Cash in Hand

Now that we're well underway in 2008, my thoughts had turned quite quickly to the annual chore that is filling in the tax returns. Of course, these days, it's considerably easier than it used to be with the advent of e-filing and such making it far quicker and convenient to get your taxes sorted, and frankly costs you less. If you earn less than $57000 a year net pay, then you're entitled to file federal taxes for free and you are usually charged a nominal fee (around $10) for filing the state tax returns (of course you have to file both for state and federal which, i imagine for some people means a hell of a lot more paperwork). Suffice to say, with the help of my previous year tax return as a guide, and all requisite information, it didn't take me long to sort out my returns and file them. And i got the cash in the bank account this week - one of those nice surprises when you go to check your balance and you have more than you anticipated. Quite frankly, i don't mind the effort taken to fill in the tax returns if you get money back in the end - it's certainly money that I didn't account for in my budget and i may use it for a holiday of sorts.

Now, this year promises to be even better for a lot of people across the US. With the US economy teetering on the brink, the government has put together an economic stimulus package whereby according to your tax returns filed, you will get some amount of money extra back as a rebate - i think about $600 is the set limit for the average worker and $300 for retirees living on the state. The aim, of course, is for the recipients to put the money back into the economy and hopefully give some stability. Suffice to say, with the bill being signed this week, i was quite happy to go clothes shopping today - and spend a fair few dollars on some nice shiny jeans, trainers and tops which (hallelujah) and less than half the price than what i would pay if i was back in the UK. Did i mention how much i like living over here sometimes???

State of the Union

So a couple of days ago, the USA was treated to the final State of the Union address by the current 'lame duck' president George W.(the name they give to a president who is leaving office at the next election). Of course, there are some that would argue that he was a bit of a lame duck throughout the last seven years he has been in the White House. Who am i to disagree? The general consensus from what i have read is that the ideas and issues presented and 'discussed' in the speech were pretty much recycled ones from the past few years - it seems that the Bush administration is becoming 'environmentally friendly' after all. The major difference was talk of the 'economic stimulus' package that is hoped to be passed in the coming weeks - an attempt to bolster the US economy by getting people to spend money. Of course, the increased panic caused by the recent half point decrease in interest rates to go with the three quarter point decrease of a few days prior hasn't really helped (the largest drop in the shortest period of time in US history so i believe). So what, really, is the State of the Union??

1. A struggling economy and a collapsing house market.
2. A rich-poor divide that has grown in the last few years.
3. A war in Iraq, costing an estimated $10 billion a month.
4. A markedly diminished reputation around the world.
5. Issues with immigrants that are suggested to be solved by 'building a big fence'
6. Large numbers of citizens without healthcare
7. One of the largest national debts in US history
8. A president who is openly mocked by US comedians and others around the world.

Now this is just a small number of things that spring to mind, or a cursory browse around the internet can find. I'm sure there are many other issues/problems that are still yet to be considered or addressed. It seems that the State of the Union is a bit of a mess. With the oncoming elections in November, will things only get better? Let's hope so because i just don't know what will happen if they get worse.