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So what exactly are you getting at? That we should become a socialistic or communist country? This is exactly the direction that every great country in the past went and guess what happened? It went downhill fast. It does not work to re-distribute income in that way. What happens when you take away peoples dreams and tell them that no matter how hard they work you're going to take away any extra income they make and give it to everyone else. Its called taking away freedom. Taking away the American dream.
I am self employed and have been since I was 19. I make the average income buy I make it my goal everyday to become a better person personally AND financially. Have you ever met a highly successful person? They don't get there by being "lucky". The media portrays anyone who is successful as being greedy and selfish. I'm not talking about actors and signers who are in the spot light all the time. I'm talking about real down to earth people who have worked their BUTTs off to make a better life for themselves. They are amazing people who are kind, determined, and have an incredible amount of integrity. They give away thousands and thousands to people like you and me who need it. They're involved in as many charities and organizations as they can handle. They're are the real salt of the earth kind of people. Nobody knows it because as soon as they sense that someone has money they turn up their nose and call them "stupid rich people". You know its true. When you see someone in a luxury car what is the first thing that crosses your mind? I am guilty of it as well. We have no right to judge people by what they have or how much money they have. You have no idea how much work was involved in that. I highly suggest reading the book "The Millionaire Next Door". Its a book that has all the statistics of people that make over 1 million in the united states. The book will shock you. Online like 1 to 2% of the people that make over a million have flashy things. Most live in regular suburbs, drive regular cars, and live regular lives. They work and save their entire lives and just put the money aside for their retirement and their kids futures.
Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. I'm just so sick of people being so judgmental. I for one work hard everyday with the intention of being in that top 2% so that I can afford to truly help the people that need it. You and your attitude make your future and because we live in a free country you can make anything happen
I have nothing against rich people at all. If I was wealthy I would give away quite a lot too. I wouldn't need to have a plaque at every building I donated money to either. All I am saying is that I'm sick of hearing about all the jobs that the wealthy create.
To begin with most people in the 250k to 1 million range are employed and make a salary. They work very hard for their money, just like you and I do. Probably harder, because they would be doing paperwork today instead of wasting time on a computer. I also stated earlier that I feel everyone over 50k should pay an extra 3%. Not just those over 250k. What is the reasoning? It's not because they are rich. I sure don't consider myself to be rich. It's because they can afford to, where those under that amount can't.
When you read books like The Millionaire Next Door, try to remember the perspective it is written from. There are tons of people in the US that have a million dollars in assets. A lot of them earn less than 250k a year. They have accumulated their wealth by living in easily affordable houses and driving less expensive cars. They bank a lot of their money and live frugally. They are not in the upper 2%. That book was written to try to do the same thing as showing George Bush clearing brush at his ranch in Tx was meant to do. Make everyone think that wealthy people are just like you and I.
I used Eisenhower as an example because I'm getting sick of the "tax the people that create the jobs fallacy". 3% isn't going to kill anyone or stop people from creating jobs. It's just a right wing talking point to mislead the people who are suffering from job losses. The deficit is a very serious issue. It needs to be cut. Cutting benefits to those that need them is not a humane solution. Cutting defense spending and the cost of government and raising taxes is humane and is viable. I'll gladly pay an extra 3% to Uncle Sam to keep people in their homes and fed. Why is it such a leap for people that benefit greatly from their hard work and the opportunities provided by our country to help out a little more?
No, me and my attitude don't make my future. Try telling all the unemployed people out there that their attitude got them where they are. My attitude had a lot to do with where I am now. My place in life was determined in much different times. At this point I am just holding on tight and hoping for the best. Our politicians shape our future. They make the decisions that determine what businesses in this country will do.
Our country is part of the world. Our states are part of the country. We are part of our states. We are not all separate little islands. We are all in this together. Everyone has to do their part.
By the way. Last time I checked, most of the so called Socialist countries are doing quite a lot better than America is. We are going to learn quite a lot over the next 50 years.
I'm certainly not an advocate for the way our government runs things. 99.9% of the things they do are idiotic to me. I never said that people got to where they are because they have a bad attitude. Bad things happen to good people every day. I'm just saying that anyone that keeps having a positive attitude will get out of any sticky situation. I can personally testify to that. I've had my ups and downs but things always get better when I keep my attitude in check.
