how many people make their decisions based on the tax implications?

[dysfunctional press]

it always has puzzled me why the republicans preach tax cuts as the be-all and end-all of the political process...i would have to guess that the majority of americans make their financial/life/day-to-day decisions based on the food-clothing-shelter-transportation implications. it's only the UPPER middle-class and above who look at things from a how much is taxable point of view...
i almost NEVER consider taxes when making financial decisions- except maybe when trying to decide if there's enough change in my cupholder to pay the sales tax to be able to afford the Number 2 at mcdonald's.

how often do you consider income taxes when making big(or little) decisions?

for the rich guys- taxes always seem to be on their mind.
it's how the country started after all.

[Raine]

1. I don't but

my aunt and uncle did (they were rethugs, of course) my aunt actually said "I'm for ANYTHING that will lower my taxes". x( They weren't rich either just middle class but evidently had swallowed the repuke crap on taxes hook, link and sinker. :silly:

[NMMNG]

2. Well, of late

I try to find ways to contribute even more than usual to charities so I can send less to the federal government. The less I contribute to the Rethugs for their war, corporate welfare, richie-rich tax cuts and so on the happier I am.

[tblue]

3. I know people in financial dire straits who vote Republican because

they believe Republicans keep their taxes low. To them, I say:

How about your state taxes? How do they compare to 5-6 years ago? How about your wages over the last 5 years? Are they keeping up? How about the schools in your area, how are they doing? Would the teachers say the students have everything they need? How are the senior citizens you know doing financially? How do they like the Medicare prescription plan and have they been able to make sense of it? Does everyone you know have a job? Do any have more than one job? How many earn a living wage? Do they all have health insurance? What will they do in case of serious illness or disability? Do you know anyone who is disabled, and how are they doing under Republican one-party rule?

I know a couple who votes Republican and has no health insurance (long story short, he missed the enrollment deadline and has to wait an entire year). He is 50 something and works in an entry-level retail job. The wife had to be hospitalized this summer, and they have to get charity care to pay for it. The husband just had all his teeth pulled, because he never took care of his teeth, and they have no dental insurance to pay for that. They are now in debt up to their ears. He told me he resents the family in a neighboring apartment because the grandmother receives Meals on Wheels but supposedly the teenage grandkid eats it. "That's why I am a Republican," the guy told me. I wanted to tear out all my hair! If this is the classic Bush voter, no wonder this country is in such a mess.

[Lasher]

4. I used to contribute the max amount to my 401(k)

Part of the reason was that all contributions were subtracted from my taxable income. Other than that I don't consider taxes when making decisions. I'm thinking about getting a CPA to do my taxes, however, since he could tell me if I could alter my spending to my advantage in this respect.

[lcordero2]

5. I don't do it

But I know people that "nickel and dime" the government. One guy explained to me that if a white collar criminal's children are allowed to keep ill-gotten gains then he doesn't owe them anything except the turd that he left in the toilet bowl.

[Kagemusha]

6. A friend of mine claims if the Dems gave up raising taxes...

...they'd be unbeatable, because that's all political ads seem to talk about, slamming Dems on taxes.

Who knows.

[izzie]

7. I think it is an easy subject to talk about. People grab at it.

It is a thing that hits every one. It is also easy to say things would be better if I did not have to pay them when not one will say the road is not good as they get in their car and drives off on their tax payer road that they really need. It is like a cut off on tax as bad and what one needs to live in this society. GOP know this and use it and in fact they are buying half this election with these very taxes. Bush will fly the country, brings radio guys to WH and gives Billions to Churches. No one fits it to gether. Or should I say few do. Bush knows how that works. They bought a baseball term and got the packing on a tax to every one but the owners of the team made the big money and the every day people still pay a little tax for the packing lot. Bush got rich as his friends did but a little tax was spread around for every one to pay and the few owners got rich. Sports places do this all the time but they hardly ever put that into paying tax for a few rich people. The GOP does this well.

[Lurking Dem]

8. Considered it when I got married.