My $2,000/annual theft

"Life is way too short to live in a state who cannot manage its money, and continues to screw its citizenry. As much as I would prefer to stay here to be close to my family, the sandy beaches of Pensacola are looking better and better all the time."

This article is only for seniors, folks who have parents or grandparents who are seniors, or have friends that are seniors. Oh heck - it is for anyone who believes in fairness. What is it about? My routine rant which will continue to continue, until something is done. Yes, I am talking about Minnesota's unfair and unjust confiscation of wealth from some of our most vulnerable citizens - the seniors.

I have done some research. The average yearly tax the state takes out of a senior's wallet is $1,000. If that senior is married to another senior, it is $2,000. In my case it is $2,000. These days, is that really that much money? For a senior that is. There are no more merit raises, bonus payments, or anything like that. There is the top of the month pensions payment (if a senior is lucky enough to have one) the 401k, 403b, or IRA disbursement (if a senior is lucky enough to have them), and then Social Security.

Some states don't tax retirement of seniors (hello, South Dakota!). Others do, but leave Social Security alone. Not Minnesota. Every time I have asked the question on why we keeping this immoral tax continuing, here is my answer: "Gosh, we would like to stop it, but just can't afford it."

Most people who are effected have worked between 30 and 50 years, and payed in a boatload of taxes. Now that they are seniors, when every dime counts, they are being taxed on something they have already paid taxes on. 

Here is a tidbit few know. Social Security was never meant to be taxed. Ever. Not by the federal, not by the state. Then starting in 1984, the feds and the state started to tax it. Why would they tax something which had already been taxed? Simply put - they needed the money. In fact today, if you want to have federal income taxes withheld out of your Social Security, you need to request it. And state taxes are impossible to escrow. 

Does the state really have the money to end this injustice? Yes, and more so. The amount we spend on refugee resettlement more than dwarfs what we take from our seniors. Can this ever be fixed? ABSOLUTELY!!

This should NOT be a partisan issue as it effects ALL SENIORS, regardless of political leaning. However to date, it is only Jeff Johnson who has a plan on how to fix this - and now. Tim Pawlenty may say he does, but did nothing in the eight years he was Governor.

If we keep the House and Senate, the fix will be a slam dunk for Governor Johnson. If not, it will take a bit of finesse. Why? For some reason, Democrats and RINOs in Minnesota feel all of YOUR money is THEIR money. Jeff on the other hand, does not.

As more and more Minnesotans come of age, they will feel the pain of this injustice. Some will take their money and leave, as a growing number have. Some like me, are staying to fight this issue, one more time. However, If we can't get a true conservative like Jeff Johnson elected as Governor, then the fight will truly be lost.

Life is way too short to live in a state which cannot manage its money, and continues to screw its most vulnerable citizenry. As much as I would prefer to stay here and be close to my family, the sandy beaches of Pensacola are looking better and better all the time.