HonestBlues

This is true...however,I get tired of people saying that the system is holding them down,or something to that effect.In this country a person is only limited by themselves as to what they CHOOSE to be.Life is a series of choices and hard work and dedication to be successful should be encouraged,not penalized.

Harpozep

True enough on those counts. Too much generalism is bad for the soul. But hey, we all do it. I'll do it in a minute

I know a LOT of folks who work very hard (60-80 hrs a week ) to better themselves and get nowhere, just keeping their head above water. Not all folks who are not rich are NOT trying to better themselves. ( Huh? Whud I say ?)

I'm for a flat tax with a simple starting point, no income tax on the first 35K, and 12% there after. We should simply learn to live within our means and practice fiscal responsibility. That phrase gets bandied about by politicos all the time, and the current regime loves to tell us to practice what they preach, but not do it themselves. All politicos are selfish and bad. Bah!

Perhaps having less politicians would be a good idea as well. Then there'd be less folks lying to us

Besides, the wealthy special interest lobbies are the real power. Perhaps with less politicos involved, we, the Hoy Poloy, would finally see who pulls the strings in Washington.

Less politicians = less people to indict
Good luck with the tax problem, no solution will make anyone happy. That is the only sure thing. More taxes, less taxes, doesn't matter, the politicos will gripe either way.

HonestBlues

Here is a little information for those who think the rich pay less.Please note the increasing percentage of tax as ones income increases. http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article...150856,00.html

Harpozep

That is sooo right on the money as it were, the last sentence that is.......

But, Man, your an idealist! I wish life were truly as simple as you describe.
Sure the whole individual responsibility , pull yourself up by the bootstraps thing has merit, but the world is not cookie cutter same. Life deals great boons, and great blows.

Things can instantly go from sweet to sour. One traffic accident can snowball into the ruination of dozens of lives, many of whom WERE being responsible, but just in the wrong place at the wrong time when something went out of control. Perhaps someone would be responsible in a case such as this, or perhaps a bad marketing/design decision could be what causes this fictional crash.....
Anyway, what I'm getting at is life deals the cards randomly with total callousness. How we deal with what comes at us is what makes us who we are . Some of us crumble, others rise above their circumstances and become beacons of hope for others.

But only some rise to the "top", we are all not as capable as each other in all aspects. TO think that we are all the same is folly. Just ask any teacher who has to make even the most handicapped student perform to the standards of the most gifted child in the same class. This is what is mandated under the NCLBehind law. While it offers to bring up standards, it has the effect of expecting everyone to be the same, which is just not true.
I do not understand why anyone would thing we are all the same, and equally capable.
Life is just not this way, and some folks try real hard to make wealth, while it come easily to others. Just the way things are.

Do not have disdain for those who try.

HillsdaleHHR

^^^what he said!

Harpozep

True, but as one's wealth becomes greater, so does one's ability to shield this wealth from taxation. It is the main game for some lawyers, and they do it well. Why do you think so many companies try to locate to the Bahama's and such?

The goal of many individuals is to keep as much money as possible. This is the creed of all the business majors I knew in college. If this means being seen as unpatriotic by shielding and relocating one's wealth stream, then so be it. I have had this discussion many times with business people over the years.

Yes, on paper , the rich pay more in a higher percentage. In real dollars they can pay more. Do they? My banker friend does not. He plays all the games and pays almost half of what he "should". Just human nature.

Most folks want to keep and control their money, and not have the governments do it for them, since these governments do show they are often inefficient with the funds.

HonestBlues

No...I am not an idealist,I am a capitalist.And you do present a valid point about things happening beyond our control...however,the things that we do control should not be dictated by more government intrusion and limitations.

HonestBlues

I agree...but the very wealthy are but a small percentage.I am a member of the greatist percentage,the "middle class" and feel strongly about my money going to support those who will not support themselves.I give to many charities of my own free will.And that is entirely my decision,not a decision of the government or a decision of a group of "oppressed whoevers".

bintang

"the only trouble with capitalism is capitalists, they're too damn greedy!" Herbert Hoover

HonestBlues

Be careful...your socialism is showing again.