[ and too many of them lose sight of values outside of their reality, they cause a worsening of conditions for the majority of their subjectsThats what we are experiencing now, just as we did in 1929, and its happening in various European countries. East Germany has already been through this, having crashed their economy and been forced to adopt reforms because the privileged classes usurped so much wealth and opportunity that they drove the workforce base into utter despair. Our economy has been drained, and it cannot become vigorous again without the kind of support that fueled it in past good times, support that came from those who benefited most from a flourishing system. This is not rocket science: we know that higher taxes on the upper crust fosters more capital investment, less speculation, and less rent-seeking. We know that diversion of resources into infrastructure and education boosts employment and economic growth, that 70% of the economy is based on consumer spending, that demand encourages capital growth, and that capital growth provides jobs . The opposing diehards include one who found a professor claiming that the present tax rates on the rich are above and beyond the point of benefit and actually in the detraction zone. Grover Norquist has obtained pledges from the bulk of congressmen not to raise taxes. We have major candidates who claim that the lowering of tax rates will free up money that will be used for hiring and getting the economy growing again, when we know from history that the opposite occurs after a short-term spurt. We have increasingly profitable corporations and wealthy individuals hoarding over 21 trillion dollars offshore while we borrow money for wars that provide lucrative profits for those in the military-industrial business. Despite the proven track record of failure from relying heavily on austerity measures, it is the sole remedy offered by some major candidates, sometimes accompanied by the argument that taxes should not be raised until after the economy improves. However, a strong economy will reduce the need for welfare and thus reduce the need for spending cuts. In contrast to the opposing diehards we have Patriotic Millionaires and Wealth for Common Good (the 1% for an economy that works for everyone), who say: MILION DOLLAR FACTS Only 375,000 Americans have incomes of over $1,000,000 Between 1979 and 2007, incomes for the wealthiest 1% of Americans rose by 281% During the Great Depression, millionaires had a top marginal tax rate of 68% In 1963, millionaires had a top marginal tax rate of 91% In 1976, millionaires had a top marginal tax rate of 70% Today, millionaires have a top marginal tax rate of 35% Reducing the income tax on top earners is one of the most inefficient ways to grow the economy according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. 44% of Congress people are millionaires. The tax cuts were never meant to be permanent. Letting tax cuts for the top 2% expire as scheduled would pay down the debt by $700 billion over the next 10 years. One of the two contrasting mindsets is clearly more credible than the other. There are many popular politicians who want to take back our country, but many voters know that most politicians do not have the peoples best interests in mind. Some other politicians are more sympathetic but are owned by Wall Street and other special interests, whereby they are not allowed to serve the best interests of the majority. All of them can be replaced.
What power and control do the rich have? The people with the power and control in this countrya re government bureaucrats who are all but unassailable.
How did you make the thread title so big and bold? it's blocking my whole screen, I can't even see other threads now
Bureaucrats are only given free roam while they more or less follow the interests of the rich. When a genuine leftist leader comes along they have no problem using their influence (in alliance with the military) to overthrow the government and install a dictator. There's no reason whatsoever that these scumbags won't pull another Chile on us.
http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power http://www2.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/class_domination.html A small sample: Members of the upper class use their high-level employees in various institutions to help them dominate the federal government in Washington. The rich and the corporate leaders claim to be relatively powerless. Working people in the USA have less power than in many other democratic countries.
My apology for the oversized title. It didn't look like that when I did the preview. I was trying to increase the weak font of the title. The editing process prior to posting is not so user-friendly. The logical choices, bold and size 2 apparently aren't a good combination. Maybe I can get one of the moderators adjust the title of the OP.
