I wonder how much of an impact this may have played in the elections last year:
Income inequality grew significantly in 2005, with the top 1 percent of Americans — those with incomes that year of more than $348,000 — receiving their largest share of national income since 1928, analysis of newly released tax data shows.
The top 10 percent, roughly those earning more than $100,000, also reached a level of income share not seen since before the Depression.
While total reported income in the United States increased almost 9 percent in 2005, the most recent year for which such data is available, average incomes for those in the bottom 90 percent dipped slightly compared with the year before, dropping $172, or 0.6 percent.
The gains went largely to the top 1 percent, whose incomes rose to an average of more than $1.1 million each, an increase of more than $139,000, or about 14 percent.
The new data also shows that the top 300,000 Americans collectively enjoyed almost as much income as the bottom 150 million Americans. Per person, the top group received 440 times as much as the average person in the bottom half earned, nearly doubling the gap from 1980.
The analysis of the data is recent, the impact this has on average Americans is much more immediate and could explain some of the simmering discontent in the voting public. Sure, there are other things to point to- discontent over Iraq, disgust with the policies of this administration, outrage over the rampant corruption and the serial lying, etc.
But economic issues are sort of the foundation, in my mind of thinking. If people are doing well, and are noticing that their own lives are getting better and they have some financial security and a little extra cash to spend, they will, as I see it, put up with a little more. When the vast majority of the American public is feeling the pinch AND having to put up with the aforementioned nonsense, ruling party beware.
Alllit
Only slackers have to worry about dropping incomes.
Are you a slacker?
Dreggas
What else did you expect from the “CEO Party”? I mean seriously I am all in favor of lower taxes, hell it’s one area where I would be in agreement with the Republicans if they actually meant MY TAXES. Instead it’s the taxes paid by the rich they intend to lower and before some asshat comes along and tries to accuse me of spouting some talking point I got jack shit for a tax cut every time they cut them.
Mr Furious
I think the VAST majority of people in the country have genuine concerns about their financial state, and that goes across party lines. Most people aren’t saving, healthcare is out of hand, and college is ridiculous. People are probably more worried about the future and their kids than hopeful.
That’s a disaster for the party that’s been in control.
I’m not even going to assign blame here. That’s just the way I read it. If it had been Dems in charge for the last 5-6 years, they’d be paying the price.
Andrew
I’m just going to label this a sort of retard concern troll job.
Bruce Moomaw
It’s been suggested by GOP apologists that, when you include government benefits in people’s incomes (as obviously they should be included), the recent growth in inequality described above drops. But I find it impossible to believe that, even given that factor, an increase in it isn’t still a problem — the average American, in all polls, thinks he’s not doing so hot economically in recent years, and it’s rather implausible to tell him that he must be hallucinating.
Detlef
Presidential candidate Bush, October 2000.
You got what you voted for in 2000.
And you reelected him in 2004.
After the tax cuts for “his base”.
Why are you surprised now?
Dreggas
INCLUDE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS? You mean that bi-weekly raping I get when they take money from me? That’s a freaking benefit?
Pb
Incidentally, when Bush (or any other deluded wingnut) compares himself to FDR or blathers on about how Islamo-libero-aborto-homo-fascism is the most serious threat we’ve ever faced (that didn’t require a draft?) and compares The War On Terror to WWII… just ask them what the taxes on the rich were like during WWII, and if that sacrifice enabled us to win, etc., etc….
Pb
Unless, of course, you also include what’s happened to their expenses… gas, health care, energy, education, inflation, etc., etc….
canuckistani
Well, if you claim the economy is doing well because the Dow Jones keeps going up, you can’t be surprised that this kind of thing is happening under the hood.
jg
Since the only people saying the economy isn’t awesome are evil liberal commie-nazis with partisan agendas…..
FOX News had a segment on today with former Iran hostages saying that Iran is probably treating the british prisoners worse than they say they are. I hate Iran more now, don’t you?
Pb
You mean they aren’t getting the lemon chicken with two types of fruit?!
Mr Furious
Gimme a break, Andrew. Remember who I am…obviously, I assign the blame on the GOP. This is their bullshit all the way. I’ll even stipulate that if the Dems had controlled everything the last 5-6 years things would not be nearly as bad. I won;t go as far as to say the Clinton 90s would stiull be rolling, becauuse they wouldn’t, but we wouldn’t be in the fire like we are now.
BUT, if the same shit unfolded on their watch, they’d get it in the nuts too.
[/needle scratches across record]
Ah, fuck it. You’re right. any attempt to be non-partisan IS concern troll hackery.
Buch and the GOP have run this place like the worst possible combination of kakistocracy and kleptocracy. We are all taking it in the ass, and they are getting rich.
Steve
I think what he’s saying is that if the Democrats had run the country just like Republicans, he’d be just as pissed at them. Fair enough…
Bubblegum Tate
Cue the wingnuts crying, “Why won’t anybody give Bush credit for the totally awesome economy he’s presided over?” They seriously do not understand the figures presented above, that the vast majority of the economic benefit has gone to the small group of people at the top of the ladder, and that most people have not seen their economic fortunes improve. When talking points meet reality, talking points win–that is a true wingnut hallmark.
jg
I love the ones who say Bush isn’t giving tax cuts to the rich and then moments later spout the virutes of supply side economics.
jnfr
What’s amazing when you look at the details is how much of the money is not just in the hands of the rich, or the super-rich, but it’s the super-super-rich who have really raked in the benefits of this economy. Not the top 10% or 1% but .1% (numbers pulled from memory, so no cite to hand).
With the changes in estate taxes, what this means is that we are creating a hereditary aristocracy in this country. Bush may call them his base, but he’s just a figurehead. And it’s directly the opposite of what this country was meant to be.
Pooh
I think there is a more direct relation in people’s minds when they see things like Duke Cunnigham and so on – it’s not just that people feel that they are falling behind, but, with some justification, they feel that they are not suffering from benign neglect but from active malice.
Or shorter Pooh: They think the Repubs are stealing from them.
ThymeZone
The rich get richer, and the rest of us are just grateful for a good Republican president and whatever scraps of food or medicine we can forage for our families.
God Bless George Bush and Bill Frist.
Jake
Maybe Bush will announce a new program: BreadnCircuses (TM). The Great Pony Show (TM) didn’t work too well.
jg
I for one am grateful for every last crumb I can scrounge from my masters tablecloth.
pacified
The joke of our country is the capital gains tax rate. 15% on long term capital gains!
Never mind my ass works 40 hours a week, and pays 40% in to taxes (income, medicare, fica, state, local).
Hey, but if you’re uber-rich, and make $1 Million from a sale of stock as a LT capital gain… you only pay 15% to the feds.
I work, pay 40% to taxes.
Rich person does nothing, pays 15% to taxes.
That’s fairness to the GOP.
Pooh
Just like Ronny Reagan warned us about, “I’m from the government, and I’m here to fuck you up.”
Dreggas
I guess America didn’t learn jackshit about our European Ancestors and the Middle Ages. Everything from a rich aristocracy to to the religification of government and every day parts of Society.
I think we seriously need to have the schools spend more time on the Middle Ages pointing out just what a completely craptastic mess it was. Seriously.
There’s a great book out there called “The Medieval Underworld” it’s a history of the Middle Ages from the perspective of the outsider, the ones who didn’t fit in, the “villeins” (in modern language villain). It covers some of the most idiotic portions of what the Middle Ages were really like from Right Reason (something that is equivalent to Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell saying the towers were a punishment from god) to a wide variety of the thinking that went on back then.
Read it and then look at these yahoo’s, they do the nutjobs of yester century proud.
Pooh
“But they’ve already been taxed” they wail. Of course, they (perhaps willfully) lack understanding that labor is only one factor input, and there is no good reason why returns to capital shouldn’t be treated somewhat similarly as returns to labor.
jg
I read once that if you study Bush’s tax policy you’ll see that his intent is to have a salary tax, not an income tax. This way only those drawing a salary (all but his base) will pay fed taxes. Wealth aquired from previous wealth will not be taxed.
Gex
It’s gonna trickle down, I swear.
RSA
Why don’t all you materialistic 99-percenters just eat your Ramen noodles and shut the fuck up?
cd6
Brilliant post.
Darrell
If capital gains were inflation-indexed, that would be another story. As it stands now, a $10,000 investment made in 1980 that’s worth $13,000 today, means that after inflation, that investor lost his ass big time, and on top of that, he has to pay taxes on the $3,000 capital “gain”.
Jake
I’m sooo relieved to know Parisite Hilton will never be troubled by that mean ol’ fed. We must defend the trust fund babies as vigorously as we defend the snowflake babies!
John S.
Where did you pull this magical figure from? What type of investment is that? You are missing a lot of variables, here.
Of course, don’t let absence of evidence stop you from trying to make a point (it never has before).
jg
That investor deserves to lose money. Why should I support tax rates that saves Biffs and Todds from losing cash after making stupid investment decisions? Is this some sort of reverse socialism?
Dreggas
Republican motto: “Whether Snowflake or trust fund your babies will be protected*”
*in the case of snowflakes, they will only be protected if they have trust funds once they are out of the womb.
Dreggas
of course they would given such a low return on investment. Of course real figures would say unless they invested in some really shitty stock and didn’t have good advice their return would be far greater than a mere 33% over that amount of time. I mean c’mon they invested in 1980 and as of today that investment is only worth 13000? My 401(k) will do far better than that in a lot less time.
ThymeZone
How long before the Hated Houston Homophobe issues his next policy statement on taxation and economics?
I want to learn more.
Ted
Great. Thanks folks.
I know it’s tempting sometimes to respond to the reviled character from time to time, but all you’re doing is giving the child attention. You know what that brings.
Richard 23
A class warfare post? It’s time people pulled themselves up by their bootstraps rather than soaking the rich. If you work hard in America you get ahead. It’s called the American dream.
Ted
So, if the figures in the post above are to be believed, average incomes in the bottom 90% basically slowly inch down a half percent per year in recent years. Some dream.
I work for a top-notch global corporate Borg cube, and all but the executives get their 3.3% raise every year. Just enough to fall slightly short of inflation.
I think you might be a bit ‘out of touch’.
Tsulagi
Not necessarily. Financially, I’m better off than I was when Bush took office. Workwise and with some investments.
In fact, it’s sort of a point of shame with me that I made some money currency trading in the first Bush term. You just knew this idiot was going to kill the dollar. A no-brainer when you saw the massive deficits he was going to create.
About the time the former prep school cheerleader was “elected,” the dollar was around 1.20 euro. Now it’s about .75. It’s not flag burning, but still I hated betting against the dollar.
Change my perception of this administration? Possibly. For president, we currently have the most gutless, lying, corrupt, less-than-worthless sack of shit ever. Flatlined in honor, integrity, and every measure of character. His administration for the most part mirrors that. Yeah, maybe I’m being overly charitable in my assessment because I have a couple of extra dollars in my pocket. Need to work on it.
Chad N. Freude
I just emerged from a colloquy with Darrell on a related economic subject that morphed from the King Abdullah thread, and I need to take a shower.
Dave_Violence
$10,000 left to sit in a bank account at 1% is worth $13,098.17 in 2007.
But… interests rates in 1980 weren’t all that bad…
Had it been sitting in a 5-year CD at 10%, in 1985, that would be worth $16,453.09. Then roll that over into a 1985 5-year CD at 10% and in 1990 you’d have $27,070.41. Roll that into a 5-year CD in 1990 at 8% and in 1995 you have $44,539.20. Roll that in 1995 to another 5-year at 6% and you’ve got $66,356.53 in 2000. Roll that one into another 5-year CD at 6% and you’ve got $98,860.99 in 2005. Interest rates from http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0908373.html.
Then, in 2005, cash out and pay 15% and you’re left with about $84 grand. That’s not too bad for not lifting more than a couple of fingers every five years… I’ve got about 25 more years until retirement, so perhaps I’ll take that “spare” ten grand and stick in in a 5.25% CD and follow the model above, who knows? It may end up being a hundred grand, depending on how rates go…
One thing is for sure, someone f’d up in 1980 with their $10,000. Schmuck.
Pooh
Yeah, Darrell, maybe those pork bellies weren’t such a great idea. Especially holding on to them for 25+ years. Even with the miracles of modern refrigeration technology, I imagine they go bad at some point.
AnonE.Mouse
Maybe that explains Darrell’s bitterness-he was the schmuck who made that dumbass investment.
Rome Again
It was obvious Darrell didn’t know the meaning of investment. That’s called a savings account. You don’t save much in a “savings account”.
Tim
It’s time people pulled themselves up by their bootstraps rather than soaking the rich. If you work hard in America you get ahead. It’s called the American dream.
Sure, like those Circuit City workers making the princely rate of $12/hr being fired so the corporation can hire cheaper workers.
ThymeZone
Darrell gives new meaning to “stuffing your money in a mattress.”
Of course in his case, it’s a homoerotic mattress with stories of its own to tell ……..
ThymeZone
Rome! I thought you gave up on us. Missed you.
Rome Again
Ah, I just can’t stay away from this place. I must be addicted. Is there such as thing as “Balloon Juice Addiction” and is there a cure?
On second thought, forget it, I just want to be an addict.
You missed me TZ? Really? I’m all a flutter now. ::wink::
Rome Again
LMFAO!
ThymeZone
When I say Darrell is a stain on this place, unfortunately, I mean it literally ………
Volum
Many of us on the left believe Bush’s opening salvo of “Vote for me and you get a $300 check in the mail!” scheme was just that; a scheme.
A means of making people temporarily forgo any other misgivings they may have, in order to get that sweet, sweet three-hundred dollars. Many people that I know completely fell for it too. To them, hell $300 is awesome!!
Hell, give me $350 and you can stay president for 9 years!
You’re right. A lot of Americans are completely blindsided by reality, when they focus too much on their short term finances. And too many of the top-tier pundits, congress elects, et al continue to never give any significance to long-term prospects.
It’s sad, but thank you for bringing up the topic.
Rome Again
Actually, TZ, I’ve decided my mission here is not complete. I’ve decided I must stay longer, hoping Darrell will finally come to his senses and say “fuck it, I can’t support this administration anymore”. I know it will be a long haul, but I think I might be in for it; unless something really interesting happens in my life and I just decide it’s not worth it anymore. Until that day(yeah right, like I am expecting something better to come along), I’m on a mission (from God) to see Darrell disconnect his butt from Bush.
I have pretty good odds though, I waited over a year and a half to see Mr. Cole’s transformation come to a ccompletion.
Tsulagi
Probably. He was just following the business model for the everyday Republican set by the president, but in smaller figures.
First, get $10k from daddy or one of his friends. Then, though your own brilliant management, turn that 10k into13k in the span of 27 years. However, if he did that, he’s already done much better than the prez during his oilman impersonation days.
Now while you’re sitting on your ass waiting those 27 years, be sure to continually bitch about anyone getting any form of government benefits like workman’s comp, unemployment, etc. Known truth they’re preventing you from becoming rich. Plus while your ass is getting wider, be sure to pray to all the gods you hold holy, especially Jesus, for tax breaks. Known truth also tells you they alone make you rich immediately. Like the lottery.
Now in 27 years, collect your 13k and scream like a stuck pig that you’re paying any tax at all. That’s all that’s keeping you from buying your own Anna Nicole Smith. Of course, that and everything else is the Dems fault because they’re worse. Another known truth. Bush Republicans are smart like that and great businessmen.
Gex
Except that it is dangerous to include those things. The party that favors the economic policies that correlates to the leveling out or dropping of income also speaks constantly of trying to cut or eliminate these things. Count on these things at your own peril.
Rome Again
Don’t forget the part about living in Mommy’s basement, of course, without government welfare, that’s the only way this person could get a regular meal and a bed.
jake
At least give him credit for tossing the meth.
ThymeZone
Absolutely. Bush’s success in business is what propelled him to the top.
Isn’t it?
ThymeZone
Well, God certainly has a sense of humor.
And Darrell + Bush is certainly giving the phrase “stuck on you” a whole new meaning.
Darrell
Exactly my point. The dishonest filth that inhabit BJ refuse to acknowledge my perfectly valid point – that capital gains are not indexed to inflation.. which was one of the main reasons the 15% tax rate compromise was enacted. Leftists want to whine like the bitches they are over the “low” 15% capital gains rate while dishonestly avoiding the issue of inflation eating away at gains… hence my example. No one with a shred of honesty can dispute that I have a valid point.. but then again, we’re at Balloon Juice.
Dishonest as hell? You bet.. Welcome to to the enlightenment of leftist scumbags dominating Balloon Juice commentariat.
Darrell
I pray that you vermin shout your “truth to power” hatred of Christianity to the rooftops. It’s really who you are. It’s part of what defines the left.
ThymeZone
You’re getting a hard on now, aren’t you?
Rome Again
Darrell, most on the left do NOT hate Christianity. I for one do though, and I’ll tell you why. It is an evil religion, and the books of Zechariah and Isaiah even say so.
Learn if you dare…
Darrell
No Rome, it’s not just you who hates Christianity, it’s most of the left. You’re in good company. Louder now freaks, I can’t hear you!
PaulB
If I recall correctly, the $300 check was actually a Democratic initiative. They wanted something to go to the man on the street.
PaulB
LOL… Really, dear? Then it should be easy for you to prove it, right?
Darrell, D'Souza, Delay and Strauss
You’ve been “welcoming” us to your reality for almost three years now. At what point is your welcome worn out?
That’s what you said about all those democrats in 2005, and look at what happened…
You are the last, dying ember of bad faith and hypocrisy.
Tsulagi
Good to see that in those 27 years your ass didn’t so wide that you can’t still strike a nerve. The description get a little close to home did it?
But show some intestinal fortitude. Be like Bush. Fart through the pain.
PaulB
“Dishonest filth,” eh? I just feel so … used. And here I thought you cared.
Well, that’s probably because you posed your “perfectly valid point” in a perfectly idiotic example. Were you to have posted something a little less stupid, you might have been taken seriously, instead of just laughed at. You should try it some time.
Well, no, not really, but you’re welcome to keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.
Actually, yes, we can, but there really isn’t any point in trying to pry open a firmly closed mind, particularly one so manifestly ignorant of economic issues.
So glad you could join us. Try the onion dip; it’s to die for.
Rome Again
Bravo! ::claps::
ThymeZone
Talking to real people gives you sexual pleasure, doesn’t it, Darrell?
Rome Again
Hmmm, didn’t click on the link, did you Darrell? Take the challenge, come on. Learn something.
Of course, if you want to stick to a religion that says Christians are the chosen ones after Hebrews were supposed to be the chosen ones, and still think you’re smart, have at it. Who am I to stop you from going the way of the wide and winding path?
ThymeZone
EVer notice how Darrell works himself up into a frenzy, and then goes away for a while?
Heh.
Rome Again
Well I’m hoping he’s looking at my link.
Rome Again
OMG! Say it ain’t so.
Sorry Darrell, my heart belongs to someone else. You’ll have to do without me.
Bob In Pacifica
Repeal Taft-Hartley.
ThymeZone
It’s where his hands are that I’m worried about.
Darrell, D'Souza, Delay and Strauss
No, it’s the Darrell Refractory Period.
Rome Again
Why? So long as they aren’t on you, what do you care? Be a liberal, if he wants to play with his ding-a-ling, I say have at it.
Rome Again
Hal is considering the monolith?
ThymeZone
Well, he’s a repressed righty. I think he craves homosexual encounters (especially with Boy Scouts) but has to pretend to be “against” such behavior in loud tones here, so as to cover for his real cravings.
Which is fine, but I’m afraid he might hurt himself.
Rome Again
So long as he doesn’t hurt innocent little boys, it’s fine by me.
Nick
And I’ll be the good conservative to say it’s his own damn fault if he does hurt himself. Why should we care?
chriskoz
I wonder… do those who support getting rid of the capital gains tax also support getting rid of stock loss deductions? (or other similarly related stock tax breaks)
Surely people wouldn’t expect the public to effectively subsidize stock losses if it doesn’t get any of the stock profits.
Rome Again
Exactly!
ThymeZone
Oh, the humanity.
Andrew
The problem, with Darrell, is all of the guilty little boys.
Rome Again
Live and let live, TZ…
and Andrew, I meant all little boys, not just a certain kind.
ThymeZone
I want Darrell to be secure in his homosexuality. I just want him to come out, and be free.
Rome Again
Are you going to be worrying about this excessively? ROTFLMAO
jg
Darrell is in his last throes?
ThymeZone
It’s only because I care about him. Is that wrong?
Rome Again
You’re a better person than I, TZ, truly.
ThymeZone
Rome, I seriously doubt that, but Darrell … well, he’s something worth caring about.
Sure, he’s an ignorant lying asshole, but he’s our asshole. So to speak.
Pb
You know, it’d be nice if salaries were indexed to inflation, or if the minimum wage was–or if the money in a mattress was. Or if I had a pony (adjusted for inflation, natch). Or if Darrell wasn’t too stupid to know WTF an I-bond is. Anyhow, next jackalope please…
cd6
This topic was amazing. Darrell came in and gave an extremely stupid example, multiple people completely tore it to pieces, and then he showed up again a few hours later, announced no one had refuted him, declared that all leftists hate jesus, and basically claimed total victory.
That takes an epic, amazing level of stupidity.
Ted
Wow. Good use of Nazi propaganda language about your enemies, Darrell.
Anyway, Darrell, I (whom you would probably consider filth worthy of a gas chamber) do not consider you to be “filth” or “vermin”. Just an idiot.
Scruffy McSnufflepuss
It’s the very Essence of spoof. DougJ has nothing on Darrell.
If he calls them cockroaches, too, you can toss in the Hutu Power movement as well.
rachel
Darrell again? LOL.
Chad N. Freude
What we have here seems to be some sort of template for a debating technique that applies to any irrational, stupid debater. Even (or especially) Darrell, the master … oh, god, I just can’t finish that.
Scruffy McSnufflepuss
The Scoutmaster?
RSA
Seriously, this is a complicated issue. If I were an economist, I might be thinking about how changes in tax rates, government incentives, and so forth might help to reduce or reverse the increasing inequity in the U.S. I see it as a problem. I suspect, though, that for a good percentage of Republicans it’s not viewed as a problem at all. They’ll say, “It’s just the way things are.” You can see this in Bush’s tax cuts. He talks about boosting the economy and people keeping more of what they earn, but I believe that in his view of the world, there’s nothing wrong with the rich getting richer and everyone else getting poorer. So while it’s fine to suggest mechanisms to change the situation, like increasing the capital gains tax, I think there are two flavors of arguments coming from the other side: first, it won’t help, and second, it’s not something they want to change.
Rome Again
I think Mr. Freude was talking about the mastubator.
I can finish it for you Chad. Masturbation is a totally normal and healthy behavior, and your acting like it isn’t is only keeping it relegated to darkness.
Rome Again
Well, since I don’t have one at the office these days, it’s okay to have one here.
The Other Steve
I can explain why this is so.
From 1994-2000, my yearly annual raise was about 15%. Now, granted, that’s a bit extreme as I’m in IT and the market was hot. But overall everybody was boosting salaries at over inflation.
From 2001-2007 thus far it’s been exactly the opposite. Inflation is going up at increasingly high rates(not properly calculated by the govt), but salaries are going up at 2-3% yearly.
Now why is this happening in the market?
It has to do with the creation of jobs. Under Clinton, we were creating new jobs at a rate unseen before. There was such demand, that it was drawing people out who were otherwise unemployed. That demand created a market of demand not met by supply, which any first grader economist can tell you responds with higher wages.
Under Bush, we’ve seen some job growth. But it’s been so low, that the market has actually pushed people out of the market.
Circuit City just announced they are laying of 3400 people who they think are paid too much at $10/hour, to replace them with $8/hour workers.
The President, who received like $9 million last year will not be laid off.
pharniel
The reason to close that gap is that as it becomes larger,a nd inflation continues to out pace earnings, eventually the most basic neccesities become too expensive for enough people and you get pressure for “a change”.
More commonly called a Revolution, because no matter how expensive bread is, I can gaurentee I can manage to make 5 shotgun shells for less.
At a certian point robbing the manses and other holdings of the ritch results in one of two outcomes: you get phat cash you need to keep yourself alive OR you get arrested and sent to prison, where they feed you.
You’d think these people, who are obsessed with an anchient text, would bother studying history.
When the gap is smaller, even if things are tight the masses are far more tolerant, because it really is bad for everyone.
When the gap is large, people start getting antsy.
Just look at a top song of 2k2 or so: Lifestyles of the Ritch and famous, a song advocating the forced redistribution of wealth as a cure for socital ills.
Scruffy McSnufflepuss
Well, I sure don’t want my kids going off into the woods with Scoutmasters who feel this way. Keep Darrell away from my snowflake babies!
Nick Kasoff
Well, if you are in the bottom two tax brackets – for a married couple, earning a total of less than $61,300 – capital gains are only taxed at 5%. And the marginal federal tax rate never reaches 40%, it tops out at 35% for those earning over $336,550. If a couple earns less than $61,300, the marginal rate is just 25%. Unless you are a cynical right-winger who supports privatizing social security, you shouldn’t be counting FICA and medicare as taxes. And as far as state and local taxes go … if those are a significant amount, perhaps you should move.
And don’t forget that there is an asset owned by more than half of Americans, from which almost everyone reaps substantial capital gains, and the capital gains of which are completely tax exempt up to $500,000 for a couple: your personal residence. When that same uber-rich guy you are complaining about makes a $2 mil profit on his house, he pays a 15% capital gain tax on $1.5 mil of that, for a tax bill of $225,000. When 20 middle class people sell their homes and pocket a $100,000 profit, for a total capital gain of $2 mil, there is no tax paid at all.
Nick Kasoff
The Thug Report
Punchy
Thank G-dizzle we’re out of Iraq, finally. About time. Funny I didn’t hear about the withdrawl of troops, but I guess if I spent time on a real blog I’d hear these things.
Scruffy McSnufflepuss
The media was mostly focused on Anna Nicole Smith at the time.
Rome Again
That’s not masturbation Scruffy, that’s molestation. Masturbation is usually a one person activity; although sometimes it can be done by two or more people simultaneously. I don’t think unsuspecting little boys qualify as candidates for such, what you are suggesting is theft of choice in the matter, thereby turning it into molestation.
RSA
I heard this on the radio, and it immediately raised my blood pressure. To add insult to injury, the company apparently is encouraging laid-off workers to re-apply after a couple of months. I imagine that if anyone comes in and says, “Given my experience working for this very company I’d expect my old salary,” HR will laugh in their face.
There are a few companies I refuse to patronize (not that my individual patronage makes any difference, but if enough people felt the same way. . .) Circuit City is now on the list.
Mr Furious
Mine too.
Chad N. Freude
Rome seems to have a case of humor deficiency syndrome. (Well, I think it’s humor.) The unfinished phrase was “master debater”, and yes, it’s a pun. I certainly didn’t intend to imply that there was anything abnormal or unhealthy about masturbation (and I really don’t think that can be inferred from what I wrote).
The point of the joke (which this analysis will now render a non-joke) is that Darrell jumps into an argument, makes points that only he alone accepts, persuades only himself that he’s right, and eventually explodes in a self-relieving outburst of invective.
For the record, I do not think that masturbation, solo or mutual (with one or more consenting adults), is abnormal, unhealthy, immoral, anti-social, a sign of depravity, a symptom of the end of civilization, or anything but a whole lot of fun.
But let’s get back to politics. That’s for talking; masturbation is for doing.
Chad N. Freude
Re Circuit City: What they’ve done is appalling, right out of Dickens. Even that bastion of screw-the-employees behavior Wal-Mart hasn’t done that. They have frozen salaries, but they haven’t tossed anybody onto the street (as far as I know). Still, that’s quite an achievement by CC — out-Wal-Marting Wal-Mart.
Scruffy McSnufflepuss
Exactly. Darrell is a Scoutmaster debater, and he shouldn’t be allowed within 300 yards of children.
Fuck it, though, it’s not even funny. Rome Again killed the joke.
Dreggas
Regarding hatred of christianity I will post the same thing I did on an alternative lifestyles board (BDSM) that I posted in response to the same type of stupid ignorant Troll.
I’ll stop hating christianity when…
It goes back into the churches and out of the public square.
When it stops being followed by the same type of Pharisees that Jesus warned about.
When it stops being filled with hypocrites who preach love thy neighbor then play kill thy neighbor.
When the New Testament finally replaces the old as the real christian law and is practiced as such.
When they finally learn the golden rule.
When they stop villifying everyone else while doing the exact same things they villify.
When they go back to their churches and stay out of my government.
When they stop using the idea of “Jesus Saves” as a convenient mechanism to go to church on Sunday, confess, then sin the rest of the week (after all even the best goalie doesn’t save that often).
When they finally realize Jesus’ message was not to go forth and militarize to convert others but rather to go forth in peace and love for their fellow man regardless of their beliefs.
When they realize revelations was a bad trip on some funky mushrooms.
When they realize the rapture was a concoction of a 19th century english minister and is not mentioned in the bible anywhere.
When they stop committing the 7 deadly sins with such relish.
When they humble themselves.
In short when they start acting like Christians and stop acting like idiotic psychophants that would make Hypocrates proud.
Andrew
I’ve never understood why taxes have to be so complicated. The only reason I can come up with is that so if you make enough money, you can find enough loop holes not to pay at all. I have a simple solution.
Your first $20,000 is not taxed at all. If you are married and filling jointly make that $40,000. Add $5,000 tax free for each kid. And when I say not taxed, I mean no medicare/medicade, ss, income, capitol gains, inheritance, and all other federal taxes.
After that point lets say the tax rate is 25%, flat for everything. It doesn’t matter how you earned the money. We somehow divide that 25% into ratios to support all the things that are taken out separately now. There is also no maximum cap on things. You pay the same amount into everything from your first dollar taxed until your last dollar taxed.
In this system your average family of four making $60,000 pays a total of $2,500 in taxes. The only ones I can’t see supporting this are the accountants and the people who pay them to make their taxes go away.
ThymeZone
It’s the same reason why the flat tax has no political future, and will not be seen in your lifetime.
The tax structure is a political instrument. It is constructed entirely of compromises between interests. Without that baroque set of constructs, politicians would have nothing to sell you.
That is the entire explanation. The tax system is an expression of the politicial reality from which it sprang.
If you want to change the tax structures, you have to change the political structures.
Good luck with that.
Rome Again
Chad, I realized what you were getting at, but “master debator” seemed too easy, and really didn’t seem to fit my idea of Darrell anyway, so I skipped over that part and went right on to the next exit on that freeway. Hope you understand. :)
No hard feelings, okay?
Rome Again
Well, yes… but we all knew that. What are you saying that’s new?
I thought mine was better, sorry. Besides, TZ was concerned about what Darrell might do to himself. It’s not like I didn’t have a legitimate entrance into that one at all.
Chad N. Freude
This is true, but not all of the complications result from pandering to special interests. Some are attempts to give the non-wealthy some relief. Of course, improving by tinkering does not make for more simplicity.
The flat tax, Steve Forbes notwithstanding, is inequitable and really benefits the wealthy. Think of the cleaning lady’s keeping 80% of what she makes vs. Bill Gates keeping 80% of what he makes.
The flat tax reminds of a folk anecdote from my childhood. A sausage maker claims that his sausages are 50% rabbit meat. When challenged, he says “With every horse, I put in a rabbit. 50%!”
Chad N. Freude
Of course not. I save those for Darrell.
ThymeZone
I never suggested such a thing, did not use the word “pandering.” It’s the wrong word.
Having interests represented, and having those represented interests gain a foothold in the legistlative process, is not “pandering.” It’s called “taxation with representation.”
That’s the way it’s supposed to work.
The whole “pandering – special interests” theme portfolio is a manufactured “issue” used as a tool by manipulative politicians.
The fun starts when interests aggregate or gain power beyond their rightful boundaries.
ThymeZone
You are going to give Darrell another hard on.
Chad N. Freude
Sorry. I read more into it than you intended.
Like that’s never happened to me, either.
ThymeZone
Well, I have been panhandled. But not really pandered to.
I wish some politicians would start pandering to me.
For example, can’t we have a tax exemption on donuts?
Rome Again
Donuts? No, because then they’d have to figure out how to separate the hole. Munchkins, maybe.
Chad N. Freude
Doesn’t he have enough already?
I love the gayety on this blog.
ThymeZone
Our policy is, “Don’t ask, don’t tell Darrell.”