It's all a dance, really. A Democratic president summons the gumption to call for higher taxes on the rich and Republicans cry like third graders having their ice cream taken away and given to the neighbor's dog. Invoking the hoariest of chestnuts; that oldie but goodie; as predictable as mushy green grapes in a fruit salad: The Class War Boogie.
For some reason, it's always a war with these guys. The War on Christmas. Culture Wars. War on Terror. The Crusades. Then they accuse Democrats of being emotionally unequipped for battle. Well, which is it? You can't have it both ways. Actually, you can. It just makes choosing which one to cruelly abandon to the wolves of winter that much more difficult. Or not.
When taxes are raised on the rich, that's class warfare, but when subsidies are handed out to giant corporations who siphon jobs offshore so that rich people can have more money, that's Trickle-Down Economics. What Barack should do is rename his efforts to balance the playing field, "Trickle- Up Economics." That would at least confuse them. Although after watching the last couple of debates, confusion does not seem to be in short supply.
We're not even allowed to call them rich anymore. They're "job creators" now. And yes, jobs are being created. In Mexico. And Vietnam. And China. The American Dream is alive and well, just not here. It's our own damn fault, really. American workers have ruined everything with their irrational demands for safe working conditions and a living wage. Who do we think we are? Stockholders?
Republicans have been as strident as a looped siren in a stainless steel silo in their opposition to a specific Obama proposal called the Buffett Rule, which calls for billionaires like Warren Buffett to pay the same tax rate as their secretaries. The GOP prefers the Jimmy Buffett Rule, which postulates that anybody worried about next month's rent money- start drinking Margaritas until they pass out.
You know what, they're right. It is a class war. The rich started it and their side is winning. They've bombed the middle class into submission burying jobs and pensions, playing chicken at the precipice with default to protect their precious aristocracy from paying one puny penny more in taxes. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap.
40% of all income gains in the last decade have trickled up to the wealthiest 1%. The richest 400 families in this country control more money than the bottom 150 million people put together. We're moving from Depression levels of income inequality into French Revolution territory. Isn't that Madame LaFarge over there in the corner knitting?
What is it with the rich? How much money do they need? How many cars can one person drive? How many beluga caviar cream cheese canapés can they consume at a single cocktail party? How many silk pajamas with platinum threads can you spill your Dom Perignon White Gold Mimosa on at a time? Okay, three. That's what Hilda is for. One of the things.
And these are the people complaining about a class war? You want rules, how bout the Rolex Tourbillon Rule? Mandating that any job creator wearing a watch worth more than a house who ever mentions class warfare, gets a hose shoved down his throat and goose liver pumped in until pate leaks from their ears. Less war-like. More food-fighty.
The New York Times says Emmy-nominated comedian and writer Will Durst "is quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today." Check out the website: willdurst.com to find out more about upcoming stand- up performances or to buy his book, "The All American Sport of Bipartisan Bashing."
Follow Will Durst on Twitter: www.twitter.com/willdurst
Rabbi Samuel April: Class Warfare?: No Class, No War, No Fair
Don't know whether to laugh or cry.
As Benjamin DeCasseres wrote, "Progress is nothing but the victory of laughter over dogma."
Maybe we can think twice when hearing their schtick & then ... just ... laugh.
Answer: It's all they have got!
If they can not get the focus off of the economic fiasco wrought by this administrations misguided policies. Off of their blatant Crony Capitalist scandals and their inability to come up with one real fresh idea that does not involve "hating" "taxing " "demonizing" or "demagogiing" the evil rich while attempting to confuse small business people who show income of over $200K with billionaires that take tens of millions thru Capital Gains!
The Parade can not stop. Rain, shine, failure or not! Still the disingenuous Mr. Durst is coming up with is not stirring nor is it catchy. It is stale, off tempo and comical. Sadly, many corporations will likely wilt and fade away due to the economic realities of today. Mainly because no one is buying the hate, lies and distortions now matter how loud or melodic they are sung!!!!
If taxes go up on the rich, they'll handle this with aplomb: cut their company income and plow that money back into the company instead. They won't end up losing a dime, and the company will probably do better than ever, because they didn't siphon as much off in income.
The rich might actually end up HELPING our economy in the long run if they had higher taxes.
Isn't that nicely ironic?
http://acivilamericandebate.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/the-30-year-growth-of-income-inequality/
The real class warfare story is the job proposal to allow the unemployed to work for free to give the employer the opportunity to test the worker out.
Lets assume that you are working for this employer making $10 an hour. The employer bring on several unemployed workers on for free.
What just happen to the value of your labor? It is not $10 anymore and hopefully not $0.
What makes you think a complete stranger should pay for ANYTHING you get?
The use of tax receipts should be limited to ONLY those things that benefit society. Items like hair extensions, "nail art" and chrome wheels on your truck do not qualify as a societal gain.