Where Does Our Tax Money Go?

Posted by Cailee on March 05, 2012
Taxes / No Comments

It is that time of year, tax time. Most people dread the tax season, especially those who owe a great deal of money to Uncle Sam. To most people, it appears they work hard just to send their money off to the beloved IRS. Most taxpayers often ask themselves where all their tax money is going. Most people feel they work hard and bring home less each year. For that reason, it’s important to file our taxes and if you feel like you need more time, you can file for a tax extension.

Many people have a hard time balancing their own checkbook, let alone thinking about the nearly $3 trillion dollars the government spends each year. While it is almost impossible to know exactly where the tax money goes, we can get some idea from the accounting the government did by looking at the last season.

The biggest budget grabbers are Social security, department of defense and health care. For those who make around $1,000 a week on their paycheck, to put it in terms one might understand, it comes out to $200 a week. There are several tax paying citizens who do not have health insurance themselves. However, that does not stop them from forcibly contributing to those who do not work and have government healthcare. According to statistics, those who make around $100,000 a year, contributed over $11,000 to healthcare. The majority of that money went to Medicare, for senior citizens healthcare, and the rest went to Medicare or state benefits for low income.

Most people find it difficult during these economic times to have a savings or a 401-K or an IRA. The government; however, is not having any problems with their retirement funds. The military spending is out of control and getting worse. With defense, maintenance, research, testing, development and military housing, the average family puts out $10,000 a year in helping the military funding.

While local taxes pay for things like schools, roads and upkeep of the town, many people wonder what Uncle Sam is doing with all the cash he is collecting. Uncle Sam, like many people these days is spending more money than what he has. Someone has to make up for the difference, so the US Treasury will sell the debts. It is similar to that of using a credit card, only in this case, Uncle Sam is not making his monthly payments and the balances keep getting larger and larger.

So filling out the dreaded tax forms this season, one can take comfort in knowing that their hard earned money is going to good use. While some programs are essential, some spending is out of control and needs to be reevaluated. Those who are getting a refund will not care as much as those who are paying an arm and a leg in tax dollars this year and still owe more.

The Importance of Good Politicians

Posted by Cailee on February 21, 2012
Political / No Comments

Why are good politicians important? The current state of mass media constantly debates the smallest details of politicians, splitting apart their words and analyzing every action. But the core of what makes a good politician is often neglected until election season, leaving constituents outside of the political sphere for the good portion of each year. Examining the facets that make up a good politician leads to improvement not only for the political process, but life overall.

Some of the best politicians run on the platform of staying true to their roots – and they mean it wholeheartedly. Politicians that don’t forget their beginnings, sometimes humble, tend to have better understanding of their role as a politician.

Good politicians bolster the involvement of citizens on multiple levels. They inspire and motivate, leading private citizens to become more active in government, volunteer locally, or pay more attention to national politics. This fosters an atmosphere of positivity in politics with wide-reaching ramifications.

Similarly, good politicians are committed to acting as a voice for those that they represent. Politicians are elected officials that have a duty to act in accordance with respect and understanding of the needs and opinions of their constituents. When political entities become too self-involved and self-interested, this bond is lost. Good politicians hold the needs of their constituents above themselves, ignoring bribes and other temptations in order to accomplish their jobs.

Good politicians are critical for change to happen. Government is oftentimes the continual negotiation of older policies with new circumstances. This is true from the international level all the way down to the smallest civic board. The best politicians are instrumental in righting wrongs and improving older programs and policies for the greater good.

Good politicians seem hard to come by in today’s world of continually streaming media. No matter the political level, excellent politicians remember their roots, bolster the involvement of their political community, listen to the people they represent, enforce positive change, and act with integrity even in the face of tempting adversity.

How to Become a Presidential Candidate

Posted by Cailee on January 18, 2012
Political / No Comments

Many people have the dream of becoming president of the United States but very few know how to make their dream a reality. Becoming a presidential candidate is a challenging task. Becoming a candidate is the first step to getting into the White House. In order to do so you need the financial resources as well as drive, determination and strong relationships with people that will support you. Continue reading to learn how to become a presidential candidate.

  • Select your political party.

Select the political party that suits you and your position on important issues. Being an independent is also a choice.

  • Officially announce your run for president.

This announcement will most likely be held at an important site in the state in which you reside.

  • Raise money for your campaign

Running for president is very expensive so having the financial resources needed is extremely important. Funding a campaign is very expensive.

  • Hire a campaign manager.

It is important to hire a campaign manager that has experience with running a presidential campaign.

  • Decide on the location of your campaign headquarters.

This is where your volunteers and campaign team spread the word about you running for office as well as building support for your campaign.

  • Register as a presidential candidate.

Overall, becoming a presidential candidate is a huge decision that requires a lot of money, a lot of work and a lot of support. Not only does running for office change your life, but it also changes the life of your family. You are taking on the challenge of running the United States, so be sure that you are prepared to take on the role as the leader of the country. If you win the race to the White House, your name will go down in the history books forever.

How Politics Affect Business

Posted by Cailee on December 18, 2011
Political / No Comments

Politics at the national level affects businesses in so many ways. Nearly every Federal cabinet agency adopts regulations that have an impact on businesses. Regulations are the means the Executive Branch uses to implement laws passed by Congress, or to implement Presidential orders. These regulations are often published in the Congressional Register for public comment. If a group of businesses have a representative in Washington they will be informed of pending regulatory action.

Backing up a bit, certainly Congress has a powerful impact on the business world. If Congress decides to hold a hearing on a segment of business it can sure change the way a business looks at the matter. The Hearings on the Auto Industry are a good example. Of course, if Congress decides to enact legislation this will bring a lot of impact to the business world, regardless of whether the legislation proposed is enacted.

The military awards contracts to the business world at the direction of a presidential appointee. The military consumes billions in products and awarding contracts for these items is an influential process.

The Federal Government has control over airport operations and airline operations as well as interstate commerce. The local interstate moving company can talk about how the regulatory impact has created problems for their business, or so they claim. Also, another example of politics affecting business would be phone company lobbyists fighting against VOIP phone service providers. Internet phone service would provide greater benefits to the general consumers, but things might not go smoothly if there are laws and regulations holding voice over IP services back.

The state governments have influence over a lot of commercial activities in their realm. Highway construction contracts are one area that is constantly impacting business in many ways.

Candidates for political office can affect businesses by simply espousing a theory of how they would work or not work with businesses.

Perhaps the greatest political influence on business is the lobbying money that is so freely passed out to achieve a specific agenda. Good legislation is often gutted by lobbyists who have money to donate. It is in reality the political money that influences business. The money can oppose a business or support a business, but either way the chances are good that the money will prevail. All the talk about government by the people and for the people is good until the money shows up. Then government is more likely to be for the money.

There are many political organizations that are created to influence politics. The Automobile Manufacturers Association is but one. All the country needs to do to see who influences business from the political arena is to outlaw lobbyists and their money.

How Often Do We Have to Pay Taxes and When?

Posted by Cailee on November 14, 2011
Taxes / No Comments

Taxes, both personal and business, have to be paid annually, but some individuals and corporations opt to pay taxes bi-annually, quarterly, weekly, etc… Regardless of when an individual decides to file or pay taxes for that year, a tax year is January 1st through December 31st, the individual must file and pay at least once each year. Employers and businesses must send out W2s – 1099 for contractors – with a postmark of January 31, February 1st if January 31st falls on a weekend or holiday. This is to ensure individuals are given ample time to file their tax return. Tax returns must be filed during the second week of April, this was extended to April 18th for the 2010 tax year. Some individuals can ask for an extension. If an extension is granted, individuals have until October 17th to file their tax return.

For federal taxes, most individuals pay taxes each pay period, which could be bi-weekly, weekly, monthly or bi-monthly. A portion of the individual’s earned wages are deducted to pay federal, state, and local taxes, if local taxes apply. Self-employed individuals can set up payments with the Internal Revenue Service to pay taxes voluntarily during the year. If not, the self-employed worker can pay all at once, after she files her tax return. At the end of the year, the individual files a tax return, which will determine if the individual paid what was required from her by tax laws, and if she does not owe any further amount, her balance due is zero. However, if the individual owes any balance, that balance is due by April 15th of the following year. Failing to pay by the due date can result in penalties and interest being charged by the government, which means if an individual does not pay on time, she will end up paying the original amount, plus extra money for missing the deadline. Tax balances do not go away, they add up! One option is to ask for an irs tax extension, which will give you a more time to get your taxes prepared and verified.

Taxes must be paid, it is the law. Failing to file the return or pay any monies owed for federal, state and local taxes is punishable by the law and can result in jail time. Some individuals who file taxes may not have to pay, but this is only determined once the individuals file the return. If no money is owed to the IRS, then the individual can either expect a refund for overpayment, or she can breathe a sigh of relief and use the money she saved to go on a vacation, or purchase some new software for the home or business!

Getting Political Clothing and Attire

Posted by Cailee on October 30, 2011
Political / No Comments

The campaign season is the penultimate time for politicians and their respective parties and handlers to get the politicians name out to the public. Through standard campaign speeches, lectures, personal visits, billboards, television advertising and even print media; getting a candidates name out and seen by all is done through an assortment of marketing vehicles. One extra way to advertise a political party or individual politician is to have political; clothing and attire created.

You can have jackets, hats, shirt and even scarves created with the candidates name, running mate, political party affiliation and the current election year printed or embroidered on the items. These can be handed out to the general public, given to campaign donors or auctioned off for fundraising purposes for the campaign itself. You can also sell the items as yet another way to raise money and you need to make sure the candidate himself also wears the items when out in public, especially at casual events and functions.

Regardless of how you distribute the clothing and attire, you will be able to grab more market presence by having others wear the items when they are out and about. This is a tactic used to instill name recognition among voters and can help keep the name of the politician on the mind of all who pass by those wearing the political clothing and attire. You can have such items made by using a customized clothing company who makes such items and can guarantee that everything made comes out looking the way you want, as image is highly important in politics and especially during the height of the campaign season. In order to make sure all clothing and attire you are having made is ready for when the campaign trail is in full swing, you need to work with the vendor early on to allow for plenty of time to have your order completed properly and in a timely manner.

Benefits of Government Jobs

Posted by Cailee on September 19, 2011
Jobs / No Comments

Benefits of government jobs vary from city, state and federal agencies. Grades are assigned to job descriptions with corresponding pay rates. The first benefit is pay along with incentives to increase the pay through training, performance and longevity of employment. The guidelines and standards state what is expected from the employee and what credentials and experience is required for promotion.

Benefits include insurance providing all health care options from medical, dental and vision. Recently, new health incentives were proposed to discontinue medical choices for employees who were covered under a spouse’s medical plan. In the past the employees had the option of accepting an hourly compensation in exchange for not participating in government health plans because they were covered on a separate program.

Working with government allows the employee an opportunity to travel and submit for job positions in different areas of the world. If the position allows, the government may pick up the costs of relocation. It’s a great way to see the world if you like to travel.

The government has a great work schedule, they recognize all 10 Federal holidays which are paid to employees. Paid vacations, unpaid leave benefits, job related travel compensation and reimbursements are standard employment benefits. In some government locations telecommuting may be available along with a flexible work schedule where employees can work 4 days a week at 10 hours a day. Working part-time may be subject to different government work and labor guidelines.

Education reimbursement for going to school or taking special training to secure a position or promotion is available. Student loans with specific terms, conditions and limitations are also available for employees looking to complete a higher level of education.

Employees who remain on the job until retirement age receive a benefit package after completing their term of employment. The federal government offers a savings plan along with a contribution retirement program. The state has a separate retirement system that works like a 401k plan.

At the end of the day, every business entity including the government goes through budget cuts and reductions need to be made within the system. The best benefit of working with the government, they will make an attempt to relocate personnel before layoffs. Unlike civilian, private or public companies, working with the government ensures a steady paycheck as long as you are performing according to the job description and government’s expectation.