Arrogance
So we’re going to keep the tax cuts that mainly benefit the rich right? We’re going to cut social programs at the same time? Like my Dad always said- the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I haven’t actually looked into all the details (there are many many to consider) but I know I’ve heard it more than once from more than one source- the gap widens in economic classes when Republicans are in power. Funny thing is I’d like to be a Republican. I’m a Christian and I like the idea of my values being reflected in law but what about taking care of the needy? Isn’t that an important Christian value? What about caring for our environment- being good stewards of what God has blessed us with? I don’t get it, how much money is enough?
How can a country spending so much money continue to give unnecessary tax cuts to those with the most? We’re spending more on natural disasters and the war but the average citizen isn’t being called to sacrifice anything tax wise (except on the state level in a lot of cases because of the Federal mandates that are not being called into question by the average voter). The sacrifices will be asked of the poor only? I mean, if our country doesn’t meet the needs of those people who need it most they will lose hope. Guess what happens to hopeless people- THEY BECOME BIGGER BURDENS ON SOCIETY. It is a vicious circle and a costly gamble- our course by the time the true effects are felt these elected officials will be collecting all the benefits afforded to them because they “were” in office, they’ll enjoy living off the government even though they are in great positions to earn plenty enough to care for themselves (look into the benefits of elected officials- it will BLOW YOUR MIND).
As you can see, I don’t like handout programs- if you’re able bodied and/or can contribute/be a productive member of society- you should (rich or poor). In the case of poor people, I’ll even go a step farther and say if you’re living off the government you shouldn’t be continuing to have children (get yourself in a position to support your children before increasing the size of your family). If you spend more than you can afford and you make a decent living, bail yourself out- don’t look to get a free ride back to financial freedom. I suppose I go with the idea that we all should be held accountable for our decisions- INCLUDING OUR GOVERNMENT. We try to limit our spending to maintaining what needs to be maintained and funding the luxury items after the fact. The government seems to be looking at things backwards.
I mean, I think about the financial strains we’re under (my family specifically) living in an average house, driving cars that combined we’re under $30k when we bought them, raising two kids… I can’t help but wonder how people can care for their families with less money that we have and when you compare our earnings to those of 2 income families making around minimum wage it blows my mind. I mean, we make 3 times as much- probably 4 times when you factor in our benefits and we can’t afford a lot of our “wants”. Now I know the Republicans aren’t asking these folks to pay much in taxes but the money has to come from somewhere to pay for the basic needs of people- not just the poor but our society as a whole. We need money to fund the court systems, education, streets & highways, etc. Not all government spending goes to welfare for the poor like people like to think and A LOT of it goes to programs for the rich- the government subsidized programs that keep the professionals busy working on high dollar projects not needed- I call it welfare for the rich and it goes on ALL THE TIME.
One person I heard on the radio said it best- these new budget proposals give a new meaning to Women and Children first- as in women raising children on their own and suffering financially for it and the children who most often bears the brunt of program cuts. When are we as a nation going to look out for the best interest of the needs of the nation on a whole? I am so sad to see the direction our great country is going- the only light I can see is if many those enlightened folks that voted Republican can see that these elected officials do not stand for what they say they do- they do not care about the average worker and we’ll continue to see our standards of living decrease, our power as a country go down because of the deficit, and our unity in times of need continue to decline. I would love to see a more responsible compassionate government. What they are doing now in the times we’re facing is DISGRACEFUL!!!
posted by Krit @ Friday, November 18, 2005
3 Comments:
Well said Mike, and I see the logic but I still have to say I disagree.
I've heard the stats about the amount the "rich" pay and my answer to that really speaks to giving what you have to give- in the end your standard of living is still very high and there is a good reason for that- the working poor allow it to be so. The poor don't give as much because they have so much less to give but cheap labor does benefit us higher income workers in other ways.
Let’s face it, proportionately there is a major disadvantage to being part of the working poor because there is a minimum amount of expenses required of the average worker that can’t be adjusted or reduced. Often that minimum amount is more than the working poor makes and thus forcing them to rely on the government for assistance (in the form of social programs and/or tax returns). The answer to me would be to give them the tools to rise above their circumstances, send the message to those willing to work for a living that they matter. Going to college and getting a degree is a good thing but a child growing up that is hungry doesn’t feel their value is worth the effort, they often go to a survivalist stance that makes long-term decisions inconsequential. Society speaks to the poor and says loud and clear- stay on your side of the tracks, stay ignorant and keep quiet. Hey we need people to clean the toilets and work at the fast food places right?
The tax cuts are a fantasy- how can you give back to people what is not theirs? This country is based on pride of ownership. Think about it. We are raised to go to school, get a job, buy (fill in the blank), pay your bills, pay your taxes, and save for a rainy day, retirement, your children’s education, etc. If you’re not doing all that, you sort-of don’t count. We don’t say it but we show it by taking from these people their goods and services and then begrudging them their share of a decent standard of living. Anyway, spending money or even giving away money that you don’t have isn’t financially responsible and should rightfully be looked down upon. I see government spending rising DRAMATICALLY and honestly a lot of it seems to me as a way for the government to justify themselves- now when so much spending is going on, they are giving “back” money that isn’t ours- money that we don’t have available.
This often democratic voter says we should have smaller government; we should meet the needs of those not able to meet their own while empowering those that are candidates for a better way of living to become productive citizens. The old fish adage is what I subscribe to- give a fish or teach to fish, but be honest and be willing to sacrifice and maintain the structure that allows it all to happen logically.
I consider our country’s debt my debt and I find it alarming. I don’t believe these tax cuts are revitalizing the economy at all- those with the money just put it back into their savings and the poor often spend it so fast they barely remember a month later where it went- I don’t mean to over generalize but the poor are known for bad money management (have you ever gone without for a long time and then get thrown a lot of money- it is a recipe for disaster).
To use your example- you worked hard to get where you’re at, you could even say you sacrificed right? How can we fight a War in Iraq, War on Terrorism, meet the needs of all these natural disaster victims and continue to get “tax rebates”- when tragedy happens, the unexpected occur, it is logical to change course and sacrifice to make things right again.
Cut the programs that aren’t working, evaluate an exit strategy for the war, hold accountable the people in the medical community that are responsible for bringing down our healthcare system, stop overpaying political officials in the form of outrageous benefits and at least in regards to government- cut back on the administrative costs primarily spent on positions that do not meet a return on investment. Our government needs to run leaner, they need to put aside everyone’s own interest and start looking forward to the future of our interests so that we’ll have a future we don’t fear.
Thanks for commenting though- I love the give and take of different opinions.
I think it's a very good post and very good response to mike. I also agree that tax cuts are bad for the short and long term (and I benefited from them). Since the tax cuts, my cost for health care, gas, electricity, and just about everything else has went up. Krit, I hear you when you say that you would like to be a Republican because of the values that they supposedly stand for. The truth is, the Republicans are the party for big business and the wealthy. But, the common person won't vote for a party that says we need cut taxes to the wealthy. But they will vote for a party that claims they have the corner on "moral values" (making sure gays can't get married , supposedly being pro-life, etc.) Cutting social programs for the poor while giving tax cuts to the most wealthy doesn't sound very "moral" to me. Maybe the Republicans should ask themselves, "What would Jesus do?"
NLP, I agree with you (as usual) but there’s one point where we differ. People with lesser means will vote for tax cuts for the wealthy out of patriotism. I see the logic- why should the wealthy have to carry a disproportionately large portion of tax revenues- the idea seems communistic/counter to our sense of what is right. Of course I’ve stated my stance on that issue but most won’t think about it to that degree. They look at the information on the surface and take a stance.
The second reason people of lesser means will support tax cuts for the rich is because the want to join the who’s who club. There is a lie that people buy into saying befriending the rich, spending time doing what the rich are doing, and voting like the rich will somehow gain you admittance into their club. Of course it couldn’t be farther from the truth but Republicans have done a good job convincing people that they are the minority, that they get picked on for doing “what is right” and that they relate to the obstacles the hard working “normal” taxpayer has to endure. The whole thing has a very fraternal feeling to it- hence the appeal of being Republican. What these folks don’t understand is they are actually electing Representatives that are voting away their standard of living so the rich can focus on trickling down whatever they feel like “giving away” in the form of more jobs or whatever nonsense we’re told.
Until the working poor get engaged and decide to further look into these issues, they will continue to see their way of life deteriorate (not that the middle class will be immuned to a decrease in their standard of living either). Unfortunately I fear by the time people wake up, the damage will be done and when Democrats are back in office they’ll be blamed for the tax increases forced upon the American people as a result of the government spending more than it takes in. Talk about fuzzy math and passing the buck. Everyone is just looking out for themselves and we’ll all have to face the music eventually.
Oh yeah, both parties are for the wealthy and will be until the rest of us wise up and hold them accountable for their actions- the wealthy are the ones involved and thus their interests are served first, besides very often money is power.
I will always be for supporting and strengthening the working class- our society runs best when people are given the opportunity to work for a fair piece of the pie.
To sum up, I am thankful that we have at least 2 different parties to chose from- neither have it all figured out and when either is in power too long… the other usually has to come in and balance things out.
A co-worker once said that all of our advancements are often just faster ways to screw things up on a larger level- I tend to agree.
I will also say that I would vote Republican if a candidate stood for what I believe in and I felt I could trust them to follow through- I almost thought that about Bush but my gut told me otherwise. He wasn’t harmless, he wasn’t too dumb to mess things up. That Texas twang doesn’t mean he’s a good normal guy either- he didn’t bring the two parties together and his terms have only resulted in bigger divides and secretive agendas that are in my opinion counterproductive to the good of our nation.
He’s a stay the course no matter what because I can’t be wrong person up until his party says he has to change kind-of guy. I didn’t vote for him and I’m proud to say it.
But people of good will can disagree, that's what this great nation is all about.
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