Where is the indignation of the American people who will be
over-taxed? Where are the immigrants who left their country and came to
America to be free (of over-taxation)? Many were free in their
countries, free to pay exorbitant taxes! And where is the righteous
indignation for the total disregard and disrespect being shown for the
most envied document in the world: our Constitution?
Do you think religious persecution was the only reason our forefathers
left their countries? Or do you think the corrupt governments that
suppressed their dreams may be the reason they left? In 1979, I lived in
England. The working class got to keep 33 cents out of every dollar
(pound) and it cost 2.50 pounds (equivalent to $5) to buy an imperial
gallon of gas. Speaking of which, why aren't the Liberals screaming at
the top of their lungs like they did during the Bush administration for
the high cost of gas as it goes up 10 cents each week and is now at
$2.93?
In last month's <MI>Vanity Fair<D>, Keith Richards of The
Rolling Stones was asked why they left England in the 1960s at the
height of their career. His reply was: "I think the rough number [in
taxes] was something like 98 cents on the dollar and you can't do a lot
with two cents."
For those of you who did come here from other countries, why are you
trying to make America look like what you left? If your country's
government and taxes were so good then why move to America? Fewer
people, more job opportunities and definitely lower taxes were once the
answer.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) which is being proposed to begin now is how
President Obama is proposing to fund his Healthcare Bill in 2014. It
could be as high as 17 percent, maybe more, maybe less. But, it is
usually substantial. On top of the 7 percent sales tax, gasoline taxes,
etc., can you afford to pay an additional 25 to 30 percent tax on
everything you buy? I am not using scare tactics, I am being realistic. I
have listed some of the explanations as to where the tax comes from and
how it will be imposed upon you.
1. A common form of tax on transactions in Europe whereby the tax is
included in the price of the item regardless of the buyer's taxable
nexus. (The "nexus" referred to means, regardless of how much money you
make, the VAT is for everyone, on every product, i.e., food, clothing,
pharmaceutical items, hair salon, you catch my drift.)
2. A term used in some countries for a Goods and Services Tax.
3. A tax added at each stage in the manufacture of a product. It acts as
a replacement for a sales tax in almost every industrialized country
outside North America.
Being proud to be different is something America has become ashamed of,
thanks to our president who apologized for America to the world. Go
figure. All of a sudden "we" want to be more like Europe. Why? Isn't
that why Europeans came here to begin with? America is the envy of the
oppressed world. We should be proud. We are the safe haven; we are the
protectors of the oppressed and we are the land of the free. Just take a
look at all the money we dole out to other countries every year called
Foreign Aid. Why do you want to change America? Are you among the
believers that government which gives us Social Security, Medicare and
Medicaid as a means to help us live a better life is free? If you work,
check your pay stub. It's called taxes.
Just as an aside, when I lived in England (in 1979 the Tories raised the
VAT from eight percent to percent which is currently at 17.5 percent
and speculation is that it will go to 20 percent in the near future) and
I most certainly did see the medical care the English received, and no
thank you, I will take American healthcare as it is now. This is why
Teddy Roosevelt and every president after him could never get universal
healthcare passed, because it was a bad idea. This is a tax that will
force more of us into poverty while providing healthcare to people for
"free." And it's not that I don't want people to have healthcare (which
they are already receiving) it is because instead of Tort reform and
being allowed to keep the insurance you already have with your employer
or shopping for cheaper insurance, we are getting a Healthcare Bill that
will cost us trillions shoved down our throats. Perhaps this should
make me happy because this will be a tax across all incomes regardless.
And yes, "We, the Republicans and Conservatives" are afraid for you and
ourselves, and for the future of America, because we do not want to look
like England and Europe.
Marie Leotta lives in Waitsfield.
