Instead of the congressional members’ newsletters they send to constituents and proposing legislation that costs more dollars to benefit only segments of society, these politicians should start rallying support to ensure that the middle class are taxed less; and anyone 65+ who makes interest on funds/savings held in a bank, that the extra returns from interest should not be considered as part of “gross income” on annual IRS tax returns, oftentimes pushing income received from social security AND pension income to a higher level –which then requires seniors to pay more in taxes to the federal government but also doubles the Medicare deduction in one’s social security check.Introducing and passing legislation to prevent the latter scenario would go a long way at helping “affordability” for those in retirement. If any income interest is earned on savings in a bank, it should not go towards or be added to annual income if it is less than $175,000 in value. I have run this idea by my accountant and he said it is a good suggestion but doubts that the “politicians” who serve in Congress will act on such an idea.Start focusing on “commonsense” solutions instead of these side issues the politicians talk about in their constituent newsletters and on the ‘stump’ which amount to absolutely nothing! Start being bold in solving REAL PROBLEMS; stop taxing at the rate the middle class and seniors have to endure; stop spending our tax dollars on make believe initiatives that amount to absolutely “nothing.” The American public including New Jerseyans are tired of the politics in petty, unworthy initiatives for political news and sound-bytes; start solving “REAL” problems!
Deborah Smarth