Ever since September 11, 2001 our nation has been obsessed with terrorism. But terrorism didn’t begin on that date. Terrorism in one form or another has been with us since the dawn of mankind. Anytime a bully uses threats or beats up on someone it’s terrorism. So why are we so obsessed with the issue now? It’s because our government is telling us to be.
If you’ll remember, despite what I’ve heard from several political pundits, 911 was not the first terrorist attack on American soil by foreign terrorists. In fact 1992 saw an attack on the same target as 2001 by people representing the same ideology. The only difference was the severity of the outcome. But we didn’t go to war after the first attack. And that’s because like now there was nobody to go to war with. These acts were not carried out by foreign governments. They were carried out by psychopathic thugs with no agenda other than revenge. And the 2 wars we are still mired in haven’t changed anything at all. The reason being that we are fighting an idea. And fighting an idea with military force is futile. Just ask the all white government of South Africa that no longer exists.
A prime and very recent example of this was the mass shooting at Ft. Hood. All the evidence points to a person who acted on his own not unlike the domestic terrorist Timothy McVay. But did we go after the anti-government groups whose propaganda may have incited him? Of course not because in this country we hold individuals responsible for their actions, not what motivated them. Charlie Manson claimed the Beatle song “Helter Skelter” was his motivation. So motivation can come from anywhere.
The difference was that the response to the 1992 attack was reasonable and measured. Unfortunately the response to the 2001 attack was motivated by a desire to dominate the Middle East through military force. An ideology that had and has absolutely no chance of ever being successful. Again because we are trying to fight ideas with force.
So does terrorism really pose as great a threat to our nation as we are led to believe? While I absolutely will agree that terrorism does pose a threat, there is a much greater threat to us than terrorists. And that threat is from the wealthy and powerful right here in our own country.
Statistics have revealed that today well over 40,000 Americans die every year because they can’t afford health care. But it wasn’t a foreign terrorist group that killed them. It is because the wealthy and powerful have successfully blocked every effort to reform health care for many decades. Over 40,000 people die every year in automobile crashes. Why? Because more than half the highways in this country are substandard. And why are they substandard? Because the wealthy and powerful don’t like paying taxes.
So why is it that the wealthy and powerful who are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths every year get away with it Scott free while the terrorists who are responsible for a few thousand deaths receive the full attention of our nations political and military power. It’s simple folks… It’s because the wealthy and powerful own our politicians lock stock and barrel. And the threat these people pose is not just to our physical lives. The threat is to our very way of life.
I’m sick and tired of hearing about how our government is in a constant state of tightening it’s belt. I think it’s an act of treason to insist taxes be so low that our government has to operate on the cheap all the time. The very idea that education, police and fire protection or even our military has to be cut to mitigate tax cuts is obscene.
Stop worrying so much about terrorists that have been and always will be with us. What we need to focus our attention on are the wealthy and powerful who continually keep sucking the very life out of our civilization.
*************
You can listen to Devin talk politics at earlymorningpundits.com with Dr. Candace House and Devin Barber every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:00 AM Eastern and 5:00 AM Pacific. You can also listen to recorded shows anytime.
Devin Barber, Politics Correspondent
Devin’s column, “Left Of The Right” published weekly or more to Gather Essentials: Politics is a Blue Collar Democrats take on current political news.
Devin was raised by proud Roosevelt Democrats. Being the son of parents counted among the throng of Americans displaced by the Great Depression has given Devin a deep rooted passion for causes dealing with the poor and the working class.
You can find all of Devin’s columns at LEFT OF THE RIGHT
You can keep up with Devin’s postings and his Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click here: Devin Barber and then select the orange “Connect” button on the left-hand side of the page.
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Comments: 157
Complicating matters is the loss of values and virtues in our capitalistic system and the perversions that corporations have now become and how they have infiltrated and control our government thorough lobbyists and corruption of elected officials who sold their constituents out for a higher power – cash. But the shame of it all is that both factions are tapping into the fear, ignorance and apprehension that some Americans are feeling and they are exploiting that for nefarious purposes that have little to do with freedom, rights, liberty, etc.
It’s a troubling time indeed, but there is hope on the horizon as I’m encountering more and more Americans who are rejecting these ideals and opening their eyes to what’s really going on around them and below the surface.
Jim you made a great point that corporations have been judged by the Supreme Court to be treated as persons. We've got to get that law repealed!
I am sick of hearing "high taxes."
Great article Devin. One of your best!!!!
BTW, didn't bu$h actually call the wars, ''a crusade''.
The conservative wealthy are lazy and fat... and have worked very hard to spread their sickness even to those who are not so wealthy . They have , in my lifetime legitimized greed adn selfishness. While preaching ethics and morality , they have actually destroyed the values and principles and moral that once made America a great thing.
The only way it can be neutralized is to change the national dialog and that must come from those who recognize the problem. We must no longer remain quiet to protect our own ease and comfort. Sooner or later we have to stand up to what we know innately to be wrong and unprincipled. We all know the right things, we have just sold out and taken the easy road. Its like the good well meaning Muslims not striking out against the fanatics.. like the well meaning and true followers of Christ not speaking out and striking back at the fundamentalist and right wingers, because we have been brainwashed to believe it isn’t good to speak out against people who use the name of Christ even when they use it to kill subversively. We all know what has happened is wrong.. we all know that if you buy a $50,00 car and a $500,000 house it means that money can not be used to heal the sick or help the disadvantaged.
Every time we pull up to a gas pump next to a $50,000 car, instead of admiring it, we should admonish the driver. Every wealthy person should be held publicly accountable for how they spend their money. Every corporate executive should have to feel embarrassed every time they get a big bonus check.
If our current administration is telling us to be "obsessed with terrorism", then why are they endorsing a public trial for the accused 911 terrorists? This tells me that they're not afraid of it at all and that the public shouldn't be either - this is not obsession. This decision shows that our government has decided there is zero risk. They do not think that a retaliatory attack on NYC is being tempted at all by their actions.
BTW, the "anti-government group whose propaganda may have incited" the Ft. Hood killer was the man's own extreme beliefs. Are you saying that Mr. Hassan's personal beliefs are an "anti-government group"? If yes, then his attack on our military base was an act of treason, not terrorism. That should not be tolerated and the reality shouldn't be hidden from people for fear of not being politically correct.
Last I checked, we've long had a progressive federal income tax system in this country ... half of all Americans do not pay any federal income taxes at all yet 100% of the services provided by the government are available to them. Out of the paying half, the "wealthy people" (those who make $100,000+ per year) provide approximately 75% of the revenue to the federal coffer. When you speak of the "wealthy" do you mean this entire group or are you specifically discussing the "mega-rich" (people who make more than $1,000,000 per year like celebrities, pro athletes and CEOs)? Should the mega-rich pay an additional federal income tax above and beyond what they're already paying? Or should their incomes be "capped" as our Representatives in the House have suggested?
I hear what you're saying here. Corporatism is frustrating, but it's the way that government does business (blame the Greeks, they started it). No bones about it, it is corrupt ... "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" ... that's why the "really smart" people become politicians and sell out. Milking productive people for more tax revenue will not make politicians honest, nor will it address the real issue - the lack of transparency in government. The "pay more taxes, get more" idea is breaking the system because the government never puts the money where their mouth is. We're finding out more and more every day that the stimulous bill, for example, is full of junk - it hasn't helped people much.
Many of FDR's programs were designed to increase the tax revenue stream not help people (that was how they were sold to the public). The numbers they used in their equations equalled a plus side for the government at that time. They didn't forecast very well. Projected increases in population (or increases in life expectancy in the case of Social Security) were left out of the legislation - that's why these systems are breaking us. Every time politicians try to "fix" the legislation, people freak out and the necessary changes are never made. I've got family members that survived the depression, too. But even they saw the scheme for what it was. The money people pay into the system rarely goes to where it needs to go. Bad management is bad management. Stirring the class warfare pot is not going to get us any closer to solving our disheartening social problems. You can't just tax the "wealthy" into oblivion unless you're going to start collecting from the half of Americans who don't pay any taxes at all. The other major part of the tax revenue picture is all the money paid in by employers who have to "match" their employees. I never had an employer who was poor, have you?
I think if government operations don't improve, they should tighten their belts. If we care about helping people then we should do it ourselves within our own communities.
Thats BS......when that happens its a free for all for the right wing wealthy .. then they woudl only help in very small amounts and only help people who agree with them...
The wealthy in this country would not be wealthy if it werent for our government ( which is us).. they owe alot to this country adn that includes the poor and disadvantaged... they are just selfish greedy pigs who try to legitmize their immoral existance by develpong the idea of conservatism
now now... they don't want to hear that....
for the last 20-25 years or so the gubbermint, no matter WHO was in charge has been FINDING jobs, and of course they have to be good paying jobs, for al the kids of the party supporters and other who have enough clout and savvy to really bitch things up if their kids DON'T get god jobs coming out of college.
So... you have papershufflers who (now) HAVE TO HAVE a four year degree, who simply have no idea how to live on what they make replacing somebody who not only could live on it but raise 2.3 kids on it...
Tell me a lot of the folks you see as a social worker aren't former long time workers who were pressed out of the system to make room for a new college graduate, OR were just about to be fully vested in the organizations retirement plan???
Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister.
Classic class warfare inciting headline, followed by misstatements.. "The difference was that the response to the 1992 attack was reasonable and measured. "
It certainly didn't dissuade anyone from trying again, and THAT would have been the object. The attack on the USS Cole followed and we did not reply appropriately. Bin Laden was targeted and allowed to escape more than once.
Then there are the "rich"... since it is no longer PC to hold grudges about race, religion, creed, the 'rich' have become the latest bigotry...
You know, not EVERYONE who is 'rich' automatically has holdings in the medical fields, so why would 'everyone who is rich', automagically be held responsible for the Democratic parties inability, even with a solid majority to actually DO something???
a bit more smoke and mirrors than is really needed here.
The right is crazy and the left is incompetent and like a child blames the other kid for their own problems.
Sadly, we are the ones stuck with the results.
Mwahahahaha - We are such an unbelievably long way from having that happen in this country that the notion we are approaching that place is completely and utterly ludicrous.
Poor Mr. and Mrs. Millionaire. They have to cough up 25% of their multi-million dollar income and only live on the remaining multi-millions. Those poor babies.
What is going to be the plan when the money runs out (whenever that is)? My concern is that we don't question this enough, yet we place our trust in a system that refuses to answer this question (probably because they can't answer it themselves).
So then, with "excessive greed and corruption in the system" being the given - it seems everyone here agrees - why do we place so much trust in "the system"?
Is there a better plan for us? How will government create sustainability in the area of social welfare, or transportation for that matter? To keep going along the way we're going is to say that there will always be an endless supply of wealthy people forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever!!!
Looking for a statistician out there! Is there a statistician out there?
Our culture celebrates the amassing of money, the outward expression of which is the amassing of "stuff". Even people who would identify themselves as Christian fundamentalists tend to believe that God shows his favor by making one wealthy.
If we were a truly Christian nation, we would celebrate generosity. But that would be socialistic/communistic/anti-American, right?
You really can't have it both ways. this country was founded on the principal of personal property, not some fuzzy headed greatest good for the greatest number,... screw those that have...
15% of the people pay 85% of the taxes NOW, and no matter what kind of slant you put on it that's hardly fair.
I say tax the corporations, and they'd pass the cost along to the shareholders, large and small...
so how many of you hold stock market accounts????
the problem isn't money, it is ACCOUNTABILITY the same tired shit gets recycled into "new" programs again and again that didn't work under three different names, often administered by the SAME PEOPLE who failed last time..
throwing money at the problem with nobody's ASS on the line except those that have to SUFFER the results of most of the money going to desk-bound sons and daughters of those that VOTE and are party knowledgeable didn't work the last three times and won't work again.
It's not "smaller government" we need it is a government where if you take a job, fail miserably at it and can be shown to to be a fuckup you never get another managerial job again. FEMA's Michael Brown would be a good example!
We need to put the 'fear of the job' in these professional idiots to FORCE them to produce or report EARLY that the program is just not going to work.
I'm not against the rich paying their share, hell we all ought to, but acting as if THEY are the problem is sheer IDIOCY.
The problem is that the two parties have developed this system to KEEP PEOPLE DOWN, no matter what color, creed or origin.
And most of it has been done through the 'federal schools', that have opposed initiative, stifled creativity by pandering to the lowest common denominator to make "good citizens" (read:mindless consumers), and keep the kids glued to the blue flickering gohd.
Even if our capitalist system is replaced with a socialist system and the wealth is spread out evenly, do any of you actually believe that our rich and greedy politicians are going to give up their money?
BTW, can you guys on the right tell us ''anything'' the right has done to make this a ''better'' country for all Americans??? And opposing laws that eliminate child labor, minimum wage, and taking ''away'' peoples rights, don't count as ''helping''.
What a great observation and factual statement!
Thanks, you beat me to it! :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_is_John_Galt
Devin, what happens when the productive class stops working? Or works less?
John Galt was an engineering genius who grew tired of having corporate and government fat cats living high and easy by skimming the milk and cream off of others work.
John Galt was not anti-government. He was anti excessive and abusive bureaucrats.
HUGE social programs now decades old have made problems worse instead of better.
The rich got richer the poor got screwed...
And we see what the rupublibot team has done to this country, huh???
if you truly believe that one side is any different than the other I am sorry for you..
have you forgotten Pelosi, long before Obama was elected PROMISING to "straighten things out in the first 100 days of a Democratic majority. "
I was a registered democrat for over 25 years. I watched *40* years of Democratic control of the congress do nothing much for me...
Now I am an independent.
Last election it was a tossup on who'd give 'them' the most indigestion... I chose McCain becasue I figgered, (rightly) that Obama would be so busy PAYING back debts incurred, (can you say "stimulus"???) during the campaign that it'd b far into his second term before he got anything done.
your team is better than my team is schoolyard bullshit.
but they play us like cheap violins.
with SOLID majorities in both houses why is there all this hoo haw and angst???
looks good on teevee and really we can't control our own party anyway.. eh???
trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule -
and both commonly succeed, are right
--H. L. Mencken
Yeah, the big bad wealthy... no wonder we all go buy lottery tickets and dream of someday being one... LOL.
It's amazing to me that you would blame "rich people" for deaths that are, supposedly, because people don't have insurance.
Not having insurance does not keep anyone from seeing medical professionals. Poor people have many avenues for seeing doctors - from qualifying for Medicaid to the free clinics all over the US. Middle class people have those same free clinics they can use. Or they can see doctors and pay for that themselves. Hospitals do not turn people down when they go to the emergency room (although I do realize that Michelle Obama made sure that one hospital in Chicago sent them to another hospital).
If you are so concerned about people without insurance, I do hope that you are going to fight against the proposed bill in the Senate. It is not going to cover everyone without insurance, so if you use your logic, we're still going to see people dying because they don't have insurance. And you'll have to take some of that blame.
The government is not responsible for taking care of our health. We are. And, if you really wanted to help people, you would advocate for education programs to help people learn how to budget for necessities - like taking care of their own health (as opposed to buying lottery tickets or new game consoles).
Last year, Americans spent about $5 billion on Halloween, $28 billion on Thanksgiving, and $460 billion on Christmas. Perhaps some of that money would be better spent on taking care of our health.
What percent of the money that health insurance companies take in goes out to pay for health care? I have heard that it is 80%. That means that for every dollar we pass through health insurance we get only 80 cents worth of treatments. Why should we divert 20 cents of every health care dollar to people who do nothing to promote health? To people who have a vested interest in the sick not getting treated if it's something expensive?
Much of that money is paid to people who work for insurance companies, Larry I have endeavored to find the total number of employees who work for health insurance companies, but have not been able to do so. It has to be a huge number. One person here at Gather said, "tough, let them find other jobs." Right. With unemployment what it is now?
Yes, there are stockholders who get paid. And the insurance companies average 3% profit. Big deal.
I'm all for going back to the way it used to be, Larry - having insurance just for the big things and having each person responsible for their own doctor visits and prescriptions and such. That would be great. It would reduce the cost of insurance for everyone. And it would reduce the cost of going to a doctor, since they wouldn't have to have as many on staff just dealing with insurance companies and they wouldn't have to wait months to be paid by insurance companies. When I had no insurance, I always paid less at the window that people with insurance. (I know, because I shared doctors with a relative who had insurance.)
As I understand it (I am no expert on health insurance companies) that 80% represents what they pay out to doctors and hospitals and druggists to pay for health care expenses. Some of the remaining 20% is profit, some goes to overhead, and a lot goes to salaries. I believe this figure is what is reported by the insurance companies. I have no idea whether it is at all accurate.
You're right, we are responsible for our own healthcare. But the fact that the cost of care and the cost of insurance have both gone up 200-300 percent per year, while wages have remained flat. Are you another social Darwinist who feels that the poor don't deserve quality healthcare because they can't afford it?
And do not try to tell me that people in America are only poor if they want to be! My experiences and observations have taught me better (and yours would have also, had you been paying attention with an open mind).
''Are you another social Darwinist who feels that the poor don't deserve quality healthcare because they can't afford it?''
Sure she is. I'll bet she has both The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.
Jeannie, just here on Gather I have spoken to 3 individuals who admitted that they go to ER with no intention to pay. I'm sure they're not the only ones in the US who do that.
Why do you keep assuming that poor people have ''any'' money to pay payments?? How can a homeless person ''pay payments'' when they don't even have a home??
I have a customer (and very good friend) that was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before that, she was paying Humana 800.00 a month for her, her husband, and 4 daughters. Afterwards her premiums went to 2700.00 a month. Why is that her fault. She is now paying 1500.00 a month, just for her. Her husband and daughters had to go to another insurance company to lower their overall cost. Why is that their fault??
Why do you use ''your'' situation, and assume others must be doing something wrong because it's not the same as yours.
The case you mention is horrible. But we all have to take responsibility for that happening. As long as companies can get away with that, they will continue to do just that. (And as I've said before, none of the people whom I personally know who have had serious illnesses have not experienced this. I don't know anyone whose insurance has been canceled or the premiums raised because the people have used services.)
But it is not the government's job to fix this. It is ours. And it is not the government's job to "give" us health care. If we had real free market health care, we could have control over these things. We could use forums like this to tell people which companies to avoid. We could urge our employers not to do business with certain insurance companies.
Dr. Dummy, if the government has to grab part of our health care to be happy, let them grab the situation you mentioned. Let them take care of individuals whose insurance premiums are higher than they could possibly afford.
But don't tie the rest of us up in government programs that we don't want or need.
''If we had real free market health care, we could have control over these things. We could use forums like this to tell people which companies to avoid.''
Gee, why didn't we think of that??? Of course we are here right now, and for the past 8 years saying this and they are still doing it, aren't they. bu$h$ vision of an ''almost'' free market has done one thing. Given the insurance companies the go ahead, to do ''whatever they want''!!!! How has that worked out??
BTW Marilyn, how do you know that if you got sick and needed ''your'' insurance, they wouldn't do the same thing to you, or ''not'' pay, because you forgot to tell them you had acne as a kid, or chicken pox when you were a baby???? Would that be OK with you then???
I've said before that I'm all for making sure the government helps those who truly cannot afford health care. But it makes no sense to redesign a system, to take over and dictate what insurance we can have and what care we can have when the majority of Americans want no such thing. the latest Gallup polls show that, DD. Americans don't want government controlled health care.
From Gallup: 25% support, 33% oppose, 39% unsure, and 3% no opinion.
How is that the majority. Seems like the ''majority'' are ''unsure'', like me. But if you're counting the ''unsure'' as ''no'', then I can count the ''unsure'' as ''yes'', Huh???? so you lose, ROFLMAO Maybe us on the left should start twisting facts like you on the right do!!! Huh!!!!
''If we have a problem with the insurance''
Which is it Marilyn, they would ''not' do, or if we ''have'' a problem???? Your words, not mine!!!!
Why would you include these people and not list republicans. Are you saying that democrats are the ''only'' ones that don't care??
BTW, Bloomberg was a republican, that saw he couldn't win and turned independent. Good example!!!:D
~Margaret Thatcher, former U.K. Prime Minster.
Obama was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America as a young man. His agenda has not changed. He just learned that to get ahead he had to be a Democrat instead and drive his socialist programs that way.
He believes in redistribution of wealth. What do you call that?
And he ''can't'' tell ''ANY'' company how much to pay their ceo's. Just the ones that have borrowed tarp money. And I would expect no less. Don't you think it's kinda stupid to loan billions of dollars to keep thousands of people employed, and then let the ceo say, I'm going to give myself a billion dollar bonus. I do!!!!
''He believes in redistribution of wealth. What do you call that?''
So why do you believe in the redistribution of wealth, when the corporations give us inferior products and astronomical prices. Or when oil companies gouge the citizens with artificial price fixing. Why is ok to you righties, for the corporations to steal money from the poor and middle class, but not when it is returned to them in form of assistance.
And Obama didn't ''take over'' the banks. That was bu$h$ baby. Did you scream and hollar about that when bu$h was in office?? Probably not!!!
BTW, ''taking over'' a company means to sack everybody higher up and the government being the ceo, cfo, and ''all'' the other o's and board, and making ''all'' the daily decisions. Did Obama do that. NO
''in EVERY business in America.''
''NO THEY CAN"T'' Now I'm going to give you the opportunity to prove me wrong. I ''dare'' you, no wait, I ''double dog dare'' you, to provide actual proof in the form of any facts and or laws that have been passed . Give us credible links to this proof, and I'll be the first to say, "I'm wrong''. If you can do this. But somehow I believe, you'll ''not'' take this challenge!!!
Dr. Dumbass...... I don't fit into either of those groups. I'm not rich by any means nor am I brainwashed. But by no means do I think that the rich owe me even a penny of their money.
You and your gang of Liberal Marxists should move to a Communist country, then report back to us and do tell how you like it there. You can also stay there instead of trying to convert the U.S.A. into a Marxist/Socialist state.
As for me moving to a Liberal/Marxist country, this is ''MY'' country too. If you want to live in a conservative/fascist country, might I suggests North Korea, or Iran. You would love it there. There is ''already'' no free speech and no freedom of religion there. But damn, then you couldn't be a Christian nutbag that carries their AK-47 to see Ahmadinejad, could you??? It is people like you that is wrong with this country. ''Me first, everybody else, FU''. Stop trying to change ''MY'' country to a conservative/fascist country, where ''you'' morons are in charge and everyone else is your ''economic slave''.
Gee that was fun, let's do it again sometime.
And you don't deserve one penny of that money that they worked so hard to get.
Instead of trying to grab the riches of others, try making your own.
Oh BTW before I started my own business, I was in retail management for 20 years. Try again!!!
The company that I work for is profitable.....therefore I have a job and a decent paying one at that. So am I pissed off because our CEO is making mega-bucks? Nope. If he wasn't..I wouldn't be getting paid. He isn't getting rich off my labor. I'm getting paid because he is getting paid. But it's so very obvious that you are way too retarded to understand that concept.
"As for me moving to a Liberal/Marxist country, this is ''MY'' country too. If you want to live in a conservative/fascist country, might I suggests North Korea, or Iran. You would love it there. There is ''already'' no free speech and no freedom of religion there. But damn, then you couldn't be a Christian nutbag that carries their AK-47 to see Ahmadinejad, could you??? It is people like you that is wrong with this country. ''Me first, everybody else, FU''. Stop trying to change ''MY'' country to a conservative/fascist country, where ''you'' morons are in charge and everyone else is your ''economic slave''."
Wow,,,,what an ignorant rant. Sorry, I can't respond since I never received an formal training on how to debate with morons nor drunken drug addicts.
You really should consider seeking some professional help. Just some friendly advice.
I would suggest that all of you who are reading this thread should e-mail your bank account number to Dr. Dumbass so that he can spread his wealth to all of you.
''So am I pissed off because our CEO is making mega-bucks? Nope. If he wasn't..I wouldn't be getting paid.''
And ''I''m'' the dumbass??? What does your ceo getting paid ''mega bucks'' have to do with ''you'' getting paid?? Are you saying that if ''he'' made considerably less money, that ''you'' ''wouldn't'' be getting paid. And you call me a retarded drunken drug addict???? See, the way it works is if ''he'' gets paid ''less'', there'd be ''more'' to pay ''you'', duh!!!!
Marilyn, who is giving 90% of their income to the government. NO ONE!!!! Why do you on the right argue with fantasy, not facts??? I'm by no means ''rich'', and the last time I checked the rich pay about 36 % and Obama wants to raise it to 39 %. BTW, that's what it was under raygun. 39%. You guys must really ''hate'' raygun for stealing 39% for the rich, huh. Duh!!!
This is the funny one.
''So am I pissed off because our CEO is making mega-bucks?''
''therefore I have a job and a decent paying one at that.''
''He isn't getting rich off my labor''
So when did making ''mega bucks'' not make someone rich, duh!!! Your words, not mine!!!! And off ''your'' labor. ROFLMAO!!!!
BTW, maybe you're right about me seeking professional help. I do need help understanding how stupid some people are, that defend the status quo, of the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer. ''Duh again''.
Nurse Numbskull...He wouldn't be getting paid and neither would I if our company wasn't performing well. Here again you demonstrate your lack of comprehension skills.
"See, the way it works is if ''he'' gets paid ''less'', there'd be ''more'' to pay ''you'', duh!!!!"
If are stupid enough to believe that workers would get paid more if the CEOS were paid less, then you are truly one delusional son of a bitch.
"BTW, maybe you're right about me seeking professional help. I do need help understanding how stupid some people are, that defend the status quo, of the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer. ''Duh again''. "
The " Duh " is on you again Nurse Numbskull. Even if you got your wish and our capitalist system was replaced with a socialist system and the rich were forced to divide their money up, the chance of some of it making its way into your bank account would be slim to none. Most of it would make its way into the pockets of the greedy politicians who you trust to give you your fair share.
But go ahead and smoke some more dope there hippie! LOL!
Hey asshole, are we going to bring our mothers into this. If my mother is a bitch, that must make your's what, a whore??? You started this and I can go as long and filthy as you can. Retract and then I will!!!!!!!!!!!
''the chance of some of it making its way into your bank account would be slim to none. ''
I make my own money. I work hard for it. I get a ''FAIR'' price, for a ''FAIR'' days work. I do not gouge people, because if I did, I would have ''NO'' customers. And my help, is very satisfied with what I pay them. That's why I still have help!!!
Just because everyone doesn't think like you moron, doesn't mean, we're socialists!! God you're stupid!!!!! What do you have a 3rd grade education???? See, I can attack you, and ''NOT'' call your family names, like you did me.
The tone is pretty much present in every one of your comments.
"I'm what smart people call, a social capitalist. I believe in private ownership. I just believe that it should be more equitably for the ones that get ''me'' to that point!!!! Now I know that ''GREED'' is one of the ''values'' of the right, but to the smartest of Americans, we see that as the death of America. And you idiots say it's the left that want to kill America. The right is well on their way of doing just that."
Just to let you know, I seperated myself from the Republican party a couple of months back. But I also believe that it is the right as well as the left that are slowly killing America.
''Just to let you know, I seperated myself from the Republican party a couple of months back.''
Well hallelujah, he does have a little something in his head besides air. Tell me genius, what's your plan after we scrap the political system as we know it. Let your corporate overlords run this country. Why just this morning I heard how great of a job they are doing flooding the market with that ''superior'' Chinese drywall that emits the pleasant compound called Strontium sulfide. It even has the added benefit of corroding metal and ''your lungs''. What a bargain. And also the ''safe'' Stork baby crib that ''humanely'' killed at least 4 babies by suffocation. Let's not forget that magnificent new fangled flying machine that Airbus produces that can land, even in the ocean. Of course, it can only do it once, and most, if not all, of the passengers ''get'' to ''die'' before reaching their destination, but I'll bet they're working on that problem. Let's look at some of the other things the ''mighty'' corporation brings us. How about outsourcing jobs. We have way to many jobs here in America, so we definitely need to help those poor Mexicans and Pakistanis to produce those wonderful products at a fraction of the cost we do here in America, to sell at that marvelous bastion of capitalism call WalMart, where they actually ''allow'' their employees to work for free. And how can we forget those fantastic bankers and hedge fund managers that actually bet that a business will ''fail'', thus causing the business to ''fail''. Who needs those stinking businesses anyway. Like I said above, we have ''way'' to many jobs here. I'm sure all those unemployed workers can find a new job ''tomorrow''. Oh I almost forgot how the corporations import the babies milk with the added nutritional substance called melamine. Yummmmm. What doesn't kill them, just makes them stronger. And I'll bet you're going to rush right out and buy some
kids, some of the ''inexpensive'' toys for Christmas, that the Chinese so generously painted with lead paint, so our kids can have their brains enhanced to the point of being like you. A MORON! You are transparent to thinking Americans, and contrary to you idiots beliefs, you are in the MINORITY. It's not about democrats or republicans to me. It's how the Reich wing ''conservative'' scumbags like you, want to give the corporations complete control over this country and the ''good'' ones will rise to the top. Hey dumbass, the bad ones are ''KILLING'' Americans everyday. Can I send ''you'' some drywall or babies milk for Christmas???
There are only 2 ways to solve the problem.
1: Find a way to replace the monetary system.
2: Remove greed from the human race.
But I don't see either of those happening, do you Dr. Dumbfuck?
the Corporations contribute FAR less than the "rich" and send far more in the way of jobs and money offshore.
how many here can say that thru a mutual fund, IRA, or other venue they DO NOT hold stock in ANY corporation?
The super rich have ALL gotten there by squeezing the poor, taking advantage of them with low wages and lower opportunities. Remember the "Robber Barons" of the 19th century? They made their money off the backs of the working poor, and started fortunes that are still being used by their descendants, more than one hundred years later.
The problem is that the Government for the people, of the people and by the people, has become the Government for the Rich, of the Rich and by the Rich. The current tax system was written to benefit the rich with tax loop holes that increase as one's income increases. They may pay 75% of the taxes, but they get 90% of the tax breaks, so many of them pay less in actual taxes than most of us do.
And the current Campaign financing laws let them buy our politicians with the contributions they give them. We need to remove the obscene amount of money it takes to run for office, which is growing every year. Look at how much was spent for the recent NYC Mayor election, by a millionaire that wanted to keep his position, at any cost.
And as for who pays the most taxes. Warren Buffet said that he pays less in taxes than his secretary does. What's up with that??? The right likes to tell the less minded that they pay all the taxes, but fail to inform them about those ''tax breaks'', like we're to stupid to know any better!!! And why would a politician spend obscene amounts of their money, for a job that only pays a few hundred thousand dollars?? ''POWER''.
self-fulfilling
Same goes for the mighty Government officials that Dr. Dumbass wants to trust with the redistribution of wealth.
''All Power corrupts, and Power attracts the corruptible! "
I know why you are so upset. If the tax rate gets raised on the corporations, you might loose your job. Because we can't have their profit margin falling below 500%, can we!!!!! And you say the government is corrupt!!!!
Nurse Numbskull....It would be quite difficult for your Marxist/Socialist government to be sacked by ' we the people ' while you sit back and wait for your slice of the pie that you will never see. Boy oh boy...what a moron you are.
"I know why you are so upset. If the tax rate gets raised on the corporations, you might loose your job."
Damn straight! And so would any reasonable person. But look at who I am talking too.
"And you say the government is corrupt!!!!"
Damn straight there Nurse Numbskull!
BTW, why didn't you include the rest of my quote. Let me do it for you.
''I know why you are so upset. If the tax rate gets raised on the corporations, you might loose your job.''
''Because we can't have their profit margin falling below 500%, can we!!!!!''
That's what it's all about for you brainless scumbags. How much money can we steal. And it's ''NEVER'' enough.
You ignorant mother fucker. If companies aren't making profits, workers don't have jobs. Our CEO nor any of the executives owe any of us one single penny above what we earn. I get paid the fair salary for the job that I perform and I don't dererve any more than that. That's the way it works. The only other alternative is the Marxist/Socialist system that you are so retarded as to believe that you will actually get what you think is your slice of all of the money taken from the rich. You stupid fucktard.
"IDIOT. It hard to argue with someone that wants a fascist slave ownership society. I own guns and know how to use the pretty well, and will fight to the death to defend ''MY'' America against the bu$h family and supporters attempt to make me their slave. Economic, or otherwise."
First of all...FUCK BUSH! That bastard should be brought up on numerous charges including war crimes. And throw Cheney and Rove in there with him. I never could stand the sight of Bush nor did I ever vote for him....so you can take that argument and shove it up your ass!
I also own guns and I know how to use them and I won't stand back and watch my country be taken over by Nazis nor Communists. Maybe if it ever comes down to that and I get lucky enough to see your Communist ass on the other side....well, I'll just leave it at that.
''First of all...FUCK BUSH! That bastard should be brought up on numerous charges including war crimes. And throw Cheney and Rove in there with him. I never could stand the sight of Bush nor did I ever vote for him....so you can take that argument and shove it up your ass!''
Stop trying to get on my good side.
First of all fucktard, I'm not a rightie. You stupid, uneducated asswipe.
"You want to make them ''LESS'' accountable by removing the few regulations they have now."
I never said such a thing. I'm beginning to believe that you are actually illiterate. Or maybe you are lumping me in with the rest of the righties.
I have no problem with a few regulations, but when your allmighty Government starts regulating how much executives can earn, will they stop there? Looks like one more step towards Socialism to me. But you have stated that you aren't a Socialist? LOL!! What a freaking joke!
I earn a fair salary and bonus for my position in the company. Even if the CEO's salary was cut in half, I wouldn't see a single penny of that money on my paycheck. The fact that you can't grasp this simple concept proves your ignorance.
We do agree about the dangerous and inferior products and Bush, but I suppose that's about it.
When you refer to the "wealthy," you might as well call them the "capitalists" they are - the ones that have taken over our political process, robbed us of our job security and driven us from our homes - yes, and killed many of us in various subtle ways...