latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Na, you're not rich, you're among the intended patsies for this tax cut--no offense, I'm in the same boat--comfortable but not rich. Frankly, it's not a bad place to be--don't have to compete with the rich and can do pretty much what I want. I went ahead and increased my withholding so I should at least get some of my money back. California does still recognize some deductions that the feds won't any more so you may see some savings there.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

But as long as you can afford to live in California (well, San Diego) it's about as good as it gets depending on what you want out of life. For me it's close to the ocean, great climate (a little worse this year but still better than anywhere else in the U.S. and can do most anything you want to do. Each to her/his own.

le boecere

You don't sound like a very good socialist. Doncha know that if you're a (often self-designated) "Have-Not", you're supposed to hate and resent the "Haves" (often just referred to as "the rich")?

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

I try to never use the IRS as a bank; they pay no interest

NewGuy

In the case of California, far more is paid in federal taxes than is collected back through federal programs, etc.

Black Elk Peak

Interesting thread. Always interesting when folks are discussing money, who has what, who is or is not paying their fair share, what constitutes "rich" and "not rich". I have a High School education. Did 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as an enlisted guy and then worked for one of the local defense contractors for 25 years and then retired. I saved my money. Lived in the same house for 20 plus years. I have three hots and a cot each day. I don't care what others make or the taxes they pay. My house is a castle compared to the folks living in garbage dumps in India. My Ford F150 is a high end luxury car when compared to someone who has to walk to work. I am thankful for what I have. Things could be a whole lot worse. There is an old saying....."Comparison is the worst enemy of contentment". I am content.

Vaughan K.

le boecere

So very well stated. You read like a rather emotionally mature individual.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

As a Republican I can find many faults with Trump. Beating Hillary is not one of them. Trump and a Republican Congress or at least Senate is so much better than Hillary and the Democrats in control. Because things may not be absolutely perfect does not mean we'd rather have the alternative....the Party of the Devil.

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

I have been accused of being. Trumpite when I did not vote for him. I still consider him to be a vulgarian, and would refuse an invite to eat with him or drink a beer with him or play golf with him. Politically I consider myself a moderate and independent. I did not vote for him or his main opponent or lesser candidates. Yet I have long since lost patience with those who criticize him personally and pay no attention to the ideas he holds with his advisors. I do not considerki myself wealthy or a one percenter. I hold no resentment for anyone of great wealth so long as they have earned it honestly. Nor do I feel inferior that I was not born smart enough, nor took some great risks, to earn great wealth. In our system of capitalist economics, no one acquires wealth without taking a lot of people along with them. Those who dream of an Ideal World, and the age of Aquarius, are welcome to their opinions. Those who sanction socialism will find that my presence is absent should they ever take control. And I will damn well take my money with me, such as it is. And anyone who does not like this can just kiss my backside!

hopthecop Loc: salisbury md

an oldie, but right for the tax season.....

Tax return submitted by a New Jersey resident The IRS returned a tax return to a man in New Jersey after he apparently answered one of the questions incorrectly. In response to question 23 "Do you have anyone dependent on you?", the man wrote: "2.1 million illegal immigrants, 1.1 million crack-heads, 4.4 million unemployable scroungers, 80,000 criminals in over 85 prisons, plus 650 idiots in Washington, and the entire group that call themselves politicians".
On the returned form, someone at the IRS had attached a Post-it Note beside the question with an arrow and the words: "Your response to question 23 is unacceptable." The man sent it back to the IRS with his response on the bottom of the Post-It Note: "Who did I leave out?"

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I didn't like Arnold either. He started off with good intentions but then bowed down to the prison union. It all went downhill from there. Do not be an idiot and assume things about me that are not true.

Dennis

Shel Loc: Lecanto FL

My father had expression. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, same on me.
Let's see how the voters will respond to the false promise of tax cuts for the middle class.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Big question
Did you pay more or less tax?
The refund is just an adjustment!

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Same here in Tejas, eh ?