Barack Obama’s socialist doctrine is taking hold. Extreme class envy is on display in a letter to the editor, “Tax the rich who spend uninhibited,” by George P. Dix. Obama is selling this.
Mr. Dix says the rich have too much and that they should be reported to the tax collector for punishment for driving expensive cars and living in large homes. He says that is the custom in Italy.
It has been said that envy is the pain of mind successful people cause their neighbors. It is obvious Mr. Dix is suffering.
Thomas,
For some, when someone is successful it reminds them of their own failures. It's viewing others well being with the emotion of disappointment in oneself. For example, someone could blame Jennifer Aniston for making another woman feel plain-jane. Someone can blame Asian students for making other minority students look less intelligent. Obama's premise is that a portion of the population who has an issue with disappointment and envy will like, for example, suggesting to congress to raise taxes on top wage earners even though they make 34% less income then they did in 2008. Of course it's congress who has the power to raise taxes, not the President and he knows the current make-up of congress will not allow a tax hike on one class without considering tax hikes more broadly throughout a majority of income levels. The Presidents "tax the rich" policy would lead top wage earners to not spend as much of their money for a few years to offset the higher taxes levied on them. We need tax reform that addresses all tax objectives including removing tax loopholes and broadening the tax base where more of the 50% who do not pay federal income taxes do so. This is why you didn't see Obama and the democrats agree to tax reform last year. It would have taken their "tax the rich more" strategy away from them which they need this year to energize the liberal portion of their base. The disliking of individuals who are successful or blessed with an attribute we don't have is what people do, whether it's looks, youth, money, health or happiness. Envy is a destructive emotional state and Obama is preying on a part of his base by leveraging the emotion of **dislike** because it gets ones thoughts off their own disappointment and onto an object they can dislike, those who have what they envy which ultimately makes the envious feel better about themselves.
Mr. Neal it's people like you who watch Fox and buy into the paranoia about socialism while the coporate giants are buying up our politicians by the dozens. When President Obama chastised the SCOTUS about corporate funds being pumped into the up coming elections, he didn't exaggerate. We are losing our democracy not to socialism but to the bankers and corporate titans. Corporatocracy or borderline fascism will replace our system if you and others like you don't start dealing with reality.
Too add, the current set of Republican candidates are using religion as a wedge to bend social issues. Our separation of church and state is being attacked, not by Obama, but by the religious right (Santorum Gingrich) who think some of us aren't the right type of Christian or not Christian enough, as if it is the only true religion. They play the game of my God can beatup your God.
"The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders...tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger." -- Herman Goering
"Fascism will come wrapped in a flag and carrying a Bible." - Sinclair Lewis 1935
As it has been for awhile now, what must be done is three pronged.
1) The income tax code must be rewritten to remove the ways the wealthy and large businesses use to avoid paying taxes. The changes must also revise the code so that everyone with an income pays incomes taxes, on a progressive scale. That should, if done correctly, increase revenue to the government and make everyone more likely to pay attention to tax rates and tax hikes, because when they come, they will affect everyone.
2) The Federal government must be made to pay for what it spends. As long as it can borrow and print the money it spends that is over what tax revenue provides, it is impossible to have a rational conversation about the deficit spending and the debt.
3) The Federal Government and its programs must be examined for waste, duplication and fraud and changes must be made in the largest and most expensive areas, which are Defense and the Entitlement programs of SS, Medicare and Medicaid.
What is wrong cannot be fixed with ever more tax cuts. It cannot be fixed via class envy and raising taxes on the wealthy. Both of those ideas are 'pandering' by our representatives and if we listen, we are fools.
Michael
cnn/money.com reports today that America's fattest governor, chris christie of new jersey, says that warren buffett should just shut up and write a check to the federal government. christies plan? nothing. then this tub of goo lowers the american flag on all state buildings to honor some recently departed rock star pissing off all the veterans in the entire state! what a maroon!
paranoia- a baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others.
I wish I made enough money so that, I too, could be paranoid about the taxes I pay.
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Just another waste of time with worthless lies and code phrases from the rightie radicals who hate Obama and hide what they really are - racists
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The same old warmed over batch of fools and idiots doing the same old crap each day against our President
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These suckers might consider moving to Crawford, Texas and setting up a Bush Temple of Worship, Torture and Destruction so they can get down on their knees and pray to the jerk who gave America torture by waterboard. I agree with Jesse Ventura ..... lets get Hannity to do what he promised he would do .... get warterboarded - what a lying coward he is - typical Fox slob
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The only class these suckers know is the lack of it when it comes to them, the right winger radicals who repeat the same worthless mess each day and some who offer up little quotes and Bible stuff .... really absurd and quite idiotic. Morons.
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Ola - a lasting example of their stupidity is what one gave us a few years back ..... Simple Minded Sarah - Alaska Palin Class Warfare Queen provided America by none other than Keating Five Boss Sen McCain ..... now we have to deal with her almost on a daily basis ... this simple mined woman imposing herself on the American Pulbic ... another example of NO class whatsoever. Period. Obama has class, the finest education in the world, is doing a good job turning America around from the Argentina it was under Crime Boss Bush and the Navy Seals certainly like Obama. This is what class is ... nothing less, folks. Its not a right winger radical hater thing, its called class.
This letter lost me after reading the very first sentence.
But I do want to thank Mr. Neal for firing up the Tea Partiers. Get their blood roiling. Good for their mental and physical health.
Your short letter provided all the buzzwords, slogans, catch phrases and blatant propaganda that fires them up with vague generalities, not with a dog whistle, but by a deafening blast of an air powered ships fog horn.
AAAHHHHH OOOOOOHHHHH GAHHHHHHH!
It should be noted just that first sentence fired up one of our favorite rightie poster, who can't even type a comment without some comment about "socialism" included (you know who you are). So I know this spurred him into a blizzard of typing activity.
Michael, no politician who wants to get elected will agree to any meaningful reform. Just read the comments. No senior is willing to make any sacrifice at all to correct the bankruptcy path the so called entitlements are on.
A balanced budget is nothing more than a joke.
A flat tax will not fly. The tax code is one power that congress will not surrender.
We will change when forced to. Look at Greece then the rest of the EU.
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Well, isn't it business as usual with the Archie Bunkers and Meatheads already turning the key pads red hot with nonsense and rightie winger blabber of falsehoods, distortions and making up of facts
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Ola - Seems like they don't even know the definition of the code word ' socialism ' they use so much against Obama ... they are truly one ignorant bunch of haters and racists. They just can't hide it no matter how many fake statistics and distortions they conjure up.
Frank Simmons comments contain absolutely nothing but bitter name calling but that alone stretches his intellectual capacity. You will note he repeats himself over and over no matter the subject.
One thing we have to give Osama Obama: the neophyte sure can set records! Record spending; record deficits; a record 36 straight months with unemployment over 8%; record gas prices at the pump; record poverty levels; and a record of appeasement and apologizing to our enemies. Then there's the "little" matter of American's being held hostage in Egypt; Iran on the verge of starting World War III; and a spineless CEO with a Cheshire Cat grin on his face twiddling his thumbs in the Oval Office. Gee, I guess the peanut farmer has been reelected after some 40 years. Where is the outrage from "progressive" loons as the price of a gallon of gas soars past $3.50 a gallon on its way to $5.00? They were foaming at the mouth over $1.90 a gallon gasoline and now that the price has risen 92% during Emperor Osama Obama's watch - they are silent. And they pretend to have any answers? With friends like "progressives," who needs enemies?
acejoker (Jim Reid),
My brother and I talk about this often and we both have come to the same sad conclusion you have come to. Nothing will be done until circumstances force it to be done, just to survive.
I understand that politicians need to say certain things to get elected. My dissappointment comes after they are in office and still don't do what is necessary. Take Bush in his 2nd term or Obama in his probable 2nd term. Bush could have started taking some of these tough measures or at least advocating for them. Nope. Didn't do it, even though he could not serve again. And Obama could also take the tough actions in his 2nd term but he won't, even though he can't serve a 3rd term. It's sad that we simply don't have anybody that's willing to do 'what's right'.
I guess we deserve what we get because we don't hold our leaders accountable. Nobody is going to like what must be done, but many of us realize that it must be done.
Michael
Businesesa are increasing their strength by the day. Retained earnings are high as are profits . With the right economic policies the nation will rebound ,jobs will be created and tax revenues will respond accordingly. Congress will continue to struggle and get nowhere Ultimately it will be market forces that rescue the economy as usual. America is blessed by the most resilient economic system on the face of the earth. Those in the progressive contingent who would give anything to see American capitalism fail are bound again to face disappointment. Much hard work is needed. A new presidential leader would accelerate the recovery process. Nevertheless not even president Obama in two terms is enough to overturn the American institutional strength that has been fostered in over two hundred years. Ultimately America will prevail.
In the past six months or so, in the wake of Occupy, we've heard so much from the right about language, and the secret motives that language exposes.
I remember when they said "labeling people of the 99% and the 1% encourages class warfare!"
I remember when they said that ideas such as "fairness," "paying their fair share" and "income inequality" were code words for Socialism and envy.
So when Mitt Romney was in Arizona today, I thought it was very peculiar that he was invoking the same exact language and symbolism in a campaign speech he gave:
"And in order to limit any impact on the deficit, because I do not want to add to the deficit, and also in order to make sure we continue to have progressivity as we've had in the past in our code, I'm going to limit the deductions and exemptions particularly for high income folks. And by the way, I want to make sure you understand that, for middle income families, the deductibility of home mortgage interest and charitable contributions will continue. But for high income folks, we are going to cut back on that, so we make sure the top 1% pay their fair share or more."
Then his campaign announced, in a press release, that "The principle of fairness must be preserved in federal tax and spending policy."
How is it, my GOP friends, that when Obama says these things, it's evidence of our "decline into European-style socialism" but when Romney says it, you CLAP AND NOD?
Thanks ksand99,
That last post has style and substance. Mitt is just a shadow of the real leader here. It's blatantly apparent.
Your citing merely adds more incredibility to the wishy-washy elephants whose love of country can't hold a candle to their sense of self-importance.
With one study indicating that half the country can't come up with a grand and another reflecting only one in four Americans can come up with 2 grand in 30 days Mr. Dix has oodles of company in the " suffering" category.
The letter writer is correct. Class envy is alive and well inside the R party. It explains so well why Romney, the quarter Billionaire cannot get traction in elections. His past business success gets him no respect in a party whose voters are actual natural born people rather than corporate "people."
Congratulations Leric! You have outdone yourself. I can't remember when I have read more nonsensical drival than you have expressed about the Republican party. This is interesting because you represent the most intelligent wing of the liberal establishment.
You're right Thomas. Obama is selling "tax the rich" and it's obvious. TV interviewer Charles Gibson pointed out to candidate Barack Obama back in 2008 that raising capital gains tax rates had on a number of occasions led to **less capital gains tax revenue** being collected -- and, conversely, lowering the capital gains tax rates had on other occasions **increased the amount of capital gains revenue** collected by the government.
Obama agreed but he said that "fairness" justified a higher tax rate on "the rich."
Obama chooses "fairness" as a reason to raise the capital gains tax which would **lower** tax revenue rather than have a lower capital gains rate in order to **increase** tax revenue.
The clip is only 2 minutes. And this guy has our nations best interest in mind?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__L5DOxgh...
refnv; not from Fox News, but facts nonetheless: santorum lost his last election by 700,000 votes( still an american record) as an INCUMBENT us senator. romney may lose the primary of the state both his parents are buried in and where his father was governor for 6 years. bush and cheney will STILL endorse the republican nominee, whoever he is, while colin powell stays with Obama.
Dennis,
Abraham Lincoln ran for the state legislature and lost in 1832. George HW Bush lost a race for congress and so did George W Bush. All three became President. And your point Dennis?
they werent running against Obama. dont put lincoln in the same paragraph as the bush boys.
That's not a good pivot Dennis. You're losing your touch.
Here is a bonus YouTube clip (only 1 minute in length) for you Dennis of Obama explaining that, under his cap & trade plan, electricity rates would go up.
Is this a guy we really want setting up an energy plan that would **raise** the price of electricity? Luckily, cap & trade didn't have enough support in congress so the plan was tabled. Dennis, Obama doesn't have Americans best interest in mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlTxGHn4s...
he said, she said, we said, they said, and I say we have the BEST DEMOCRACY (smirk) THAT MONEY CAN BUY.
Also, why do you think Adelson is backing a loser like Newt, and telling him to lay off the attack ads against Romney?
It's a strategy to make sure that Romney becomes the GOP nominee, albeit a very expensive one, but as it has been pointed out, big old Sheldon wouldn't even be hurt by a billion dollar donation.
It's not about envy, folks, it's about being able to afford to buy an election...it's just ANTI-AMERICAN, on so many levels. Just like it was in 2000 and 2004.
go to www.gregpalast.com
Get over it. The current tax structure is fu**ed up, and we all know it. As long as the a**holes we elect to "represent" us are in office, it will be the "same old same old". If the SOCIALLY MORONIC Santorum is the GOP nominee for president, he will go down harder than Goldwater...and good riddance.
It's very difficult for you guys to pivot away from Obama, Occupy and the fact that Obama doesn't have a plan to fix our deficit spending and debt issues nor does he have a plan to help promote job growth in the private sector. CBO now projects we'll be back to full employment in the year 2017.
2017!!
refnv; somebody predicted vegas housing will be back to normal in 2038! you've got a lot to look forward to.
Re Freeman. Who the hell on the GOP side has come forth with an economic plan to address the problems the country faces?? They have degenerated into a bunch of tight ass**d idiots who's idea of "progress" for this country is spying on everybody's right to privacy in the bedroom. I don't give a sh*t what consenting adults do in their PRIVATE LIVES. The party of perpetual war, (GOP), has nothing to offer in the conversation politically, socially, or morally, which has been proven time after time. Santorum is a sanctimonious moron who would, once again, go to war against a country (Iran), that, although, anti-American, has not injured this country. It should be addressed that NO GOP CANDIDATE has a dog in this fight. None of these GOP fools has ever worn the Uniform of the US Military, but they are ready to shed the blood of soldiers while they beat their chests about our supremacy over the rest of the world. Romney and Santorum are the same chickenhawk GOP promoters of perpetual war, without ever serving or having their sons serve in uniform during time of war. As usual, the working poor and the disenfranchised in this country would be the ones to bear the brunt of another BULLSH**T war to benefit a**holes whose political and narcissistic beliefs cloud their grasp on reality.
Dip- My home is east of here. I look forward to going back home after my work is completed out here in the western U.S. Home values didn't drop much in my home state.
Gary,
You need to read up on the budget passed last year in the house that the do-nothing Harry Reid democratic senate failed to pass. I can't read for you. Hopefully, by the next time you post here you'll be better informed.
"...they [Republican candidates] all have LIFE-TIME HEALTH CARE AND LIFE-TIME RETIREMENT." - teamster
teamster,
Do you feel they should not have this? Or do you wish you did? Your comment demonstrates the very class envy that is being complained about.
As for the greed you always talk about, can you name an instance where your union local (what local *do* you belong to?) has not asked for more or better benefits? If it's greed for an employer to try to have a better bottom line, then it is greed for a union to continually ask for more, as well.
And keep in mind, it was NAFTA, signed by President Clinton, that really opened the door for companies to bring in sub-assemblies from Mexico that were actually produced in China without facing tariffs. Further, it was Clinton who sponsored China for full membership in the WTO and accorded them "most favored nation" trading status.
There is plenty of blame to go around without regard to party affiliation on that.
teamster,
No, I am not comparing rich people to union workers. But I think it is safe to say that most people, including union workers, want to be rich so they can have the same things.
If you don't believe me, just look at all the lottery tickets sold.
teamster,
To answer your question, if Romney is the nominee I will most likely vote "None of the above" like I did in 2008. If Santorum is the nominee I will probably vote for Obama because Santorum can't separate his religion from his politics. He is far too dangerous.
I would vote for Ron Paul if he got the nomination, but we know that won't happen.
Newt, who?
teamster,
Even if I agreed with you that Republicans offered nothing, I would have to say that Democrats generally want to take whatever I *do* have.
teamster,
My family, in the broadest sense, already *does* take care of each other when we need to as much as we are able to. Aunts, Uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, whoever. I agree with that philosophy. Ron Paul is right in that regard.
Of course we use whatever other resources are available that we have paid for with our taxes if we need to. But every one of us believes in using family first before going anywhere else. And I assure you, all of us have taken a turn in helping someone else out in the family at one time or another. Just like all of us have had to call upon family for help at one time or another.
botx; good for you. family is the best move, especially that chicken soup.
Comparing domestic policies, Nixon is actually to the left of Obama. He organized and formed the OSHA, EPA, the Clean Air Act of 1970, recognized and supported the Equal Rights Amendment, and Wage and Price controls in 1970.
"Obama's socialist doctrine" is spoken by a person who doesn't read history and cannot explain what he means. This country has so many fools that blither away with nonsense that it is ripe for destruction.
Police, Fire and Military are ALL aspects of socialism. A 'privatized' Police force is a joke. Privatized Fire Dept never got to the fire if there wasn't enough money to put out the flames. Does anyone want Executives managing nuclear weapons for profit?
There are at least 10,000 variations of socialism, just like there are 10,000 variations of the Christian Religion in America. To call someone a 'socialist' describes the describer's attitude and not the person they are talking about. To call someone a 'Christian' describes a person who is allowed to make up the Universe in any manner they desire, and demand holidays and tax breaks for the hallucinations.
Does anyone want a wealthy executive in charge of their retirement for profit? Such a laugh.
rosie; how much did you say your house is worth?
I had an experience with a privatized (read non-socialist/ pro-profit) policeman.
I sued a fella and won my case in District Court as usual. I even got my money. Then the guy towed my car. (He happens to be in the repo business.)
His contract with my friends' condo ass'n specifies that he can tow cars parked on the sidewalk, but has to take a picture to prove the vehicle was parked wrong.
There is no sign. I parked slightly on the curb, and bango, he towed my car. $275 out the window!
And some vengeance gained!
Anybody want that kind of justice system? lol
Most reputable EAs are too busy to post these days, rosie.
"Police, Fire and Military are ALL aspects of socialism."
These are services, no open market competition for product & services. Additionally, government makes the decisions. Nice try Jon.