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Blog: Romney Deserves A Second Look From Young Voters

Romney is proposing a 20% cut in everyone's marginal tax rate. Obama only wants to raise taxes for the top earners. So where does that leave youth like myself who are just scraping by?

I love my job at Bel Air. I get paid very well, I'm guaranteed a raise, guaranteed hours, guaranteed benefits, and I get discounts. I'm really fortunate to have this job, as many other students my age are having an even harder time making minimum wage.

We all know that feeling of excitement when we get our paycheck and eagerly rip open the envelope to see what awaits us inside as a "reward" for the hours we put into our work. That feeling immediately gets sunk as soon as we see the taxes that are taken out of our paycheck each pay period.

I get my paycheck every Friday, and I pay about $50 a paycheck in taxes for the 24 hours I worked that week. So with all the taxes taken out of my paycheck, I basically work 5 1/2 hours a week just for the government. You can also think of it this way: The government took $50 from my paycheck and gave it to someone else on UI, SSI, TANF, WIC or whatever welfare program.

It's gonna be hard working 4 more years in an Obama economy where I am paying 20% of my income in taxes. At least the Romney-Ryan ticket plans to cut my tax rate back to 16%. In other words, Romney is proposing a 20% across the board cut in everyone's marginal tax rate, similar to the 25% cut made by President Reagan in the '80s. Barack Obama, however, only wants to raise taxes for the top earners. So where does that leave students and other youth like myself who are just scraping by at the bottom? Obama has no intention whatsoever of cutting our tax rates. He doesn't care about a tax break for me or other hard working Americans. He doesn't care about students. He doesn't care about us youth who are trying to get our feet off the ground and make an honest dollar. Thanks to the president, it's gonna be a while before I can afford to move out of my parents' house and start my life on my own (that is, if he's re-elected).

However, if Romney is elected and Congress passes his tax cut proposals, that's $10 more a paycheck that I'm keeping, investing, or saving. So multiply 52 weeks in a year by $10 and that's $520 more a year I'm keeping under a Romney administration. That might not seem like much money, but for a student like myself, $520 a year is a big deal. That's 2-weeks-worth of pay for me.

If you like those taxes that you see coming out of YOUR hard-earned paycheck, I suggest you re-elect Barack Obama.

If you want REAL change and REAL reform, and you want to keep more of YOUR hard-earned paycheck, then I urge you to support Mitt Romney for President.

Don't miss out on the money you COULD be making! Vote Republican this November!

---

lives in Citrus Heights and is a recent graduate of in Carmichael. Palomo will attend the University of California, Davis in the fall.

Readers, do you support Mitt Romney for President? Why or why not? Please tell us in a comment below.

Adam August 30, 2012 at 02:03 pm
This is the exact problem with politics. People identify with one side so much that anything the other side says is wrong.
"Republicans did this.... Liberals did that... You are evil... I am not" Listen to you two! The solution nicholas... since you don't want people to respond without saying a solution, it not to put an R next to your name (or a D for that matter). Once we start to realize that both sides have good ideas and both sides have bad ideas then we can make progress. Nothing is going to be "fixed" if we just have a two party system blaming each other for EVERYTHING!! Look at each political ad from both sides: Both say they they want to get America working "again". Both say they want to reform heath care. Both say they want to increase education. ** if we go back to each election in the past the politicans say the EXACT SAME THING. Look at youtube...
Alf Tanner. August 30, 2012 at 02:10 pm
Nicholas you wrote, "The government took $50 from my paycheck and gave it to someone else on UI, SSI, TANF, WIC or whatever welfare program."
This is a bold face lie. In 2010, the Feds spent over $663.7 billion on defense. That same year, the Feds spent about $59 billion on Welfare. In the same year, Corporate Subsidies were about $92 billion. So, Nicholas, who got more of tax dollars that year? Corporations. They got hand outs of your $520 bucks. We can have this conversation, but when you tell me to go vote for Mittens Romney and his "policy" man, Paul Ryan, is supposedly a "budget hawk" but has no interest in cutting DEFENSE SPENDING, whatsoever, he is actually no budget hawk at all, but a LIAR. Talking about cutting the budget and deficit without talking about cutting defense spending is like the health inspector talking about healthy and safe restaurants overlooking the dead chickens in the window of the Chinese restauarant. It's irresponsible and it's a lie. When George W. Bush inherited the thrown of the white house from the Supreme Court in the case of Bush V. Gore, we had a government Surplus. 4 years later, after massive "GOVERNMENT SPENDING" buy your "small government" Republican party we were in the RED. It's all lies, Nicholas. Just like what you wrote.
Alf Tanner. August 30, 2012 at 02:23 pm
Well written, Adam.
Nicholas Palomo August 30, 2012 at 02:24 pm
I agree with Adam. It would be more productive and conducive to intelligent discussion if party classifications didn't have to be made. I believe both sides have great ideas. Unfortunately parties can tend to be so ideological that they actually act against their constituents, who are the voters. Voters need to be offered a clear choice if they don't like the direction of national or state politics, and so the party distinctions are made to represent different visions for the country. That being said, I don't support everything the Republicans do, and I don't support everything the Democrats do.
Nicholas Palomo August 30, 2012 at 02:46 pm
Once again, Raul Duke, inform me of your solution to fixing the spending/tax/debt debacle. I'm eager to hear it.
What I meant about my tax money being spent on entitlements was that basically whatever percentage of my tax dollars the feds spent in infrastructure, for example, was neutralized by their spending on entitlements. In regard to out soaring national debt, what ideas has Obama offered to bring it under control. He had 2009-2010 to fix whatever Bush had done wrong, and what'd he do? More spending. And now he's added more debt than Bush. What happened to the "change" he promised? Nothing changed. By the way, calling me a liar is not helping this debate. It's actually kinda immature and it's sad a "kid" like me has to tell you that. I mean I could call you "racist" for calling me a liar but what good would that do, you know?
Brian Kniveton August 30, 2012 at 03:03 pm
How is one supposed to trust a man with "bringing jobs back to America" and "restoring our values" when his private corporation, Bain Capital, makes billions annually, helping other corporations save money by outsourcing AMERICAN JOBS to other countries?
On top of that, his net worth is estimated at $190–250 million, how can someone who is so removed from the average American, be held as the voice of our nation? Like previously stated, It's between the lesser of two evils.
Nicholas Palomo August 30, 2012 at 03:18 pm
I find Obama's claim that Romney and Bain "pioneered outsourcing" and whatnot dubious. An article on factcheck.org talks about it. http://factcheck.org/2012/06/obamas-outsourcer-overreach/
John Kerry's net worth is almost that of Romney's and in 2012 dollars, JFK's net worth would be $1 billion. JFK wasn't half bad of a president and he was still able to connect with average Americans. Obama is rich too, just like Romney, maybe not as rich, but it's like comparing a 6 1/2 foot tall person with a 7 foot tall person. They're both tall by average person's standards, just as both Romney and Obama are rich by an average person's standards.
Larry Crawford August 30, 2012 at 03:26 pm
Smart young man. Don't be fooled by the tax and spend liberals!
Alf Tanner. August 30, 2012 at 03:47 pm
Roll back the Bush tax cuts, end the 2 pointless wars, close the tax loop holes that allow corporations to put their money on off shore banks. Aren't those solutions, Nicholas? I never said a racist thing. How could you call me a racist?
Alf Tanner. August 30, 2012 at 04:02 pm
Larry - I will take the "tax and spend" liberals over the, "Use a credit card and spend" Conservatives, any day. Like a business, at least the democrats realize you have to have money to finance a budget and "grow" the business. Republicans will act like you can cut taxes to nothing, still maintain the services we all like, fight endless war and stuff will be honkey dorey. THAT my friend, creates deficits. Remember when Ronald Reagan said deficits don't matter? Dick Cheney also said deficits don't matter? Deficits only matter when Democrats are in office to republicans. Remember when the Iraq War was supposed to pay for itself, Larry? Where is the mustard gas, Larry? Where is all that oil, that ya know, was supposed to pay for the war?
David Iriguchi August 30, 2012 at 04:08 pm
Sigh... the two sides have circled their wagons and the discussion has degenerated into insults, name-calling, back & forth statistics and sarcasm...that didn't take long. Unfortunately Nicholas this is why we can't get anything done. There is no room for civil discussion or compromise. It's "my way or nothing" now.
Brian Kniveton August 30, 2012 at 04:16 pm
Obama's net worth is around $10million, sad to say, but is a fraction of Romney's; not even comparable, actually.
I never stated that Romney "pioneered outsourcing" and what relevance is Kerry's net worth? Or JFK's for that matter? We are talking about the two candidates presently up for office.
Nicholas Palomo August 30, 2012 at 04:21 pm
I never called anyone a racist. I think the race card is cheap and beneath anyone. Just used an example.
If those are your ideas as to how we'd fix this fiscal mess then that's fine. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I just wanted to hear yours. I will point out, for example, that Obama extended the Bush-era tax cuts. I think if he truly believes what he says he does, he would have vetoed them out of principle. I agree that the wars do need to come to an end. We've been there way too long and the Iraqis stabbed us in the back. I think Karzai is doing the same thing. What should have happened is Bush Sr. should have gotten rid of Hussein in '92 and Clinton should have killed Bin Laden when he had the chance. 9/11 could have been prevented. Call me Nick, by the way, I don' t usually go by Nicholas.
Dan Mattingly August 30, 2012 at 04:43 pm
Thank you for an intellegent analyis. The mantra I keep hearing is that tax cuts for the rich help business, but why do the rich people place their money in off-shore accounts (by the trillions) instead of building factories in the U.S, and sending jobs elsewhere. If we are to give any more tax cuts or keep the Bush tax cuts, it has to be conditioned on creating and sustaining American jobs. if you are Nike, then no tax credits, because you make all of your shoes overseas. If they cannot connect tax credits to American employment than no tax cuts should be allowed.
Mystery Date August 30, 2012 at 05:18 pm
The fact that you think corporate subsidies are handouts proves you don't know the first thing about how they work. These are credits given to encourage spending by businesses on equipment, infrastructure, raw materials, etc. These things are purchased from other companies and put people to work.
And by the way, the same people who wanted to kill Americans when GWB was president still want to kill Americans even though Barack Obama is president. And they will still want to kill Americans when Mitt Romney is elected president in November and takes office next January. American Defense is MORAL and NECESSARY.
The Great Libertarian August 30, 2012 at 05:26 pm
You have to be joking. I have read your thread and, as with most liberal bloggers, you only tell half the truth either because of naivete or ignorance.
The Bush economy you reference from 2007 was actually the result of policies put in place by Bwarney Fwank and friends helping to put people into houses they could not afford. By the way, the Democrats controlled the House and Senate, ergo the Federal purse strings, in 2007. The Constititution defines the role of the Federal government as providing for defense, not welfare for either corporate or general populace benefit. Although I would point out that defense spending should be much more closely monitored for waste, spending should be increased and not decreased. Despite your uninformed denials of reality, Reagan's policies carried well beyond his terms in office. It was the result of these policies which gave Clinton his surpluses. In fact, Clinton had squandered those and the most booming economy America had ever seen and left Bush on the verge of a recession and potential depression given the real estate bubble his cohorts induced. Many have called for the Iraq war to be paid for with Iraq oil. Then you liberals would have a field day saying "See ... we told you it was only about the oil". I have a better one for you. Why is it that Obamination refuses to "drill here and drill now"? His plan for America is to bring her to her knees. That may be okay for liberal lemmings but not for me ...
Mark Paxson August 30, 2012 at 10:58 pm
This just shows you know virtually nothing about how government spends money. Unemployment, welfare, WIC, etc. -- what you refer to as the "bad" entitlements" are such a tiny fraction of the federal budget it's ridiculous.
If you believe ethanol and green energy subsidies should be eliminated do you also think that subsidies and tax breaks for oil companies should be eliminated?
Mark Paxson August 30, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Would you have preferred that he didn't rescue the banks and the auto companies? Do you realize just how screwed up we would be now if he hadn't done those things? As for him not doing anything ... Democrats offered proposals that included $9 of cuts for every $1 in new revenue and the Republicans wouldn't accept it. Did you also know that the tax burden on Americans is lower now than it has been in decades?
Reginald Bronner August 31, 2012 at 12:00 am
We do not have the benefits of the tax code that Romney has. We cannot afford the necessary attorneys and CPA's to utilize it. Neither do we have the offshore accounts to hide our gains. As for salaries, benefits, capital gains, etc. etc. It all comes down to how much disposal income you have left after all taxes of any kind including payroll, capital gains, sales, property, etc. How much do you have left? I can look at my annual tax returns and can honestly tell you how much I have left at the end of each year. Can you say the same about Romney or people like him? What do you know that the rest of us cannot know? And, yes, the conversation has to stay civil in order to be heard without prejudice.
Max August 31, 2012 at 12:18 am
Nick, it's always good to see young people interested in their country's policies and politics. I like that. However, you need to understand that what is taken out of your check in taxes isn't necessarily what you "pay" in taxes. If $50 represents 20% of your weekly income, then you're making approximately $250/week. Multiply that by 52 (assuming you work every single week in the year) and your annual income is $13,000/yr. To figure out what your true tax rate is, file your tax return at the end of the year (or look up the tax rate table at the IRS website) and see what you really end up paying in taxes. My guess is you'll be getting a big, fat refund and will end up paying little to no taxes on your income after deductions.
Adam August 31, 2012 at 11:22 am
Max is right. When I made around what he makes in a year in 2002, ($13,000/yr) I got back like 1500 bucks at the end of the year. (I used it to go to Europe, it was awesome!) Now I earn a modest salary and pay way more each month in taxes but get back far less at the end of the year.
People below the poverty line don't pay taxes. Middle class and rich people do.
pying phong September 3, 2012 at 04:03 pm
And isin't that the point.
Eliminating the difference between the tax on dividends and income. It should all be income including monies earned offshore and taxed accordingly........
pying phong September 3, 2012 at 05:04 pm
Taxes pay for Police, Firefighters, the Military, Roads etc., so one must ask if that money dosen't come from taxes here would it come from?
The reason you are likely making min wage or close to it is because of Supply & Demand. Corporates like Mittens embraced the Oligarichal Communist Chinese and sent millions of manufacturing jobs over there, resulting in to many people chasing low wage jobs. Holy cow, Bill Kristol actually said something two weeks in a row on Fox News Sunday that I agree with -- we don't need to be lowering the corporate tax rates when these companies are sitting on hoards of cash already and are not hiring. Corporations have trillions of dollars. If the corporate tax rate is such a burden, how come they have all this money? They're not hiring. http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/bill-kristol-hits-republicans-again-saying Obama Releases $473 Million in Transport Funding to States http://www.joc.com/infrastructure/obama-makes-473-million-transport-funding-available-states
pying phong September 3, 2012 at 05:19 pm
I appreciate you not looking down on others for working their way through school, whether they be 'baggers' or 'stock boys' etc.. and no one else should look down on anyone doing the same.
That said the Congress has been GOP/Tea Party since 2010 But we must always remember who creates jobs...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIhOXCgSunc Even Fox News Can't Swallow Ryan's BS Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/...#ixzz252i58pI5
Whodaman September 6, 2012 at 06:00 pm
Hmmmm, hard discussion on whom to vote for, not for me, I have a president in office that has spent almost 6 trillion dollars in 3.5 years
23 million out of work welfare has gone from 30 million to 43 million gas has gone from 1.80 to 4,00 food has gone up this guy has played 107 rounds of golf makes beer for himself in the white house his wife takes a 4 day trip shopping in Spain for her and the kids and spends 500 K He has done 270 fund raisers at 200 K a flight so many flights that he had to add two more crews to his flight plan When he goes some were he takes two C-5 aircraft, two 747's and two C-17's At 200 K an hour Good lord let him give a guy that knows how to run a company a chance He has spent 4% of his time in office working on the budget Has never even run a 711 store and you can see it Just my humble opinion
Whodaman September 6, 2012 at 06:00 pm
Hmmmm, hard discussion on whom to vote for, not for me, I have a president in office that has spent almost 6 trillion dollars in 3.5 years
23 million out of work welfare has gone from 30 million to 43 million gas has gone from 1.80 to 4,00 food has gone up this guy has played 107 rounds of golf makes beer for himself in the white house his wife takes a 4 day trip shopping in Spain for her and the kids and spends 500 K He has done 270 fund raisers at 200 K a flight so many flights that he had to add two more crews to his flight plan When he goes some were he takes two C-5 aircraft, two 747's and two C-17's At 200 K an hour Good lord let him give a guy that knows how to run a company a chance He has spent 4% of his time in office working on the budget Has never even run a 711 store and you can see it Just my humble opinion
Alf Tanner. September 6, 2012 at 06:08 pm
When was gas $1.80?
Alf Tanner. September 6, 2012 at 06:19 pm
Since 1961, the Republicans have held the White House 28 years, the Democrats 24. In those 52 years, our economy produced 66 million private sector jobs. What's the jobs score? Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 million! Do the math repubs!
Dan Mattingly September 13, 2012 at 08:08 pm
Mitt was paid in stock and did not take a salary. Most big CEO's have gone this route. Thus his stock dividends were taxed at 15%, then with his tax deductions, he got his total rate a bit lower than 14%. Mitt wants to eliminate loopholes (deductions), but what they really are the home mortgage interest deduction, college tuition credits,property tax deductions etc, that the middle class really depend on. I worked my way through college at a union grocery store and was able to pay my tuition and living expenses. My parents were unable to help in any way. It was a tough slog, but without union wages I could not have done it. When I was half way through college, I had to get oral surgery to extract 4 impacted wisdom teeth and my union paid 80%, making it possible to pay the next semester's tuition. I guess my experiences are different than most Republicans, but I refuse to drink the cool-aid they are trying to pour down on us.
Editoreslie September 18, 2012 at 01:04 am
Oh dear, a young man already being bitchy and insolent in the comments section - that's no way to behave!
Nicholas, the administration responsible for the meltdown of our financial sector is Republican. Ryan's budget seeks to cut billions from our domestic programs, while ADDING To our defense budget, which is at an alltime high. War is literally bankrupting this country. Additionally, though you and I have never experienced this kind of prejudice, VP Ryan sought earlier this year to redefine rape in favor of rapists, voted for legislation that allows ER docs to refuse to provide medically necessary EMERGENCY abortions to ill pregnant women, and consistently votes against Fair Pay Acts, ensuring men & women are paid equally. I think saving money is the right idea. Under Romney and Ryan who seek to end funding for Planned Parenthood, where nearly 1 in 5 women go to get medications, cancer screenings & reproductive healthcare, women are targets by leaders of the free world. Targeted economically, because birth control is essential in controlling your future. Targeted by intelligence - Romney & Ryan don't believe women capable of making their own decisions. And targeted on the most basic bodily levels. The best way to save money is to vote for the candidate getting us out of wars. As a human being, I can't imagine you condone attacking the economic well being of citizens based on their gender. Dig a little deeper into Romney & Ryan.

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