Looking at past tax percentages is not enough. If we were already in a good economy, those numbers might work great. But we're in a heavy recession and the working class is in no way capable of buying its way out of it. A progressive flat tax rate sounds great. But if that's the case, why aren't we doing it?
The bottom 40% of Americans control 0.2% of America's wealth. The top 1% control 40% of America's wealth. A larger wealth disparity than many third world countries.
Corporations can't continue to push for lower wages or higher productivity from fewer workers. Americans already work disproportionately harder than their European counterparts (in terms of hours works per capita employed). We still have no purchasing power, so how are we supposed to bring the economy out of Recession? Some of the mega wealthy pay less taxes than middle class Americans. When people are hurting this bad, it makes sense that some level of wealth distribution (via taxes) is necessary.
How do we raise the GDP if we can't sell anything? How do we raise the GDP when corporations continue to send every industry overseas? We have to start somewhere. Right now, big businesses are ruining America (Apple may be an exception). Several big name Republicans are in favor of getting rid of the minimum wage at the same time they'd like to cut public services.
It's amazing how much stigma Socialism has, and yet we see Capitalism fail us every single day. Maybe we need to reevaluate our balance of the two.
Last edited by thatmariolover : 08-23-2011 at 03:05 PM.
Corporations can't continue to push for lower wages or higher productivity from fewer workers. Americans already work disproportionately harder than their European counterparts (in terms of hours works per capita employed). We still have no purchasing power, so how are we supposed to bring the economy out of Recession? Some of the mega wealthy pay less taxes than middle class Americans. When people are hurting this bad, it makes sense that some level of wealth distribution (via taxes) is necessary.
Well, I do think you can make a legitimate argument that the wealthiest Americans should pay more in taxes. But, that won't fix any of our long term economic problems or raise revenue by a meaningful amount.
I agree that income disparity is / will be a defining issue of our time. How that is fixed is a complex and problematic question.
Quote:
How do we raise the GDP if we can't sell anything? How do we raise the GDP when corporations continue to send every industry overseas? We have to start somewhere. Right now, big businesses are ruining America (Apple may be an exception). Several big name Republicans are in favor of getting rid of the minimum wage at the same time they'd like to cut public services.
It's amazing how much stigma Socialism has, and yet we see Capitalism fail us every single day. Maybe we need to reevaluate our balance of the two.
Certain industries are being sent overseas for a variety of reasons, one of those being that our corporate tax rates are too high in comparison to other countries. If you look at a lot of these countries though, like China and India, they have major systemic problems that will prohibit them from becoming the world super power any time soon. As long as we remain the reserve currency of the world (which is truly a hidden tax on all other countries except us), we will remain the economic super power.
To me, his proposal basically sounds like a neutered version of the previous stimulus package. Two main problems with it: (1) Tax incentives and breaks to hire new workers do not: (a) make fundamental economic sense and (b) are not large enough or long enough in duration to encourage the hiring of new workers. (2) The money that will go to the states to pay for "teachers, schools, and roads" (i.e. same as last stimulus), will in fact be used by the states to pay off debt and unfunded liabilities (same as last time).
Except this time he was far more condescending and rude. As if to say: "Maybe this time you morons will finally get it."
And to date, the bill that he's talking about, and going on tour to promote, doesn't yet exist and won't until he's done his tour to support it. Wouldn't want reality to get in the way of his talking points.
Lastly, President Obama should be fitted with an electroshock ankle bracelet. Every time he uses the words "committee" or "panel" he gets 50,000 volts.
Lastly, President Obama should be fitted with an electroshock ankle bracelet. Every time he uses the words "committee" or "panel" he gets 50,000 volts.
To be honest, he seems to have the most nuanced view on most issues. I also like that more than the other candidates, he shows an understanding of how government works and how to get things done inside the current system. I also liked how he often played the "adult in the room" and guided the conversation back to Obama and away from sniping at each other.
I don't think he'll win, but often times the most competent person doesn't win. See: Clinton vs. Obama.
I suppose, but I don't think Gingrich is Presidential material. However, I do like how he includes Regean in every debate.
Realistically I still think Romney is the best choice to beat Obama in a general election, I just hope he can make it our of the primary.
Since the last CNN debate, my opinion on Huntsman remains relatively unchanged. He speaks with a level of contempt for the other candidates that I simply can't connect with, and substantively, he hasn't been specific enough to engage me on an intellectual level. Most voters don't know much about him, and he hasn't done a very good job of educating us, so when he scoffs at the other more well known or more clearly defined candidates it comes off like a petulant child, IMO.
Perry needs to get a beat down. Every time he is faced ith a question that is out of his depth, and this is often, he retreats to "well we need to have a serious conversation about that". Romney did a decent job of calling him out on it on Monday, but Perry still seems to be unaccountably strong in the polls.
“If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew — as a janitor — makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that as a badge of honor.”
Funny slip from Obama. Probably will not help him win the Jew vote.
Re: Spooky Obama
Hybrid Mode
