Sorry, Pal, You're Rich

I only make about $30,000 per year and I get by. Fortunately my kids are grown and I only have myself to spend that income on, but if you are having a hard time making it on $250,000 I'd be happy to trade with you! How do all of you who think $250,000 is not rich think the rest of us make it on what must be poverty wages? Minimum wage is only about $16,000 per year. What do those people do? Do you think they don't work hard?

WELL SAID, wow 250k is no small chunk of change, thats 4 times what most real middle class folks make and I live in NY !! Hudson Valley

Much of what you say is sound-considering all the monetary variables of living in different parts of the nation.
It???s not always black and white as to exactly what 250,000 adds up to!

Yet the one thing I can say for certain- the wealthy class and big business have been on the Bush tax cut
gravy train for some eight years now and the countries economy still seriously blows!

And so what is the GOPs/John McCains answer? Continued wider and far more sweeping tax breaks!

All from the man who states ???that he knows very little about the dynamics of the U.S. economy!???

The phrase "middle-class depression" comes to mind!

$250K may be impressive if you bought your house 20 years ago in one of these upper class towns. However, if you are under 35 years old, $250K is necessary to support a family and live in CA, Manhattan, etc. Also, please remember that incomes can fluctuate year over year. You may need to bank a good amount one year if another year falls short of $250K.

When you are living on $30,000 a year, payiing a mortgage and having all the other costs every household has $250,000 is indeed a fortune. If I could just get a raise in my retirement income each year that kept up with inflation I would be happy. At 71 years old after working for 32 years and retiring with only modest savings I feel very insecure now. My small investments have lost money this year and I am frightened of being dependent on my children in the future if the economy keeps going into the tank. I paid for college educations for my children so they could have a better life than mine. I still end up paying taxes each year that seem higher than they should be for someone in my financial status. Now that I have to take some money from my retirement accounts I pay additional taxes every year so I just can't get ahead. I have cut back on things like hair care, travel, food I really like but can't afford and going to concerts, plays, etc. just so I can make ends meet each month. Is that fair? I don't see how tax cuts can be given to anyone with the debt this country has and the fact that the cost of wars goes on and on. I am willing to pay my fair share of taxes but I surely don't feel sorry for my son who makes around $500,000 per year when he complains that Barack Obama is going to raise his taxes.

One thing to look at here - I think the author is trying to get people's goat by saying "Sorry Pal your Rich" After reading many responses here there is a little truth in each of a lot of people's responses. I'm at the $250K income range this year. I'm very fortunate and there has been some luck involved. It probably won't continue to happen so I'll save as much as I can. However, when I hear someone saying "Sorry Pal your rich" at first it offends me because I didn't come from money and just because I'm might make $250K this year I've not viewed myself as rich. I am not complaining and I can live well so I guess I am rich. I've just always kind of viewed rich as being able to do and afford whatever you want. But everyone's definition of rich is different that's why this can of worms gets so much attention. To those that make well less than $250, don't complain about those that make more. It doesn't do anything and never will.. To those that make $250K or more don't complain about paying taxes, you are lucky to be able to afford them. And for all thoses that think Obama will solve this mess, he simply won't. I'm not saying McCain will either. I don't think anyone can solve the problems the U.S. has coming down the pike. I do wish people would quit thinking that a dem or republican will be the savior. Both parties have duped us and they are both biased. It'd be nice for an independent to take office but it probably won't happen. And one thing nobody can argue is that the candidates from both parties have always been "rich".

Whether one agrees or disagrees with tax cuts to boost the economy, the only fair tax process is a flat tax for all regardless of race, color, creed or political party. It would lessen some of the divisions that trouble this country without making socialistic moves against those who generally work very hard for their money. A word of warning to those who seek to tax the rich, they spend a lot of money on charity and for the public good so be careful for what you wish for.

Take all the money in this country and distribute it so everyone has an equal share and watch what happens. It won't be very long before the rich are rich again, and the poor are poor again. For those of you who complain that you only make $15k/yr or less, why is that? If you're not content with that, do something about it, rather than complaining that the country is ignoring you. I'm sorry you don't make much money, but I don't owe you anything because of it.

My economic goal is to pay the government over $1million in taxes. I want to be able to complain about it, vote republican, and know how to order coffee at Starbucks. I want to be able to spur the economy by going shopping, establish an offshore bank account, and give money to political candidates who invite me to exclusive balls.

The more you make the more you spend. That's the American Dream. I make $300,000 a year and I save AND spend like crazy. I want to be able to retire when I am 55 or 60. I have friends that make way more money and they are members of multiple private country clubs and drive new European cars. My wife and I drive 8 and 10 year old luxury vehicles. We are members of only one private country club and vacation twice a year. We still like a deal, we eat at the same restaurants that we ate at when we only made $50,000 a year. We shop at outlet malls. I consider ourselves middle class. We got here on our own. The government had nothing to do with our success. We paid $100,000 in taxes last year. That's unfair.