Taxing The Wealthy To Pay For Health Care Part 2

This is a short story, with fictional characters that represent the bigger picture.

The Characters:

Rich Oldfart - Has done well for himself. He's wealthy, he pays his taxes and likes to spend money. But he also supports a couple of local charities. Rich Oldfart, after years of life experience, realizes nothing is for free.

Doofus Bozo - A lot of his peers call him Michael Moore, because he (like the real Michael Moore) is waiting around for the President to perform his next "super hero move". Doofus Bozo can't wait for health care to be free. He also likes the idea of his rich boss having to pay for it. He works with Barb Buyer, a nice young lady.

Barb Buyer - Is a nice young lady who works hard and likes her job at Mid-Size retail. She doesn't make a whole lot of money, but she makes it go a long way. She (like Doofus Bozo), likes the idea of free health care, but doesn't think it's fair that other people because they have money should be forced to pay for it.

Sally Supplier - Is always dressed nice, she's sharp and knows what she wants in life. Sally Supplier loves her job at Big Biz and does well at moving product. Sally Supplier doesn't pay much attention to politics and enjoys her hobbies and traveling.

It's now late August; earlier in the year, the much anticipated FREE Health Care bill was passed. Doofus Bozo was absolutely euphoric. Finally, the rich are going to pay and he'll have access to FREE Health care.

The first week of September rolls around and Sally Supplier calls Barb Buyer to make sure she'll be placing her big order for this up and coming holiday season. Barb Buyer explains that she has been told by the Boss Man to hold off because Rich Oldfart hasn't placed his order yet. "Strange" Sally supplier says, "Isn't Rich Oldfart one of your biggest customers"? Barb Buyer tells Sally Supplier that she ran into Rich Oldfart, and that he's had to do some cutting back because he was hit with a huge tax increase this year. Sally Supplier says, "OK, I'm nervous, if you guys need anything, let me know". "Of course" says Barb buyer.

Later that week, Doofus Bozo and Barb Buyer were called into a company meeting. Boss Man went over the financials for Mid-Size retail. Boss Man explained that while the company was still strong financially, they (because sales had dipped) were going to have to hold off on raises and bonuses for the year. Doofus Bozo couldn't believe it, Boss Man just bought a new car a week earlier; "how come he buys a new car and we don't get a bonus or raises this year? I count on that bonus every year to buy my kids Christmas gifts." Barb Buyer responds, "well at least we don't have to worry about health insurance cost anymore".

It's the first part of November now and Sally Supplier learns that Mid-Size retail can only place a small order this years. Sally Supplier while on the phone with Barb Buyer explains that business has really slowed down. Big Biz has done several staff reductions and Sally Supplier is worried she could be next. "Can't you call Rich Oldfart and get an order out of him" asked Sally Supplier. "Unfortunately no", says Barb Buyer. "Rich Oldfart is doing something different this year because of the taxes he's been hit with".

Late November, Doofus Bozo was at work day dreaming about the next "super hero move" of the president. He suddenly was called into Boss Man's office. Boss Man explains to Doofus Bozo, that while he appreciates everything Doofus Bozo has done for the company, sales have been down and Doofus Bozo has to be laid off.

Doofus Bozo can't believe it. He thought that when he voted for a young history making president, everything was going to be taken care of for him. He wasn't going to have to worry about gas or his mortgage anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8rTb3jI


Eventually Rich Oldfart ran out of money and the President made everything fair. But there were no more Rich Oldfarts to tax and good health care wasn't even available anymore. So the President looked over seas (as he often does) to model what other countries do and started rationing health care.

Taxing The Wealthy To Pay For Health Care

Why people don't understand this is beyond me.

Here goes:

If I am a business owner (one of the wealthy), whom provides goods and services; when my taxes go up, who do you think is going to pay for it?

Me? Wrong!

You are! I'm going to pass that cost to you. Don't you get that?

Goodness gracious... next time you go to your favorite fast food joint and prices go up, ask them this question: Why did your prices rise?

Hopefully you get this!

So... when Obama says that the wealthiest Americans are going to pay for health care reform, who do you really think is going to pay for that?

NO! Not the wealthiest Americans! You're still not getting it. You are! They're going to pass that cost to you! They're not going to take a hit!

Here, I'm going to try this one more time. When gas prices rise, did you ever notice that you pay higher prices, not the owner of the station?

YES YES... that's right! When fuel cost went up last summer, you saw your food prices rise. It cost more to ship food, so they passed that cost on to you.

YES!! When the owner of the local coffee shop goes to do his taxes and he's paying a higher percentage, he's going to charge more for a cup of coffee to make up for that.

Exactly, he (the wealthy guy) is not paying for health care reform, you are!

More on how it can be fixed later. I need to save the good stuff for when I start campaigning in 6 years.

DAD ~ March 05 1953 - July 18 1992

Dad... well at this point you've been gone longer than I had you. But, there hasn't been a day that has gone by in the last 17 years that I haven't thought of you.

I've told Amanda and the kids all about you. I often look at the kids and imagine you holding them.

I missed you when I graduated High School, when I got married and with each birth of your grandkids. I've had to make many decisions that I've wished so badly I could call you and ask you what you think.

You used to say, "time heals", well it hasn't. I miss you just like it was yesterday.

I did as you asked in your last wish for me, I read my bible, several times and counting actually.

I miss you Dad.