Tax Cuts Don't Always Result In Paying Less Taxes

It really bothers me that the tax cut deal will actually increase taxes on poor people. It's kind of ironic, considering that of all the people who could use the money, they are the only ones who will pay more.

I don't think billionaires need the million-upon-millions of extra dollars. Sure, for the poorest, taxes may only go up by a very small amount, but that very small amount is a much larger percentage of their income. (Fun Fact: The Walton Family would save over 23 billion dollars with the estate tax portion alone. That doesn't even include the income tax portion.)

Anyone making $20,000 or less a year, or married couples making $40,000 or less will actually pay more taxes this upcoming year. Beyond being unfair, it just doesn't make sense. Consider that in Connecticut $20,000 is already hard enough to live on. A married couple making only $40,000 for the most part cannot survive.

Let's do some simple math:
$40,000 a year equals $769.23 a week for two people pre-tax.
Taking out takes would leave that couple with around $30,600 a year or $588.46 a week.

That brings us to around $2,353 a month. Let's pay some bills and, hopefully, buy some groceries.

Rent: $1,000 ($1,000)
Electricity (Second highest in the nation): $100 ($1,100)
Internet: $$40 ($1,140)
Cell Phones: $60 ($1,200)
Car Insurance: $200 ($1,400)
Car Payments: $350 ($1,750)
Gas: $160 ($1,810)
Groceries: $160 ($1,970)
Monthly necessities: $100 ($2,070)

That leaves about $300 a month leftover, and I am sure I am forgetting things. Of course this doesn't include buying new clothing, gifts, entertainment, or other necessities. Nor does it include renter's insurance, property insurance for two cars (probably $750-$1,000), or other random miscellany. This doesn't include doctor's appointments, prescriptions, car repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Perhaps most importantly though, this offers no room whatsoever in a budget to actually save money for a future. This doesn't include having children and their associated costs. This doesn't account for buying furniture or anything else like televisions or kitchen gadgets.

Fact is, in Connecticut, a couple cannot live on $40,000 dollars just as a single person can't live (on their own) on $20,000. It just doesn't add up. At best, you'd spend exactly what you take in, living week-to-week praying that nothing goes wrong. No chance at having a family and no chance to save towards a future. No vacations or getting sick.

But these are the only people who will pay more taxes; the people who can afford it the least. To call the fact that the very richest of Americans would pay less goes so far beyong a slap in the face. It kind of feels more like a door mat. But not a nice, fuzzy new one; no, an old ratty one they just want to throw away. That's us: garbage.