Political JUNGLE

John McCain and Barack Obama have been going back and forth this week on various topics, but none more important at the moment than the economy.  With rising gas prices and the subsequent rise in the price of all products, taxes and the economy have become the issues at the forefront of American minds.  As both candidates claim varying levels of tax relief, normal Americans try to figure out what exactly the candidates are talking about.

Well, there’s no easy way to explain the differences in the positions of  Obama and McCain, as both are based on speculation and economic theory.  With that said, Obama essentially works off the platform that the relief needs to focus on the middle class, as he makes the rich and big corporations look like the enemy.  Its important for average middle class Americans and small business owners to get tax breaks, but Americans need to look past that simple comparison.

Here is a brief layout of the two Candidates view on taxes: (info is from their respective websites, and @ The Candidates.)                           

• Obama would let expire tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. He acknowledges that additional revenue might be needed to achieve his health care goals, but says a large amount of money can be saved within the existing system.

• McCain says tax cuts work best in conjunction with lower spending.  McCain was one of two Republican senators to oppose the 2001 tax cuts, arguing that too many of the benefits went to the most fortunate at the expense of the middle class. He also opposed the 2003 tax cuts. McCain says he would not raise taxes, but that he would not go as far as to sign a pledge to that effect. He believes a repeal of the estate tax isn’t necessary.   

John McCain wants to extend the Bush tax cuts, which by the way have substantially helped middle class Americans, and corporate America. As you can see, he is concerned about the middle class as well.  But the idea that big corporations and the rich are bad for America is a slogan that is unfounded and just getting out of control.  If corporate America gets tax cuts, they make higher profits, which then allows them to pay all those middle class Americans more money.  Not to mention, all of Obama’s many big government ideas will cost the middle class Americans a pretty penny, as he has to pay for everything somehow.  

The point here is don’t get reeled in by the “rich is bad” slogans, because if you aspire to be successful, why wouldn’t you want to be paid for your hard work.  The people that seem to enjoy this rich bashing are those with a  lack of personal drive and negative outlook on life.  

Many of us would consider Barack Obama rich.

Why is that such a bad thing?  

Why is Wal-Mart such a bad thing?  

It saves all those middle class Americans money, yet its the very business model that many love to hate.  It makes no sense.  Wal-Mart doesn’t take away business from small business owners, it creates competition.  When did competition become such a bad thing? This is obviously my opinion, and if you have differing thoughts, comment.