax is really high I think also
ReplyDeleteOh god, the Poor and Stupid Tax. I actually bought two quick picks and my old numbers just to jump in - like everyone else, I didn't win.
ReplyDeleteReckon the guy who did went anonymously? Like you, I would've given the most epic ramble for a press conference.
"And I want the American people to know that the lights will still go on the next day, and the schools will stay open though largely in danger of failing completely. I want you people to keep in mind that there will once again be another National Lampoons poorly-made movie that destroys their legacy once again. There will be yet another Movie Movie, and chances are it'll suck. There are is also a good chance that it might be a good movie - after all, Meet the Spartans was EXCELLENT!"
And then I'd go off on an angle about conspiracy theories, ariems, and 2012 being the year we all die since Hell obviously froze over and is ready to invade Earth since I won something this big.
Seriously. Me, winning the lotto? Yeah, my luck dictates taht the world ends the year I win a hugefuck lotto.