The Real Phantom Menace

Do you remember the games you played as a child?  Do you remember the one kid who would change the rules of the game as you were playing? Have you ever wonder what happened to that manipulating bastard?  Chances are he works somewhere within the IRS and the US government.

The more things change the more they stay the same, or so they say.  The more you apply yourself to benefit society the more society takes form you. So therefore, the less benefit you provide, the more you receive? 

If your one of the million Americans who have children well then "Cha Ching ", unemployed "Cha Ching", useless to society in general "Cha Ching". I of course speak of your federal income tax, or lack there of.

The math is simple... the less income you make the more you get back. What about all of us middle of the road types? You know us proud Americans who have accumulated a slightly better than modest salary?. We know who we are... the citizen who has what he or she needs and then some, but still struggles to save for the inevitable retirement, what do we get?

Let me break down my bitterness. A very slight increase in wages is all that differs on my income taxes this year, however my dearest Uncle Sam decided to change the rules this time around. In years past I have come to expect a small return for my hard work & effort. Year after that small return has gotten smaller & smaller & smaller, until this year. My illustrious accountant broke some bad news to me earlier this week. In his knowledgeable explanation he explained to me that my uncle has decided to rid a tax cut that I had (& millions of other Americans have) benefited from annually. This one cut swung my returns so substantially,  I find myself doling out  to the government.

The lesson plan seems to be cut and dry. Work hard or enough to survive get porked. Under achieve, quit or not try at all, get handed a block of cheese and some dough. 

-Pal

---