Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%

[mawilson 2,133]

Should I be jealous that the top 0.01% have more than me? I'm in the bottom 99% of the 1%

[james&olya 1,121]

The same share would be fair.

Even the Bible (for those of you who pretend to believe in it and follow its teachings) says that to whom much has been given, much is expected in return. The rich, who have benefitted disproportionately from our socio-economic system have a moral obligation to pay the greatest share to keep that system going.

Edited October 11, 2011 by james&olya

[mawilson 2,133]

Even the Bible (for those of you who pretend to believe in it and follow its teachings) says that to whom much has been given, much is expected in return. The rich, who have benefitted disproportionately from our socio-economic system have a moral obligation to pay the greatest share to keep that system going.

Fortunately, we have a capitalistic and not a "moral" economic system. The only morals that count are the ones you've made for yourself.

[james&olya 1,121]

Fortunately, we have a capitalistic and not a "moral" economic system. The only morals that count are the ones you've made for yourself.

'Fortunately' only for those most fortunate among us, myself included. Not fortunate at all for those not clever enough to have figured out how to make the system work better for themselves. What amazes me is that so many of these 'tea-partiers' are from the lower rungs of the economic ladder!

[Darnell 8,479]

What amazes me is that so many of these 'tea-partiers' are from the lower rungs of the economic ladder!

Hey - free internet access at the libraries - no problemo !! My tax dollars (yours also ! ) at work !

[Leatherneck 693]

I came here 8 years ago with a maxed out credit card and $200 in my pocket.

I worked my аss off and now I am the 1 percent. So spare me so the "poor victim" #######.

Your story has been duplicated countless times by other immigrants, it is the new immigrant that see the opportunities to build wealth in this country and get busy doing so, but a large percentage of native born Americans do not see the same.

[Leatherneck 693]

1 in 22 odds of becoming a millionaire over is far better than 0 odds.

[slim 1,530]

I love this chart!

Not a single thing on the left side is something the federal government should be paying for. Not a single one. Every single penny of that 44 Billion is wasted money and spent on programs that will simply multiply in size and scope as time goes on. Every single program on that side sucks up dollar after dollar, year after year. None of those programs are investments in our future - they're all losing money.

Yet, look over to the right. Everything on that side either pays someone to work or allows someone to build on the wealth that is rightfull theirs to begin with. They're using their own money to make more money instead of having us - ALL OF US - pay for their existence.j

"But slim, the rich only get money because they make us buy stuff from them." Really? Do they make you like Uncle Sam makes you pay taxes?

That left side is mandatory. You have to pay for that. Have to. If you don't, you can go to jail. The right, on the other hand, costs you nothing you don't choose to spend.

Even the Bible (for those of you who pretend to believe in it and follow its teachings) says that to whom much has been given, much is expected in return. The rich, who have benefitted disproportionately from our socio-economic system have a moral obligation to pay the greatest share to keep that system going.

I love this argument too. The rich have benefitted more than the poor. Really?

Does the government directly pay money to the rich to sit around and smoke weed, watch cable and reproduce? Because they pay the poor to do that.

What amazes me is that so many of these 'tea-partiers' are from the lower rungs of the economic ladder!

Because freedom should only be for the rich.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I love this chart!

Not a single thing on the left side is something the federal government should be paying for. Not a single one. Every single penny of that 44 Billion is wasted money and spent on programs that will simply multiply in size and scope as time goes on. Every single program on that side sucks up dollar after dollar, year after year. None of those programs are investments in our future - they're all losing money.

Slim, you should consider moving to Somalia, they don't believe in regulations, or helping the poor out, and you practically HAVE to carry a gun to take a dump there. Sounds like paradise for you.

But here in the U.S., we do try and help our citizens out, within reason. You have a choice, you can live in a civilized society, or you can leave. Nobody is holding a gun to your head to stay here.

[james&olya 1,121]

Because freedom should only be for the rich.

Reproductive freedom? Freedom for gays to marry? Freedom of scientific research and scientific teaching in schools, unencumbered by religious shackles?

At least you don't pretend that your tea-party offers any kind of equal opportunity!

[slim 1,530]

Slim, you should consider moving to Somalia, they don't believe in regulations, or helping the poor out, and you practically HAVE to carry a gun to take a dump there. Sounds like paradise for you.

But here in the U.S., we do try and help our citizens out, within reason. You have a choice, you can live in a civilized society, or you can leave. Nobody is holding a gun to your head to stay here.

But they do hold a gun to my head to pay taxes. Try not paying your taxes. What happens? Eventually, a man with a gun shows up and either makes you pay or hauls you off to some place where men with guns ensure almost all of your freedoms are taken away.

And you think Somalia is bad? It's no different here, our warlords just smile as they do it.

Why would I ever move out of my own country? I'm supposed to have all those freedoms you mention above. I'm not sure why folks like you try to limit them by supporting smiling men in suits. Perhaps it's you that should move to Somalia. Sounds like they could use some of your hope and change over there. Why not initiate all those social programs there? Sure sounds like they need it more than we do.

And since they work so well here, they ought to really work over there.

Reproductive freedom? Freedom for gays to marry? Freedom of scientific research and scientific teaching in schools, unencumbered by religious shackles?

At least you don't pretend that your tea-party offers any kind of equal opportunity!

Who doesn't have reproductive freedom? Where's the federal law on marriage? Do we now have federal schools too? And just how does religion dominate all of those things?

Examples, please, and not just your generalities.

[The_Dude 1,142]

But they do hold a gun to my head to pay taxes. Try not paying your taxes. What happens? Eventually, a man with a gun shows up and either makes you pay or hauls you off to some place where men with guns ensure almost all of your freedoms are taken away.

And you think Somalia is bad? It's no different here, our warlords just smile as they do it.

Why would I ever move out of my own country? I'm supposed to have all those freedoms you mention above. I'm not sure why folks like you try to limit them by supporting smiling men in suits. Perhaps it's you that should move to Somalia. Sounds like they could use some of your hope and change over there. Why not initiate all those social programs there? Sure sounds like they need it more than we do.

And since they work so well here, they ought to really work over there.

Slim, it seems like Somalia is much more suited to what you want in your life. Nobody is holding a gun to your head to stay here. You are free to leave and immigrate to another country if you like. You seem to loathe that our government seems to want to protect its people from the effects of chemicals and pollution, and help out the sick and poor. You won't find that in Somalia. You are not being forced to stay here, the government doesn't have your family locked up while they force you do develop some technology for them. You are a free citizen, and as such, you are free to move to a country more in line with your political views.

[dalegg 143]

I think some people are getting confused in thinking that the protesters want the wealthy to be taxed more. That's not it. They actually want them to make less money, and then distribute that income more evenly across to all the workers.

..It's not Socialism though.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I think some people are getting confused in thinking that the protesters want the wealthy to be taxed more. That's not it. They actually want them to make less money, and then distribute that income more evenly across to all the workers.

..It's not Socialism though.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I think some people are getting confused in thinking that the protesters want the wealthy to be taxed more. That's not it. They actually want them to make less money, and then distribute that income more evenly across to all the workers.

..It's not Socialism though.