Brutally Honest Politics (Episode One: Taxes)

[leftygunz704]

Didn't they have like 70k people in DC last month?

[Vercingetorix1313]

Sorry brother I was pissed off that day just watched your vid and the tea party bit got to me, because it is organic not republican the party latched onto it later...I did not watch your full video, my sincerest apologies! peace

[MATTROCKWOOD]

I'm not sure how you could view this video and not think I understand how the tax system enslaves people. It isn't that I want to punish the rich -- it is that the tax system is one tool used to perpetuate the class system in our country. I'd be in favor of scrapping the whole thing, actually.

As for the Federal Reserve, I agree they have far too much power. TARP was essentially generational theft -- socialism for the ultra-rich.

And yes, I think the tax code is just as unfair.

[Vercingetorix1313]

Your thought pattern is so common it is worth a dime a dozen ....in fact you have let your soul become a tool for evil, pro income tax, pro federal reserve, economic enslavement of the masses is what you support while you talk of punishing the rich! Doesn't take a rich man to see to your core!

[browens2]

Hope Mr Brutally Honest learns to look into the camera instead of reading his notes. He begins to look crosseyed. When people don't look into the camera, it makes me think they aren't brutally honest.

[MATTROCKWOOD]

True. I didn't have access to a teleprompter for my first episode. Tune in for episodes 2 & 3 (with Episode 4 on health care coming soon) -- the quality is much better both technically and substantively.

[kingjames1014]

I agree 100% with your view on the tea parties.

[MATTROCKWOOD]

The remarks were from an objective standpoint. The Tea Party "movement" lacks focus and, more importantly, lacks numbers. When you can point to tens of thousands of people marching in the streets, I'll change my opinion. Right now it is a few hundred folks bussed in by Washington lobbying groups. I don't doubt their sincerity and I support their right to protest -- but it is hardly a national movement at the moment.

[bruno4809]

The Tea Party remarks were clearly from a leftist standpoint. A large portion of protesters are Independent and Democrat as well. It isn't an attempt by Republicans to mock Obama. We're mad as hell and we shouldn't have to take this spending anymore!

[BADSAM56]

Left think 101. I honestly don't think you know anything about Republicans. You are spouting the same old crap the Liberal professors spout to distract and mislead the kids. Just be brutally honest and stop the leftist BS.

[MATTROCKWOOD]

Strange comment considering my views on taxation and government spending are about as conservative as you can get (in the true sense of the word --see episode 3). Actually, Republicans gave us TARP and the huge deficits we have today -- that's about as "liberal" as it gets. Although the real point is that good ideas come from both sides -- which is something I think we all need to acknowledge if we're going to get the country out of the financial mess its in.

[Madsyrasil]

Great video Matt, My bro is all hyped on the Neal Boortz tax scam. Please do an analysis on it. I've tried to tell him that working people will lose even bigger with this plan, but he shouts me down. You have an even handed approach to this problem.

[MATTROCKWOOD]

I'll look into it.

[Voodio]

I guess the real question is HOW to change the tax code.

[wtfAmericawtf]

hmmm audits for wealthy down and audits for poor people up? Since the IRS agents make a commission off of how much they can find.. they go after the bigger pocket book.. not "poor " people. Poor people by definition make less than 10,000 or less per person with a basic zero tax bracket why would an agent bother auding them exept for penalties which with tax amnesty going on would result in a wast of everyones time?

[billfuclinton197]

i am glad that i have found this videocast, i hope you continue to make new ones, i actually enjoyed true reporting, education is key, something CNN, Fox, MSNBC, all forget. i want to hear more of your views.

[MATTROCKWOOD]

Thanks Jamesmaclean.

I should have episode 2 by the end of the week with any luck.

[jamesrmaclean]

Excellent video. Now 200 more like this please. Take your time!

[MeyerG4Indiana]

Love the intro. Bring more.

[MeyerG4Indiana]

I drove to a remodeling job to help a carpenter buddy deliver a new bathtub. On the way there he was ripping supply side/trickle down economics.

When we got there the lady who hired my buddy

scaled back on the project because her husband had taken a beating in the stock market.

He didn't get it! When people have more money, they hire more work done to improve their standard of living.

[MATTROCKWOOD]

I did not say that Republicans lowered taxes only on the wealthy. I said that they MOSTLY did which is true.

You are correct -- the Bush tax cuts benefited everybody, but they benefited the wealthy disproportionately. And I don't think too many Republicans would deny this. Many Republicans believe in supply-side (trickle-down) economics the belief that tax cuts at the top benefit those at the bottom because they encourage investment and job creation.

[phillip84109]

Thank you for responding. The Bush tax cuts were bigger for the rich in $ amounts because they paid more to begin with. But in terms of % of income, I believe they helped the poor more.

Supply side economics works because in order for most of the rich to make more money, they need to expand their business. This does create more jobs for everyone.

The rich get richer, but the poor also get richer.

I believe that both parties support the rich. At least the Republicans are honest about it.

[Eyeris28thD]

In that case why is there such a HIGH Job loss after 8 years of Bushes "Economics". What happen to the Expansions that were gonna help the "little people." The Talk is good but the results were Bad.

They Got Less regulations, More Money, And VERY GREEDY. Washington allow the Corp. To stay home alone. They through a Large Party and wrecked the place. Now they need a baby sitter.

Time for Reform.. That's why Most Americans voted for Change.

[Eyeris28thD]

Oh.. And when I owed Money to the IRS.. They Levied my paychecks. Almost made me homeless (They Took 400$ out of my Check 3 times.. back to back)

But yet RICH PEOPLE are allowed to OWE millions to the IRS. WHY THE FUCK WASN'T TEHRE PAYROLLS LEVIED.

[phillip84109]

Part of the "change" people got was a bunch of Obama appointments of rich people who didn't pay taxes. It's ironic that Obama's Treasury Secretary owed money to the IRS (the department he's now in charge of). I guess that's "change we can believe in."

[phillip84109]

We had a good economy for most of the time under Bush. There were some problems that went un-addressed and lead to the collapse in the housing market, thought.

The change Americans voted for will make things. But they will change.

[phillip84109]

This guy is not brutally honest. Republicans under Bush cut taxes on ALL taxpayers; not just the rich. Republicans favor lower taxes on everybody.

He is right about workers getting the shaft; though not in the way he thinks.

[jenbada]

Great show. Very informative and has a wonderful sense of humor. Very original! Can't wait for episode 2!

[redhatorg]

Excellent.! Great 1st. Issue.

[ksplucker]

Good information. Thanks!