Free Republic

Can Society Afford to Pay Promised Pension Benefits? We may find that honor gives way to economic reality Without question, the greatest economic benefit of working for the government — be it federal, state or municipal — is the retirement program. Many governments promise their workers pension and health-care benefits that those in the private sector would define as, well, generous. Take the poll...

Backdoor taxes to hit middle class Mon Feb 1, 4:09 PM By Terri Cullen NEW YORK (Reuters.com) --The Obama administration's plan to cut more than $1 trillion from the deficit over the next decade relies heavily on so-called backdoor tax increases that will result in a bigger tax bill for middle-class families. In the 2010 budget tabled by President Barack Obama on Monday, the White House wants to let billions of dollars in tax breaks expire by the end of the year -- effectively a tax hike by stealth. While the administration is focusing its proposal on eliminating tax breaks...