Just after paying our quarterly installment on our income taxes, we were faced with property taxes on three homes; our primary residence, a rental property, and my deceased mother's home, which I have not sold yet due to the depressed housing market. In our area, the tax rates have not followed the property values down, but have actually increased over the last year. I was surprised at the amount of the hits we had to take.

Gee, I'm sure glad the President and Congress aren't going to increase our taxes or invent new ones for us to pay. I mean - that's what they said, right? We'll see. In the next elections, I may have to vote for REAL change and vote for people who REALLY want to reduce the size of government and roll back taxes. It seems that more and more now, there's very little left over after Federal and State income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, etc., etc., etc. I seem to recall from reading history that the Federal income tax, instituted back in the nineteen-teens, was set at 1% of gross income. Ah, the good old days. Now it seems the government looks upon us as virtual ATM machines.

Pardon my rant, but I'm getting sick of tax and spend policies. From my days in industry, I recall that cutting expenses in hard times was pretty standard procedure, and we always had to find ways to do it. And we did. It hurt, but we did. Seems the various government entities have never learned the knack of cutting expenses and making government operational within the bounds of their inflow of cash. We on the "shell-out" side of the equation call it living within our means, even if the means get slimmer and slimmer.

I fear the breaking point is fast approaching.

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Quit whining, you know it's for a good cause, and the money will be wisley spent. And besides, if you have 3 houses you should take in 3 families to raise.

"We're going to take that money and spread it around." Barack Obama, 2008.

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You're shy a few manners.

The present government and all administrations and Congresses of the last half-century have developed and subsequently instituted a practice of spending money that the next generation will end up supplying. This habit of saddling one's children with ever increasing debt so that he can live high on the hog is just despicable.

Unfortunately, we seem powerless to stop it. If the voters were serious, no office holder would be returned to his job by re-election if he consistently voted in that manner.

Hmm - Guess what, we ARE the voters... lets do it!

Pete

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NRA, GOA Lifer

Nobody needs three houses.
Sorry-but I joke-I just got finished writng a check to Uncle for my 2008 income taxes I feel your pain, frustration, anger, angst, and anything else you're feeling Plus I get to look forward to getting my 2009 property tax bill soon

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Forum consigliere

As long as the gov can get more people on the dole we will never be rid of the parasites.

Sir, you aren't the only one getting sick of taxes. Our property taxes doubled this year and because my retirement income and part time jobs are not taxed until the end of year we have to pay quarterly also. Plus we get to pay taxes on investments. Like a lot of folks we worked hard and planned for retirement and to live in a nice house and we are getting screwed every which way.

I hope enough people wake up in 2010 and 2012 and clean our this nest of parasites we have in DC.

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Mike
USMCR 84-87, USAF 87-07

From The Politico Sept 30, 2009:

"In tight times, Congress boosts its budget"

"Under a House-Senate conference measure, approved by the House last week and poised for passage in the Senate on Wednesday, spending for the legislative branch will increase 5.8 percent this year, boosting Capitol Hill’s annual budget to $4.7 billion."

"The measure includes a hodgepodge of new funding for lawmakers: a $500,000 pilot program for senators to send out postcards about their town hall meetings, $30,000 for receptions for foreign dignitaries and $4 million for consultants — with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) getting up to nine each and Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) getting up to three more."

In tight times, Congress boosts its budget - Manu Raju - POLITICO.com

In addition to voting the rascals out, there are ways to fight back in the meantime.

Don't get a part-time job, do cash work on the side. History shows that as taxes get higher and higher, the black market grows along with it. This country will be no different. I would be the first guy against a black market were our leaders loyal to us, but they are not.

Barter.

If given jury duty for an otherwise honest person evading taxes, nullify the charges.

One can also, if finances allow, take it easy, enjoy life, live on less and thus not feed the beast by paying less in taxes.

Those snakes in Washington think they own us. They've got another thing coming in a little over a year.