So
when you hear tea partiers and Republicans decrying “Obamacare” and the
“government takeover of health care,” think about the small-business owners and
entrepreneurs who will benefit this year from health care reform. They—and
their employees—will thrive, thanks to the government’s help.
Event of the Week
Riverwest Neighborhood Association
Benefit
Bordered on the north by
Capitol Drive,
the west by Richards Street,
and the east and south by the Milwaukee
River, Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood is a
diverse, eclectic, mixed-income enclave. Home to some of the city’s most
popular events, such as Locust Street Festival, Rockerbox Motorcycle Show &
Street Party (Aug. 7) and this weekend’s 24-hour bicycle race (RW24), Riverwest
is a vibrant residential community.
The Riverwest
Neighborhood Association (www.my-rna.org) will host a fund-raiser Friday, July
30, at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn (1001
E. Locust St.). Beginning “around 8:30 p.m.” and
featuring music from Uncle Larry, the event aims to raise money for a color map
and guide to the many unique businesses and events in this one-of-a-kind
neighborhood.
Hero of the Week
Sherry Allen
The Salvation Army of
Greater Milwaukee relies on volunteers to help with its many programs and
services, such as its “Feed the Kids” summer meals program that delivers more
than 90,000 lunches to area children. For the past seven years, Sherry Allen,
together with her husband and eight children, has been helping to distribute
food to those in need.
Salvation Army Community
Relations Director Faithe Colas says Allen is “extremely committed to the
community.” In addition to working a full-time job, Allen makes time to
volunteer at the Salvation Army’s food pantry, assist in the Christmas Family
Feast, help with the “Coats for Kids” drive and wrap toys for children of
incarcerated parents. “I can’t begin to describe her level of volunteerism,”
Colas adds.
Readers who wish to join
Allen and her family of super-volunteers in staffing the Salvation Army’s
programs are encouraged to call (414) 302-4300 or visit www.samilwaukee.org.
Jerk of the Week
Senate Candidate Ron
Johnson
So much for principles! Multimillionaire businessman Ron Johnson, who told a reporter he supports drilling for oil “where it is”—including the Great Lakes—also happens to own between $116,000 and $315,000 in BP stock, a company he’s defended since its disastrous oil spill in the Gulf. So the right thing to do would be to sell the stock or to put it in a blind trust just to prove that his investment doesn’t have any impact on his political views, right? Well, not so fast. Johnson has toyed with selling the stock and the blind trust concept, but he has done neither. His latest line is to say that he might sell the stock to help finance his campaign (which he’s already loaned at least $1.4 million to). “I think that’ll eventually happen,” Johnson said to Wispolitics.com about selling the stock, “but I’m going to do it based on market conditions.” So he may do the right thing—provided the price is right.
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A healthcare credit for small businesses with less than 25 employees! Fantastic- let the pink slips flow. Watch unemployment go up, while tax revenues (which have to pay for this healthcare mess somehow) go down. Then we raise the tax rates on those making over $250,000/year- a huge percentage of which are small businesses! You progressives really thought this one out...it's genius! Actually so stupid that it appears to make sense!
"Beginning in 2010, businesses with fewer than 25 workers who make on average less than $50,000 will be eligible for a tax credit for the health insurance they provide to their workers" Ok this is bull crap!! I have less than 25 workers but they make a hell of a lot more that $50k. So this is meaningless. Who on God's green earth works for less than $50k? Maybe a small independent fast food restauarnt? What good is a tax credit? Its cheaper still simply not to offer health insurance. If you are making less than $50k it means you have little worth to your employer and are most likely just a warm body that can be replaced. What employer would want to provide health insurance at any price? I still have to make every employee go buy their own insurance or piggly back off of a spouse. So there is no meaningful benefit to small businesses.
Being that the median household income for Wisconsin is arond 52K I would say that it is very safe to say that most people make less than 50K a year. To say that employers don't care about these people is just plain asinine. I question that you have any employees or a business at all.
No, I don't think most working people make less than $52 a year. That figure includes a lot of people who don't have real family supporting jobs - ie welfare, unemployment, or those who choose not to work. But if you were to take a typical small business with professional, educated employees, it would be hard to find them making less than $50k. Where is the big break for these people? Lets say you have a small law firm with 10 lawyers and 10 secretaries. Ok, how does Obama care help them? Everyone in the company is going to make more than $50k.
I don't disagree with your assessment of the shortfalls of obama care. But statistics are real, and it bothers me when people use hyperbole to try and influence their argument. Its a fact that more than 50% of people with full time jobs make less than 50K per year, at least in this state.
I don't know the income stats but a stat like 50% of full time workers have incomes below $50k seems off. Perhaps. Still what good is a tax break? Its cheaper just not to buy your employees insurance at all. If the government gave businesses a 35% tax credit if they bought all their employees a new car, would you buy your employees cars? Of course not. Get your damn car.