Wealth distribution in the US

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by spudcon

Bruce, I agree with you about Republicans and Democrats both being irresponsible jerks, but voting the good old boys out of office has to be a good thing.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Originally Posted by spudcon

I'd rather have someone in office who has at least had a real job, or owned their own business than a career politician from any party. Those career pols have no idea about the real world.

By the time a politician runs for a state-level office, he has sold his soul, and his idea about the real world is long gone.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

I'd rather have someone in office who knows how the process works and is knowledgeable about laws. Who has gotten the education necessary to be a leader and write/read the bills that go through congress and be able to understand them at least fundamentally. Yes, I know they have staff for that, and realistically I understand that not all congress members can be 100% proficient in interpreting the laws. The biggest problem with our political system (as it is) is that only the wealthy can usually afford to run for office. I'd like to see that changed so that there are either limits on what can be spent to campaign or money for campaigning comes from a public fund that is evenly distributed. That is the real way to take control of our government from the wealthy, lobbyists and corporations. That makes the campaigners/politicians completely responsible to only the normal taxpayers and voters - us.

Unfortunately, the folks who would have to pass that legislation are very happy with the way things work now.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Unfortunately, the folks who would have to pass that legislation are very happy with the way things work now.

When I get rich spex, I'll run for office and change all of it. I promise!
Now, who wants to contribute to my campaign fund?

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

When I get rich spex, I'll run for office and change all of it. I promise!
Now, who wants to contribute to my campaign fund?

I have a spare pitchfork and torch for you to auction off at a golf fund raiser - just don't tell Shawnee where I you got them.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

The biggest problem with our political system (as it is) is that only the wealthy can usually afford to run for office. I'd like to see that changed so that there are either limits on what can be spent to campaign or money for campaigning comes from a public fund that is evenly distributed. That is the real way to take control of our government from the wealthy, lobbyists and corporations. That makes the campaigners/politicians completely responsible to only the normal taxpayers and voters - us.

I agree.

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Unfortunately, the folks who would have to pass that legislation are very happy with the way things work now.

Unfortunately.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by classicman

Unfortunately.

Don't agree with me. And stop stalking me.

[classicman]

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

This is why third parties will never be the "solution" to our two party system. It all comes down to power. There are a lot of people who have stake in what the government does and will go to great extents to make sure a third party candidate won't take actions against their interests. So if a third party candidate gets elected they will either be useless because they are not all powerful, thankfully, and have almost everyone working against them or they will have to sell out and then becomes part of the current political system.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I'm just going to sell out a little bit, just enough to get some power, then I'll do really good shit, I promise.

Rand Paul has already sold out to Karl Rove, and he hasn't even been elected yet.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I'm just going to sell out a little bit, just enough to get some power, then I'll do really good shit, I promise.

I think a hell of a lot of politicians start out in their careers with good intentions. The machine of politics soon beats that out of them though :P

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

"I'm just going to sell out a little bit, just enough to get some power, then I'll do really good shit, I promise."

Quoting Nick Clegg at the Liberal Democrat conference earlier this year.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by spudcon

I would love to see the graduated income tax and the IRS abolished. I wouldn't mind a flat tax, or a sales tax, as long as the said taxes weren't above 18%, and no other hidden taxes added to it. I would also like to see the Feds spending money on what they have the constitutional right to spend, and leave the states and the people to do the rest. But if it's 18% for you, it is only fair that it's 18% for everyone, millionaires, union workers, drug dealers, illegal aliens.

[xoxoxoBruce]

All you rich people say that... except Warren Buffet.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Which are deductions, non taxed.
Uh, like everyone else?
Yes they are, through a graduated system most feel is the fairest way, for the last hundred years.

You mean most as in the majority who support it but don't pay it.

As far a Ben goes, he went on the air and whined about the feds, while totally lying through his teeth with misinformation and distorted numbers, in an attempt to make people feel sorry for him (and his rich buddies), and ultimately fool people into supporting a tax break for him.
He's a lousy actor and proved it Sunday morning.

I don't think he won over any converts. He just sounded like a whiner. No one feels sorry for him, well except maybe the millionaires in Congress.

Now if your real bitch, is where and how the government spends tax revenues, that's a whole different kettle of fish, and has nothing to do with whether they raise Ben's taxes 3% or not.
If starting tomorrow, the government could only spend money on things you approve of, they should still raise Ben's taxes 3%, because they still has to pay for that trillion dollar Iraq war, and 2 or 3 hundred billion for the savings&Loan fiasco, and 9 years in Afghanistan, and bailing out Wall street, and, and, and... plus interest.

Hard to argue with that, we are in it deep. But that doesn't mean we can go on spending like whores with an openended check book and ignore those facts.

A flater tax makes everyone invested in the system. Do away with the loopholes. Hell start a VAT if that is what it takes, with some exceptions for food and income.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

All you rich people say that... except Warren Buffet.

Warren at least had the balls to stand up and say it, I'm guessing him and Ben are no longer friends.