My uncle was the head of Caltrans for years before he died.
After he retired, he was hired back as a consultant at twice his rate of pay by his buddies. Was he good? Yes, he had a photographic memory and graduated from Stanford, an engineer.
He would work up until he hit about 76K between himself and his wife, who was a public school teacher. At that point, he stopped working, waited for his wife to finish school, and went traveling all summer.
Why? The trip to Europe was deductible for teachers. A stretch, but,
perhaps a good idea.
AT that time, his income tax went from 33% to something absurd, like 60%, and, when you threw in the state of California taxes, approaching 75%. As he explained it, or people in that category did: They worked half the year to pay the government tax, and the second half they got to keep some of their money.
I think the Mexicans have it figured out. Come to the US. Work for 5-7 months, live cheap. Take what they save back to Mexico, live well during the summer. Come back, do it again.
They pay no tax. They get government benefits better then my retired teachers' benefits. Since our educational system is not setup for this model, they make a shambles of the California education system.
Given a choice in life styles, their style of life appeals to me more then mine...
Stereodude:
The problem with the Republicans in power, in both houses, and the presidency, something like 8 of the last near 100 years, is that when the Republicans are voted in, it is a time where the American people want radical change. That was the disappointment for many when Bush II had Congress. Congress and Bush 2 cut the rate of tax spending, but not enough, and, not to the likes of the American people. Yes, they functioned within the system, didn't kill the patient. However, the Democrats don't seem as constricted by things by law and the Constitution, and have made more radical actions, such as their absurd limits on the Second Amendment, etc.
In a nutshell: There is a growing feeling in this nation that the two party system is now an oligarchy. The two parties actions are not far enough apart to make any difference. When someone comes along that might actually make change in a Constitutional direction, and against corruption, the media, and government agencies crucify them, ala Sarah Palin.
The media circus, owned by the very rich, will eventually become much like the little boy that cried wolf in the eyes of the American people. I believe the Tea Party will become stronger, and people will stop believing the bullshit the media puts out about the party, and the people in the party. I wonder what the media had to say about the founding fathers prior to the revolution?
David hits on a very important point. Our Constitution requires a reasonable belief in participatory government, and, requires time, effort and belief that the system works. If you start to look at the actions of our government, you see a pattern of action that attacks
faith in the government, faith in the perception that you can participate and make a difference, and deprives you of the free time to study and make informed decisions, and participate in the government. By these actions we have become an oligarchy. People
are so busy scrambling to make ends meet, that they don't have time to do anything about the government. On top of that, the system has become one where you can't effect much.
I'm not sure if DD is right, but, I am hoping the web changes a bit of that. It certainly makes it possible to petition your politicians.
I do wonder if the government makes it so that it is difficult to do so, intentionally. It also makes it easier for the average person to get their hands on court and Congressional records and preposals, not to mention laws.