Want wealth work for it--reject the handout get ambition and achieve......think about the lion in the zoo vs. the lion in the wild---the caged lion will never be able to compete if released into the wild.... Plus it's foolish to think wealth can be redistributed---if it were "redistributed" it would be worthless... the reason anything is worth value is because not everyone has it.........think about gold or a diamond it's just a rock and metal but because it is limited it is valuable
@JasonDHoward Want facts - research! Refject Corporate Welfare! 2 0f every 3 COrporations paid zero federal incom tax 1998 - 2005. Bush tax cuts cost $4 trillion and continue to send the wealth of this country to the top.
We own less and less every year. Do you think they will stop at 6%? 4%?
@HopeForPeaceNow I think if you just post some references on here you would be doing everyone who reads this a service.....I'm willing to listen and learn but only from reliable academic and governmental sources--Everything I've looked at says 3 out of 3 Corporations paid between 15-35% on income---then they paid employees and the employees were taxed at the same rate.....that's a potential maximum tax of 70 cents on every dollar made and at the very least amount 30 cents on every dollar.
HopeForPeaceNow. I'm enlisting in the US Army at the end of Summer. I am going to strive to become a US Army Ranger. Peace, please there will always be war. Saying that world peace will ever come just means your nieve. Use your head, there are good people and their are evil people. There are those of us who are meant to be warriors and those who sit on their asses and want to speak as if they have all the answers. You just take freedom for granted. Good thing freedom comes in a nice box huh?!?!
The concept of good people fighting evil poeple is an artifact. Take Iraq. Iraq had no WMD's, all the "intelligence" used (yellowcake, tubes, Prague...), Cheney and Bush knew these were lies. Project for a New American Century, the neocon think tank dick helped start in the early 90's had made regime change and permanent military bases in Iraq a priority 6 years prior to 9/11.How would all their friends (Carlyle Group, AEI) make money if we had no impending war? 1.8 billion American tax dollars
are still missing from Halliburton contracts. Private contractors bilked the American taxpayer for billions, dick and george promoted it. The CEOs of 3 of the PC's made more than 100 million in personal profit in 2003. The war will cost Americans 3 trillion, we are spending 2 billion a week there, 100 million of which is profit to contractors. WE TRAINED the Taliban. We train and arm them when it's in our interest, and suffer later when they turn on us.
"Imperial Hubris"by Michael Scheuer,CIA 4 22 yr,ran Counterterrorist Center's bin Laden station/96-99.argues Osama bin Laden's war against the U.S. is a classical example of defensive jihad waged against an enemy occupier rather than an apocalyptic attack on "freedom." Scheuer is particularly critical of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, which he characterizes as "an avaricious, premeditated, unprovoked war against a foe who posed no immediate threat but whose defeat did offer economic advantages."
CIA directors, polititions, generals (exceptions regarding infantry) are all the same. A bunch of pussies who have never fought in war.
They blew up the world trade center towers! 3000+ people died. You don't give 2 shits. Why? Because no one you care about died.
Jihad is a defensive war, they are not defending anything. They kill their own people, they kill innocent civilians. What is worst of all is they blame us. They use the media as propoganda.
Gee how about we get rid of the option that allows businesses in America to take their products and manufacture them in ANOTHER COUNTRY. Let's force all US businesses to have their products/services in the US (Assuming that those products/ services are for US citizens). Gee there are all the jobs were missing. I wonder why we were so rich in the 50's?!? Oh, it is because EVERYTHING was manufactured HERE IN THE US. Wow, or we can just keep up with the lax trade policies that help China get rich!!
"I wonder why we were so rich in the 50's?!? Oh, it is because EVERYTHING was manufactured HERE IN THE US."
Do you think we had higher standards of living in the 50s? Since we didn't, the US is the most wealthy nation in the world. Those jobs didn't leave for no reason. Its much cheeper to manufacture their, mean you can purchase much more with your income. Without trade everyone is poor, its a zero sum game. Also the US is the 4th largest exporter in the world and largest recipient of FDI.
I am not advocating a flat tax but when Reagan took office the tax income tax bracket was 70%. It was stalling our economy, their was little incentive to start or grow your business this led to high unemployment. There is a great disparity of wealth, but i am against any type of government program or policy to redistribute it. Its unconstitutional and theft. Its largely an individuals responsibility to look after their own well being. This is how society runs best.
Reagan lowered the top tax rate from 50% to 28% while the bottom rate was raised from 11% to 15% - the only time in the history of the U.S. income tax . Now it is common for the top earners to pay as little as 17%. It is hard to imagine how individuals can look after their own well being when those in power create a system that steals from the poor to subsidize the rich. It is not at all appearant that tis is how society runs best. Your opinion is widely held though.
They have done a fantastic job convincing Americans to stand up for the right of the powerful to rip them off. We call it patriotic to love a system that under taxes the rich, and requires the poor to support the system financially and ideologicaly. You're in good company my friend, just not on the right side of the argument if you make less than a million a year.
Under taxes the rich. The top 1% pay more in taxes than the bottom 95% combine. The bottom 95% make up 39% of the tax burden. The top 1% make up 40%. That means the top 1% pay 40% of schools, roads, government programs for the bottom 95%. You are way off base. The US also has the 2nd highest corporate tax in the world and thats not including the double tax on profits created by capital gains tax.
This is a great point. The top - and I am doing these numbers from memory, so I need to re-research - 5% pay the majority of America's buget, 78%, I seem to remember, but they STILL OWN 91% of America. Again, the top 20% pays the great majority of the tax burden, yet still owns 91% of America, and pays only 17%of their yearly income in taxes. THAT IS HOW MUCH WEALTH THEY POSSES!! Neat trick, huh?
The 20% owns 85%(Domhoff). Thats you're source. Do they consume 91% of public goods? They pay for welfare but do they benefit? Next they will be paying for everyones healthcare. Doesn't seem fair to me. The top 1% own 42%(Domhoff). So even by you're implied standard of you're tax burden should represent you're total ownership of wealth. Its basically in line.
Socialism doesn't work because money isn't an incentive for individuals to improve society. Why would henry ford take the risk of starting a car company if it just meant he would have to pay 70% of his income in taxes. When you have enormous taxes the risk isn't worth it. You don't keep your money why make it. The USSR was very advanced in technology, but far behind the US standard of living and consumer products, because individuals were not empowered to make money.
No, you're mistaken he cut it from 70% to 35%. However, federal revenue doubled as the bottom 10% total tax burden decreased by .1% and the bottom 20% decreased by .5%. You're also neglecting to mention that reagan closed tax loophole for the rich. Real median income increase over $4,000 as inflation was cut an unemployment fell. These policies created a booming economy.
Again - thank you, could you please provide the link (cite). SOme data on Reagans legacy: "Reaganomics had some major problems. For one thing, it created a huge deficit. In 1981 at the start of the Reagan administration the deficit was about 2.5 percent of the national economy. By the end it was about 5 percent of the national economy. Interest payments just on that debt went from $69 billion in 1981 to $169 billion at the end of the Reagan administration."
"Again - thank you, could you please provide the link (cite)"
I am not providing specific links because the stats about what % hold what amount of wealth. Are from your source, you should know that. The Tax burden stats are easy to find, again they just from the IRS. The numbers are represented on many sites.
"It is hard to imagine how individuals can look after their own well being when those in power create a system that steals from the poor to subsidize the rich."
The rich comprise a far lager % of the tax burden. Give me a break its the other way around. My parents were both from very poor families, but they both obtained high levels of education with no help form there families. Its you're responsibility to improve you life. This is why we have public education and students loans.
"It is hard to imagine how individuals can look after their own well being"
80% of millionaires are 1st generation( The Millionaire Next door, Stanley Danko). We don't live in cast system. Money, or lack of it, is huge motivation it pushes people to improve society. They make money by starting a company that offer or improve products people need or want (improves society). Or they gain a needed skill such as doctor, engineer, or lawyer.
SPENDING MONEY YOU DONT HAVE = DEBT. First of all I work my *** off for my money. Your lazy kids can get their own job. Second of all where do you get your information. Try citing sources, what kind of message do you convey when you make your own charts on Powerpoint! What is really annoying is this question you speak of in the beginning of you r video, but don't ask. I'll assume it is should we have wealth distribution. But it looks like your mind is already set.
Ummm, if you just click on the more info, I have CITED 6 sources.
My mind is set on the fact that 80% of us owning 9% of America is unbalanced.
How you can not see that more of us trying to get by on less and less is detrimental to those who are trying to share less and less. Get it? Will you be happier when the 80% get to try and share 2%? Do you think the 20% are benevolent and will stop the madness when they own 95% of America?
think about how we ended up in this situation as you said, 20% of people owns 95% of US wealth because theres such a thing called the federal reserve, which enables congress to pass countless loop hole laws to allow individuals informed enough to take advantage of the situation. a lot of members in congress themselves are corrupted as we all know. the lesser amount of government involved, the less corruption we'll see. its a pyramid with the fed on top, govt in the middle and citizens bottom.
Thank you for your comment. The federal reserve allows congress to pass bad laws that result in wealth inequity? Interesting thought - I'll keep my eyes open for that!
Small government was key - that's a Republican idea - Bush actually expanded governemnt and government spending - the debt went from 7 to 11 trilion on his watch!
There's a fantastic book out there called "The Creature From Jekyll Island." Edward Grifffin. Kind of a goofy title, but the book is amazing and will explain the Federal Reserve to you in detail. In fact, it'll shock & change the way you see this country.
Another book, a must read: "Meltdown" by Thomas Woods. Woods bases his theory on the small group of economists who were alone in predicting the 1st Depression. And it colaspes almost everything you hear today.
If you argument is that we should all strive to get into that 20% - you can see how that thinking does not answer the question of - is it democratic that 80% of Americans own 9% of America.
It is reasonable and logical that if our system is set up in such a way that 20% of Americans own 91% of America - the 80% of us that have to make a country with 9%, are going to be detrimentally affected by that.
To say the point then, is to get into the the 20%, does nothing to address the disparity. Millions more enter into poverty every time that number gets lower! In 1990, the 80% owned 11%. Now we likely own 5%.
More people living on less and less IS DETRIMETAL to those people. Including you. Because of the huge desparity - it makes your life harder everyday,you just are indoctrinated into supporting it, so you don't realize!How can wealth be earned when the majority of it is owned by 20% of us?
If you think the role of government is to punish thosewho commit offenses - you must be in favor of prosecuting those involved in the fraud called the derivatives market. Perfect exapmle. We set up a system that was highly sensitive to housing prices falling, When WE KNEW we were in a bubble! Guys got paid BIG for years knowing the crap they were selling would fall when housing fell, but they were getting rich at the time, so they didn't care! They just hoped they could retire rich first!!!!!
They sold out the entire world's financial market to gain personal wealth. The system as it exists now gurauntees that every generation will see a devistating financial crisis that will wipe out many. THAT is the system you support with your comments here. Why not do a little research - read my text on the left and tell us how the Bush tax cuts benefitted us. 89% of the economic growth of the past 5 years was bsed in housing equity - which was not even a real thing and just disappeared one day!!
Wealth is earned, not distributed. The government's role is to protect property rights, individual rights, and contract rights. In cases of force, fraud, or injury the governments role is to punish those commit the offense, thus protecting the integrity of the freemarket.
Teach your sons how to save, invest, and take initiative. Just look to all of the african-american entrepreneurs who contribute $78 billion to our economy each year.
I don't see many African Americans in the Forbes top 400. 1? 1 Hispanic.
Can you wrap yourself around the fact that this 20% who owns 91% of America - they actually pay the majority of the total income tax burden in America - by paying only 17% in actual income tax and STILL OWN 91% OF AMERICA?????!!!!!!! Get it? THAT is how out of whack the numbers are.
A free-market isn't "Dogma", we haven't HAD a free-market in this country for 80-90 years. If you wan't your sons to have a fighting chance you better re-read what I've said and consider it. And if you want to start putting people in racial groups & compare them you're just falling for the REAL "dogma" that is being perpetuated.
It escapes me how you can't see that massive tax cuts for the rich have caused a stituation where the majority of us have less and less. It has nothing to do with how hard you work. Listen - If you have 10 people and 10 pieces of pizza - if 2 people eat 9.1 pieces leaving less than 1 piece for 8 people, can you see that the 8 will go hungey? You are telling me - well fight for your peice. I am telling you the system is set up in such a way that the few and powerful benefit, the many do not.
By the way, what do you mean by "owning" America? What does that mean? Own what? Property? A car? They passed the "community reinvestment act" was supposed to give everyone a fair shot at owning a house. People who hadn't saved & earned enough went out and "bought" a house. Look what happened.
It was designed to allow low income familes "achieve the American dream." People who objected to it were labeled racist. The Fed lowered interest rates, it distorted the business cycle, lower income familes went out and made toxic investments & signed onto bad loans. Now they're losing their homes.
What will sink you faster $689 Billion in subprime loans or $60 Trillion in bad debt?
Ever heard of credit default swaps?The gambling system by which rich Americans got much richer by writing $60 trillion - vitually none of which they had - in bad contracts. You will NEVER see these facts on Fox. They blame the poor for the meltdown. Typical lying conman policy. Home ownership has stagnated at 65% in 2000, w/o subprimes they had no vehicle to grow the economy.Housing=68% GDP in US.
Uh... I don't watch Fox News, because it isn't even News. Read the book I suggested to you, "The Creature From Jekyll Island." You'll see why blaming the rich or blaming the poor isn't who to blame.
Don't know any African Americans. I know 1 Haitian American, very nice lady. Other than that, all I know is Americans.
One of the biggest stopping-blocks to peace is our insistence of separating ourselves according to heritage. Nice of you to point out that few Blacks and Hispanics have worked hard enough to make Forbes Top 400. I'm sure when you write these things you mean to appear supportive, but all I see is "I'm HopeForPeaceNow and I'm a separatist."
"few Blacks and Hispanics have worked hard enough" If you are looking for a separatist, look in the mirror. You are putting 2 groups here in the "don't work hard" category.
I am attempting to educate people as to the effect of Laffer Curve economics on the majority of Americans. Can you say that the people who are most detrimentally affected - the poorest in America - all white people?
I mention heritage, not because I want to seperate them as lazy- as you did -but because most Americans living under the poverty level are minorities. You said that is because they have not yet worked hard enough to make it to the top.I say the reason is when you have a greater and greater number of humans trying to divide up a smaller and smaller part of the pie, there will be more Americans who are able to have nothing,no matter how hard they work - because there is no pie left to divide up.
Thanks for your input though. But your argument is one I hear frequently spouted by Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity and Beck. You may not have heard the "Democrats like to compartmentalize people and declare them unable to participate, Republicans love people (even though their tax policy causes millions of them to live in poverty))" argument somewhere else, but it's a conservative talking point. A typical fabrication, but common.
wait, whats the point of this video? you want wealth redistribution? it seems to me "the american dream" is the ability for an individual to CREATE a better life for themselves and their family in this country. What obama is doing with redistribution will eventually destroy any opportunity for our children to do so in the future. redistribution of wealth through market competition is healthy. redistribution through government intervention spells disaster.
America has been experiencing the redistribution of wealth consistantly over the past 8 years. NOW 20% of Americans own 91% of America.
80% of us own the leftover 9%. THAT IS WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION! Aided by tax cuts for the rich enacted by dick and George, redistributing your money every day for the past 8 years. You were likely watching Fox as they touted the great economy at that time. The American Dream can not exist when 80% of us are trying to live on 9% of America! TRUTH!!
I know you have legitimate concerns here, as do I. If we can survive the next 4 years, perhaps we can get someone into the Presidency who truly wants to save America.
To hire another republican before they figure out what is wrong with their policies - will just be another round of "Fun with dick and George".
Cheney/ Limbaugh in 2012? Gingrich/Rove? I just saw my first Palin 2012 bumper sticker. Cheney/Steele? I like Cheney/Satan 2012. That because I know what they did. You might not get the joke. This dogma drove is into the ground over the past 8 years - 36th worst out of 44!! They gave us a FTD (financialy trnsmitted disease) now lie to cover it up!
And Der Fuhrer throwing Monopoly money around is going to "fix" anything?
When are you going to figure out that your savior, Barry Obama, isn't interested in America? Wait all you want, he's never going to walk on water. This country is swirling down the crapper, and all you Obamabots can do is throw your hands in the air and shout "Weee, isn't this fun?".
Thank you for proving the point that many Americans are currently being brain washed by right wing media. You sound just like Glenn Beck. Your comments are obviously useless. Are you able to use your words to construct informed arguments? You know, the kind connected to fact? I'm guessing you are not aware that "red" is Republican in America? The problem with your rhetoric is.. it's just that. Please, give us a well thought out argument, one connected to reality, not regurgiutated Rush.
I guess your right, its a consipiracy. The rich want to keep us all down. Lets hope the government can save us by taking it away from them and handing it over to us. Im tired of working anyway.
Why don't Republicans EVER do anything about the hot button issues they wedge with? It's so they can use them again next time. Republicans just use you. They assfuck you once you've voted for them, and here you guys are, LOVING IT and begging again for the dick. Why don't Republican voters demand to live in a first world country? Why don't you DEMAND higher standards of living and education for yourselves? Liberals will have your back. Republicans serve big business; they don't serve YOU.
This is an impossible argument because your mind is made up..
I started a business on my own when I was 18 with nothing except a strong back and determination. 25 years later my company grosses about 1.5 mil a year.
I work hard everyday to make it succeed. No one gave me anything. Why should I give it to people who just want it instead of being willing to make the same sacrifices I made?
It is what made our country great.
Guess I should just write you a check since I did what you couldnt.
Thank you once again for posting. Really. Im not getting my point across well. When theres only 9% left it makes everyones life in the 80% harder, yours, too. It creates more poverty, more drag on the system. Im saying there is a top few who have put us all in a position where the lives of the many are diminished by the few, who are elevated. The few hold power, through media, through corporations, they are not looking out for you. Or even, possibly America, as we see now.
Could we agree that we would like a fair system and maybe we should look into the idea of fairness? Bill Domhoff said it this way in a recent letter, No,not healthy, but you can run a highly unequal economy for a long time if you control it, which the Bush Administration didn't...it is
actually a difficult question...the economy can run unequal, but many people are hurt, and at a certain point the powerful have to use coercion to control the angry people at the bottom....
just the economy, it is economy and power and values.but underlying all this is the power structure. the rich want to hold power, so they fear government, and they don't like keynesian economics and higher taxes because that cuts into their power. once again, economics alone is not the issue." America is second only to Mexico in child poverty in developed nations. 22%. If perpetual tax cuts on top worked, we would be in a great economy right now. THIS is what we have, 9%.
Obama is FAILING as we KNEW HE WOULD!! LOOK AT THE falling STOCK MARKET since he lied his way into office- numbers don't lie but Obama does. Obama hires TAX CHEATS! IMPEACHMENT is coming to Obama!
The upper income bound for the middle class is now roughly $68,000—some $23,000 higher than in 1967. Thus, a family in the 60th percentile has 50 percent more buying power than 30 years ago. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, this has been a rising tide expansion, with most (though not all) boats lifted.
The middle class (defined as those between the 40th and the 60th percentiles of income) isnt falling behind or disappearing. It is getting richer. The lower income bound for the middle class has risen by about $12,000 (after inflation) since 1967.
Have gains by the rich come at the expense of a declining living standard for the middle class?
No. If Bill Gates suddenly took his tens of billions of dollars and moved to France, income distribution in America would temporarily appear more equitable, even though no one would be better off. Median family income in America between 1980 and 2004 grew by 17 percent.
So whats striking is that, even as tax rates have fallen by half over the past quarter-century, taxes paid by the wealthy have increased. Lower tax rates have made the tax system more progressive, not less so. In 1980, for example, the top 5 percent of income earners paid only 37 percent of all income taxes. Today, the top 1 percent pay that proportion, and the top 5 percent pay a whopping 57 percent.
The latest IRS data show an increase of more than $100 billion in tax payments from the wealthy by 2005 alone. The number of tax filers who claimed taxable income of more than $1 million increased from approximately 180,000 in 2003 to over 300,000 in 2005. The total taxes paid by these millionaire households rose by about 80 percent in two years, from $132 billion to $236 billion.
Tax income to the government actually increased due to the tax cuts. It was Bush's dumb spending that was bad
The latest data show that a big portion of the federal income tax burden is shouldered by a small group of the very richest Americans. The wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 percent of the income but pay 37 percent of the income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of the tab. Meanwhile, the bottom 50 percent—those below the median income level—now earn 13 percent of the income but pay just 3 percent of the taxes.
"Figures Lie and liars figure." I could post compelling charts that would be quite to the contrary. Have faith in God, take care of your family, work smart and consistently. Have fun while doing this. You can not fail.
If this seems "hard" to you please do a reality check. I and I hope many others do not have time for all this negativity.
Thanks for your note! Actually - the figures are quite correct and True. But I love your philosophy. You are altogether correct and wise.
As a Christian, though, I am charged with knowing my times.I hear the contant cry of the conservative for more tax cuts on the rich and coporations. I am simply saying - THIS is the result. Do you think it's healthy for America to have this sort of inequality? Is it helping our economy? Is it helping 80% of Americans?Yet, you are right on the whole.Jah Bless!
First I would like to know what your point is? That some people have more than others...Welcome to the real world.
In this country, in the past if you did not want to settle for wages you could strike out and start your own business, work hard, make sacrifices, and have what you want...its not easy though.
The rich you are talking about are people like Ray Kroc, Sam Walton, and others who started at the bottom and made Billions.
Thank you so much for your comment!My point here is:Conservative economics would tell us that taxes on the rich are detrimental to the economy.Bush tax cuts, etc.The result is a situation where 20% own 91%.Obvoiusly, if there's on'y 9% left for the 80% to divy up, that's going to make it a bit harder to get your, now tiny, piece.
So, maybe you can defend this inequity?Is it's healthy for democracy, spiritually?Can you give me some facts that show this disparity is good for the middle class???
All I can say is...If I worked to get to the point that I am one of the top earners in the country...And then the Gov wants to take it away and give it to whom ever they feel deserves it...why did I work to begin with. Why not just quit and wait for the Gov to give it to me.
The Desparity you speak of only exists if people do not apply them selves. Its not easy and its hard work..but it is fair.
I highly respect your answer. Thank you. With further study, you may find that moving taxes into the 10-20% range for people who make $289 million per year, is at the base.The Bush tax cuts, Reaganomics, "The top tax rate was lowered from 50% to 28% while the bottom rate was raised from 11% to 15% - the only time in the history of the U.S. income tax".The Con idea of further lowering taxes on the wealthy and corporations as a way to get US on track, THIS is why, the gap grows w/Republicans.
The ONLY result of these measures is the gap we see now. The economy is not bolstered by them.
That amazing part to me is that we can't see that we, as a country, are compromised by this. The working man works every day for his tiny piece. Is your idea is that is everyone worked hard, they could be in the 20%? Look at who is IN the 20%, 75% of them got there through family $, or are always there. Only 25% worked their way up. 1 minority in the bunch. I wish hard work was the answer.
Indeed, capitalism is only for the ultra-rich minority, everyone else suffers or stagnates. Did you know the three richest people in the world possess more financial assets than the poorest 10% of the world's population (that is, the poorest 670 million people) combined? That ammount of wealth is simply obscene, especially given the law of diminishing returns. Egalitarian socialism for our future!
Want wealth work for it--reject the handout get ambition and achieve......think about the lion in the zoo vs. the lion in the wild---the caged lion will never be able to compete if released into the wild.... Plus it's foolish to think wealth can be redistributed---if it were "redistributed" it would be worthless... the reason anything is worth value is because not everyone has it.........think about gold or a diamond it's just a rock and metal but because it is limited it is valuable
JasonDHoward 1 year ago
@JasonDHoward Want facts - research! Refject Corporate Welfare! 2 0f every 3 COrporations paid zero federal incom tax 1998 - 2005. Bush tax cuts cost $4 trillion and continue to send the wealth of this country to the top.
We own less and less every year. Do you think they will stop at 6%? 4%?
HopeForPeaceNow 1 year ago
@HopeForPeaceNow OK show me the facts.....where did you get the stat 2 of 3 corporations paid no federal income tax?
JasonDHoward 1 year ago
@JasonDHoward
Shoot me an email - I'll be happy to hive you cites. Or just search it on google. Crazy huh?
HopeForPeaceNow 1 year ago
@HopeForPeaceNow I think if you just post some references on here you would be doing everyone who reads this a service.....I'm willing to listen and learn but only from reliable academic and governmental sources--Everything I've looked at says 3 out of 3 Corporations paid between 15-35% on income---then they paid employees and the employees were taxed at the same rate.....that's a potential maximum tax of 70 cents on every dollar made and at the very least amount 30 cents on every dollar.
JasonDHoward 1 year ago
Comment removed
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
HopeForPeaceNow. I'm enlisting in the US Army at the end of Summer. I am going to strive to become a US Army Ranger. Peace, please there will always be war. Saying that world peace will ever come just means your nieve. Use your head, there are good people and their are evil people. There are those of us who are meant to be warriors and those who sit on their asses and want to speak as if they have all the answers. You just take freedom for granted. Good thing freedom comes in a nice box huh?!?!
usmspyder 2 years ago
The concept of good people fighting evil poeple is an artifact. Take Iraq. Iraq had no WMD's, all the "intelligence" used (yellowcake, tubes, Prague...), Cheney and Bush knew these were lies. Project for a New American Century, the neocon think tank dick helped start in the early 90's had made regime change and permanent military bases in Iraq a priority 6 years prior to 9/11.How would all their friends (Carlyle Group, AEI) make money if we had no impending war? 1.8 billion American tax dollars
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
are still missing from Halliburton contracts. Private contractors bilked the American taxpayer for billions, dick and george promoted it. The CEOs of 3 of the PC's made more than 100 million in personal profit in 2003. The war will cost Americans 3 trillion, we are spending 2 billion a week there, 100 million of which is profit to contractors. WE TRAINED the Taliban. We train and arm them when it's in our interest, and suffer later when they turn on us.
There will always be war if you want it
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
"Imperial Hubris"by Michael Scheuer,CIA 4 22 yr,ran Counterterrorist Center's bin Laden station/96-99.argues Osama bin Laden's war against the U.S. is a classical example of defensive jihad waged against an enemy occupier rather than an apocalyptic attack on "freedom." Scheuer is particularly critical of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, which he characterizes as "an avaricious, premeditated, unprovoked war against a foe who posed no immediate threat but whose defeat did offer economic advantages."
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
So much for war is the good guys beating the bad guys.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
CIA directors, polititions, generals (exceptions regarding infantry) are all the same. A bunch of pussies who have never fought in war.
They blew up the world trade center towers! 3000+ people died. You don't give 2 shits. Why? Because no one you care about died.
Jihad is a defensive war, they are not defending anything. They kill their own people, they kill innocent civilians. What is worst of all is they blame us. They use the media as propoganda.
usmspyder 2 years ago
Gee how about we get rid of the option that allows businesses in America to take their products and manufacture them in ANOTHER COUNTRY. Let's force all US businesses to have their products/services in the US (Assuming that those products/ services are for US citizens). Gee there are all the jobs were missing. I wonder why we were so rich in the 50's?!? Oh, it is because EVERYTHING was manufactured HERE IN THE US. Wow, or we can just keep up with the lax trade policies that help China get rich!!
usmspyder 2 years ago
Trade policy and definatly pertinent. Did you have any ideas on the exact policy we should change?
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
"I wonder why we were so rich in the 50's?!? Oh, it is because EVERYTHING was manufactured HERE IN THE US."
Do you think we had higher standards of living in the 50s? Since we didn't, the US is the most wealthy nation in the world. Those jobs didn't leave for no reason. Its much cheeper to manufacture their, mean you can purchase much more with your income. Without trade everyone is poor, its a zero sum game. Also the US is the 4th largest exporter in the world and largest recipient of FDI.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
Thank you for these great observations. Do you think that redistribution through tax cuts for the rich had no effect?
Thanks, Hope
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
I am not advocating a flat tax but when Reagan took office the tax income tax bracket was 70%. It was stalling our economy, their was little incentive to start or grow your business this led to high unemployment. There is a great disparity of wealth, but i am against any type of government program or policy to redistribute it. Its unconstitutional and theft. Its largely an individuals responsibility to look after their own well being. This is how society runs best.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
Reagan lowered the top tax rate from 50% to 28% while the bottom rate was raised from 11% to 15% - the only time in the history of the U.S. income tax . Now it is common for the top earners to pay as little as 17%. It is hard to imagine how individuals can look after their own well being when those in power create a system that steals from the poor to subsidize the rich. It is not at all appearant that tis is how society runs best. Your opinion is widely held though.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
They have done a fantastic job convincing Americans to stand up for the right of the powerful to rip them off. We call it patriotic to love a system that under taxes the rich, and requires the poor to support the system financially and ideologicaly. You're in good company my friend, just not on the right side of the argument if you make less than a million a year.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
"love a system that under taxes the rich"
Under taxes the rich. The top 1% pay more in taxes than the bottom 95% combine. The bottom 95% make up 39% of the tax burden. The top 1% make up 40%. That means the top 1% pay 40% of schools, roads, government programs for the bottom 95%. You are way off base. The US also has the 2nd highest corporate tax in the world and thats not including the double tax on profits created by capital gains tax.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
This is a great point. The top - and I am doing these numbers from memory, so I need to re-research - 5% pay the majority of America's buget, 78%, I seem to remember, but they STILL OWN 91% of America. Again, the top 20% pays the great majority of the tax burden, yet still owns 91% of America, and pays only 17%of their yearly income in taxes. THAT IS HOW MUCH WEALTH THEY POSSES!! Neat trick, huh?
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
"they STILL OWN 91% of America"
The 20% owns 85%(Domhoff). Thats you're source. Do they consume 91% of public goods? They pay for welfare but do they benefit? Next they will be paying for everyones healthcare. Doesn't seem fair to me. The top 1% own 42%(Domhoff). So even by you're implied standard of you're tax burden should represent you're total ownership of wealth. Its basically in line.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
Socialism doesn't work because money isn't an incentive for individuals to improve society. Why would henry ford take the risk of starting a car company if it just meant he would have to pay 70% of his income in taxes. When you have enormous taxes the risk isn't worth it. You don't keep your money why make it. The USSR was very advanced in technology, but far behind the US standard of living and consumer products, because individuals were not empowered to make money.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
"Reagan lowered the top tax rate from 50% to 28%"
No, you're mistaken he cut it from 70% to 35%. However, federal revenue doubled as the bottom 10% total tax burden decreased by .1% and the bottom 20% decreased by .5%. You're also neglecting to mention that reagan closed tax loophole for the rich. Real median income increase over $4,000 as inflation was cut an unemployment fell. These policies created a booming economy.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
Thanks for the data - please cite.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
The data is from the IRS.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
Again - thank you, could you please provide the link (cite). SOme data on Reagans legacy: "Reaganomics had some major problems. For one thing, it created a huge deficit. In 1981 at the start of the Reagan administration the deficit was about 2.5 percent of the national economy. By the end it was about 5 percent of the national economy. Interest payments just on that debt went from $69 billion in 1981 to $169 billion at the end of the Reagan administration."
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
"Again - thank you, could you please provide the link (cite)"
I am not providing specific links because the stats about what % hold what amount of wealth. Are from your source, you should know that. The Tax burden stats are easy to find, again they just from the IRS. The numbers are represented on many sites.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
we gonna need a big cup to share that milk round everyone :-) thankyou again Hope, it's doable :D
my thoughts to you and your boys.
your friend.
kaaeyl 2 years ago
"It is hard to imagine how individuals can look after their own well being when those in power create a system that steals from the poor to subsidize the rich."
The rich comprise a far lager % of the tax burden. Give me a break its the other way around. My parents were both from very poor families, but they both obtained high levels of education with no help form there families. Its you're responsibility to improve you life. This is why we have public education and students loans.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
"It is hard to imagine how individuals can look after their own well being"
80% of millionaires are 1st generation( The Millionaire Next door, Stanley Danko). We don't live in cast system. Money, or lack of it, is huge motivation it pushes people to improve society. They make money by starting a company that offer or improve products people need or want (improves society). Or they gain a needed skill such as doctor, engineer, or lawyer.
SuperWilly33 2 years ago
SPENDING MONEY YOU DONT HAVE = DEBT. First of all I work my *** off for my money. Your lazy kids can get their own job. Second of all where do you get your information. Try citing sources, what kind of message do you convey when you make your own charts on Powerpoint! What is really annoying is this question you speak of in the beginning of you r video, but don't ask. I'll assume it is should we have wealth distribution. But it looks like your mind is already set.
usmspyder 2 years ago
Ummm, if you just click on the more info, I have CITED 6 sources.
My mind is set on the fact that 80% of us owning 9% of America is unbalanced.
How you can not see that more of us trying to get by on less and less is detrimental to those who are trying to share less and less. Get it? Will you be happier when the 80% get to try and share 2%? Do you think the 20% are benevolent and will stop the madness when they own 95% of America?
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
think about how we ended up in this situation as you said, 20% of people owns 95% of US wealth because theres such a thing called the federal reserve, which enables congress to pass countless loop hole laws to allow individuals informed enough to take advantage of the situation. a lot of members in congress themselves are corrupted as we all know. the lesser amount of government involved, the less corruption we'll see. its a pyramid with the fed on top, govt in the middle and citizens bottom.
inconformant 2 years ago
Thank you for your comment. The federal reserve allows congress to pass bad laws that result in wealth inequity? Interesting thought - I'll keep my eyes open for that!
Small government was key - that's a Republican idea - Bush actually expanded governemnt and government spending - the debt went from 7 to 11 trilion on his watch!
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
There's a fantastic book out there called "The Creature From Jekyll Island." Edward Grifffin. Kind of a goofy title, but the book is amazing and will explain the Federal Reserve to you in detail. In fact, it'll shock & change the way you see this country.
Another book, a must read: "Meltdown" by Thomas Woods. Woods bases his theory on the small group of economists who were alone in predicting the 1st Depression. And it colaspes almost everything you hear today.
ROPdude 2 years ago
If you argument is that we should all strive to get into that 20% - you can see how that thinking does not answer the question of - is it democratic that 80% of Americans own 9% of America.
It is reasonable and logical that if our system is set up in such a way that 20% of Americans own 91% of America - the 80% of us that have to make a country with 9%, are going to be detrimentally affected by that.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
To say the point then, is to get into the the 20%, does nothing to address the disparity. Millions more enter into poverty every time that number gets lower! In 1990, the 80% owned 11%. Now we likely own 5%.
More people living on less and less IS DETRIMETAL to those people. Including you. Because of the huge desparity - it makes your life harder everyday,you just are indoctrinated into supporting it, so you don't realize!How can wealth be earned when the majority of it is owned by 20% of us?
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
If you think the role of government is to punish thosewho commit offenses - you must be in favor of prosecuting those involved in the fraud called the derivatives market. Perfect exapmle. We set up a system that was highly sensitive to housing prices falling, When WE KNEW we were in a bubble! Guys got paid BIG for years knowing the crap they were selling would fall when housing fell, but they were getting rich at the time, so they didn't care! They just hoped they could retire rich first!!!!!
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
They sold out the entire world's financial market to gain personal wealth. The system as it exists now gurauntees that every generation will see a devistating financial crisis that will wipe out many. THAT is the system you support with your comments here. Why not do a little research - read my text on the left and tell us how the Bush tax cuts benefitted us. 89% of the economic growth of the past 5 years was bsed in housing equity - which was not even a real thing and just disappeared one day!!
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
Wealth is earned, not distributed. The government's role is to protect property rights, individual rights, and contract rights. In cases of force, fraud, or injury the governments role is to punish those commit the offense, thus protecting the integrity of the freemarket.
Teach your sons how to save, invest, and take initiative. Just look to all of the african-american entrepreneurs who contribute $78 billion to our economy each year.
ROPdude 2 years ago
I don't see many African Americans in the Forbes top 400. 1? 1 Hispanic.
Can you wrap yourself around the fact that this 20% who owns 91% of America - they actually pay the majority of the total income tax burden in America - by paying only 17% in actual income tax and STILL OWN 91% OF AMERICA?????!!!!!!! Get it? THAT is how out of whack the numbers are.
Ignorance is expensive!
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
*laughs* You better chill out.
Of course "Dick & George" screwed us. Obama's $850 Billion banker bail-out isn't wealth redistribution?
A free-market isn't "Dogma", we haven't HAD a free-market in this country for 80-90 years. If you wan't your sons to have a fighting chance you better re-read what I've said and consider it. And if you want to start putting people in racial groups & compare them you're just falling for the REAL "dogma" that is being perpetuated.
ROPdude 2 years ago
It escapes me how you can't see that massive tax cuts for the rich have caused a stituation where the majority of us have less and less. It has nothing to do with how hard you work. Listen - If you have 10 people and 10 pieces of pizza - if 2 people eat 9.1 pieces leaving less than 1 piece for 8 people, can you see that the 8 will go hungey? You are telling me - well fight for your peice. I am telling you the system is set up in such a way that the few and powerful benefit, the many do not.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
By the way, what do you mean by "owning" America? What does that mean? Own what? Property? A car? They passed the "community reinvestment act" was supposed to give everyone a fair shot at owning a house. People who hadn't saved & earned enough went out and "bought" a house. Look what happened.
ROPdude 2 years ago
You think the community reinvestment act was supposed to correct wealth inequity?
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
It was designed to allow low income familes "achieve the American dream." People who objected to it were labeled racist. The Fed lowered interest rates, it distorted the business cycle, lower income familes went out and made toxic investments & signed onto bad loans. Now they're losing their homes.
ROPdude 2 years ago
What will sink you faster $689 Billion in subprime loans or $60 Trillion in bad debt?
Ever heard of credit default swaps?The gambling system by which rich Americans got much richer by writing $60 trillion - vitually none of which they had - in bad contracts. You will NEVER see these facts on Fox. They blame the poor for the meltdown. Typical lying conman policy. Home ownership has stagnated at 65% in 2000, w/o subprimes they had no vehicle to grow the economy.Housing=68% GDP in US.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
Uh... I don't watch Fox News, because it isn't even News. Read the book I suggested to you, "The Creature From Jekyll Island." You'll see why blaming the rich or blaming the poor isn't who to blame.
ROPdude 2 years ago
Don't know any African Americans. I know 1 Haitian American, very nice lady. Other than that, all I know is Americans.
One of the biggest stopping-blocks to peace is our insistence of separating ourselves according to heritage. Nice of you to point out that few Blacks and Hispanics have worked hard enough to make Forbes Top 400. I'm sure when you write these things you mean to appear supportive, but all I see is "I'm HopeForPeaceNow and I'm a separatist."
Honestinwilkesbarre 2 years ago
"few Blacks and Hispanics have worked hard enough" If you are looking for a separatist, look in the mirror. You are putting 2 groups here in the "don't work hard" category.
I am attempting to educate people as to the effect of Laffer Curve economics on the majority of Americans. Can you say that the people who are most detrimentally affected - the poorest in America - all white people?
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
I mention heritage, not because I want to seperate them as lazy- as you did -but because most Americans living under the poverty level are minorities. You said that is because they have not yet worked hard enough to make it to the top.I say the reason is when you have a greater and greater number of humans trying to divide up a smaller and smaller part of the pie, there will be more Americans who are able to have nothing,no matter how hard they work - because there is no pie left to divide up.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
Thanks for your input though. But your argument is one I hear frequently spouted by Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity and Beck. You may not have heard the "Democrats like to compartmentalize people and declare them unable to participate, Republicans love people (even though their tax policy causes millions of them to live in poverty))" argument somewhere else, but it's a conservative talking point. A typical fabrication, but common.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
No. But I can say their all people.
Honestinwilkesbarre 2 years ago
wait, whats the point of this video? you want wealth redistribution? it seems to me "the american dream" is the ability for an individual to CREATE a better life for themselves and their family in this country. What obama is doing with redistribution will eventually destroy any opportunity for our children to do so in the future. redistribution of wealth through market competition is healthy. redistribution through government intervention spells disaster.
inconformant 2 years ago
NEWS FLASH!!!
America has been experiencing the redistribution of wealth consistantly over the past 8 years. NOW 20% of Americans own 91% of America.
80% of us own the leftover 9%. THAT IS WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION! Aided by tax cuts for the rich enacted by dick and George, redistributing your money every day for the past 8 years. You were likely watching Fox as they touted the great economy at that time. The American Dream can not exist when 80% of us are trying to live on 9% of America! TRUTH!!
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
Very important statistics... Thanks for this video.
decameron4 2 years ago
I know you have legitimate concerns here, as do I. If we can survive the next 4 years, perhaps we can get someone into the Presidency who truly wants to save America.
Honestinwilkesbarre 2 years ago
To hire another republican before they figure out what is wrong with their policies - will just be another round of "Fun with dick and George".
Cheney/ Limbaugh in 2012? Gingrich/Rove? I just saw my first Palin 2012 bumper sticker. Cheney/Steele? I like Cheney/Satan 2012. That because I know what they did. You might not get the joke. This dogma drove is into the ground over the past 8 years - 36th worst out of 44!! They gave us a FTD (financialy trnsmitted disease) now lie to cover it up!
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
And Der Fuhrer throwing Monopoly money around is going to "fix" anything?
When are you going to figure out that your savior, Barry Obama, isn't interested in America? Wait all you want, he's never going to walk on water. This country is swirling down the crapper, and all you Obamabots can do is throw your hands in the air and shout "Weee, isn't this fun?".
Better dead than red.
Honestinwilkesbarre 2 years ago
Thank you for proving the point that many Americans are currently being brain washed by right wing media. You sound just like Glenn Beck. Your comments are obviously useless. Are you able to use your words to construct informed arguments? You know, the kind connected to fact? I'm guessing you are not aware that "red" is Republican in America? The problem with your rhetoric is.. it's just that. Please, give us a well thought out argument, one connected to reality, not regurgiutated Rush.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
"Better dead than red." is a historical reference. It refers to the sad path the former United States of America is now on. Go back to sleep.
We have nothing to fear but socialism, communism and marxism.
Honestinwilkesbarre 2 years ago
We have nothing to fear but Americans who get their facts from Fox News.
HopeForPeaceNow 2 years ago
Then stop watching Fox News, fool.
Why do you continually attribute things to me that I never said? Your psychic powers seem to be on the fritz.
I don't watch, listen to or read Fox News. Go back to sleep.
Honestinwilkesbarre 2 years ago
thanks for the video. The UCSC link is great.
mbjl1758 3 years ago
I guess your right, its a consipiracy. The rich want to keep us all down. Lets hope the government can save us by taking it away from them and handing it over to us. Im tired of working anyway.
archerace7 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Why don't Republicans EVER do anything about the hot button issues they wedge with? It's so they can use them again next time. Republicans just use you. They assfuck you once you've voted for them, and here you guys are, LOVING IT and begging again for the dick. Why don't Republican voters demand to live in a first world country? Why don't you DEMAND higher standards of living and education for yourselves? Liberals will have your back. Republicans serve big business; they don't serve YOU.
LAUGHATREPUBLICANS 3 years ago
This is an impossible argument because your mind is made up..
I started a business on my own when I was 18 with nothing except a strong back and determination. 25 years later my company grosses about 1.5 mil a year.
I work hard everyday to make it succeed. No one gave me anything. Why should I give it to people who just want it instead of being willing to make the same sacrifices I made?
It is what made our country great.
Guess I should just write you a check since I did what you couldnt.
archerace7 3 years ago
Thank you once again for posting. Really. Im not getting my point across well. When theres only 9% left it makes everyones life in the 80% harder, yours, too. It creates more poverty, more drag on the system. Im saying there is a top few who have put us all in a position where the lives of the many are diminished by the few, who are elevated. The few hold power, through media, through corporations, they are not looking out for you. Or even, possibly America, as we see now.
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago
Could we agree that we would like a fair system and maybe we should look into the idea of fairness? Bill Domhoff said it this way in a recent letter, No,not healthy, but you can run a highly unequal economy for a long time if you control it, which the Bush Administration didn't...it is
actually a difficult question...the economy can run unequal, but many people are hurt, and at a certain point the powerful have to use coercion to control the angry people at the bottom....
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago
....so it is not
just the economy, it is economy and power and values.but underlying all this is the power structure. the rich want to hold power, so they fear government, and they don't like keynesian economics and higher taxes because that cuts into their power. once again, economics alone is not the issue." America is second only to Mexico in child poverty in developed nations. 22%. If perpetual tax cuts on top worked, we would be in a great economy right now. THIS is what we have, 9%.
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago
Obama is FAILING as we KNEW HE WOULD!! LOOK AT THE falling STOCK MARKET since he lied his way into office- numbers don't lie but Obama does. Obama hires TAX CHEATS! IMPEACHMENT is coming to Obama!
MoveOnDotOrgg 3 years ago
The upper income bound for the middle class is now roughly $68,000—some $23,000 higher than in 1967. Thus, a family in the 60th percentile has 50 percent more buying power than 30 years ago. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, this has been a rising tide expansion, with most (though not all) boats lifted.
archerace7 3 years ago
The middle class (defined as those between the 40th and the 60th percentiles of income) isnt falling behind or disappearing. It is getting richer. The lower income bound for the middle class has risen by about $12,000 (after inflation) since 1967.
archerace7 3 years ago
Have gains by the rich come at the expense of a declining living standard for the middle class?
No. If Bill Gates suddenly took his tens of billions of dollars and moved to France, income distribution in America would temporarily appear more equitable, even though no one would be better off. Median family income in America between 1980 and 2004 grew by 17 percent.
archerace7 3 years ago
So whats striking is that, even as tax rates have fallen by half over the past quarter-century, taxes paid by the wealthy have increased. Lower tax rates have made the tax system more progressive, not less so. In 1980, for example, the top 5 percent of income earners paid only 37 percent of all income taxes. Today, the top 1 percent pay that proportion, and the top 5 percent pay a whopping 57 percent.
There you have it...facts
And Ideas how to get any more of their money?
archerace7 3 years ago
The latest IRS data show an increase of more than $100 billion in tax payments from the wealthy by 2005 alone. The number of tax filers who claimed taxable income of more than $1 million increased from approximately 180,000 in 2003 to over 300,000 in 2005. The total taxes paid by these millionaire households rose by about 80 percent in two years, from $132 billion to $236 billion.
Tax income to the government actually increased due to the tax cuts. It was Bush's dumb spending that was bad
archerace7 3 years ago
\
The latest data show that a big portion of the federal income tax burden is shouldered by a small group of the very richest Americans. The wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 percent of the income but pay 37 percent of the income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of the tab. Meanwhile, the bottom 50 percent—those below the median income level—now earn 13 percent of the income but pay just 3 percent of the taxes.
archerace7 3 years ago
"Figures Lie and liars figure." I could post compelling charts that would be quite to the contrary. Have faith in God, take care of your family, work smart and consistently. Have fun while doing this. You can not fail.
If this seems "hard" to you please do a reality check. I and I hope many others do not have time for all this negativity.
88mkman 3 years ago
Thanks for your note! Actually - the figures are quite correct and True. But I love your philosophy. You are altogether correct and wise.
As a Christian, though, I am charged with knowing my times.I hear the contant cry of the conservative for more tax cuts on the rich and coporations. I am simply saying - THIS is the result. Do you think it's healthy for America to have this sort of inequality? Is it helping our economy? Is it helping 80% of Americans?Yet, you are right on the whole.Jah Bless!
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago
First I would like to know what your point is? That some people have more than others...Welcome to the real world.
In this country, in the past if you did not want to settle for wages you could strike out and start your own business, work hard, make sacrifices, and have what you want...its not easy though.
The rich you are talking about are people like Ray Kroc, Sam Walton, and others who started at the bottom and made Billions.
You can always do the same..or try to.
archerace7 3 years ago 2
Thank you so much for your comment!My point here is:Conservative economics would tell us that taxes on the rich are detrimental to the economy.Bush tax cuts, etc.The result is a situation where 20% own 91%.Obvoiusly, if there's on'y 9% left for the 80% to divy up, that's going to make it a bit harder to get your, now tiny, piece.
So, maybe you can defend this inequity?Is it's healthy for democracy, spiritually?Can you give me some facts that show this disparity is good for the middle class???
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago
All I can say is...If I worked to get to the point that I am one of the top earners in the country...And then the Gov wants to take it away and give it to whom ever they feel deserves it...why did I work to begin with. Why not just quit and wait for the Gov to give it to me.
The Desparity you speak of only exists if people do not apply them selves. Its not easy and its hard work..but it is fair.
The alternative didnt work out to well in Russia.
archerace7 3 years ago 2
I highly respect your answer. Thank you. With further study, you may find that moving taxes into the 10-20% range for people who make $289 million per year, is at the base.The Bush tax cuts, Reaganomics, "The top tax rate was lowered from 50% to 28% while the bottom rate was raised from 11% to 15% - the only time in the history of the U.S. income tax".The Con idea of further lowering taxes on the wealthy and corporations as a way to get US on track, THIS is why, the gap grows w/Republicans.
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago
The ONLY result of these measures is the gap we see now. The economy is not bolstered by them.
That amazing part to me is that we can't see that we, as a country, are compromised by this. The working man works every day for his tiny piece. Is your idea is that is everyone worked hard, they could be in the 20%? Look at who is IN the 20%, 75% of them got there through family $, or are always there. Only 25% worked their way up. 1 minority in the bunch. I wish hard work was the answer.
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago
thats because whites work hard for this contry and the minoretys suck the money out of the goverment, cuz there lazy
LordCaseor1 3 years ago
Comment removed
LordCaseor1 3 years ago
Indeed, capitalism is only for the ultra-rich minority, everyone else suffers or stagnates. Did you know the three richest people in the world possess more financial assets than the poorest 10% of the world's population (that is, the poorest 670 million people) combined? That ammount of wealth is simply obscene, especially given the law of diminishing returns. Egalitarian socialism for our future!
Downshifting07 3 years ago
spoken by a true socialist Communist
archerace7 3 years ago 2
Not either. Christian, actually. If you get some facts, I hope you'll share them with us. Thanks.
HopeForPeaceNow 3 years ago