by Dr. Ashok Saxena
Member since:
January 25, 2008

Obama!Lead rich Americans to follow Rich Germans in a Gandhian way'

October 25, 2009 03:31 PM EDT (Updated: October 25, 2009 03:36 PM EDT)
views: 86 | comments: 32

Obama! please read this from Berlin.Rich Germans campaign for higher taxes. Some rich Germans have launched a petition to call for the resumption of a wealth tax to help the country bounce back from an economic crisis because as one said ,he had " a lot of money I do not need."The text posted on internetat www.appell-vermogensabgabe.de has been signed by more than 40 people who want to convince the Government of newly elected ChancellorAngela merkel to raise their taxes

 Obama who admires Gandhi should persuade rich Americans to follow these patriotic  but rich Germans, They have noble souls, Now Obama with a Nobel  should  set an example of  austerity and charity(Donating Nobel prize money is  just symbolic.)

I suggested a small step in one of my posts on Gather and a post card written to Obama that he should take fast on Friday and skip dinner, the money saved should go to charity and let his followers follow him -at least his party men and rich sponsorers of his Presedential campaignl. He must lead by example,

The first Indian president Rajendra prasad (The only preident who served for two terms)took only one rupee as salary and was a worthy example of simplicity and austerity.He lived  in a regal house feeling discomfort and after he relinquished the ofice felt much relievd and returned back to his  simple living as a hermit in an Ashram

American President is more powerful than Indian President, I hope Obama can persuade some rich Americans to be noble and patriotic..

link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 32

Stacey (Jesus is coming soon! ) U. Oct 25, 2009, 4:02pm EDT
Absolutely !
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 25, 2009, 4:28pm EDT
Thanks
Ron Hall Oct 25, 2009, 4:21pm EDT
Here in America, Janie and I qualify as lower middle class. We feel rich because we are. I welcome higher taxes, but we're a society of brats. If he raised taxes, he'd be voted out and our country would descend back into darkness, I fear.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 27, 2009, 9:32am EDT
GANDHI SAID mAN HAS ENOUGH FOR MANS NEEDS BUT NOT FOR HIS GREED.
Ron Hall Oct 27, 2009, 7:29pm EDT
It's something very existential. The vast bulk of our American middle class and lower class don't know utter poverty. They don't know how fortunate they are, and they think they're struggling. Any suggestion that they should give up any privilege is deemed unacceptable. I believe that working to raise the status of all people would create a market for goods and services that presently does not exist. Taking the heel off the poor is, to me, the path to prosperity.
Ron Hall Oct 27, 2009, 7:32pm EDT
This is to say nothing about our truly rich citizens, many of whom are encouraging the government to raise taxes.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 25, 2009, 4:36pm EDT
I knew it. Ny daughter is inUS. Isuggested moral leadership and ppeal to noble sentiments, Ithank u for reading and commenting
Stirling D. Oct 25, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
Very worthy suggestion, Dr. In US, most of us could skip dinner three times a week and still not starve. Reducing meat eating is really vital, too. We have a long way to go, but as you say, leadership can set an example.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 27, 2009, 9:21am EDT
thanks alot
Kathy W. Oct 25, 2009, 9:20pm EDT
Dr. Saxena: I know Americans overall could benefit with a little "fasting."

However, the practice of sharing our financial blessings with others is sometimes a hard sell in the U.S. Even the innocent "girl scouts" must trade cookies for cash.

A lot of church going folks think that they tithe at church (giving 1/10th of their salaries (net) to the church) will somehow ensure that they are following their religious credo.
This tenth, I argue, is to support their church...and a little bit of outreach, usually.

We, as a nation, could benefit from foregoing dinner more than three times a week, if we promised to spend dinner hour going out into the world, and meeting their neighbors to shake their hands and discuss life.
Thus is a community formed.

They should still offer up "dinner" funds to the poor. They would be healthier for the lack, and the gifts of knowing their neighbors, too.

I can't change the world. But I CAN do this. And...Won't my neighbors be surprised when their doorbell rings in the evenings?

Highest Regards,
Wilka
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 27, 2009, 9:22am EDT
ur right, a few should set thye exAMPLE.
Alison H. Oct 26, 2009, 12:36am EDT
Rich people actually offering to give back to their country? Now that is radical. I would like to see American bankers do this.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 27, 2009, 9:24am EDT
LET US HOPE THAT GOOD SENSE PREVAILS.
JOHN BECK Oct 26, 2009, 8:03am EDT
It would be interesting to see if that would work in this economic climate. Years ago a heavy surtax was applied to really big ticket items such as luxury yachts. Orders for luxury yachts, etc. dropped and many laborers and craftsmen were out of work.
Kathy W. Oct 27, 2009, 2:00am EDT
John: And how does a heavy surtax on the extremely rich equate to the theme of this post? I read this as being something ALL of us could benefit from doing. Not just the "filthy rich."

Your comment sounds a little defensive. We're not talking about tax here. We're talking about self-induced "donations."

If you don't see the difference between philanthropy and tax then I don't know what next to say. In my humble opinion? You might be edging too far over to the "right hand side" of the equation. That would be a real disappointment for me. I might be thinkin' that you're leaning toward defending what you've earned in your life (and defensive about "keeping your "stuff" as opposed to "caring about your brothers...")
Wilka
Kathy W. Oct 27, 2009, 2:01am EDT
The question becomes, should anyone HAVE a yacht, if others are starving?
JOHN BECK Oct 27, 2009, 7:17am EDT
Kathy
1. It doesn't "equate". It speaks to observed behavior. When the big spenders cut spending, others suffered.
2. I'm not in that category, don't have a yacht. Somehow you seem to have categorized me as a wealthy miser, which I am not.
3. I'm all for philanthropy. Some are only generous if it means something positive for the donor: a tax break, advertising, a statue or a library named for them for example. Philanthropy is really that when it's anonymous.
4. When I raise the question of whether it would "work in this economic climate", I'm looking at the same principle of possible unintended consequences as the luxury tax thing. For example, if everyone fasted every Friday and sent that money saved directly to charity, how many restaurants would go under? How many waitstaff would lose substantial tips or even their jobs? What would happen to food prices? I don't know the answers, I just point out the fact that I don't, QED.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 27, 2009, 9:28am EDT
jOHN IN GANDHIAN UTOPIA LET US TAKE THE RISK OF CLOSING RESTAURANT FOR A DAY, i FEEL A SMALL STEP GOES ALONG WAY.
Kushal Poddar Oct 27, 2009, 9:48am EDT
Gadhian philosophy, like any other philosophy, has its prctical and impractical sides. But he is always a wonder of a thinker. I feel America needs to ponder over Welfare tactics and within their own ambit employ the same.
If state takes care of certain needs as I uncderstand US Govt. already takes care they shall need a buffer stock of money amongst other things. Taxing the rich comes to play here. German's were always industrious when state comes under a shadow of needs.
John has shown beautiful analysis of the proposition.

soliloquy and sunset
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 27, 2009, 9:52am EDT
THANKS FOR COMMENTING AND LOVING GANDHI
JOHN BECK Oct 27, 2009, 10:54am EDT
Thank you for once again reminding us of the legacy that Mahatma Gandhi left for all of us, Dr. Saxena.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 28, 2009, 10:29am EDT
john u r always encoraging my Gandhian musings
William Dotani Oct 27, 2009, 2:13pm EDT
I believe most of the rich here would rather thrown stones in glass houses than help the country. From all that I've seen, Obama is not a populist, but nothing more than another politician with empty promises. The division in American culture is a cancer that is destroying our freedoms.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 28, 2009, 10:28am EDT
Iam not rich so u know better the psyche of the rich who can enter any gate of man made heaven
Karen E. Oct 29, 2009, 1:14am EDT
I think that we create the idea of utopia so that it seems far away and something that we do not have to do. We need to bring this closer so that it can be real in our lives. I make very good money as a nurse and love to share it with others. The balance for us, in our family is that my husband cares for our finances and makes sure that we can pay the bills so that we can share with others. In our little town it takes so many levy bills to bring money into our local economy for firefighters and libraries and community services. When a levy comes to a community vote it is most often voted down. One time it took 3 years of voting for the voters to say yes to help the schools. In reality our taxes just went up by dollars and no one had to suffer but the benefit was that the schools had better resources to serve the students. I think that a responsible society that cares to serve the needs of the people must be willing to share and give. I think that we are a selfish people who want to hold what we have. Well, you can tell that this is a subject that I care about very much. I serve the poor and am daily touched by their needs and their courage.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 29, 2009, 9:03am EDT
Gandhi believed that if u possess more than what u need it is hoarding and akind of violence.
U r a noble gandhian Iknew and am pleased to be a friend of one who shares.
Karen E. Oct 29, 2009, 9:13am EDT
I see that it is a form of violence to withhold from others...an unkindness of a hidden and powerful sort. Thank you Dr. Saxena for your very important words. I hope that you will keep them coming.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 31, 2009, 8:52am EDT
ur speaking as atrue gandhian and we approximate truth never attain it fully like Utopia
Karen E. Oct 31, 2009, 9:47am EDT
I like the way you say that..."we approximate truth" Approximated is a word that I use often to describe the way an incision heals. If it is closing well without distortion or interruption then I will say it is "well approximated" I like that word.
Dr. Ashok Saxena Nov 2, 2009, 7:56am EST
science also approximates truth neither it understands fully nor controls or predicts.
libramoon C. Oct 29, 2009, 1:22am EDT
Rather than go through the government by taxation, we could decide to finance positive social programs and enterprises directly.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977355059
Dr. Ashok Saxena Oct 29, 2009, 9:04am EDT
Yes sir ur right

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16961, "Pacino"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.