Recently I’ve noted that I am not as up on current events, politics, and a variety of other societal and social issues as I was in the past.
Sure, I still talk Justin Timberlake online, but overall, mom life has not been particularly kind to my intellect apparently.
My inability to stay up much past 9pm joined with the fact that my children monopolize the television, and when I do have time to watch TV of my choosing, I tend to opt for Duck Dynasty or something else that doesn’t cause my brain to work itself into a frenzy, have left me with little info to input should I find myself in a meaningful, adult conversation with nonparents and/or smart people.
Lucky for me, this scenario rarely occurs. And, by rarely, I pretty much mean never. Most people I talk to are either parents I interact with over the heads of children, or um, just not smart.
But, being one who doesn’t enjoy not knowing everything, I’m finding that the knowledge I gain from Twitter is a little unsatisfactory.
And, if I’d like to continue considering myself as a smarty pants masquerading as a dummy for fun, I need to rectify this. And be way smarter in 2013.
I intend to bring you all along with me.
Because, while I do enjoy being the smartest smarty pants around, I also like having people to discuss things I learn with.
That would be you readers.
So I bring to you: The Real Talk Series. Designed to help you amaze your friends with your smart talk and overall awesomeness…
First topic? The Fiscal Cliff, of course!
Because it’s all you hear about anyway important to us all right now.
And, it’s super freaking confusing if all you know about it comes from Yahoo headlines and the mutterings of probably crazy people in Walmart (side note: never trust anything you hear in Walmart as fact, unless it has to do with Britney Spears or hunting season. Go ahead and trust ‘em on that stuff).
I’ve spent 15 minutes a bunch of time getting some basic facts about the Fiscal Cliff and why it matters to the everyday mama. Hopefully you’ll find them helpful.
What is the Fiscal Cliff?
The Fiscal Cliff is basically meant to represent the precipice the nation sits on presently. Come tomorrow (or the next day or soon, really freaking soon), our nation may (or may not, depending) plunge over this metaphorical cliff into darkness and despair. And, if you’re a regular human, this means that certain tax cuts that we currently enjoy courtesy of both the Bush Administration and the first term of the Obama Administration are set to expire (so, either way you go, Republican or Democrat, stuff you are down for will soon be no longer). Simultaneously, budget cuts that help pay for things we like (like Medicare and the jobs of people like my husband) will go into affect. Basically, we will get less stuff for more money, and some of us will possibly be jobless (please, please, please don’t let Dumb Dad lose his job), a scenario none of us like to be involved in.
Why? Why? Whhhhy is this happening?
Debt. The evil thing that also prevents me from getting my dream car is also the reason that many of us will possibly feel the affects of a recession again in 2013. The US is in it up to our ears and apparently we need to not be. This whole plan wherein we pay more taxes and lose some benefits is supposed to help reduce that.
How will this affect me?
Depends. They (and by “they” I mean people who know this stuff) say that should the laws set to expire at the beginning of the year and the budget cuts set to go into affect at the same time are allowed to proceed, we will experience another recession. Yep, right when we were getting our shopping grooves back! Middle income families will see a rise in their taxes ($2,400 a year for families earning between $50,000 and $75,000, projected), lower income families will see a decrease in their deductions (like the Earned Income Credit), and high income families (yes, them too!) will be adversely affected as well (capital gains being one of the main reasons). Plus, unemployment is like to increase. And, life as we know it will begin to suck harder. Okay, that last one is just a projection from me, mom of 3, wife to a federal employee, non-political analyst.
Who Should I Listen To?
Democrat, Republican, human it really doesn’t matter. This situation is something both camps are attempting to avoid. But, since people can’t get along ever, they have different strategies for how they think we should do that. You can read about the different responses to the Fiscal Cliff to see what they are planning (and how the entire thing will affect you and your family).
What Can I Do?
Probably nothing. As is usually the case, we, the people, aren’t really in much of a position to determine the fate of our lives. Pretty much we just have to keep our fingers crossed tomorrow and hope that the powers that be, do the right thing or something, anything, to ensure we can continue to live in houses, eat real food, and buy cute shoes.
May the force be with them…
Love this!! If anyone needs to know about current events/politics…it’s the moms out there! Education/Understanding is key and unfortunately the big dogs love to make it as confusing as possible!
I spend at least 50% of life being confused about something. That’s gotta stop!
Fiscal cliff talks make me giggle. DOES THE UNITED STATES NOT KNOW HOW CLOSE MANY OF US HAVE COME THAT CLIFF? HELL, I DONE FELL OFF AND CLIMBED MAH TAIL BACK ON UP DA MOUNTAIN. Although yes, I am still perilously close to the edge of the cliff, I don’t find the need to bitch about it so incessantly. I’m looking at YOU, politicians.
I feel you. I could go for days about the cliff I live on, but I don’t. Because you would hate me. Sorta like how I feel about them!
I LOVE this.
Thanks! Do you feel smarter?!
You wrote an AMAZING post here, Amanda. I’ve been trying to read more and more about it. Basically, yeah. We are screwed unless they get their act together. All those tax cuts? Gone. We pay more. They spend our taxes on debt and not programs. All I can do is pray and trust that no matter what, God will carry me through. I do hope that we don’t spiral into another depression or even recession. The first recession sucked SO BAD.
Thanks, Annie! I wish I could force someone else to help me get out of debt. Life would be so much more awesome then!
LOVE this series!
{We so need to be in the know!}
Thanks, Galit. I at least feel like I could confidently shake my head and smile if this topic comes up at any events in the near future:).
Oh boy. I am a complete political junkie & you summed up a good part of this. The one thing that the news is barely mentioning (but in a round about sort of way) is that nice little Payroll tax cut that we all got a while back. Well that is going away. That means that regardless of your income level- that $40/paycheck we had cut before is now going to be deducted. So yeah- our taxes are up by $80+ a month to pay for Social Security that we will never see & never be able to collect. They are spending that NOW on things it was never intended to be spent on. I can’t afford that & I’m sure every other working American can’t either. But it’s happening. Even though they avoided taxes going up on those of us making less than $450k that doesn’t mean we avoided getting hosed. This “deal” they agreed upon will cause prices on everything to raise- from utilities to food. I’m already pinching & the thought of things going up is frightening. Nothing like sitting back & watching as ALL the politicians worry so much about THEIR re-election that they don’t care about what they are doing to MY ability to pay my bills & feed my family. But then again- they have not passed a budget in 4 years- so I guess they think that we all operate our households that way, right :) It doesn’t matter the side you are on- this situation is bad for us all. OH- unless you are a politician. I guess they got a pay raise (for all the great work they have done). (can you tell this strikes a nerve with me) :)
I pray that things don’t further effect your family. This whole thing is a massive mess & beyond frustrating when we are all struggling to keep it pulled together.
Hugs my friend!!!
Me too! Generally we are fortunate to be government employees; there’s a lot of security in the job. But, when stuff like this starts going down, I tend to get a little shaky kneed.
Just when we were dusting off from the last time.
I’m pretty sure we only dust off in order to get dirty again. It’s like hey, their shirts are clean! Knock ‘em down again…
Brilliant new series!