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Reiss’s Pieces
Reiss’s Pieces
As we approach the new year, we are threatened with the “Fiscal Cliff” almost every day. The more that I think about it, I am still not sure what those words mean. But I do know that you and I are going to take the hit, whatever it may be.
Think about it, the overbearing, posturing, blowhards who are running our government, supposedly partnering with the White House, have no touch to reality! Those of us who are considered the “middle class” and are attempting to live on a limited amount of money, are being treated like fools by these overblown politicians. Not only do they make more money, per year, than I and probably many of you, have ever made. They and their families also get the best medical care, and it means nothing to them that you and I find it more difficult to get the medical care we need because the costs have skyrocketed. And did you know when these arrogant jerks retire, they receive a retirement package that brings to mind the idea of a golden parachute! I don’t know about you, but neither Malcolm nor I get a pension from anyone!
Every single time I see one of these arrogant megalomaniacs talking about how it just wouldn’t be fair for the richest 2% of our population to pay more taxes, I could just scream. Of course, most of my thoughts come because of how I am forced to live in my old age! For the 47 years Malcolm and I have been married, we have never made a lot of money but we have always had to pay all of our taxes. No one has ever said, “let the old fools have a break and don’t raise their property taxes every year and certainly don’t raise their federal taxes.” No one says that and so every year we dig down and pay, through the nose! But I assure you that if those privileged jerks raise our taxes and cut out Medicare and social security, we could be giving up food in order to stay in our house!
What bothers me the most is that our Congress and our Senate either have no idea how difficult life is for the middle class, or they just don’t care - after all, they have theirs and their nests are feathered with the best! After I have said all this, I immediately think that we, the Vermont middle class, need to demand better and not stop demanding until we get it. And then when a saner head prevails, I realize that in actual fact, we have no ability to demand anything! Although the country voted to bring President Obama back into office for four more years, and one of his main proposals that we all voted for was to figure out how to balance the budget, reduce our debt and raise taxes on the very rich! But regardless of how hard he tries to fulfill these promises, the House and Senate refuse to work with him and insist on standing firm and keeping the rich isolated from tax increases, that of course, you and I are saddled with.
I think that our two Vermont Senators and one Congressman are exceptionally good, but it would seem that their influence is minimal when it comes to protecting their Vermont constituents. We are asked to pay and pay and pay, and the very rich? It is almost impossible for us to believe how the very rich live and it would seem that the thought of them having to kick in to keep our country afloat is just too daunting to contemplate.
I was one of those who cheered and danced when President Obama was re-elected. But what I didn’t realize or even believe could happen, is that the group that surrounds him is a solid block of white men who are willing to let our country fall into fiscal chaos rather than work with him. Truthfully, I thought that we had come a lot further than that.
I wish I had an answer on how we, the average middle class family, could make ourselves heard. I certainly don’t want to see us go the way of Egypt or many of the other middle eastern countries who would rather riot and kill one another as they want their demands fulfilled. But there must be some way we can make our wishes heard!
Regardless of the mess in Washington and the buffoons who are willing to see us collapse just to make a point, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! The past year has taught me several things. First and foremost, I learned that life is very short and that you owe it to yourself to try and enjoy every single day. And that is my wish for you, live every single day of 2013 like it might be your last, and always remember to sing and dance like no one is watching! Your slate is clean and the new year makes it possible for you to not only live life to fullest but to spread the joy and have a truly great day.
Again, from our house to yours, Happy New Year!
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