No. The conservatives crucified Obama for saying "spread the wealth around". While ignoring the fact that that is exactly what taxes are for. They "spread the wealth around" so we can have services like police, public school teachers, firemen, etc. etc.
No, that is NOT what taxes are for. Taxes, are for building and maintaining infrastructure. And on a federal level, that has a certain number of things it goes for, just like on the local, county, and state level. "Spreading the wealth around" is redistributing income tax to PEOPLE who do not have as much money- it's a bad idea, and it's eventually, unsustainable. Because eventually, people making lots of money go to places where the taxation isn't so oppressive. And when they go, they take their businesses and tax money with them.
Tax money is collected and put back into services (teachers, schools, fire and police, roads) as part of a budget. And what seems to be overlooked by people screaming for taxing the rich and the evil corporations is that when you tax a corporation- they don't pay more- consumers do. And when companies lose money because their prices get too high (because their taxes are high), they lay people off, they move to locations overseas, and then we're out tax money and jobs. Taxing the shit out of rich people and corporations is unsustainable for the future.
Intelligent people see right through that "Joe the Plumber" bullshit. Until the republicans realize that and stop insulting everyones intelligence they will remain a minority party.
No, republicans will remain a minority party until they stop trying to come more to the left to appease everyone. They need to stop ignoring their ideals and principles just in the hopes that they can score more votes. How did that work out for them in 2006? 2008? No- they need to get back to some more of the roots they had long ago.
Smaller government, less taxes, more freedom, better defense. They were doing really well with those.
And intelligent people see through a lot of shit- from both sides.
Hey....anybody else notice how the right-wing rhetoric here has toned way down with Obama's recent appointments being announced? Robert Gates will stay on as Sec. of Defense. Bi-partisan move (and a smart one at that!). Gen James Jones appointed national security adviser? He was a McCain supporter (ardent one too). Looks as though there will be more to come as Obama makes good on his pledge to include all viewpoints in his administration. He's assembling a top-notch team in my book.
Shit! Sorry! I will try to ramp up my right wing rhetoric!
I don't really know what to make of his cabinet appointees so far. We'll see how they do, and how this goes. It's weird for some of my more liberal friends to understand, but just because I didn't vote for Obama, and I don't agree with much of his idea of change and policy doesn't mean I'm not rooting for the guy. I really want him to kick ass and do well.
I think his notion that his presidency needs to create 2.5 million jobs is ludicrous. It's NOT the government's responsibility to create jobs! It's the government's responsibility to get out of the way, to let companies have their own money to create jobs.
On the other hand, I applaud like a mutha his decision to want a time table for an Iraq withdrawal, but his smart move to listen to commanders before making any decisions.
He's president of my United States! Of course I want him to do well- and I hope he does do well! I want the US to continue to be one of the top dogs on planet earth, and if we have a good leader, it doesn't matter what cartoon animal is shown next to his name. I think the way Bush has been treated is shameful and childish- even if he's not your guy, and sucks at the job, let's encourage him to do well, not call him names and insult him.
Hail to the chief.
H
