It's not Friday, yet. And I've put it about 50 hours doing what I do.
I work my ass off. I don't envy your income. I'd like a little bit more, sure. Who doesn't? But to imply that you're richer just because you work harder is ludicrous. I know for damn sure that there are people who live around me who work even harder than I do and make less than I do.
Arrogance like yours is the reason that people get pissed off at the rich. You're statement suggests that you're the very "elitist" that the right-wing rails on about. You look down your nose at those who make less than you and assume that they're trying to steal it from you - and then suggest they don't work as hard as you when I can guarantee you they work as hard or harder, but at different occupations. It's sort of like Rand Paul complaining about elitists while speaking at a Country Club or saying that Medicare is terrible while collecting money from Medicare.
You see the middle class as leeches instead of seeing them as the people that created your ability to gain wealth. The teachers that tought you probably make less than you. The secretaries and financial aid advisors at the college you attended probably make less than you. The nurses who have cared for you make less than you. The soldiers who protect this nation make less than you.
Your statement here suggests that you consider all them leeches trying to take your money instead of the consumers who support your through the purchasing power they possess when they're doing well.
The rich don't make the middle class. The middle class create the rich. Tax policies that constantly funnel money upwards strip the middle class of their purchasing ability and eventually harm the overall economy, which will eventually catch up to you (if you're as wealthy as you claim).
Historical Effective Federal Tax Rates:1979 to 2005
(Keep in mind, I borrowed this link from ElijahGalt - a self-expressed libertarian)
In that link, it shows this:
Under Bush - from 2004 to 2005, the tax burden for the Middle Class went up from 14.1% to 14.2% - thus a higher tax burden. While on the Top 1%, the burden went from 31.4% to 31.2%.
In other words, the middle class (using the income figures cited in the link) paid $129 more in taxes in 2005 than in 2004, while the top 1% paid $151,710 less in taxes between the two years. Additionally, the middle class only saw their income rise by $500 or .008%, while the top 1% saw their income rise by nearly 20% or $256,000.
That's a net gain for the middle class of $371. And a net gain for the top 1% of $407,000.
And what happened just a couple years later? Complete economic collapse. And a net job loss.
The Bush tax policies, combined with spending for two wars, and a complete lack of oversight of what was happening on Wall Street were irresponsible and were the reason why our country is on the brink. Never mind that the mortgage interest tax rate deduction is essentially a welfare policy for the top 2% and those who try to live above their means.
Mortgage Interest Deduction: An Unfair Subsidy for the Rich : Veterans Today
This is the biggest problem with politics today. I can actually appreciate someone like Rubio who at least sticks to what he says. But when a Missouri farmer puts up a billboard calling Democrats parasite - while he collects Medicare and more than $1 million in farm subsidies, I call BS. And that's the biggest movement going on right now is this: "Get rid of all the government spending, except the part spent on me!"
You can't claim to be in favor of deficit reduction while cutting taxes AND continuing to spend money on two wars (one, almost over, thankfully) and promising to keep Medicare as is. It's irresponsible and it's hypocritical.
Moved from Mainstream Media to Blogs
