47%

This is about one of the 47% the conservatives like to belittle for not paying any federal income taxes. There is a very simple reason he no longer pays taxes. He has no taxable income. In 2008, his job was eliminated and after two years trying to find other employment he decided to retire. At first he was receiving some income from a former business, but that company folded and that small monthly stipend stopped. Today his income is solely from Social Security and his medical expenses are mostly covered by Medicare. While he is not impoverished, by any means, he has very limited discretionary income. As a result, he has not purchased an article of clothing in over 2 years. He has been to a restaurant to eat out less than 5 times over the past two years. His car is a 2002 model with 115,000 miles and will probably not be replaced. He is able to make his monthly mortgage payment, keep the lights on, heat and cool his living quarters and pay the annual property tax (which somehow seems to continually increase). These facts are pointed out, not for sympathy but to point out that his economic status within the 47% has resulted in absolutely no contribution on his part that might result in job creation. Little or nothing in his daily activity results in increased demand. Say what you will about the need to reduce government spending, he (and many others in the 47%) do not see how reduced government spending will result in his purchasing a new pair of pants or new shoes. When 47% of the population are no longer paying taxes the result has to be reduced government revenue. The only way to raise the necessary revenue to pay for more guns, smart bombs, and other war toys is to raise the taxes on the 53% who do pay federal income tax. Since he no longer pays tax, he probably is not the person to say this, but the fact is that government does create jobs. The previously mentioned war toys are all paid for by taxpayer dollars and the people who make the war toys have jobs and end up on the receiving end of tax payer dollars. What is needed is for the government to create MORE jobs. By repairing roads, fixing deteriorating bridges, building schools, government can create jobs that will result taxpayers replacing the taxes lost when he left the workforce. Government can fund the hiring of teachers, police, firefighters, and others who also will pay taxes. Better that the government spend taxpayer dollars on things that help people rather than on things that kill people. Should things continue as they were in the past, the 47% will grow to 50%, 55%, perhaps even to 60%. The best way to prevent tax increases is for there to be more tax payers. The goal should be to reduce the 47% to 20% or 10%. To do that, government must create more jobs.