The answer to incompetence seems to be to blame the rich, earned or inherited wealth. Of course money can be addictive, in the sense, some people want more. They want the best; some just accumulate things. All the rich people, mainly high-earners, who I have met in my life or read about are generally smart and capable. Rich people spend money, which helps the economy. Many invest in businesses, which, I believe, creates jobs. The average person desires the high-life, but too many are jealous, and if they dont get what they think they deserve then they go after those who make them jealous through voting for a government that will appease. Another thought, which crosses my mind, is that politicians informed and educated by bureaucrats really do not seem to mind fiscal cliffs and whatever else ensues. There is no foreclosure of a nation as there is of property and houses, is there? There is depression or inflation and hyperinflation, serious debt and deficit, but those who have money suffer far less and that is not acceptable by those who live off of entitlements or some sort of hand out. Unions, private and public, often are jealous of those who earn more than their members. The union executives do not suffer as much as paying members that I am aware of. Mind you, there are greedy swine out there I apologize to animal lovers and pigs but you know what and who I mean. There are individuals and corporations that are questionable. No doubt. However Mismanagement, unbalanced regulations, and spendthrift attitudes have led to tax increases. But the lower income masses, the low information people, cheer and continue to vote for diabolical socialists and liberals and sing the glory song in Les Miserables: Do you hear the people sing? Obama probably will incorporate this song with his Obamacare. His voters were angry, and believe they are free, free, free, from being enslaved, they think. Only to be enslaved by Obamas upgraded entitlements. Do you hear the people sing? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYizXBQ5EQA Nonetheless, when Obama and the democrats are out of power -- four excruciating years but America will survive -- another Reagan or someone like Thatcher will arise and balance things again. Less stupidity. I heard that many people and companies have left California because of taxes, and many have gone to Texas. It is rare for a leader who is wise and capable to rise and lead a government and bureaucrats that can manage and have reasonable visions for the future such as Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Canada is there with opportunity, regardless of the socialists and liberals. The taxman cometh: the new politics of paying up http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...itics-of-paying-up/article6969856/?cmpid=rss1 Obamas mission; Higher taxes http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/01/04/charles-krauthammer-obamas-mission-higher-taxes/
The intergenerational social immobilities demonstrate that its less about the individual and more about inequalities in opportunity. Lower marginal propensity of consume mind you. The entrepreneur creates jobs. The Laffer Curve tells us we need to increase taxes!
Don't guess Uncle Ferd gonna get his job back wringin' farts outta shirt-tails atta dry cleanery... U.S. Chamber CEO: New Taxes Will Hit Successful Small Businesses Hard and Hurt Job Creation January 10, 2013 The new taxes that were put in place as part of the so-called fiscal cliff negotiations will have a negative impact on U.S. businesses and, in turn, the job market, the president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said on Thursday.
Study Finds Personal Wealth Influences Legislators On Death Tax... Personal wealth influences legislators opposition to estate tax, study finds 24 Jan.`13 - A study published online Sunday by the journal American Politics Research suggests that members of Congress are partially motivated by self-interest when voting on the estate tax.
With the level of taxes we are burdened with, it's amazing the government isn't providing everyone with free houses and free cars. What I don't understand is why the government still doesn't have enough money. Where is all the tax money going?!?
The tax burden is the lowest in 60 years as a percentage of GDP, about 15%. The average from 1950 to 2000 was a little over 19%. Tax increases are just an inevitable return to the norm after the massive tax cut experiment of the last decade failed to generate enough revenue to fund expenditures. If you want a look at the numbers: http://www.bea.gov
With the ever increasing number of mandates, those are going to have to somehow be included in the rate also. Many of these mandates are have very much the same effect as a tax. In either case, the government is deciding how people's money should be spent. For example, telling people they have to buy a certain type of health coverage, or making people pay for renewable power generation through higher utility rates.
The government has always had a big say in how people spend their money and which direction the economy should take. It is government that limits the liability of corporate shareholders. It was government that granted the lands to the railroads and built the interstate highways. These alone have had profound effects on the ability of people to make money. It is the government that protects the people from being cheated or poisoned or subject to violence by nefarious actors. The nation enjoys a large modicum of peace and prosperity thanks to the efforts of government. Is it really too much to ask people who have benefited so enormously from the governments endeavours to remit a portion of their income so it can assure that the benefits of its endeavours are distributed in a manner that brings at least some positive benefit to all? Is it really too much to ask that the government acts to ensure that the people will be well served over the long term? It is really too much to ask, in seeking long term viability, that the government moves to encourage renewable power generation and a more coherent and comprehensive health care regime?
Is it too much to ask our government to cooperate with the treasury dept with providing them with receipts of how they are spending our taxes in a more detailed fashion? Is it too much to ask that our government to not send 15 million dollars to India to eradicate Polio when we need the funds here? Is it too much to ask that they replace Obamacare with a one payer system to eliminate the greedy health insurance companies?