Do republicans know these facts?

Question

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1101-33.htm

I could recite all the evidence, but I am sure you’ve heard it; you see it every day, all around you. Despite continued growth in the economy, real median household income declined between 2000 and 2004. Between 1980 and 2004, real wages in manufacturing fell 1 percent while the real income of the richest 1 percent rose – by 135 percent. In 1976 the top 1 percent of Americans owned 22 percent of our total wealth. Today, the top 1 percent controls 38 percent of our total wealth. In 1960, the gap in terms of wealth between the top 20 percent and the bottom 20 percent was 30 fold. Now it is more than 75 fold.

Such concentrations of wealth would be far less of an issue if the rest of society were benefiting proportionately. But that’s not the case. According to Census Bureau data, Americans have become progressively less likely to advance up the socio-economic ladder.

In 2001, 397,000 people who applied for the Earned Income Tax Credit were audited, one out of every 47 returns. That’s a rate eight times higher than the rate for people earning $100,000 or more. Only one out of every 366 returns of wealthy households was audited. Over the previous 11 years, in fact, audit rates for the poor increased by a third, while the wealthiest enjoyed a 90 percent decline in IRS scrutiny. Of all the 744,000 tax returns audited by the IRS in 2002, more than half, David Cay Johnston finds, were filed by the working poor. More than half of IRS audits targeted people who account for less than 20 percent of taxpayers, the poorest 20 percent.

It doesn’t add up, does it? Spend $100 million a year of taxpayer money to audit the working poor, while actively foregoing billions in revenue from the wealthy who hide or defer their income as capital gains.

Answer 1

You are absolutely right but unfortunately I don't see it changing anytime soon. History has shown us time and again that as the gap between the haves and the have nots widens, empires crumble. America will ultimately complete its cycle as the dominant world empire and some other empire will rise up to take its place. If our "corporate leaders" were not so focused on short term profit maybe the process can be slowed down somewhat. But in our present economic climate, where worldwide corporations have no allegiance to particular nations, I don't see that happening anytime soon

Answer 2

Sounds like you have a serious case of class envy going on. Over the last 10, 20, 30+ years, the rich have indeed gotten richer, but so have the poor. Yes, the rich got faster, but so what? What's important is that the middle class and poor have gotten richer too.

Manufacturing has declined, and will continue to decline, as poorer countries will do the work for $2 a day, vs $15 per hour in the USA, plus as technology reduces the need for manufacturing workers. You can't continue living in the past. There used to be vast industries to care and house horses, manufacturer horse drawn carriages and wagons, cut ice from lakes and bring to people, etc. Situations change. Today we are in an informaton / service economy.

The richest 1% may hold 38% of our wealth (and I'd like to see the source for that), however they only earn 19% of the national annual income, but pay 34% of the federal income taxes every year. The richest 50% pay 96.5% of the income taxes.

Do you want to know why the rich benefit so much? Because they are taking all the risks! Or they are the ones who spend extra effort and years getting an advanced education. What is the average worker risking? He's not the one who spent 4, 6 or 8 years in college. He's not the one who mortgaged his house to start a business, which could easily fail. He's not the one who risks lawsuits and has to comply with gov't regulations. He's not the one that has to pay the payroll taxes and provide employee health insurance. He's not investing in new opportunities. The average worker is just putting in their time and spending their paycheck, because that is what they choose to do.

The rich, for the most part, deserve their riches. They're the ones who sacrificed and risked losing their money and their homes. They are also the ones providing all those jobs for the regular working Joes and Janes.

Anyone can become rich. You want to become rich? Follow these simple rules.

1. Stay in school and study hard.
2. Don't get addicted to anything.
3. Get a college degree.
4. Don't have kids until you are in a stable marriage and out of college.
5. Start your own business or get an advanced or professional degree.
6. Work your tail off.
7. Live well beneath your means until AFTER you've made it.

Both my brother and mother have followed this recipe to riches. My mother came to this country with nothing. My family was raised strictly middle class. My brother saved and took $8K, a lot of sacrifice and years of 12-16 hour days to become rich.

If you are still a doubter, I urge you to read "The Millionaire Next Door" that surveys exactly who the rich are and how they became rich.

Answer 3

I am a Republican but when a "fact" or concern is presented with intelligence, and happens to be a subject for which I am concerned, I have no problem agreeing with a Democrat. So I would have to say good point and worth looking into, the question is "Who will"?

Answer 4

They aren't interested in facts. They are interested in creating division and they are very good at it. Who would ever think that a political party that favors the top 1% could turn the middle class against themselves? They are doing as good a job with propaganda as Joseph Goebbels.

Answer 5

Yes, that darn IRS. Maybe we should do away with the IRS and have a straight percentage of net income tax.

Answer 6

It's just a shame that the poorest of the population is the ones getting the most troubles by our government.

Answer 7

No they are only concerned with
Paris Hiltons tax cuts...they couldn't
care less that most Americans can't
afford to feed their kids anything more
than peanut butter & jelly sandwich's
everynite or that kids go to bed cold & hungry.

Answer 8

U can talk til u are blue in the face. I see facts, People are spending more, You cannot get into a restaurant without waiting. The economy is stronger.......Come up with a different set of lies to write about.

Answer 9

Kudos to Kevin M for an excellent answer!

Answer 10

I think you are right, and I would love to vote for democrats, but until the they stop nominating this liberal cowards, I will vote republican.