Hail to the Chief

The Presidential debates have brought about several new tax reform proposals. The most significant of these proposals is that of Presidential Electee Barack Obama. He proposed tax cuts for those making under $75,000 a year and higher taxes for those making $200,000 to $250,000 a year. Although newly elected President Barack Obama believes that taxing the rich will help support the middle class, this type of taxing will actually yield harsh criticism and citizen discontent because wealthier Americans don't want to pay for the middle and lower classes, wealthier Americans won't see it as fair, and it will put Obama in a vulnerable position.

Wealthy Americans do not see fit that they should be the ones supporting the rest of the U.S. Many of them worked hard for the money they now have. Why should they have to pay more if they worked harder? The rich were given tax cuts during George Bush’s reign as President. This was not something the wealthy asked for, but just something that was given to them. Bush was irresponsible in giving the wealthy a tax cut. The rich are not an advocate to losing a piece of their money in order to help pay for the middle and lower classes.

Several wealthy Americans have however, responded in a positive manner, saying that as long as the extra tax money is going towards a good cause, such as school funding, getting out of poverty, or any other productive expenditure, they were fine with it. The Bush tax cuts were not good for the middle class. They were meant to benefit the wealthy. There have been higher unemployment rates, more poverty, and a greater debt for America. Barack Obama responded to George Bush’s State of the Union Address, saying "We heard the President say he wants to make tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans permanent, when we know that at a time of war and economic hardship, the last thing we need is a permanent tax cut for Americans who don't need them and weren't even asking for them. What we need is a middle class tax cut, and that's exactly what I will provide as President" (Obama 2008). Tax cuts for the middle/lower classes and raising the taxes back to what they were for the wealthier citizens may just be what this country needs for stabilization.

The recent stock market fluctuations have hit the wealthy hard. They are losing money and having a hard time during this economic crisis just like everyone else. It is not fair in their eyes, that the taxes be raised for them. Many of the wealthy have worked hard to get where they are today. Taxing them higher is like punishing them for all the hard work they have poured into becoming successful over the years. The wealthy will not see the taxes as being fair. It is their money and being punished for having more is not right.

The rich are not all alike. Many are giving and cherish helping those in need. With the taxes being raised back to how they were in the 1990’s, the economy may be able to start its ascent to stability.

Obama will be put into a very vulnerable position with the tax reforms on the wealthy. There are death threats floating around against him. Many assumptions point towards the wealthy white politicians who are the ones who are doing the threatening. They are upset over taxes and feel that they could easily throw the blame on white supremacists. Barack is in a very compromising position where he needs to be careful. America is on edge in this day and age.

Much of America is on Obama’s side though. Middle America makes up the vast majority of the U.S. and they support the taxation reforms. Economic stability is key in the survival of America. We need change. Barack is very brave to stand up and put forth effort to fix America. In these times, help is needed and money is scarce. The taxing will provide more for Americans.

The tax reforms proposed by Barack Obama are essential for America. In order to succeed, everyone needs to pitch in. The wealthy may feel that it unjustified and unfair, but really it is for the good of the country. Barack is putting himself in a vulnerable position, showing that he is willing to risk it all for a better change. With a new tax reform and Bush out of office, economic stability may just be possible in the near future.





Obama, Barack H. "Response to the State of the Union." Washington, D.C. 12 Nov. 2008.