The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Have you ever felt like OSHA will have to require that handles be installed if more people are to climb on your back?

·      OSHA's Mission:                                                                                                                          With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)* to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards.

Every time we turn around some large corporation, government agency or small business, is trying to somehow get more money out your pocket or bank account.  Most people don’t realize the amount of taxes per gallon of gasoline they pay in their respective States.  In the State of Washington the tax on a gallon of gasoline is just under 50 cents per gallon.  Do you realize that for every 30 gallons of gasoline you buy you are paying $15 dollars out of pocket before you even get a drop of gasoline in your tank?

 Washington: Cents per gallon 37.5 other taxes .096 includes HASMAT fee and Oil Spill Admin Fee

Today I was hungry and decided to stop at a place where I’ve stopped a few times in recent years and was surprised that they wanted an extra 40 cents for using a credit card.  The total was under $4 dollars so the surcharge amounted to more than 10%.  I mentioned to the cashier that it was a bad move on the owner’s part because he would lose business.  Her answer was it’s not his idea it’s the banks.  I explained that I am also a businessman that the cost is more like 1.5% per transaction.  I don’t know about the rest of his customers but I for one don’t plan to go back even if I have cash in my pocket.
What the owner should have done is add 5 or even 10% to all his menu items, and not mess with the transaction.  I doubt that anyone would notice the increase on such small prices. I don’t feel that I am being petty, because I probably do 10 to 20 transactions per day, and if everyone decides to add 40 cents per transaction that adds up to 8 dollars a day.  I enjoy dealing through my church for charity’s sake, but then again every time I go to pay for anything at a cashier stand everyone wants a dollar for one charity or another.

The following information shouldn’t surprise anyone, but then again it might:  How Much Does the Average Person Pay in Taxes?

• Answer: The amount the average person pays in taxes is between 40% and 54.4% of income. The variance is due to where they live and income levels. Each state and even municipalities have their own sales taxes and various usage taxes which must be figured into the total. On top of the self-employed people pay the entire amount of Social Security as opposed to employees whose employers pay half. The overall tax picture requires that people consider the fuel taxes and other taxes when determining their average tax amount.  ~ Reference: www.cato.org

Imagine the disappointment of realizing that whatever wage you earn you only keep around 50% or less.  All of a sudden 40 cents per transaction, and a dollar for charity every time you go through a cash register adds up.  I don’t start my day by wanting to be a cheapskate, but aren’t taxes supposed to go in part to help the less fortunate?  The best is yet to come…..