PoliticalPoints: Politics quick, fast & in a hurry.

Between listening to presidential debates and political TV pundits, you’ve probably heard a lot of discussion about “taxes for the rich.” Are the wealthy really at a tax advantage over the poor? How can you tell when a specific tax break favors those with abundant income? How is the government involved? As it turns out, wealth does indeed give a person a “leg-up” when it comes to taxes. There are several asset-based tax credits and breaks; most middle or low-income families have few or no assets and therefore don’t apply for the benefits. Capital gains tax, for instance, is a tax attached to stocks, bonds and investments at a low rate of 15%, which allows individuals to keep most of their investment income and contribute a small portion back into the economy. The tax rate on an average citizen’s wages is 35%. The government creates tax laws and codes, so politicians are often accused of adding more cuts and passing legislation that is partial and more beneficial to the wealthy. The fact that most government officials are affluent and could possibly be influenced by equally affluent lobbyists, fuels speculation of bias. To see a list of 5 main tax breaks that help the rich stay rolling in the dough, click here.

By C. Dyer, contributing writer

After watching the presidential debate the other night, I decided to browse a few of NBC's videos. One I came across was about campaign paraphernalia. Among flag-colored cocktails and "VOTE" slippers were baby-onesies expressing support for each political party. I'm not sure how anyone else seeing them reacted, but I grew rather concerned. 

Why would parents need or want to make a political statement with their child's clothing? It’s cute to parents or family, but consider the mindset behind it. Dressing a small child in political or religious [based] clothing reflects the desire of the parent for the child to be just like them. The job of parents is not to raise carbon copies, but to teach their children to think critically and form opinions for themselves. It's partly because of this "my way or the highway" attitude that many children grow up to be followers. Many superficially believe what their parents or friends believe without ever giving it real thought. 

Parents should keep in mind who their children may grow up to be. If we don't make thoughtful choices, our children may grow to resent us later on. The child with the political t-shirt may grow up to be decidedly anti-part. The boy with the "God Hates Gays" sign may be an atheist. The girl sporting Wicca emblems may be a future Catholic. Regardless of personal beliefs, children direct their own futures. It's not up to us to decide.

I was searching my junk email last week for an important message that may have been filtered, when I saw an email from “Beyonce` Knowles.” I thought this was strange, considering promotional messages from the pop-singer’s website usually safely makes it to my inbox. I opened it up and realized immediately why it filtered. The email didn’t come from Bey’s website; it was from "[email protected]." It was a rather interestingly worded advertisement for a donation contest:

“ I have an amazing invitation I have to share. Jay [husband, rapper Jay-z] and I [Beyonce`] will be meeting up with President Obama for an evening in NYC sometime soon. And we want you to be there! Until midnight tonight, if you pitch in $25 or whatever you can, you'll be automatically entered to be flown out to join us. I've had the honor of meeting President Obama and the First Lady a few times -- and believe me -- it's an opportunity you don't want to miss…. https://donate.barackobama.com/Meet-Me-in-New-York. Can't wait to meet you! Love, Beyoncé”

I checked Barack Obama’s website and the offer was legit. I’m sure thousands of Beyonce` fans and Obama supporters jumped at the chance and donated, but I found the whole email and offer unsettling. First, I think it’s a problem that the email doesn’t clearly state what entity you’re donating to or why. It kind of appears sneaky and secretive; the financial backing of a government official is covert. Second, Beyonce`, in this case, is selling her and Obama’s presence for money. It’s kind of like political prostitution. Support the politician I’m likely voting for and I’ll have dinner with you? This is very different from a product endorsement or being a spokesperson for a cause. I don’t get to share a meal with Beyonce` if I purchase a box of L’Oreal hair color. My hair will just be a different hue. As a spokesperson for a cause, I get to hear from Beyonce` why she thinks the cause is important and why I should contribute; I still don’t get to have tacos with her. Had I received an email declaring her endorsement for Barack Obama, why she backs him and why I should give him money, I wouldn’t have raised my eyebrows. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrities supporting politicians, but it matters how you do it. Don’t pimp yourself out. If you’re going to use your name and voice, let’s hear your name and voice.