10 Things To Do If You're Against Spreading the Wealth

[epiphany65]

1) Refuse those monthly social security checks. You're on your own in your old age;
2) Decline to enroll in Medicare when you retire. Plan to purchase your own insurance privately;
3) If you get laid off, decline to accept unemployment checks, on principle. Your misfortune isn't the government's problem.
4) Withdraw your children from public school and pay private tuition somewhere. Why should the government or other people with no kids pay for my kids to get educated?
5) If you're disabled, refuse on principle to accept government disability checks;
6) Insist that all citizens must pay privately for garbage removal. No more free trash pickup!;
7) Pave, plow and otherwise maintain all the roads in town at your own private expense;
8) If you're a Vermont farmer, refuse to accept the tax exemptions on farmland that our state provides--why should non-farmers support me, anyway?
9) Argue at Town Meeting that any time a citizen needs police protection, that citizen has to pay for it in cash before the police officer will show up. Same for fire and ambulance;
10) Insist that your local public library stop lending books for free. A rental fee should be charged for every book.

Then, look around and see how you like your new world.

http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=37539

 

[trysail]

I'm going to make the charitable assumption that the author of the foregoing had his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

Otherwise, the piece betrays a deficiency of comprehension of who actually pays the taxes that fund government spending that is so appalling as to be beyond understanding.

The illogic of the author's suggestions is complete, mind-boggling and profound.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

EPIPHANY forgets a crucial factor in the equation. POOR PEOPLE DONT HIRE EMPLOYEES. Rich people hire employees. When Obama shakes down the rich people they have less money to hire with.

 

[R. Richard]

As has been pointed out, the citizen who receives most of the benefits enumerated has paid [usually several times over] for said benefits in taxes.

However: '9) Argue at Town Meeting that any time a citizen needs police protection, that citizen has to pay for it in cash before the police officer will show up.' has merit. The 'services' of a police officer are, IMNTHO, worse than useless. Thus, the scumbags would pay me. Even those who wish the 'services' of the scumbags should be permitted to pay in doughnuts, not just cash.

 

[DesertPirate]

Roundly curse LBJ and Dem controlled Congress in the 60's that took Social Security out of the trust and made it part of the general fund. The same Congresscritters that never saw a nickle they couldn't waste!

That is the only reason SS is now insolvent. If those thieving bastards had left it alone it would be fine today.

 

[DesertPirate]

Of course to make it less painful you could vote for McCain

 

[impressive]

I'm "Suz the Writer," and I support Barack Obama
Posted by Suz Brockmann on 11/1/2008, 22:07:03

I'm "Suz the Writer," and I support Barack Obama (or why, as a small business owner who WILL pay higher taxes, I'm endorsing and have voted (early!) for Obama)

I am "Suz the Writer," the owner of several small businesses, employing two other Americans on an average day, more than that on a good day. I WILL pay higher taxes under Obama's tax plan, and I'll pay them with a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

See, I believe that paying taxes is patriotic. Some people see taxes as a burden, but I see it as a way to serve my country. I want my taxes to go for educational opportunities, for research into new green technology, for libraries, for equipment and supplies for our men and women serving in the military, for the education and medical care for servicemen past, present and future, and for the repair of the American infrastructure -- our roads and bridges and schools and other important buildings.

I'm never going to enlist (too old), and I'm not going to help by teaching (I'd go mad), and I'm no kind of scientist (can't add or subtract) or engineer (ditto). I don't have a college degree, so the librarian thing wouldn't fly. But I can dig a mean ditch when given written instructions. Yet paying taxes permits me to participate in ALL of those worthwhile American needs without getting blisters.

Frankly, I cannot believe that Americans who earn over $200,000/year complain about paying slightly higher taxes, KNOWING that our troops overseas are under-equipped and poorly outfitted. How much extra would you pay to ensure that the brave men and women who serve our country have body armor and the best possible equipment. Ten dollars? A hundred? Five hundred? How much is that worth? Can we really put a price tag on the life of another mother's son or daughter?

And what is it worth to ensure that bridges don't fall down? That roads are repaired? That our electrical grid doesn't fail? That medical research can be done to find a cure for cancer?

Personally, I think it's worth a lot, and I'm willing to help pay for it.

Don't get me wrong -- I've worked unbelievably hard to get where I am in my career. Early on, there were books that I wrote where I figured out that my salary was 49 cents an HOUR. But I worked twelve, fourteen, sixteen hour days because I was following the American dream. I worked while my friends and family were watching movies in my living room, without me. I worked and I worked and my hard work paid off, financially. I'm pretty proud of that.

I sweated and bled for every penny that I've ever earned, but I will be glad to invest more of it in America -- because I know my investments will make this a better country for all of us.

I still remember what it was like to worry about how I was going to feed my kids. I remember living in a one-bathroom house with my family and two other adult friends, because we couldn't afford the rent without them. I remember going without, for years on end. I remember deciding which bills to pay and which to put off for another month. I remember endless worry, frustration and fear. (In the early 1990s, we bought a house and within a month, recession hit. Ed lost his job, and our house was worth $50,000 less than we'd paid for it, all within one awful week. Sound familiar? It sucked. But I'm a writer today because of it. I needed a job that I could do as a stay at home mom!)

My tax investments in America will mean all the more to me if it means that someone who is struggling (the way we struggled) will catch a break.

I think of every dollar of the taxes that I pay as an INVESTMENT in an America where the infant mortality rate won't rival that of a third world nation. Where our wounded veterans are cared for with love and respect in bright, clean facilities. Where the government doesn't make up reasons why NOT to help servicemen and women with PTSD and mental health problems. Where all Americans can get the health care they need. Where bridges DON'T fall and kill someone's mother or father or daughter or son as they drive to their second or third job. Where IMPORTANT jobs are created to help unemployed people feel pride in providing for their families AND making the world a better, cleaner, healthier place for our children. Where honesty and honor prevail over greed.

My name is Suzanne Brockmann and I approve this message of hope.

http://members2.boardhost.com/brockmann/msg/1225591623.html

 

[DesertPirate]

Shamelessly copied, a post by Redpaint on the humor theread.

PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT UP.....

Dear Fellow Business Owners:

As a business owner who employs 120 people, we have resigned ourselves to the fact that Barack Obama will be our next president, and that our taxes and fees will go up in a BIG way.

To compensate for these increases, we figure that the Customer will have to see an increase in our fees to them of about 8-10%. We will also have to lay off 25 of our employees. This really bothered us as we believe we are family here and didn't know how to choose who will have to go. So, this is what we did.

We strolled thru the parking lot and found twenty Obama bumper stickers on our employee’s cars. We have decided these folks will be the first to be laid off.

We can't think of another fair way to approach this problem. If you have a better idea, let me know.

We are sending this letter to all business owners that we know.

 

[DeeZire]

We can't think of another fair way to approach this problem. If you have a better idea, let me know.

Work performance? I mean, if the guy looks at his business as a family, where does vindictiveness enter into the picture? Oh, I forget, the business owner is an asshole. He must be married to the gal in Grosspointe who was denying Halloween candy to Obama supporters.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Work performance? I mean, if the guy looks at his business as a family, where does vindictiveness enter into the picture? Oh, I forget, the business owner is an asshole. He must be married to the gal in Grosspointe who was denying Halloween candy to Obama supporters.

It'ss one of those dysfuctional families, where each member tries to screw the others first.

I'll never understand why these people call this kind of ugly pin-headism "humor." it's so embarrassing-- or it should be.

 

[fieryjen]

It'ss one of those dysfuctional families, where each member tries to screw the others first.

I'll never understand why these people call this kind of ugly pin-headism "humor." it's so embarrassing-- or it should be.

That's why I got the humor thread on ignore. It just got a bit too much for me to have to scroll past this sort of thing every time to find the actual jokes.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

There's quite a difference between basic government services and those which only favor a certain class. That's the difference between sacrifice for the greater good and class warfare. And it's the difference between limited government and the nanny state.

Those of us opposed to "spreading the wealth" aren't anarchists, whatever others claim about us. We're just free citizens determined to remain free citizens, not subjects or serfs. We want emancipation, not a larger plantation.

 

[rgraham666]

Sev, seriously, give it a rest.

You sound more like a Marxist than a person who believes in freedom. You seem to be unable to speak except in slogans.

Just sayin'.

 

[cloudy]

Sev, seriously, give it a rest.

You sound more like a Marxist than a person who believes in freedom. You seem to be unable to speak except in slogans.

Just sayin'.

Speaking in sound bites. He sounds like Fox News to me.

 

[Boota]

I can't believe it seems so hard to grasp. Especially when it was just witnessed first hand under Bill Clinton. When the poor and middle class have access to more money businesses do better. See... there is actually a customer base that exists beyond people who make over $200,000 a year. When the middle class is working EVERYONE does better. Were these businesses dropping like flies under the Clinton administration?

Republican lie #1,345,769: We support small business, the Democrats don't.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

BOOTA youre an idiot.

According to you, if I go to school for 12 years to be an MD, and you drop out of high school to work at McDonalds or sit on your ass, YOU deserve a bigger hunk of my pay check. If I spend 5 years creating a successful business and you live with Momma, YOU deserve a bigger hunk of my money.

Youre a goddamn Gomer.

 

[DesertPirate]

Clinton formula for a budget surplus:
1. Gut the Military
2. Cut the intelligence budget by 35%

Blame 9-11 on someone else!

 

[Liar]

Slow down guys, my popcorn ain't ready yet.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Slow down guys, my popcorn ain't ready yet.

I got the butter.

 

[DesertPirate]

There will be some major surprises today!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

There will be some major surprises today!

Actually, nothing would surprise me anymore.

 

[Boota]

BOOTA youre an idiot.

According to you, if I go to school for 12 years to be an MD, and you drop out of high school to work at McDonalds or sit on your ass, YOU deserve a bigger hunk of my pay check. If I spend 5 years creating a successful business and you live with Momma, YOU deserve a bigger hunk of my money.

Youre a goddamn Gomer.

You slack jawed moron. That isn't even what I said, you fucking tool. It's really easy, but you can't get it. How do you sell your goods to a nation of unemployed and underemployed people? The People have to have money to spend it on your products for you to make money to put in your pocket. Who is buying the SUV's and trucks? (Answer: No one. The little guy has no money to spend on these things.) When the little guy does good the big guy does better. Putting Americans out of work and taking money out of the pockets of the middle class causes problems like we're seeing right now.

Social irresponsibility is not a trait to strive for. Investments in society, through paying a fairer share of the tax burden and other means, is good for business. It always has been, it always will be. You're not richer for making the next guy poorer.

 

[Boota]

Clinton formula for a budget surplus:
1. Gut the Military
2. Cut the intelligence budget by 35%

Blame 9-11 on someone else!

1. The cuts in the military were continued into the Bush Administration, as they were deemed necessary. 9-11 halted it, otherwise there would have been more base closings.

2. Clinton tripled the CIA's counter-terrorism budget immediately following the first attack on the WTC.

9-11 was Bin Laden's fault. Bush and Co.'s inattention to the intelligence helped, but it was Bin Laden's fault.

 

[trysail]

1) Refuse those monthly social security checks. You're on your own in your old age;

I'm one of the ones who paid ( and continues to pay ) for all those social security checks.

2) Decline to enroll in Medicare when you retire. Plan to purchase your own insurance privately;

I am privately insured.

3) If you get laid off, decline to accept unemployment checks, on principle. Your misfortune isn't the government's problem.

Because I'm prudent, have worked like a dog since the day I turned 16 and have saved like a madman, I have an independent income. When I was terminated (twice, mind you), I sold my house and moved to find work.

4) Withdraw your children from public school and pay private tuition somewhere. Why should the government or other people with no kids pay for my kids to get educated?

I've never attended a public school in my life. Instead, my parents and I paid twenty years worth of private school tuitions— AND we paid taxes all the while so that other people's children could go to school. In other words, we paid TWICE!

How many times over should I be expected to pay for other people's kids?

5) If you're disabled, refuse on principle to accept government disability checks;

I'm not and, in any event, I've set enough aside to ensure my care.

6) Insist that all citizens must pay privately for garbage removal.

I do pay for my garbage removal.

7) Pave, plow and otherwise maintain all the roads in town at your own private expense;

I pay to have my road paved, plowed and maintained.

8) If you're a Vermont farmer, refuse to accept the tax exemptions on farmland that our state provides--why should non-farmers support me, anyway?

I'm not.

9) Argue at Town Meeting that any time a citizen needs police protection, that citizen has to pay for it in cash before the police officer will show up. Same for fire and ambulance;

I'm happy to [ and do ] pay taxes for police protection.

10) Insist that your local public library stop lending books for free. A rental fee should be charged for every book.

My local public library was started and endowed by a very substantial donation from a private citizen.

Then, look around and see how you like your new world.

http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=37539

TAXMAN ( by George Harrison )

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet

Taxman!
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

Don't ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cos I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

And you're working for no one but me
Taxman!

 

[DesertPirate]

From a post on Slashdot

Maybe you prefer a great father in Washington to take care of all your ills and order your coming and goings, but a great many of us actually have a spine and prefer freedom. We're called adults. We do things like say, "Hmmm? A hurricane is coming and I live in a coastal city below sea level. Maybe I should get the hell outta' the way?" If we decide not to get out of the way, we don't whine that someone didn't come to take care of our ills.

The adults among us do much better when the government does nothing.