McCain's Big Backfire: Majority of Americans Like the Idea of Spreading the Wealth

[HAL 9000 96]

Well, the majority of the country is lazy and stupid then. Why is it right to take from those that have and give to those that won't? That's not what makes this country great.

Why do those that have feel it's right to take from those that don't? That's what's been going on for decades.

How do they take from those that don't have? In that case, what are they taking from those that don't have? If this has been going on for decades, who has been taking it?

I think he is referring to the poorer people who get a big chunk of their paycheck taken away for taxes...

nah. That doesn't make sense because the "have's" in that case would be the government and I don't think he's against the government taking some taxes from everyone.

I'm guessing he means that the rich have gotten rich off the backs of the proletariat without returning a fair share of company profits to them or something along those lines. Could be also that they've taken away the have-nots personal time, working them to the bone while they go embezzle away the company's profits at million dollar cocktail parties, leaving them without their hard earned pension plans they were promised.

Sounds like a real nice plan, but eventually the "have nots" begin to cast an evil eye on the petit-bourgeoisie (i.e.: the middle class). Been there, done that...let's not go there again. Doesn't anyone read history?

Yes, misery loves company. Instead of working hard to buy your own milk cow...you wish for your neighbor's milk cow to dry up and die.

If by actions of the system, the have-nots can become upwardsly mobile to also have the actual opportunity of being part of that petit-bourgeouisie- which more correctly defined are upper middle class, then so be it. Upwards mobility in this country needs an overhaul that many are overshadowing with a new Red Scare.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

When you rob Peter to pay Paul you can always count on the support of Paul.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well not to put too finer point on it - but I don't find McCain's accusations of Obama's socialist tendencies (in response to that "spread the wealth / Joe the Plumber" nonsense) to be particularly convincing. I wonder how many people actually do...

Its especially silly given McCain (and Obama's) support of the Wall Street Bailout, which is perhaps the most tangible example of "socialism" we've seen in this country in decades. What should we draw from this - that McCain also is a socialist?

If that's the case - why is he out there b*tching about Obama being 2 degrees removed from Lenin and Marx?

Rhetorical question of course - its quite obvious what he's doing. Playing off the ignorance of people who respond to those kinds of labels.

Edited November 3, 2008 by Paul Daniels

[almaty 19]

i see most of the middle class is tired of the same old gop economics..robbing the working class for the rich

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

Edited November 3, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[HAL 9000 96]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

I am sure they see it just since they 'earned' that wealth 'fair and square.' How much horded capital does one need anyway?

[*Robert* 2]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

I am sure they see it just since they 'earned' that wealth 'fair and square.' How much horded capital does one need anyway?

I'd like to know who all the VJers are that are worried about getting this additional tax because they make over $250,000?!!! Where are all the Peter's?!

As for me, I'm your typical run-of-the-mill middle class civil servant, that's not worried about the Government taking any more of my money, but will gladly watch as the top 5 percent do!

[HAL 9000 96]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

I am sure they see it just since they 'earned' that wealth 'fair and square.' How much horded capital does one need anyway?

I'd like to know who all the VJers are that are worried about getting this additional tax because they make over $250,000?!!! Where are all the Peter's?!

As for me, I'm your typical run-of-the-mill middle class civil servant, that's not worried about the Government taking any more of my money, but will gladly watch as the top 5 percent do!

Remember that you'll be well-paid as deck swab on the Discovery, sailing around our GW island(s).

Similarly... your taxation will be, in similarity to these top earners, subject to increase in mere fractions of the total wealth you'll be able to horde as a member of my crew.

[*Robert* 2]

Remember that you'll be well-paid as deck swab on the Discovery, sailing around our GW island(s).

Similarly... your taxation will be, in similarity to these top earners, subject to increase in mere fractions of the total wealth you'll be able to horde as a member of my crew.

I'm ready to set sail skipper!

[AlHayatZween 2]

i am not lazy.

i ride my bike to my job, where i am underappreciated and underpaid.

spread the bennies this way!!

[dalegg 143]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

Well, I think you're making the point Steve. The answer should be 80%. But under the current system it appears it would actually be 95%.

The top 5% of the population currently earn 36.66% of the income and pay 60.14% of the taxes...unless I'm reading the charts wrong.

I can't answer your second question cause I don't know what the heck you mean!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

Well, I think you're making the point Steve. The answer should be 80%. But under the current system it appears it would actually be 95%.

The top 5% of the population currently earn 36.66% of the income and pay 60.14% of the taxes...unless I'm reading the charts wrong.

I can't answer your second question cause I don't know what the heck you mean!

I'll have to look at the charts again that RJ had posted a thread about last week, but I thought it should that actually, after AGI, the bulk of the fed tax dollars collected came from a majority of tax payers.

As to my second question - I'm wondering how do you prevent the wealth in this country to become concentrated into a small percentage of Americans or do you think it is something that we shouldn't intervene from happening? Are there any market forces - instituted or simply natural occurances that should prevent the wealth in this country from becoming concentrated into the hands of a few?

Edited November 3, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[dalegg 143]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

Well, I think you're making the point Steve. The answer should be 80%. But under the current system it appears it would actually be 95%.

The top 5% of the population currently earn 36.66% of the income and pay 60.14% of the taxes...unless I'm reading the charts wrong.

I can't answer your second question cause I don't know what the heck you mean!

I'll have to look at the charts again that RJ had posted a thread about last week, but I thought it should that actually, after AGI, the bulk of the fed tax dollars collected came from a majority of tax payers.

As to my second question - I'm wondering how do you prevent the wealth in this country to become concentrated into a small percentage of Americans or do you think it is something that we shouldn't intervene from happening? Are there any market forces - instituted or simply natural occurances that should prevent the wealth in this country from becoming concentrated into the hands of a few?

I'm looking at the 4th and 5th columns of the first chart in that link-

"Group's Share of Total AGI" and "Group's Share of Income Taxes". And according to those, no way man. J ust the top 1% actually pays 40% of all taxes and they only account for 22% if the AGI income. The bulk of the tax payers contribute diddly.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/250.html Tax Table[/url]

As to your second question, I don't think we should intervene. The meek shall inherit the Earth.

[IAMX 3,055]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

Well, I think you're making the point Steve. The answer should be 80%. But under the current system it appears it would actually be 95%.

The top 5% of the population currently earn 36.66% of the income and pay 60.14% of the taxes...unless I'm reading the charts wrong.

I can't answer your second question cause I don't know what the heck you mean!

I'll have to look at the charts again that RJ had posted a thread about last week, but I thought it should that actually, after AGI, the bulk of the fed tax dollars collected came from a majority of tax payers.

As to my second question - I'm wondering how do you prevent the wealth in this country to become concentrated into a small percentage of Americans or do you think it is something that we shouldn't intervene from happening? Are there any market forces - instituted or simply natural occurances that should prevent the wealth in this country from becoming concentrated into the hands of a few?

I'm looking at the 4th and 5th columns of the first chart in that link-

"Group's Share of Total AGI" and "Group's Share of Income Taxes". And according to those, no way man. J ust the top 1% actually pays 40% of all taxes and they only account for 22% if the AGI income. The bulk of the tax payers contribute diddly.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/250.html Tax Table[/url]

As to your second question, I don't think we should intervene. The meek shall inherit the Earth.

Here's the problem -- that 1% don't seem to have difficulty paying their taxes. That's why this tax system also tends to include tax burdens which shifts as the burden falls upon certain classes, meaning tax cuts or increases don't stay static, and shift around depending on who has the tax burden at that time, and who can take a tax hike with the least amount of economic effect. Simply suggesting the upper class pays more taxes therefore shouldn't be taxed more is disingenuous.

Add onto that the sort of economic instability long term tax cuts, especially of this magnitude, creates. Tax cuts of this nature have been intended as a short term solution. The rich did not produce the theorized trickle down effect when given their tax breaks, and this is the cause of such economic instability even before the housing bust, so why are we wanting to give them even MORE tax breaks in an even LONGER term? The tax burden is already on the middle and lower class. I have no idea how, furthering it, with lower wages and higher costs, you'd expect them to survive or even spend money either.

Edited November 3, 2008 by SRVT

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A question to the Right Wingers who believe that a progressive tax policy robs the rich and gives it to the poor - if the top 5 percent of the population earned 80 percent of the total income made in a year, what percent of the total federal tax collected should they pay from that income? Secondly, how do you prevent an economic oligarchy or is that something that should be allowed to happen as a natural course of free market capitalism?

Well, I think you're making the point Steve. The answer should be 80%. But under the current system it appears it would actually be 95%.

The top 5% of the population currently earn 36.66% of the income and pay 60.14% of the taxes...unless I'm reading the charts wrong.

I can't answer your second question cause I don't know what the heck you mean!

I'll have to look at the charts again that RJ had posted a thread about last week, but I thought it should that actually, after AGI, the bulk of the fed tax dollars collected came from a majority of tax payers.

As to my second question - I'm wondering how do you prevent the wealth in this country to become concentrated into a small percentage of Americans or do you think it is something that we shouldn't intervene from happening? Are there any market forces - instituted or simply natural occurances that should prevent the wealth in this country from becoming concentrated into the hands of a few?

I'm looking at the 4th and 5th columns of the first chart in that link-

"Group's Share of Total AGI" and "Group's Share of Income Taxes". And according to those, no way man. J ust the top 1% actually pays 40% of all taxes and they only account for 22% if the AGI income. The bulk of the tax payers contribute diddly.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/250.html Tax Table[/url]

As to your second question, I don't think we should intervene. The meek shall inherit the Earth.

But if there is such a lopsidedness, how does it happen? I realize there are many factors, but I would say that overall, it shows an economic injustice that exists - whether intentional or not. I don't think the Fed Gov't's job is to simply 'redistribute the wealth' so to speak, but it should play a role helping to

stabilize income revenue so that it isn't so lopsided...whether that's through living wage standards or progressive tax. Economic justice should mean something to those who lean right, particularly at this point in history and with all that the country is facing. FDR helped create the biggest Middle Class this country has experienced and I think most Americans agree that it was beneficial to us all.