What was the hardest part of this election cycle for you?

[peggyfromwastate]

GMW- Pickleball is a cross between tennis and racquetball dominated by old men. They dragged us young moms into play awhile ago and we're hooked. I even have a Pickleball paddle. It's serious.

My kids are playing pickleball in school PE. I played a lot as a kid. We had a pickleball court in our backyard (pickleball with basketball hoop). It's fun!

[PrincessFiona]

At work today I got an earful that reminded me that many people think raising taxes us a good thing as long as they personally aren't impacted. That strikes me as so wrong. I said nothing...

As doctor's wives I'm surprised we don't talk more about some of the changes happening and on their way in.

Increased taxes might not hurt everyone here but what will decreasing reimbursements mean for group practices, Universities, etc.

Will we feel differently when the salaries and jobs aren't there or the environmentof medicine becomes more stressful? I dont know...

[Sheherezade]

I'm ok with paying more taxes. That's just me, I know. I don't plan to speak for anyone else but in our situation, I can afford the 8 K less that we are predicted to pay. As for changes to practices, etc. it's the only reason I'm happy DH works for a major business-crazed hospital system. If anything, they are crowing about the coming changes -- they've been making uncomfortable changes for years now (and I've bitched about them) but they say that that was to prepare for the new system. They'd bet it would be in place and I *think* they are even slightly optimistic now that the newly insured people from the mid income groups will help them recoup some of their former losses. DH is on strict salary - not even RVU based any more - and he's happy to not have to worry about any of the productivity, etc. It stressed him out endlessly. On the con side of the situation, he doesn't have a lot to say about his patient load, secretaries, etc. He just goes to work when he's on, sees his patients and comes home. He did just get his academic promotion though! It adds no money but gives him 5 weeks of paid vacation a year now. That's our situation. From how I see it, we are blessed.

[GrayMatterWife]

He then told me that he was with another customer earlier that morning who asked him who he voted for, and when he told her, she "called me a racist and told me to get the fuck out of her house."

Yep. I got called a racist standing on a street corner, when some random person struck up a conversation with me. I guess I looked like I would vote for Obama. She said it was too bad that people were still racist in the south and walked across the street. Against traffic.

I was at the street corner, having just come from three hours of volunteer teaching at a local school for indigent children of political refugees.

I am such a racist bitch.

[Pollyanna]

At work today I got an earful that reminded me that many people think raising taxes us a good thing as long as they personally aren't impacted. That strikes me as so wrong. I said nothing...

As doctor's wives I'm surprised we don't talk more about some of the changes happening and on their way in.

Increased taxes might not hurt everyone here but what will decreasing reimbursements mean for group practices, Universities, etc.

Will we feel differently when the salaries and jobs aren't there or the environmentof medicine becomes more stressful? I dont know...

But Kris the increase in taxes DO hurt everyone. 88% of the people will see an increase in their payroll tax (regardless of their tax bracket). Those making between $40-$60K will see an increase of about $2K (that translates to $166 LESS income/month). Now consider that the price of goods will increase. The eggs at the farmers markets, the trinkets on Esty, the prices at the mom and pop restaurant, and on and on. So anyone who thinks they will not be personally impacted by the change in the tax code has not done their homework. It will effect everyone.

[Sheherezade]

Educate me. From what I've read, the payroll tax reduction from 6.2 to 4.2 percent was ONLY a temporary measure to help boost us out of the recession. A different version of those checks we received during the Bush years. If it was temporary, then it is supposed to return to the normal level. I don't see that as an increase -- is that the increase in payroll tax that you are discussing? Second, I see the Bush tax cuts the same way. When they were passed, they were limited to 10 years. They have expired, twice now -- I think. It was planned the the tax rate would return to a higher level. I thought the theory on the first cut was that we had a surplus and that the money needed to be returned to the people (Bush's "I demand a refund" State of the Union address). The second round two years later was supposed to stimulate the economy - but didn't. If it doesn't work and we don't have a surplus to repay to people, why should they be extended?

I have never understood why they didn't go back up immediately -- always felt that was the "deal" struck to get the Democratic votes to pass it.

[BonBon]

Can we afford to pay more in taxes? Of course we can. But I RESENT THE HELL out of paying more in taxes with the system the way it currently is. Why SHOULD we pay more, when they can't even be bothered to look for and eliminate waste?!

[Sheherezade]

I agree with you on the cuts BonBon -- I think they need to do both. I actually like the across the board cuts in the sequestration event. If only because I think otherwise they will NEVER cut anything. So, cut everything. Let all the departments figure it out. I'm not sure 10% is even necessary to just "trim the fat" everywhere. I'd also give up the Department of Education. Seems unnecessary and even obstructive. PBS can self fund. And, I think Medicare reform has to happen to answer the "problem" of our 20+ increase in lifespan -- which I would argue could probably be attributed to Medicare existing since 1967. Again, JMHO.

[PrincessFiona]

Angie, I always cringe at the "I'm blessed/happy to pay taxes" response but it's nothing personal to you. I dont mind paying taxes either tbh...I feel there is kind of a moral highground suggested in the argument that paints me as greedy. Again, not personal...my issue.

We may or may not earn more than you but we made the choice of house, and family based in part on income. Our house is not extravagant...but we did have 5 kids. $8000 is maybe no big deal to you, but for us it means cutting back a lot. Do we take a loss on our home and downsize with 7 people? We can't give back a child (though i have a teenager on my list. Lol.).

I'm blessed. Very. I want to share those blessings too. My pain threshold has been met though.....salary decreases already, now more taxes and after that....more salary decreases.

I imagine everyone's pain threshold here is different....

[PrincessFiona]

+1 Chris

[Pollyanna]

Angie, I think what you are saying is technically true but in practice it is a huge tax increase for everyone and I would be willing to bet most people don't know its coming. If you (the general "you") have been living on your income based on the old structure and have saved the extra you would have sent to the government and saved for the price increase in goods and services then maybe you wouldn't feel the change but my guess is very few families have done this.

[Pollyanna]

Angie, I always cringe at the "I'm blessed/happy to pay taxes" response but it's nothing personal to you. I dont mind paying taxes either tbh...I feel there is kind of a moral highground suggested in the argument that paints me as greedy. Again, not personal...my issue.

Also, if you think about that statement on a deeper level it is patronizing to those who will be hit the hardest. Great for those that have wiggle room in their budget but not so much for those that are barely scrapping by. I know that is not your intent Angie but truly this will increase (or return to the 2009 levels) will not help anyone.

[SuzySunshine]

I agree with Chris, I don't mind paying the taxes IF the government spends it on the right things and figure out how to cut out the crap. I don't think they will, I think the debt will continue to grow even with the increase.

I also think now that the election is over there will be a brokered deal to keep all tax raises from going into effect at the same time.

I'm expecting my tax estimate from my accountant today or tomorrow. So after I get that and after DH's current contract expires in 2 1/2 years I reserve the right to change my opinion.

[Sheherezade]

I'm ok with paying more taxes. That's just me, I know. I don't plan to speak for anyone else but in our situation, I can afford the 8 K less that we are predicted to pay

Wow--- I didn't say that I was blessed to pay taxes. I don't know how this turned in to a game of telephone. I was trying to express that as an attending wife, I've got it good and I know it. Don't accuse me of being patronizing for trying to acknowledge that I'm in a more comfortable place than others. I'm actually very offended by this turn of conversation. Sorry I shared. I was trying to answer Kris' post that we talk more about these things. Quotes below:

As doctor's wives I'm surprised we don't talk more about some of the changes happening and on their way in.

Increased taxes might not hurt everyone here but what will decreasing reimbursements mean for group practices, Universities, etc.

Will we feel differently when the salaries and jobs aren't there or the environmentof medicine becomes more stressful? I dont know...

Maybe this is why we don't.

DH and I have always assumed that tax rates would return to a higher level and we've always based our expenses on that. The nature of the original tax cut and the recent payroll tax cut was temporary. Somehow, I never got that it was permanent. I've always assumed we'd be paying the same 39% bracket that my parents paid. Maybe I'm just older than most of you (45?) and remember the debates about the initial tax cuts better? Clinton and Bush were the first two presidents that I really remember all the details and actually paid attention as a grown up.

[PrincessFiona]

That was definitely not my intent, Angie. I was just saying that I hate that argument because I come off feeling like a greedy pig because ... I don't WANT to pay anymore. It's hard for me to say anything to the argument that we're blessed as attending spouses (yes we are) and that there may be extra money (there is sometimes). The moral argument I experience is whether I take the extra when I have it and use it to book a vacation, buy a sofa or .... turn it over to the tax man who will waste it.

I guess my answer to "as doctor's wives we are blessed and can afford to give more" is terribly selfish...and shameful. Yes, we can, but we also work hard and already do give back a lot. I want my fun too. See ... it sounds terrible and greedy and awful.

So many of us here have done fun renovation projects on our home, taken a nice vacation, etc. Our husbands/wives work hard and we've supported them/raised kids throughout training ... do we deserve vacation more than someone else? No. It raises a huge moral dilemma in ME. A lot of people work hard ... they might have two jobs and raise kids ... and barely get by. I struggle with my moral obligation. I give to certain charities .... I pay taxes already .... I feel selfish for wanting to keep more of the money that we earn even when I know that other people work hard and are struggling while we are blessed.

That's why I said it is a hard moral argument that I can't answer to. It feels to me like the "I don't mind paying/blessed doctor's wife" thing is the flip side to the polar opposite which is that if you don't feel that way you are a greedy slimeball....and society sort of frames it that way too when it comes to political talk.

If I could give 8000 more in taxes each year without pain, would I do it with a smile? No. I would invest it in my children's education and/or my retirement account for the future. I might plan a mini vacation. I suck that way. It's the truth.

I'm sorry if I offended you. I tried really hard to let you know that this was my issue.

Kris