Originally posted by: blackangst1
Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
I wonder if these same people who argue that illegals take up everyone's social services even realize that at worst they comprise 4-5% of the US population, meaning everything else equal they literally couldn't physically have much of an impact on social service uses (which I agree, is unfair). And that, additionally, they commit crimes at a lower rate than legal American citizens.
But I guess if you're that far gone from reality, statistics don't really matter.
Link?
http://www.azstarnet.com/news/171109
http://www.ocregister.com/ocre...al/article_1592092.php
http://www.topix.com/forum/state/ca/TEQQK34APT5OULCUD
I don't see how they could have a lower rate when every single one of them broke the law. 100% rate for illegals is less than legals? Hmm....
QFMFT. Just because you dont think the law is fair doesnt mean it's invalid. Our own government is ignoring this law, but again it doesnt mean its invalid.
Originally posted by: Rainsford
What exactly do you think government IS?
It's people banding together to form something greater than themselves. The appearance of a faceless state and anonymous bureaucrats comes from the sheer size and complexity of this "banding together" because of the large number of people involved. "Government" is simply people banding together writ large. Society has tried doing in on a small scale for thousands of years before the modern day form of government, and it generally did not work very well, and gave rise to exactly the sort of "roving bandits" I'd be concerned about in your anarchist paradise.
Everyone likes to treat the government as something separate from society, but it's not...it is simply how a large, cohesive society works. You simply can't have a stable society on a large scale without a way to settle disputes and provide for common needs. Do you think its a coincidence that the advancement of society in terms of art, science and technology coincided very closely with large, stable nations? Your fantasy of everyone for himself was tried for thousands of years, during which time we advanced hardly at all...sometimes going backwards for centuries at a time. People may generally be decent, but history has shown that human attitudes do not scale well to a society at large.
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Originally posted by: hellokeith
This has been bothering me for a while, and I still can't figure out the thought process.
1. Person works hard, plays by the rules, and makes money.
2. Person does not work hard and makes excuses, blames others, waits for handouts.
3. Socialist takes money from #1 and gives to #2, in exchange for continued political/economic power.
How is this not agreed upon by a concensus as ethically wrong? Even illegal?
I think it would be helpful in your quest to come to a better understanding (hah!) if you dispensed with that ridiculous conservative myth of the self-made man. If you look at demographics, they don't change very much from generation to generation. Most middle and upper class people were born into that, they had a HUGE advantage to begin with. And most people not doing so great were born into that kind of situation too. This theory that everyone starts out equal and only the people in #1 do well is pretty appealing to a lot of people, but it's bullshit. That isn't to say that there aren't exceptions, but they are very much not the rule.
Now the rest of what you said is also hip-deep bullshit...but let's start with what I just said. Your characterization of the "two groups" is silly ego-stroking. Which is great, but not real helpful.
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Originally posted by: Rainsford
What exactly do you think government IS?
Government is a state of mind where people change their behavior based on outcomes in rituals such as voting and elections.
It's people banding together to form something greater than themselves. The appearance of a faceless state and anonymous bureaucrats comes from the sheer size and complexity of this "banding together" because of the large number of people involved. "Government" is simply people banding together writ large. Society has tried doing in on a small scale for thousands of years before the modern day form of government, and it generally did not work very well, and gave rise to exactly the sort of "roving bandits" I'd be concerned about in your anarchist paradise.
It's not people banding together at all. It is people trying to steal from one another. The whole idea of government, as a state of mind, is that once certain formalities have been taken care of via voting, elections and passage of 'laws' that one is obligated to modify one's behavior in order to act in accordance with those 'laws.' All I'm saying is that this is nonesense. People should do what they think is right when they want to do it. If there is some 'law' stopping them, they certainly should not have to wait for some stupid political 'reforms.' Personally, I break the law all the time, and many other people I know do as well. It actually feels good to break the law. I know exactly what I am doing, and I don't give a flying hoot whether or not 'society' approves or what the politicians think.
The idea that there would be roving bandits in this society if it didn't have political systems is quite hilarious. In fact, I think I saw some potential roving bandits today on the way to the laundromat, and some more on the way to the grocery store...time to get paranoid!
Everyone likes to treat the government as something separate from society, but it's not...it is simply how a large, cohesive society works. You simply can't have a stable society on a large scale without a way to settle disputes and provide for common needs. Do you think its a coincidence that the advancement of society in terms of art, science and technology coincided very closely with large, stable nations? Your fantasy of everyone for himself was tried for thousands of years, during which time we advanced hardly at all...sometimes going backwards for centuries at a time. People may generally be decent, but history has shown that human attitudes do not scale well to a society at large.
I don't think of the government as something separate from society at all. I think it is a cancerous mental condition that has been plaguing people for far too long. With all the opportunities modern technologies have given us, politics is a huge waste of time and money. But now it has gotten to the point that people are literally having to support the state before their own children.
Furthermore, what I can't understand is how parents can actually sit there and have a random 'social security' number issued to their child right after they are born. A random number used by the government, the banks and the credit bureaus to track them and tax them, from the cradle to the grave. Personally, I could never have this happen to my own children. That's why I am going to leave the country. Shortly after I leave I will be setting up a site and a blog for other young professionals, with information on how they can also go expatriate. I plan on having a dolar meter on my site showing the approximate number of tax dollars that have left the U.S. for good due to visitors to my site leaving the country. My first goal is to get enough people to go expatriate to remove $1 million from the tax system, and after that the sky is the limit.
This so-called 'representative democracy' is completely unsustainable anyways. The entitlement train has left the station and it is never coming back. The federal government is already technically bankrupt, and the level of personal debt has spiralled out of control. People now are locked in a vice. The one half of the vice is taxes and the other half of the vice is debt. When someone is in big debt, the high tax rates make it extremely difficult(if not impossible) to get out of that debt, because they can only pay it down with post-tax dollars. With tax rates as high as they are now, they are only left with 50% of their gross income. With that half of their income they have to pay the mortgages, their bills and for their kids. So it is unlikely that there will be any left over to pay down their debt.
And what does the state do if someone goes belly up and bankrupt? They go after them for taxes they 'owe' on debt that they had to default on!
Originally posted by: Siddhartha
I have and a lot of people have benefitted from public schools, municipal water, city and state police, and other government services.
I went to publc schools and a state university. The education I received has help me get a decent paying job and provided other opportunities. I see the benefit to me that everyone gets the best education possible. I am willing to pay the taxes to support this.
I have stopped trying to convince people about the benefits and value of these systems. I have found that anti-socialist, small government advocates, "I only will support government if it benefits me, my family, friends, and people who look like me" just do not get it. Either you understand or you don't.
Originally posted by: CADsortaGUY
Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: Evan Lieb
I wonder if these same people who argue that illegals take up everyone's social services even realize that at worst they comprise 4-5% of the US population, meaning everything else equal they literally couldn't physically have much of an impact on social service uses (which I agree, is unfair). And that, additionally, they commit crimes at a lower rate than legal American citizens.
But I guess if you're that far gone from reality, statistics don't really matter.
Link?
http://www.azstarnet.com/news/171109
http://www.ocregister.com/ocre...al/article_1592092.php
http://www.topix.com/forum/state/ca/TEQQK34APT5OULCUD
I don't see how they could have a lower rate when every single one of them broke the law. 100% rate for illegals is less than legals? Hmm....
Originally posted by: Rainsford
So you have no argument, right? Actually, you sort of do...just for the wrong side. Obviously violating the law ISN'T violating the law, so that 100% law breaking rate for illegals isn't really relevant any more than the 100% law breaking rate for legal citizens should be part of the argument. The real issue is the IMPACT of breaking the law...which I don't believe you've made even the slightest attempt to argue. I'll submit that entering a country illegally is "worse" than speeding (although I've never almost been killed by an illegal alien), but there are also a lot of crimes much worse than illegal entry.
Rainsford B!tchslapped But it will be interesting to see his response.Originally posted by: Jamie571
Originally posted by: Rainsford
Originally posted by: hellokeith
This has been bothering me for a while, and I still can't figure out the thought process.
1. Person works hard, plays by the rules, and makes money.
2. Person does not work hard and makes excuses, blames others, waits for handouts.
3. Socialist takes money from #1 and gives to #2, in exchange for continued political/economic power.
How is this not agreed upon by a concensus as ethically wrong? Even illegal?
I think it would be helpful in your quest to come to a better understanding (hah!) if you dispensed with that ridiculous conservative myth of the self-made man. If you look at demographics, they don't change very much from generation to generation. Most middle and upper class people were born into that, they had a HUGE advantage to begin with. And most people not doing so great were born into that kind of situation too. This theory that everyone starts out equal and only the people in #1 do well is pretty appealing to a lot of people, but it's bullshit. That isn't to say that there aren't exceptions, but they are very much not the rule.
Now the rest of what you said is also hip-deep bullshit...but let's start with what I just said. Your characterization of the "two groups" is silly ego-stroking. Which is great, but not real helpful.
Rainsford is 100% wrong on this.
Here are the facts about millionairs in the United States:
* About 80 percent are first-generation rich, comming from a modest or poor background.
* Only 19 percent receive any income or wealth of any kind from a trust fund or an estate.
* Fewer than 20 percent inherited 10 percent or more of their wealth.
* More than half never received as much as $1 in inheritance.
* Fewer than 25 percent ever received "an act of kindness" of $10,000 or more from their parents, grandparents, or other relatives.
* Ninety-one percent never received, as a gift, as much as $1 of the ownership of a family business.
* Nearly half never received any college tuition from their parents or other relatives.
* Fewer than 10 percent believe they will ever receive an inheritance in the future.
I have researched this topic to death in my early twenties and today I'm 3/4 of the way to becoming a millionaire (currently 34). BTW I came from a family of 5 living well below the poverty level.
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
Originally posted by: ayabe
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
The ultra rich already utilize every off shore tax haven in the book, you act like moving to the Cayman Islands would be providing them with some advantage they don't already have.
It's also an extreme myth that anyone can be rich in America. Not everyone can be rich, there would be noone to clean the toilets.
As for the rest you can shelve your Ayn Rand'ian philosophies, the rich are not Atlas and noone cares if they shrug. It's the working people who make the world go 'round. Push them hard enough and society comes to a halt.
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
Like I said, the wealthy really don't care as much as you do. If they decided to screw America, then believe me America can screw back. Now there is an income tax. Would you like a wealth tax? How about a law that US companies must have US citizens as executives?
Also you have this strange impression that only the current rich are capable. You don't seem to understand that money is also a matter of luck and connections. For every position even at the highest level, there will always be someone that can fill their place just as well. It isn't the perfect darwinism you would like to have us belive.
Lastly, it's never going to be an issue. The percentage of total wealth held by the richest 1% was last equaled before income tax came to be. The rich aren't as dumb as you make out. The people that generally whine are those who aren't even really wealthy.
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
Like I said, the wealthy really don't care as much as you do. If they decided to screw America, then believe me America can screw back. Now there is an income tax. Would you like a wealth tax? How about a law that US companies must have US citizens as executives?
Also you have this strange impression that only the current rich are capable. You don't seem to understand that money is also a matter of luck and connections. For every position even at the highest level, there will always be someone that can fill their place just as well. It isn't the perfect darwinism you would like to have us belive.
Lastly, it's never going to be an issue. The percentage of total wealth held by the richest 1% was last equaled before income tax came to be. The rich aren't as dumb as you make out. The people that generally whine are those who aren't even really wealthy.
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
Like I said, the wealthy really don't care as much as you do. If they decided to screw America, then believe me America can screw back. Now there is an income tax. Would you like a wealth tax? How about a law that US companies must have US citizens as executives?
Also you have this strange impression that only the current rich are capable. You don't seem to understand that money is also a matter of luck and connections. For every position even at the highest level, there will always be someone that can fill their place just as well. It isn't the perfect darwinism you would like to have us belive.
Lastly, it's never going to be an issue. The percentage of total wealth held by the richest 1% was last equaled before income tax came to be. The rich aren't as dumb as you make out. The people that generally whine are those who aren't even really wealthy.
Those of us who aren't really wealthy but still complain have a reason: We get the short end of the stick. As a single, multiple home owner making barely in the 6 figures, I pay a ridiculous amount of taxes. And while the truly wealthy have an array of methods to shield themselves from your socialist wet dreams, people like me have precious few protections.
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
Like I said, the wealthy really don't care as much as you do. If they decided to screw America, then believe me America can screw back. Now there is an income tax. Would you like a wealth tax? How about a law that US companies must have US citizens as executives?
Also you have this strange impression that only the current rich are capable. You don't seem to understand that money is also a matter of luck and connections. For every position even at the highest level, there will always be someone that can fill their place just as well. It isn't the perfect darwinism you would like to have us belive.
Lastly, it's never going to be an issue. The percentage of total wealth held by the richest 1% was last equaled before income tax came to be. The rich aren't as dumb as you make out. The people that generally whine are those who aren't even really wealthy.
Those of us who aren't really wealthy but still complain have a reason: We get the short end of the stick. As a single, multiple home owner making barely in the 6 figures, I pay a ridiculous amount of taxes. And while the truly wealthy have an array of methods to shield themselves from your socialist wet dreams, people like me have precious few protections.
Originally posted by: jhbball
Maybe you should take a hint from the OP, and just work harder. I mean, that's all it takes right to accumulate an infinite amount of wealth right? If you just worked harder, you could find your way into all of those tax shelters too.
Originally posted by: Dissipate
The rich are not the only ones affected by socialisim. Anyone who makes above average income is literally raped on taxes, unless they have a disproportionate number of children. How do these conversations devolve into the rich vs. poor? Let's start talking about the middle class or ANYONE making $50,000+ a year. Personally, I gross $52,000 a year or $1,000 a week. The government is currently taking $421 out of my paychecks, including federal witholding, state witholding, FICA, disability and medicare.
That is money I could be using to save to eventually get a home and raise a family. But nope, I make more than the average f*ck up working at McDonald's, so I have to wait years and years extra just to own a home or even have anything for future children and their education.
The current system doesn't just affect rich people, it affects young people trying to pay for their OWN FAMILIES!
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: ayabe
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
Originally posted by: Nebor
If you continue to tax and take from the wealthier people, they will continue to keep their wealth out of the country or even become expatriates. THen those people who are already paying a majority of the taxes will be paying little or none, and your whole system will go belly up when the socialist leeches can't find anyone to latch onto. Then the politicians who caused it all will be the target.
Yes, they can either go to a country that may tax them at a higher rate, or to some third world country.
When they leave, someone else will step up and fill their shoes. The rich aren't gods.
Don't let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.
Are you really so naive as to think those are the only options? Luxenbourg, Monaco, Bahamas, the Isle of Man, and the Cayman Islands are all perfectly liveable, first world countries with little or no taxes at all.
You're living in a dream world and failing to recognize basic economics by believing that "someone else will step up and fill their shoes." People are rational: they act in their own self interest. People will see that if they make more than XXX,XXX dollars, then it is beneficial for them to go to some other place.
And that's not even addressing the fact that when all the wealthy, hard working people leave, the only people left will be those whining leeches who advocated socialism to begin with, and they sure as hell aren't going to "step up" and work hard to become wealthy, especially with NO incentive.
The ultra rich already utilize every off shore tax haven in the book, you act like moving to the Cayman Islands would be providing them with some advantage they don't already have.
It's also an extreme myth that anyone can be rich in America. Not everyone can be rich, there would be noone to clean the toilets.
As for the rest you can shelve your Ayn Rand'ian philosophies, the rich are not Atlas and noone cares if they shrug. It's the working people who make the world go 'round. Push them hard enough and society comes to a halt.
No, not everyone can be rich, but there is a clear correlation between increasing tax rates and decreasing entrepreneurship (Government Economics.)
And the rich WILL flee a high taxation area. And your idea that the rich aren't paying taxes simply doesn't pan out. They pay a majority of taxes. And if you push them hard enough, all the working people get hurt.
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
If all that doesn't make sense, then consider that America is righteous, and that the majority of Americans don't reside in the upper strata. The majority has the right to do as we see fit.
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
If all that doesn't make sense, then consider that America is righteous, and that the majority of Americans don't reside in the upper strata. The majority has the right to do as we see fit.
The constitution says that the minority has rights that cannot be violated by the majority. The rich are protected. And if push comes to shove, they'll protect themselves.