The Rich Can't Be Trusted With Money

ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/10/elections-rich-trusted-money-161016054546719.html

US elections: The rich can't be trusted with money
The more they have, the more they screw up

Also known as why I'm a leftist;

Classism is rampant in our nation today.

The more income inequality, the more wealth inequality. We have an amazing concentration of both underway in our country today.

The more wealth inequality, the more we have de facto aristocracy, complete with features of legal double standards for them vs common folk and capture of the political process as well as the engines of industry, finance and economy.

When this country raises taxes on the rich, we do better as a nation and achieve great things.

We will fail to do so as long as we let the rich run our futures like their own personal slot machines.
 
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ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Nugachino said:
And the fickle can't be trusted with power.
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While true and a valid point in light of current events, is it a trait that correlates with class or status? I honestly don't think so. I think everyone has their reasons that look plenty logical when viewed from their perspective.

Or to put it another way, the feckless and stupid are plentiful and ubiquitous, regardless of wealth. Rich morons remain far more dangerous than the rest.
 
Nugachino

Nugachino

Well-Known Member
And that there is the problem. Too many rich twats with power they don't fully comprehend. Or if they do. Then they are selfish and nihilstic. And do that which benefits only them and their kind.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Nugachino said:
And that there is the problem. Too many rich twats with power they don't fully comprehend. Or if they do. Then they are selfish and nihilstic. And do that which benefits only them and their kind.
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A reasonably accurate assessment of the facts, I'd agree.

I see the solution as a massive tax hike, very progressive. Top tier of at least 50%. In addition, phasing out or capping deductions as levels rise. I think America needs to get out of the business of subsidizing millionaires.

Example: Who are these assholes to ask for million dollar mortgage tax deductions on their mansions? Maybe we only provide a mortgage deduction for the first $500k of primary residential value.

Inheritance taxes; no trusts, no loopholes; when you die, 50% goes back to the country that made your fat lifestyle possible above a minimum $5 mil.

Corporations can damn well pay their fair share, in the form of capital gains, closing loopholes, ending tax deductions for political meddling by OUTLAWING THE PRACTICE.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
And the first place to spend all that money?

THE POOR.

We treat our economically disadvantaged like dogshit on bare feet in this country. Often, they are that way because of circumstances or health issues they have no control over. That we throw people away with such callous disregard in this country is despicable and stands in judgement of all those fabulous Ferraris driving to ever more extravagant coke and glam parties.

Feed, treat and house the old, the mentally ill, the infirm. Enact and enforce protections for those who are struggling, and fucking well make sure a day's pay and a month's wages can cover the bills.

Give average Americans the money instead of the Paris Gluttons of the world and watch the economy explode!
 
Nugachino

Nugachino

Well-Known Member
Not only are we treated like utter shite. But, if we subsidise our income by any means they don't condone. Then we're also given the boot up the arse. And thrown in the slammer.

Basically the rich are the only ones allowed to have good lives. And fuck you lot. Stay in your holes. Like we command.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Nugachino said:
Not only are we treated like utter shite. But, if we subsidise our income by any means they don't condone. Then we're also given the boot up the arse. And thrown in the slammer.

Basically the rich are the only ones allowed to have good lives. And fuck you lot. Stay in your holes. Like we command.
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I refuse to let my wallet dictate my quality of life, as that's one of the least meaningful measures I can think of.

That said, the system is rather stacked against us average folks. The gleam of the land of opportunity has become the glint of fool's gold. Rates of upward mobility are stunted here in the States compared to other developed countries.

The middle class hasn't gotten a raise for the entire Obama administration, not that he didn't try. He was too busy fighting off both a major economic depression AND a republican congress openly determined to make him a failure.

We the Middle Class demand our prosperity back. It's been stolen from us by the oligarchs and their politician pawns and they're making a mess of things. Impoverishing us is bad enough, but now they're doing it to our kids yet unborn!

No, the rich definitely can't be trusted with such money and power. They'll destroy us all.
 
SneekyNinja

SneekyNinja

Well-Known Member
Nugachino said:
Not only are we treated like utter shite. But, if we subsidise our income by any means they don't condone. Then we're also given the boot up the arse. And thrown in the slammer.

Basically the rich are the only ones allowed to have good lives. And fuck you lot. Stay in your holes. Like we command.
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Or you could...get rich yourself?

I agree with most of what OP said, with the caveat that not all rich people are assholes.
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
SneekyNinja said:
Or you could...get rich yourself?

I agree with most of what OP said, with the caveat that not all rich people are assholes.
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The 'get rich yourself' mantra is always the carrot, but the math doesn't work; that's what I mean when I say that upward mobility is substantially less likely here than other developed countries.

I'd even venture to say that most rich people aren't assholes, yet the few who are can do a lot of damage. Plus, there's the whole Tragedy of the Commons thing where their self interest runs counter to the needs of the community or country as a whole.
 
SneekyNinja

SneekyNinja

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
The 'get rich yourself' mantra is always the carrot, but the math doesn't work; that's what I mean when I say that upward mobility is substantially less likely here than other developed countries.

I'd even venture to say that most rich people aren't assholes, yet the few who are can do a lot of damage. Plus, there's the whole Tragedy of the Commons thing where their self interest runs counter to the needs of the community or country as a whole.
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Yet you propose punitive measures for everyone based on bank balance.

Personally I'd create incentives, like huge tax cuts for SME's if they can demonstrate that the extra rebate will go towards more staff/better staff pay.

Let's not rob them but let's kick into a "forced trickle down" ;)
 
SneekyNinja

SneekyNinja

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
A reasonably accurate assessment of the facts, I'd agree.

I see the solution as a massive tax hike, very progressive. Top tier of at least 50%. In addition, phasing out or capping deductions as levels rise. I think America needs to get out of the business of subsidizing millionaires.

Example: Who are these assholes to ask for million dollar mortgage tax deductions on their mansions? Maybe we only provide a mortgage deduction for the first $500k of primary residential value.

Inheritance taxes; no trusts, no loopholes; when you die, 50% goes back to the country that made your fat lifestyle possible above a minimum $5 mil.

Corporations can damn well pay their fair share, in the form of capital gains, closing loopholes, ending tax deductions for political meddling by OUTLAWING THE PRACTICE.
Click to expand...
Damn, I can't really disagree with any of that...

It's an almost...centrist position!

Wtf happened?
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
SneekyNinja said:
Yet you propose punitive measures for everyone based on bank balance.

Personally I'd create incentives, like huge tax cuts for SME's if they can demonstrate that the extra rebate will go towards more staff/better staff pay.

Let's not rob them but let's kick into a "forced trickle down" ;)
Click to expand...
That's what these things called taxes are for, bro.
 
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