This is my first post, so +1 Sir, everyone should pay the same percentage of their income in taxes. One thing that must be mentioned is that in the US, at least currently, one can have hope to pull themselves out of poverty, regardless of your station in life when born. Socialist countries you cannot. You are poor, you and your children will remain poor, no matter how successful you are. Those in Ghettos will always hate the wealthy, no matter who they are composed of, racially/ethnically. But ask them, do they want to remain poor or would they rather be wealthy? Individuals can pull themselves up, but with the Government wanting to, and looks to be succeeding, spreading the wealth, it only goes downward. The truly poor, who also make up those who don't work, receive the most. But strip me and others who do work of our savings, what do they really receive? The middle class isn't that rich. The truly wealthy remain so, the middle class disappears and now the vast majority are poor and without hope. Heck read what Karl Marx stated on what must happen before Communism can succeed. Middle class has got to go, the people must be made to realize the state is the provider of all, even if forced to do so. No nation has succeeded with socialism, except spreading destitution, poverty, and hopelessness. This is the same reason I believe in the right to keep and especially bear firearms. The Liberal believes that if all guns are outlawed everyone will be safe, same as if everyone has the same amount of money there will be no envy or strife. I on the other hand believe that if I have a firearm I can have the hope to protect my family and myself without relying on the state, same as I believe that even if I was born and raised in poverty, I can have the hope to one day be successful. Might not succeed but at least I had not only the hope but the chance to be successful. Or, if not me my children. I look at all the backgrounds of most Liberals and they come from wealth, never have had to struggle and believe the world is only waiting for them to take over and ensure those who were not born with a silver spoon are given that spoon from someone else. But, you know I notice they are not giving up their spoons. Have an area on the Tax Form where if you want you can give more of your income in taxes. Then we can see who walks the talk. Rome gave the masses bread, no matter if they worked or not. Something about giving people something without them having to work for it. They demand more and feel slighted when it is not provided. Nations who only remain in power by giving to those who don't have and now who will not work, fall.
I don't wish to be rude but you are talking out of your rear-end here. Lets just say that its obvious you have never lived abroad. I am an American have been living in France over a decade and I spend long periods of my time in other countries conducting business. I can tell you for a fact how much you are wrong from just about point A to point Z.
Socialism doesn't work? The Europeans would strongly disagree with you. I really wish people would try spending a few years living and working outside the USA before making such ignorant statements based on what other people have told them, not from what they have actually experienced. If socialism is really to blame for all economic woes, the perhaps you can explain why it was Capitalism that brought down the world economy last year? What about the Great Depression. So far Capitalism track record is not so hot. I can tell you for a fact, nobody is lining up to copy the US economic system.
All Liberals came from wealth? Obviously you have never met any. I lean liberal, I am from NYC, some liberals are wealthy, MOST are not. If most liberals came from money do you honestly think they'd care what you do? Personally, I would stay in my enclosed gated community sit back, and watch the conservatives screw over the country with another President Bush or a Palin. The reason I do care is that whenever the conservatives touch the economy they almost always make my situation worse. Want proof: When was the last time a GOP president presented a balanced Budget?
How would you like it if I said all conservatives are uneducated racist ignorant rednecks that date their sister. Are you going accept this as truth too?
All poor people are lazy, don't want to work. Again completely ignorant on the facts. Most poor people on welfare HAVE jobs. Some of them have 3 jobs seven days a week and are still poor. If you think welfare caters to the lazy you have never experienced it, there are easier ways to make money. And speaking about people not having jobs. The Teabaggers, do they have jobs? It sure doesn't seem so because they always seem to be spending their time at protests rather than being at work. For people who accuse other people of not working for a living, they might want to look in the mirror.
With all due respect, all you are doing is pushing ignorance and misinformed stereotypes as fact -sort of like what FOX NEWS does. Go see the world a bit then make your opinion.
George
You missed the point. Its not that there are tax cheats, is that there are a group of the wealthiest Americans who don't feel they have any obligation to pay, that taxes don't apply to them.
Its more about EGO than MONEY. They have the capacity to pay, they just don't feel that they should. I watched Warren Buffet (one of the few exceptions to the above rule) argue Against the Bush Tax Cuts in 2001, saying that for him he wouldn't need the taxcut because for him even staying at the higher rate he still would have more money than he knew what to do with.
Helmsey was stupid enough to get caught, but she was far from the only one. These people rack up huge legal bills and pay political homage NOT to pay taxes. These people feel themselves as America's new nobility and the idea that they should have to pay taxes like the peasantry is something their egos won't take. You are doing their work for them.
People in all classes don't repay student loans? No George. Rich people don't have student loans, thats why they are "rich"! When you make $500,000+ a year, 25K a year isnt much of a bite. And perhaps you are aware of it but there are consequences for not paying off student loans. Your credit is f***ed for life, you will have credit agencies up the rear end who will make your life miserable, and eventually you will get sued by the creditor. Thats why almost all people pay off their loans.
Its not class envy, its class warfare. When 5% of US wage earners control 70% of all wealth in America I'd say there is quite a lot to be angry for the Poor and Middle Class who are now struggling. This also answers your second question. Why dont poor feel sorry for rich people?
SORRY FOR WHAT? That they don't control 80% of US wealth? My heart bleeds. George I am neither greedy or egotistical. If I was in that 5% I would pay my 40% taxes and keep my mouth shut! I'm Middle Class, pay higher taxes than most Americans at the same income level and I am grateful for what I got. Thats exactly what the rich should think too.