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Your Money Your Government
Are you aware what the US government is doing with your money?
So often I hear co-workers say "I am getting money back" and this comment is said with enthusiasm. Now I know you are aware that you are getting money back because you overpaid your taxes, not because the IRS feels generous.
Are you also aware that that the IRS has used that refund of yours for free? Yep, that's right, they didn't pay you a dime of interest on the money you overpaid. Now, if you under pay your taxes they sure do charge you a penalty and possibly interest as well...does that bother you? It should.
Well this post isn't about taxes, and it isn't about being republican or democrat. It is about being aware of what your government is doing with your money.
Who is your government? They are the people you vote into office on election day. These are people who are making decisions about your money.
What is your money? It is the taxes you pay through your payroll check. You don't have a choice, it just comes out of your check called "withholding tax." Go ahead take a good look at your pay stub and look at all the tax deductions. That is YOUR money. Money you worked very hard for. Money that you earned through being a good employee, getting a good education or certifications to improve yourself on the job.
This money is being pulled from your check, sent to the US government for them to decide how it should be spent.
Now don't get me wrong, it takes money to run a country as great as ours, and I do believe the United States is the best country in the world. The military is paid from a portion of these taxes which is probably most important as they protect us and keep us safe and free. Roads are funded, disaster assistance. There is a lot of good that comes from those taxes you pay and should pay.
We all know there is wasteful spending that the people you elect into office are approving as well, and this post isn't about a debate on what is wasteful and what is not, everyone has an opinion on that.
This post is about encouraging you to be aware of what the government is doing with your money and potential bills and/or laws they are voting in that will effect your money. You need to know this in order to make educated decisions about who you will vote in (or out) off office when it is election time.
You need to know who is proposing bills, laws, and acts and what they mean to the country and to you.
The video below is a perfect example. It is an interview with Neil Cavuto and Representative Alan Grayson who is sponsoring the "Pay for Performance Act". Something that is so open ended that if passed, could actually allow the government to determine how much money they think you should be making.
Don't get confused, Rep. Grayson is trying to make you think it will only effect those who make millions of dollars and not the "worker bee's" of America. However, what right does the government of a capitalistic country have to determine how much anyone should be making.
Once there are limits set on those who make say 10 million dollars who is to say their won't be a limit on someone making one million, or one hundred thousand, or fifty thousand a year? Where will it end? Why should the government dictate what a private company chooses to pay their employees?
Bottom line is whether you agree with this act or not, you must be educated on what it says as well as what it doesn't say. You know be educated on how it could potentially effect you, not just focused on how it won't effect you.
It is so important to know how the people you voted into office are making decisions as it effects your money.