Taxes, taxes, taxes . . . WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Answer me this question. How much do you make every paycheck? I'm asking this question because I would be willing to bet that as you think about it, the first answer that comes straight into your mind is your NET income and not your GROSS income. Well people, it's time for you all to WAKE UP and start thinking about your GROSS income because that is how much money you are REALLY making.

When it comes to the topic of money, your job and your income, this could be the single most IMPORTANT question that you could EVER think about and hopefully it will help you PAY MORE ATTENTION to your paycheck and where your money is going.

Most people never think about their paycheck and the only important number that they look at is their NET income. They say, "Oh goodie! I made $750 this paycheck!" and are all happy, when in reality they made $1000 and should REALLY be saying, "Where the heck did my $250 go!" Well I'm here to tell you that it is far past time for you to open up your paycheck and take a closer look.

Here's the first thing I want you to do. Open your check and find the spot where it says NET Income and GROSS Income. Now, take a calculator and subtract your Net from your Gross incomes and this is the money that you are handing over to the Federal and State governments every single time you get paid.

Now that you have an actual dollar amount that is being deducted from you paycheck you need to take a look at where all that money is going. What you will find, at a bare minimum, are deductions for Federal Withholding, Social Security, Medicare, State Withholding and, in most states, State Disability Insurance. In most cases, depending on your tax bracket (aka how much you are taxed depending on how much money you make) you will find that the government is taking about 25% of your hard earned money out of your paycheck BEFORE YOU EVEN SEE IT!

But that's okay though right? You'll get it back come tax time and you file your taxes. After all, April 15th and tax time is when you get a check BACK from the government . . . It's a happy time of year, right?

Wrong . . .

Now your next task is to take EVERY SINGLE PAYCHECK you received last year and add up ALL the differences between your GROSS and NET incomes. Don't use your W2 that you received at the end of the year because I want you to get an actual FEEL for adding up all the money that has been taken out of your check throughout the year.

Once that is accomplished, go and get the amounts of you refunds that you received from the kind hearted and benevolent Federal and State agencies and add those two together.

Okay, here's the kicker. Now subtract the refund amount from the amount of money that they took out of your checks throughout the year.

UH OH! It looks like they are keeping a little bit more of your money than you thought, right? But don't forget, even if you are in a low tax bracket where you are getting your money back at tax time, just remember that the government is still taking your money in advance and investing it so that they, AND NOT YOU, will make the interest off YOUR money throughout the entire year.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a better, more simple way, of paying your taxes? One that doesn't discriminate based on how much money you make but still forces the rich to "pay their fair share" and will still help the poor live a more prosperous life?

Well, there is such a plan, but it will take the "Will of the People" to get it implemented. It will take the will of the people because todays politicians rely on our current, convoluted tax code to stay in power and reap the financial rewards of Fat Cat lobbyist's who will more than happily perform any manner of bribery and corruption to get a beneficial outcome for their special interests. In other words, they won't change, because as soon as they do they will lose all their power. But guess where that power will go? IT WILL GO TO YOU! The American taxpayer. But a taxpayer that will DEMAND representation for the taxes that they will be paying.

But before you can change, you have to WAKE YOURSELF UP! Our country was founded and American Blood was spilled for MUCH less than what is being done to us now! The motto then was "DON'T TREAD ON ME!" and "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!", and this was over far fewer more inconsequential taxes. The citizens of this country raided ships and threw crates of Tea into Boston Harbor and that was for just a small tax on TEA!!

How much are you willing to put up with before you put your foot down? How much money are you willing to let them take before you say NO MORE!? Is it a car tax in your state? Is it a mandatory purchase of healthcare?

Well, what is it America? You have to choose. You have to make the call. You have to be willing to stand up as one and say NO MORE!

And now you ask "Well? What is this plan?" Stay tuned and I'll start telling you next time.