Didn't have time to read the whole thread, but it's going in it's usual endless circle. I posted this link on another thread, and while it is more focused on taxes I believe it provides an interesting perspective:
TomPaine.com - Hidden Truths Of Progressive Taxes
Further, I think I finally understand the perspective of those at the head of the conservative propaganda firehose. And I have to thank Turtledude for this insight:
The wealthy in this country lack the votes necessary to create the economic environment that would allow them to compete with their counterparts in southeast asia. They have peasants. Millions of people desperate for $2 a day.
No unions there. 16 hour workdays. 7 day work weeks. No benefits, no pensions, nothing. $2 a day, out the door. Just like America prior to the Union movement.
Our wealthy want the same right to an exploitable peasantry as their foreign competitors have. So they came up with a plan. What we are seeing today is the final phase of this plan.
Citizens United grants wealth the right to spend as much on political campains as it wants, without any disclosure.
Bust the unions and they eliminate a major obstacle to their plans.
In the early part of the last century, the people got the government to take the middle class from wealth.
Now they want their peasants back
Sound about right?