Interesting! Thanks.

shelly once the Republican pledges to Grover Norquist are invalidated by "fiscal cliff" automatic tax increases the matter will be resolved VERY quickly. Your article is irrelevant. That road will NOT be taken.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Which, not coincidentally, is the only thing the GOP has left to sell.

Nast invented another famous symbol—the Republican elephant. In a cartoon that appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1874, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion's skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo. One of those animals, the elephant, was labeled “The Republican Vote.” That's all it took for the elephant to become associated with the Republican Party.

Democrats today say the donkey is smart and brave, while Republicans say the elephant is strong and dignified.

bobeeee,I looked this up as I never knew how this got started. I knew the symbols but didn't know about Nast. Ah, the power of the media…then and now.

Well thanks again!

Elephants are herd animals. Donkeys are independant. What I want to know is when did the GOP turn the stars in their symbol upside down and why? Upside down stars are satanic; the two points at the top resembling Satan's horns and the one at bottom represents his beard.

So, Marq, back to the original question: Are you planning on putting any remodeling plans on hold due to the POSSIBILITY that there will be federal tax cuts? Sounds like you are continuing on with your plans? What have you got going on?



shelly, read the CNN article and I wanted to comment on one of the points. Thanks for the link.
Medicare doc fix Expires. Medicare payment rates for physician services drops by 27%.


I live on Cape Cod and we are losing docs every day because there are so many 65+ on Medicare that live in this retirement area. The docs can't afford to keep a satellite office open here. That means a 4 hour round trip to Boston for maybe a 15 minute visit (if you can get an appointment!) Two of the specialties really affected are endocrinology and dermatology (cutaneous); 65+= lots of thyroid, diabetes, skin cancer and melanoma issues. If indeed that CNN article is right on…Wow! It won't make any difference if you can pay out of pocket as there will no longer be anyone left to pay.

JudyG, thank you for refocusing the conversation back to the original topic...and I appreciate your comment above about what you are seeing in your area. Didn't realize this was a forum to bash other folks who may or may not have similar political viewpoints. I enjoy this website because it gives me inspiration for remodeling projects, but sure haven't enjoyed the past few posts.

Hopefully our lawmakers can work together to move our economy forward (which I am sure there will be some partial agreement, or they'll have a work around, which I hear may go into the Sandy bill, which works, but only prolongs the inevitable). In the meantime, I'll continue to save money for our next remodeling projects. We are also now looking into the possibility of refinancing again at low low rates, so there is always a silver lining!

I will not have any money to remodel anything before or after the fiscal cliff, nor do I see myself ever making anything remotely close to 250K, but I like helping others with their remodels ;) Republicans and Democrats alike!

That's awesome that you are a designer, AggieDesigns! The original point to this was that dependent upon the agreement on the fiscal cliff, that it has a "possibility" of affecting the average American as well, not only those in the top tax bracket, though I'm sure to get some political rant now that I've posted this.

In what geographical area are your services offered?

And I think we can all agree there is nothing like the Red, White and Blue color scheme.

New York City, the company I work for is strictly serving the top 1%, and we have seen nothing, but an increase in the workload, elections, fiscal cliffs and all. Most of these folks do not put their plans on hold, they don't have to.

My own interior design practice outside of job is for people of all walks of life :) Most of them can't afford much above IKEA.

Speaking of IKEA, my daughter designed and installed the most wonderful kitchen. On a budget, she picked the plain white front, IKEA hardware, a quartz countertop. She didn't do the appliances; forget why. She put all their inserts into the drawers, pantries, etc. I'll tell you it rivals my kitchen and she saved thousands.

Just when I thought I've seen everything, here comes a discussion on decorating and remodeling, for Pete's sake, that gets embroiled in right-wing political spin. Why is this even being discussed on an interior design website. For shame.

Mercy Me, i think it was more from an extreme left winger blaming the right wing, but whatever. Hopefully, we've now moved past it.

Shelly, I think you've got it wrong. The right-wing spin here is worse than my HE washing machine on high. I thought I had inadvertently landed on the Fox News website. The very term "fiscal cliff" is a political spin word as is the premise of the poll. This is extremely disappointing to see on Houzz, which I've always enjoyed reading. Until now. Moving forward.

I agree that the poll was destined to bring up political implications, but I don't believe it's Fox in nature...did you not see the posts above completely slamming the right wing? Regardless, it causes a headache.

Mercy Me, do you have any projects going on that you'd like to share?!

I agree that the poll was destined to bring up political implications, but I don't believe it's Fox in nature...did you not see the posts above completely slamming the right wing? Regardless, it causes a headache.

Mercy Me, do you have any projects going on that you'd like to share?!

Thanks for asking. We are pretty much through with the major stuff. But, here are some images of the kitchen and public areas we remodeled in 2007. Pix were taken this year, after most of the furnishings and finishing touches were added. I designed it; my general contractor executed it.

Congrats! It's lovely. I love the wall color. Do you remember the color choice? Also, out of curiosity, what type of front door material do you have? That is our next investment.

It's all tile...what area of the country is this?

So far, 341 feel no impact; 186 are cutting back; 322 feel a big impact. The builders, designers, retailers, etc, according to this poll will be affected, in some degree, by 508 voters. It simply could be that Houzz wants to be attune to houzzers' plans of action and include in idea books topics that will be of interest. I doubt that political agenda was intended.

Wow, mercy me! Just beautiful!

Hi, Shelly -- We live in Central Texas, about 40 minutes northwest of Austin; hence the tile floors (Italian porcelain that mimics honed limestone.) The paint is Sherwin Williams Harmonic Tan with SW Muslin ceilings and trim for most of the rooms. Other colors and wall coverings are not shown. If I recall correctly, our door, with sidelights and transom, is a customized Jen-Weld primed fiberglass with beveled glass and insets of "rain glass; " no metal leading. That was a bear to install for the subs. The original door was ugly and off-center, so we ripped out the whole entry wall and custom-fit a new entry system. We also wanted all that lovely Texas light to pour in. The house glows like a lantern at night. Good luck on your door project.

Judyg, thanks! We love it.

I agree JudyG, I don't believe that it was intended to be political, but when current political buzzwords are introduced, something political in nature is bound to surface. I applaud you for mentioning facts, and for getting the conversation back on the right track.... the political rants can be saved for other venues... Houzz is an escape for creativity, not for insults.

We have been planning to build a new home for about two years...working on custom plan, interviewing contractors, looking for property.....in the middle TN area just outside Nashville. We are ready to break ground now. Our contractor tells us there is so much building now that we are on a waiting list to get started. It may take as much at six weeks to get the property prepared and foundation in. Two years ago he had two houses going at once. Now he has five custom homes going at once! I think that sums up a lot.

Two clients have put projects 'on hold' until this is resolved

maryandterry, middle tennessee is MUCH different than the rest of the country. Housing market never dipped as low as others, what dip there was has lasted much shorter of a period. That is why we are actively in the process of leaving Maryland, a high tax, solid Democrat state and have relocated to Middle TN, a strong Republican run state. Ahhh. Maybe now we can stay in business. Good luck with your build.

Thanks for the information Mercy Me. Looking to do some painting on the interior and a color like this is what I envision. I also appreciate your information on the entry door system. I can't wait to do something similar. Our entry (we're in a bi-level) is so dark and I cannot wait to see the difference in letting some of that Colorado sunshine in to brighten things up....therefore, we'll wait on the paint until the door system is in...new perspective!

To Marq: You comment addressed to me "BTW to the guy who was concerned about his taxes going up on his $250,000 a year profit business. Your taxes would ONLY go up on the part OVER the $250K not on the full amount. You do know that don't you? Why are you slowing your business growth? Sounds like you've been getting some VERY bad advice.

Marq: Where did you get your crystal ball, I could use one just like it. If the President has his way, he will allow all the Bush tax cuts to stay in place except for the rate on those above $250k, which will increase from 33% to 36%. So between me and my partner we will pay an additional $15,000 in federal taxes. Again, this 36% income tax is on top of the full 15% FICA tax, on top of the 6.35% State of CT income tax, on top of the townships personal property tax, on top of the 6% of paid wages for unemployment tax the company pays, on top of the excessive workers comp insurance we pay on top of the huge increase we are seeing because of the new health insurance regulations. Altogether that is well in excess of 50%. And as my original post indicated, we can only take as salary about half of that $250,000 profit that I pay all those taxes on. That is for working 60 to 70 hours a week. I would like to know, how high is "my fair share"? And does that number keep increasing as our government keeps spending at unsustainable levels? Bottom line, this is why our economy will suffer for years to come. Because nearly 50% pay no income tax and thus have "no skin in the game", so don't care on what or how much our country/state governments spend. Sorry to all for the long winded reply.

Touche statsrs2!

in four years we will see - unfortunately I believe we will not be placing the results in the pleasantly surprised category ... our plans are on hold

Well Shellyco- the right was the first to throw those insults and falsehoods... when I posted a reply to one- he suggested that it was a shame that "I count'. So it was not the left who started the drama here, but that one of us did decide it was time to move away from falsehoods. Statsrs2, I work well over 60 hours a week and do not make near nor ever will I make that kind of money because I am in a field that provides for the social good- education... The Bush tax cuts are a legacy that should have never been established and therefore should not even be a debate. Our economy is suffering for the policies that were taken post-Clinton who did have not only a balanced budget but a surplus before Bush Jr took over. Of course it will take years to repair the damage from his ridiculous policies that have negated our nation on all measures. If someone has to hold off on projects because of the 'fiscal cliff' a created term, then they should not have been considering any project in the first place if they are that 'close' in their financial margin. As an educational professional raising a family of six children, we have always had to budget, plan our renovations, put a little aside and pay off a bit more here or there until the risk was lessened to a reasonable level. When a family has to choose between feeding themselves or pay tax versus another person paying a few %age points more and not renovating, my buck is for feeding the family and let the other wait on renovations. Most persons work hard for what they get... the election banter suggesting those who don't make $250,000 are lazy is ludicrous and insulting to the majority of America. There are many of us who work more than two jobs to make ends meet.

DrJacque W don't these people just break your heart? Such hardship that they endure. Meanwhile 50% of the country don't even have to pay federal income taxes. All they have to pay is Social Security (on ALL of their income not just the first $110K that's about 12.4% you DON'T pay Shelly), state taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, etc. before they can, hopefully, feed their children. You would think all the millionaires and billionaires were just STARVING before W Bush came along. For all their self pitty I have yet to see one who would trade places with a poor man.

Shelly I think the following men said it best:

THOMAS PAINE WROTE:
Personal property is the effect of Society; and it is as impossible for an individual to acquire personal property without the aid of society, as it is for him to make land originally. Separate an individual from society, and give him an island or a continent to possess, and he cannot acquire personal property. He cannot be rich. So inseparably are the means connected with the end, in all cases, that where the former do not exist, the latter cannot be obtained. All accumulation therefore of personal property, beyond what a man's own hands produce, is derived to him by living in society; and he owes, on every principle of justice, of gratitude, and of civilization, a part of that accumulation back again to society from whence the whole came. This is putting the matter on a general principle, and perhaps it is best to do so; for if we examine the case minutely, it will be found, that the accumulation of personal property is, in many instances, the effect of paying too little for the labour that produced it; the consequence of which is, that the working hand perishes in old age, and the employer abounds in affluence.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WROTE:
All property, indeed, except the savage's temporary cabin, his bow, his matchcoat and other little Acquisitions absolutely necessary for his Subsistence, seems to me to be the creature of public Convention. Hence, the public has the rights of regulating Descents, and all other Conveyances of Property, and even of limiting the quantity and uses of it. All the property that is necessary to a man is his natural Right, which none may justly deprive him of, but all Property superfluous to such Purposes is the property of the Public who, by their Laws have created it and who may, by other Laws dispose of it. whenever the Welfare of the Publick shall demand such Disposition. He that does not like civil Society on these Terms, let him retire and live among Savages. He can have no right to the benefits of Society, who will not pay his Club towards the Support of it."

(Scottsman) ADAM SMITH WROTE:
In a society of an hundred thousand families, there will perhaps be one hundred who don't labour at all, and who yet, either by violence, or by the more orderly oppression of law, employ a greater part of the labour of society than any other ten thousand in it. The division of what remains, too, after this enormous defalcation, is by no means made in proportion to the labour of each individual. On the contrary those who labour most get least. The opulent merchant, who spends a great part of his time in luxury and entertainments, enjoys a much greater proportion of the profits of his traffic, than all the Clerks and Accountants who do the business. These last, again, enjoying a great deal of leisure, and suffering scarce any other hardship besides the confinement of attendance, enjoy a much greater share of the produce, than three times an equal number of artisans, who, under their direction, labour much more severely and assiduously. The artisan again, tho' he works generally under cover, protected from the injuries of the weather, at his ease and assisted by the convenience of innumerable machines, enjoys a much greater share than the poor labourer who has the soil and the seasons to struggle with, and, who while he affords the materials for supplying the luxury of all the other members of the common wealth, and bears, as it were, upon his shoulders the whole fabric of human society, seems himself to be buried out of sight in the lowest foundations of the building.

And, finally, WARREN BUFFET WROTE:
Wealth is just a bunch of claim checks on the activities of others in the future. You can use that wealth in any way that you want to. You can cash it in or give away. But the idea of passing wealth from generation to generation so that hundreds of your descendants can command the resources of other people simply because they came from the right womb flies in the face of a meritocratic society.

I’ve had it so good in this world, you know. The odds were fifty-to-one against me born in the United States in 1930. I won the lottery the day I emerged from the womb by being in the United States instead of in some other country where my chances would have been way different.

Imagine there are two identical twins in the womb, both equally bright and energetic. And the genie says to them, “One of you is going to be born in the United States, and one of you is going to be born in Bangladesh. And if you wind up in Bangladesh, you will pay no taxes. What percentage of your income would you bid to be the one this is born in the United States?” It says something about the fact that society has something to do with your fate and not just your innate qualities. The people who say, “I did it all myself,” and think of themselves as Horatio Alger - believe me, they’d bid more to be in the United States than in Bangladesh. That’s the Ovarian Lottery.

Absolutely! Thank you for these exquisite statements...

Holy Smokes! I wish there was a dislike button too. BTW, I do love a good "healthy" conversation and do not mind this topic on Houzz. But, if the comments are upsetting or uncomfortable, we do have the email option to "stop nofitifications" on this topic only.

"DrJacque W
The majority are saying that if people are responsible, it doesn't matter. But again, R don't attend to data-- hold to a belief rather than evidence."

You clearly initiated the "political discussion" in this thread by writing this but then you say the right began this?

Have a nice day everyone and be THANKFUL for what you do have.

A significant number of people are holding back on this and other economic decisions due to the flawed policies of President Obama. That is why the economy is in the conditon that it is and is likely to remain so for years to come (oh, excuse me, it's really George Bush's fault - puhleeeze). As to whether this is political or not - et over yourself. It is as are most discussions in life.

Houzz, please remove this discussion!

Or at least tell me how to stop it coming into my inbox

When this comes to your inbox, down at the bottom you can choose: stop notifcations on this topic ONLY.

There is not a dislike button; we need one; but, in the meantime how about :>( ?

Judy thx u r a doll.

Judy is correct. Open up any comment notification from a discussion on Houzz and you will see two links at the bottom. One will stop notifications on only that discussion. The other will stop them on all discussions. Hope that helps!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE. MY TURKEY DOESN'T KNOW IF IT'S LEFT WING OR RIGHT WING. A GOOD WAY FOR ALL OF US TO FEEL TOMORROW. ENJOY THE DAY.

Well I'd just like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving. After dinner my family will be gathering in front of that great classic movie, "It's A Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. I HIGHLY encourage everyone to tune in. Yup, that's a movie with a message that's just as important today as it was when it came out.

Whatever your political standing it is a great time to build or remodel if you can afford to do it. We don't have a lot of money but we managed to buy a little land with cash for a song... and for a dance we have been buying new items off of Craigslist and from local contractors, overstock items, etc. Now we have most of a house package. Loan rates are low. Many contractors still need more work. Seize the moment if you can.
Good Luck to All :)
Wishing You Happy Holidays !

No to your question because we pay cash for what we do. I like owning the floors I walk on- not pacing them trying to figure out how to make a payment. As to the fiscal cliff, I'm a historian so I make sure i know the facts and give little credit to media spin. Decisions made on sound bites are never a sound fiscal practice.

Yes, somewhat afraid of the cost of goods and the sales tax and any new regulations passed that will cost us more to build/remodel. (I live in California and prop 30 passed raising all of our taxes). I also wonder how many more businesses are going to leave this state due to the anti-business climate of our legislature in Sacramento.

I will go ahead with the large remodel, but will really have to watch our pennies.

Going ahead with my kitchen remodel as planned, and being financially conservative about it as usual. Not upgrading beyond my neighbors. I've researched that my middle-class neighborhood prices have stabilized (for now). I bought my current house below market value (at the "bottom"), and even after my remodel there is adequate buffer. Paying for the remodel with cash. That's the way to do it, not matter if economic times are good or bad.

As I recall, I have paid taxes under every administration since 1967.....and I was fortunate enough not to live in a tent before the Bush tax cuts, and I will not be in a tent after. Our country went to war, actually 2 of them, and we cut our taxes. When in history does a nation do this? We must now pay for those wars, and I do not want to pay for them on the backs of the poor, the old, or the sick. If the fiscal cliff is keeping you up nights, you must be making tons of money.....and that remodel should not be a problem.....blessings....

inabunker -- California sales tax went up 1/4 of 1 percent, that's 25 cents for every $100. We won't even feel it.