Upper-Income Taxpayers Look for Ways to Sidestep Obama Tax-Hike Plan (`Galt's Gulch?')[FReep poll]

ABC News ^ | March 2, 2009 | Emily Friedman

[2ndDivisionVet]

President Barack Obama's tax proposal – which promises to increase taxes for those families with incomes of $250,000 or more -- has some Americans brainstorming ways to decrease their pay, even if it's just by a dollar.

A 63-year-old attorney based in Lafayette, La., who asked not to be named, told ABCNews.com that she plans to cut back on her business to get her annual income under the quarter million mark should the Obama tax plan be passed by Congress and become law.

So far, Obama's tax plan is being looked at skeptically by both Democrats and Republicans and therefore may not pass at all.

"We are going to try to figure out how to make our income $249,999.00," she said.

"We have to find a way out where we can make just what we need to just under the line so we can benefit from Obama's tax plan," she added. "Why kill yourself working if you're going to give it all away to people who aren't working as hard?"

The attorney says that in order to decrease her income she'll have to let go of clients, some of whom she's been counseling for more than a decade.

"This means I'll have to tell some of my clients we can't help them and being more selective in general about who we help," she said. "I hate to do it."

Obama's budget proposal calls for $989 billion in new taxes over the next 10 years, most of which will be earned from increased taxes on individuals who make more than $200,000 and from families who make more than $250,000.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Where did America get off to?

[jdege]

Anyone know where I can get a “Who is John Galt” bumper-sticker?

[Jim Robinson]

She probably won’t have to worry about cutting back on work. Some of her clients may be forced out of business too.

[Doogle]

"We are going to try to figure out how to make our income $249,999.00,"

...I'll betcha the bottom feeder will forget to figure in her weekly $13.00 tax cut...which will put her over the top...."smiles*

[george76]

http://bumperstickers.cafepress.com/item/who-is-john-galt-atlas-shrug-sticker-bumper/242225214

[2ndDivisionVet]

http://bumperstickers.cafepress.com/item/who-is-john-galt-sticker-bumper/12522342

http://bumperstickers.cafepress.com/item/who-is-john-galt-atlas-shrug-sticker-rectangle/242225218

[VeniVidiVici]

Can you believe that ABC has this poll embedded in the article?:

VOTE: Is it fair to reduce high salaries to sidestep President Obama's tax proposal? Share your opinion with ABCNews.com.

[ParityErr]

She will have to lower her income to zero because in the end Zero will tax anyone making more then $1.

[bamahead]

Wait, I’m confused.

So are these people now considered ‘unpatriotic’ for refusing to be ‘evil rich people’?

[Domandred]

Why kill yourself working if you're going to give it all away to people who aren't working as hard?

And in that one sentence she describes why Communism and Socialism fail.

[2ndDivisionVet]

That was the poll I referenced FReeping!! How is "fair" even a word to use to describe trying to lower your taxes? Are we already in a communist country?!

[dixiechick2000]

"So are these people now considered ‘unpatriotic’ for refusing to be ‘evil rich people’?"

LOL!

There ya' go...;o)

[Bigun]

There is only one way to stop this class warfare idiocy and that is to rid ourselves of the communist inspired income tax code we currently suffer!

http://www.fairtax.org

[stylin19a]

"Those who are going to be taxed more are obviously going to complain but I think they may miss the point," said Lisa Rotenstein, the chair of the Harvard Healthcare Policy Group at the Institute of Politics.

"This could have broader implications for the American economy as a whole – improved health care means a healthier workforce that is more productive," said Rotenstein.

gotta be healthy in the unemployment line

[BookmanTheJanitor]

...this is silly. Make as much money as you can, don’t pay your taxes, and wait for an Obama Cabinet post (semi-sarcasm)

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Bottom feeder?

Taking every possible step to keep as much of your own money as possible is a bottom feeder?

[Larry381]

I sure this lawyer isn't alone. There's a whole cottage industry out there devoted to tax avoidance so at least they'll benefit from the "stimulus" while the rest of us hold hands and circle the drain singing, The Internationale

[bamahead]

"Why kill yourself working if you're going to give it all away to people who aren't working as hard?"



Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!

[Doogle]

"This means I'll have to tell some of my clients we can't help them and being more selective in general about who we help,"

[USNBandit]

These people still don’t get it. They still take Obama at his word. He says he will limit tax hikes to those above $250000. Only the gullible would believe that will be the final number.