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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JDN who wrote (125437)	2/5/2001 9:32:37 PM
From: ecommerceman	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 769670

JDN--I'm not sure I fully understand your point. The idea of the progressive income tax (and, let me tell you, it's not even CLOSE to being extremely progressive--a few decades ago the highest tax rate in America was 90%, now it's 39%) is that those that are doing well should have to pay taxes at a higher rate than those who are struggling. And, btw, we've never had a socialist government or anything even close to it in this country--if you want to see socialism, go to Europe, it ain't here. As for rich people not paying taxes, you're wrong. Rich people pay taxes at very high rates in this country--yes, they can set up foundations, etc., and lower their taxes some, but they pay taxes at much higher rates than most of us do. And, if they don't, then your GOP heroes in DC should DO something about it, right??? And, I think you meant "mediocrity" rather than "mediocracy".... :-) And, final point, Russia is hardly an example that I, or any self-respecting progressive, would use as an example of socialism. Try Sweden, if you'd like, but not Russia.... Dear ecommerceman: You are still not getting it, what the hell is it in DC that turns people in to beggars?? Taxes do MORE than raise money, they set POLICY. An EXTREMELY progressive income tax such as we currently have is designed SUPPOSEDLY to take from the rich and give to the poor. Sort of like an Equalizer. That is what the Socialist thinking people say. BUT, it is NOT TRUE. The rich, and I mean the RICH do NOT pay those taxes. They set up foundations, offshore entities etc etc to avoid them. It is the struggling middle class that would LIKE to move up to the NEXT LEVEL that get CREAMED and kept down. Russia has PROVEN that if you continue down this path eventually the majority just give up, sit back and accept what the govt DOLES OUT to them. They are little more than VASSALS. Mediocracy (please check my spelling for me) sets in and the Nation GOES DOWN THE TUBES. You MUST provide an opportunity for people to RISE ABOVE their fortune in life if you wish the Nation to rise above its past. JDN

To: JDN who wrote (125437)	2/5/2001 11:56:13 PM
From: TigerPaw	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

An EXTREMELY progressive income tax such as we currently have is designed SUPPOSEDLY to take from the rich and give to the poor. What you don't understand is that the revenue and expense portions of federal funding are separate items. Tax or Borrow is revenue in. Spend is revenue out. Whether a policy is take from the rich and give to the poor depends as much on how the money is spent as how it is raised. Most federal programs benefit the afluent, and not the poor. Only the simple minded think that there is just one democratic way and one republican way. TP