Obama's get rich quick scheme: Adopting a VAT Tax.

[zoobernut]

seriously? is this post sarcastic?

Really? Is this post a real question?

[pahnphoenix]

Really? Is this post a real question?

yes, it is. if you are being sarcastic and don't know that people actually believe naive nonsense like that, you need to get out more. if you aren't being sarcastic, i want to suggest to you that "rich lobbyists and politicians tax themselves less for the benefit of *everyone else but them*" might be a somewhat stupidly optimistic view. also, i have a bridge for sale, etc etc.

[zoobernut]

You must be new to political threads, its ok. Yes I am being sarcastic. Yes it is in response to one of the main arguments against taxing the rich more.

Do you feel better now?


Also by being sarcastic it means I do understand people actually believe that and the sarcastic remark was meant to make fun of them.

[Rhinox]

I'm new to Political threads.

Whats a VAT?

[zoobernut]

I'm new to Political threads.

Whats a VAT?

Lol Rhinox new to political threads... and Leif is an ultra left wing liberal socialist.

[archibaldcrane]

A VAT tax is like a PIN number.

[Rhinox]

Do you have to be an American to get one? otherwise I'm pretty sure I'm fucked.

[Max™]

Spoiler: show

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NoZmqQXrkc...alitychart.jpg

Eye opening stuff.

http://www.businessinsider.com/15-ch...the-gap-grow-4

[archibaldcrane]

The shocking stat isn't that there's such a gap - it's that the average "bottom 90%" income earner in 2006 (relatively good economic times) made LESS inflation-adjusted income than the average "bottom 90%" earner in fucking 1980.

That chart is up until 2006 - have these figures on the gap changed since the recession like they did during the great depression?

[Rhinox]

obviously the solution is to remove the minimum wage.

[Kuya]

I wish that arguing for tax cuts for the rich for reasons other than substancial and justifiable benefit were enough to get someone excomunicated from politics.

[pahnphoenix]

it's probably more my bad memory than newness to these threads, though my tendency toward skimming also plays a role. need to fight that good internet fight just in case though.

[Max™]

The shocking stat isn't that there's such a gap - it's that the average "bottom 90%" income earner in 2006 (relatively good economic times) made LESS inflation-adjusted income than the average "bottom 90%" earner in fucking 1980.

That chart is up until 2006 - have these figures on the gap changed since the recession like they did during the great depression?

http://www.mybudget360.com/top-1-per...f-mega-wealth/
http://www.mybudget360.com/wp-conten...09/12/debt.png

http://www.mybudget360.com/wp-conten...ck-markets.png
http://www.mybudget360.com/wp-conten...stribution.png


http://www.mybudget360.com/wealth-in...anical-wealth/

I don't think it changed too much, from what I see.

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

I think this article provides good examples of how the have nots are prevented from becoming the haves.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...lor26_st_N.htm

[Kuya]

Sure, there may be some slim chance that is a good reason behind wealth/income polarization, but there are much more important reasons.

[aurik]

Wishful thinking. Just like how libertarians close their eyes and keep repeating that the CRA was the root cause of the 2008 financial meltdown.

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

Yea I'm dreaming. Hindering or preventing business creation does not contribute to the income gap.

[Kuya]

I think you should probably stop trying to defend your tribal beliefs, and start accepting reality for what it is. It is nice for you to try and find reasons for why wealth/income polarization exist that are compatible with your beliefs (at least you accept the polarization is a problem), but it starts looking kind of silly when you come off as trying to pretend that regulation is equally relevant to say, taxes.

It isn't.

[SwampdonkeyPLD]

Did I read that right Kuya? It's sounds like your objective is not only to reduce the gap, but to do so from the top down, not the bottom up, which would indicate you're blinded by hatred or some other synonym.

[Correction]

I think this article provides good examples of how the have nots are prevented from becoming the haves.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...lor26_st_N.htm

Psst, small business owners aren't anywhere near the 'haves' being discussed in the last 10-ish posts.