Posted on by Californiacontrarian

Me

In my soon to be published book, The Quirky Contrarian, one of the chapters is titled “Generation Me; ‘Me First’ Is Not Age Related.”

As I was reading the Wall Street Journal on 11/9/17 it struck me that this chapter heading is more that just whimsical, as it is Reality.  In one part of Daniel Henninger’s column (WSJ, 11/9/17), he refers to President Trump as a “selfie president” (Embrace Me), and then describes Democrats’ as focused solely on “what awful thing Donald Trump has tweeted about . . . Me!”  Mr. Henninger also notes that self-interest has always been ‘normal’ in politics, but he implied that now it appears to be over the edge.  Me, Me, Me!!!

 

On that same day while skimming the letters to the editor, it struck me that this ‘Me‘ concept is seemingly much more ubiquitous. All of these letters were in response to “Tax Reform”, and almost all were self serving in that they were all about why my deduction should not be messed with: “Don’t take away my deduction of . . . !”:

Those living in the high state-tax states were bemoaning the loss of SALT (the state and local tax deduction). “It is mean-spirited and intended to punish those that live in high tax-and-spend states that did not vote for the Tweeter.” (Darien, Connecticut)

“Middle-class salarymen (and women) are losing SALT so that the uber rich  can avoid paying estate taxes and the AMT.” (Mill Valley, California)

Senior citizens were complaining that they will be hit with higher taxes as one in three recipients of social security will still have their benefits taxed. (Urbandale, Iowa)

“The child tax credit should be preserved as it helps raise children out of poverty, and provides a well deserved break to hard working parents.” Obviously written by someone who is a ‘hardworking parent’ and not poor. (Monument, Colorado)

Why punish the Republican base by taking away big mortgage and property tax deductions? (a CPA from Los Gatos, California – probably not a Republican?)

Why take away the itemized deduction for medical expenses. “Talk about mean spirited.” (a 90 year old from Plano, Texas) The elimination of the itemized deduction for medical expenses penalizes the ordinary family, not to mention those facing catastrophic medical issues.” (Woodway, Texas)

 

Some of these “don’t take away my deduction” pleas appear valid, especially those pertaining to medical expense deductions, but shouldn’t everyone have to give up something for the overall benefit of the country’s economy?

For the record I live in a blue coastal state and I would gladly go along with eliminating the SALT deduction as possibly this would cause the residents of my state to wake up and thus lead to the ousting of our liberal tax-and-spend local and state Democratic politicians.

 

 

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