Presidential Debate: Your Financial Questions

income tax on social security retirement funds.

at age 70, I draw a meager 1004.00/mo. luckly I am in good enough health to work for supplement to this income. Making 16,000.00 plus the 12,000.00 gives me 28,000.00 before taxes to live on. In april each year I am taxed on my earnings and on 1/2 of my social security as well. But noone mentions these taxes only the ones making over 250,000..(Plus they still take out ss on the earnings I make) I give up..............Old and Broke in TN

B Smith of TN @ Oct 14, 2008 15:34:40 PM

campaign spending

In light of our economic crisis -- the number of people out of jobs -- the depressed housing market -- how does either candidate justify the amount of money being spent on their campaign?

Each candidate is spending millions of dollars on unindating the public with campaign ads -- that at this point no one believes.

Linda of OH @ Oct 10, 2008 14:35:17 PM

Medical costs

Why not socialize medicine in the US like Canada,United Kingdom,etc.McCain's $5,000 credit for Healthcare bothers me.Individuals would use that up halfway thru the year.I feel that the Doctors jack their rates up thinking insurance will pay.If the US had a plan to cover everyone-Hospital,Doctor,Drugs maybe the Doctor Malpractice ins. would come down,drugs would be cheaper,Doctor Fees cheaper.The US needs to look into these programs and get rid of the lobbyists here driving everything up.

Jane Fargo of NJ @ Oct 09, 2008 11:04:06 AM

Financial crisis

I think that congress should pass a law to put in place a salery cap for the CEO's to elemnate finanacial ruin of a company, also put in place a cap on bonus's pert's all that to keep the CEO's at the top from writting a check for any amout that they so choose. To me these guys should be arrested and jailed.

Don Campbell of NE @ Oct 07, 2008 22:02:49 PM

Social Security

Where is the 10's of thousands of dollars I've put in to Social Security? If I'm not every going to see it, then put my Social Security tax into a health care fund for me when I need.

Jeremy Burns of CO @ Oct 07, 2008 21:58:53 PM

Wall Street Bailout

I am a middle-class American and a former New Yorker. I believe this bailout is a smoke screen to help cover losses of the rich and affluent. It seems a bit strange that one of the nation's largest mortgage lenders (Countrywide Financial/BA) has now found it within their means to help their customers facing foreclosure by working with them to (a) lower interest rates,and(b) convert to fixed-term mortgages .... something that every sub-prime lender should be able to do on their own ... without the bailout. This proves that the system, if left to its own devices, could've, should've, would've solved the problem without additional expense to the taxpayers. And all would essentially be well.

Also ... it is time that we all recognized the importance of living within our means. And for those who don't .. they alone should suffer the consequences of their own actions and lack of self-discipline.

Cindy Porter of AZ @ Oct 07, 2008 21:17:45 PM

GSE's

What do you think is the best course of action for the government concerning Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? Privatize them like Sallie Mae or public like Ginnie Mae?

Randy Noel of LA @ Oct 07, 2008 19:58:44 PM

campaign promises

Both candidates talk good, but it's all campaign promises. Once someone is elected into office, all promises go out the window. What makes these canditates any different?

just a regular person of FL @ Oct 07, 2008 18:24:09 PM