YOUR COMMENTS

Re: Bob in Bedford: Fortunately for you most people do not understand taxes or deal with the math associated with our taxes. But the truch is...on your $150,000 salary, you paid $57,000 of taxes and got an $1,100 (2%) tax reduction from Bush. Your daughter on the other hand was well served with an 8% tax reduction....$60,000 salary, $12,000 of taxes, $1,000 reduction.

She actually enjoyed a tax reduction of 4 times greater than you.
- Mike, Manchester

To Bob in Bedford, thanks for a great post. It's always surpised me that republicans have so much support in the rural, less affluent areas, when their policies continue to screw the very people that support. People hail Reagan as a great president, but his legacy is the broken promise of trickle down economics. You don't spread wealth by giving all it to the top 1%. It didn't work back then, and it's not working now.
- Mike, Hampstead, NH

Thomas, I actually agree with you this time. By the way, you interested in visiting my school? Just contact the paper for my info
- JT, Manchester

To Bob in Bedford: "Amen!" It continually baffles me how a few hot-button social issues play such disproportionately large roles in national elections. I wonder if most of our fellow citizens have just become complacent or resigned themselves to their economic stations?? Or maybe it's just easier to be anti-gay marraige, etc. than to actually analyze and demand intelligent tax and social policies which promote upward economic mobility ...
- Tom M., Manchester

Hm, I am a teacher and with all THREE jobs make a whopping $50,000 or so. I guess I am low middle class. Pathetic.
- JT, Manchester

This is addressed to Bob Hoskins in Derry. I am in the top 20% of income earners in NH. I make approximately 150,000 per year in salary. According to the article the top 20% of earners account for just under 50% of total earnings in this state. Does that seem right? Here's my point. George W. Bush (or more accurately my daughter and her generation) gave me an $1100 per year tax cut just after he was inaugurated for his first term. He gave workers making between $40,000 and $90,000 per year, (which is defined as middle-class in the article), a much, much smaller cut. I didn't need this money. They did. If he was going to bankrupt the country and run up the deficit, he could have at least given the money to the people who will be directly impacted by the cuts in service caused by his foolish tax cut.

If you work for a living you have no business ever voting for a Republican president. You are voting against the best interests of the country, the middle class and yourself if you do. If you think that gay marriage, abortion and non-Christians are a bigger threat to the American way of life than a declining middle class, you are absolutely off the mark. Think for yourself and vote for yourself...not as directed by your minister (which happened last election all over the country and this state.)

A thriving middle class is best for all.
- Bob, Bedford

Veterans at 100% disability do not receive compensation that places them within reach of middle class in your article.
Veteran Disability ratings are such, that it disqualifies the Veteran for HUD housing and several financial assistance programs.
Veterans are one of the many silent and invisible people not counted with any quality of statistical information.
In our country, Veterans are at the mercies of impotent Bills. Bills dead at conception. Altered Bills, impotant through political pandering.
Politicians tossing crumbs of monies to those in need in such a way that our citizenship fight amongst one another. Political actions of no ethical conscience.
Many Veterans, whether they be severely disabled or not, are becoming a transient group in our society. Living in tents and trailers, not by choice, in box store parking lots or campgrounds in southern states.
For many, home ownership has become such a financial burden, they no longer can afford. It has become a dream of the past. Those still able to afford a house, close them in the winter. No longer able to heat within a comfort zone.
Disqualified for fuel assistance.
Not enough monies to assist low income (2007 estimate of $14.25 hr for a 100% disabled veteran) homes.

Veteran organizations beg for money through Bills in D.C. This ia a sad and shameful fact.

Thank you for your service?
- J. Mimranek, Franconia, NH

The biggest problem in NH and the rest of the US that the "middle class" has is being over-taxed by greedy politicians that want to take the money people have earned and redistribute it to other people. The politicians do this to keep themselves in office and to buy votes to maintain their power.

The best thing middle class people can do is to vote for politicians that will limit the size and scope of government. If you're middle class and you vote for a politician or party that will raise your taxes then you are a fool and deserve to have even more of your income stripped away from you.
- Bob Hoskins, Derry