Who are American politicians beholden to? The People? The Constitution?

[Hauldren Collider]

Just came here to say Andrew ****ing Carnegie

WHOO! GO TARTANS GO

Oh yeah and Andrew Mellon too

[Hauldren Collider]

Also busting unions ftw

Support human progress, **** unions

Anyway with respect to Carnegie it's pretty obvious he built the city in which I am currently residing (Pittsburgh) up from nothing. His name is all over the goddamn place. Anyone who can create that much human capital in his lifetime is obviously a hero. Then he founded CIT. Superhero

[Hauldren Collider]

So Paul Ryan wants to decrease taxes on the wealthy and increase taxes ont he poor. I am sure if he spoke plainly people would support him!

JM

No, the middle class needs to pay more, not the poor. What with various exemptions, they pay next to nothing. The poor pay plenty in taxes already.

[DaShi]

Actually, the wealthiest Americans get the most exemptions and deductions. America's "progressive" tax system is completely defeated by all the exemptions and deduction at the top.

[PLATO]

I have a great debate going on in my mind with respect to taxes. Here are the points...maybe you all can help.

1.) The income disparity between the rich and the middle class is the highest in a generation.
2.) Tax increases historically ****** economic growth
3.) Gov't spending tends to create less overall economic activity than private spending
4.) High corporate tax rates discourage domestic investment
5.) Corporations are sitting on huge sums of money and not investing it.
6.) Millions of people are still struggling and still need a safety net
7.) A lot of middle class and most poor pay no tax and have no "skin in the game"

I could go on and on, but you get the general idea of the conflict.

[Kidlicious]

The lower middle class pays too much tax. It does seem that when you move up the tax brackets into middle middle class your tax burden doesn't increase all that much. But when you are lower middle class and your income increases it seems like you just end up paying it all in taxes.

[kentonio]

Just came here to say Andrew ****ing Carnegie

Let's be honest, it was the gay porn that really brought you back into the thread.

[DaShi]

Carnegie and Rockefeller were rare breeds indeed.

[Hauldren Collider]

Let's be honest, it was the gay porn that really brought you back into the thread.

My heart is in the work.

(Whatever the **** that means. I haven't met anyone at CMU that knows.)

[Jon Miller]

I have a great debate going on in my mind with respect to taxes. Here are the points...maybe you all can help.

1.) The income disparity between the rich and the middle class is the highest in a generation.
2.) Tax increases historically ****** economic growth

I know that there is rational reasons to think this, although it appears complicated.

Is there historical evidence that this really happens?

3.) Gov't spending tends to create less overall economic activity than private spending

Evidence?

4.) High corporate tax rates discourage domestic investment
5.) Corporations are sitting on huge sums of money and not investing it.
6.) Millions of people are still struggling and still need a safety net
7.) A lot of middle class and most poor pay no tax and have no "skin in the game"

It is hard to have skin in the game when you have no wealth.

It might be hard to have 'skin in the game' if you don't pay taxes.

But the key point is that we should do something to return society back to the point (or forward to the point) where at least the 'middle class' can create wealth (that doesn't go away every time they experience a financial shock). See http://noahpinionblog.blogspot.com/2...ave-money.html

I could go on and on, but you get the general idea of the conflict.

[Jon Miller]

I have a great debate going on in my mind with respect to taxes. Here are the points...maybe you all can help.

1.) The income disparity between the rich and the middle class is the highest in a generation.
2.) Tax increases historically ****** economic growth

I know that there is rational reasons to think this, although it appears complicated.

Is there historical evidence that this really happens?

3.) Gov't spending tends to create less overall economic activity than private spending

Evidence?

4.) High corporate tax rates discourage domestic investment
5.) Corporations are sitting on huge sums of money and not investing it.
6.) Millions of people are still struggling and still need a safety net
7.) A lot of middle class and most poor pay no tax and have no "skin in the game"

It is hard to have skin in the game when you have no wealth.

It might be hard to have 'skin in the game' if you don't pay taxes.

But the key point is that we should do something to return society back to the point (or forward to the point) where at least the 'middle class' can create wealth (that doesn't go away every time they experience a financial shock). See http://noahpinionblog.blogspot.com/2...ave-money.html

I could go on and on, but you get the general idea of the conflict.

[Kidlicious]

The old tax the poor so they will vote for lower taxes for the righ argument. Does that make any sense at all?

[regexcellent]

Just came here to say Andrew ****ing Carnegie

WHOO! GO TARTANS GO

Oh yeah and Andrew Mellon too

[molly bloom]

Anyway with respect to Carnegie it's pretty obvious he built the city in which I am currently residing (Pittsburgh) up from nothing.

So enthusiastic about sharing your ignorance with the rest of the world, it almost makes you puppylike. As Pittsburgh was the largest refiner of petroleum products in the U.S. in the mid-1800s and a major starting-off point for those migrating westwards, I'd say this was nothing but hyperbole. It certainly expanded after Carnegie established his factories, but to claim he built it up from nothing ? Knobhead.

Also busting unions ftw

Support human progress, **** unions

Boring and predictable.

This is the trial of my life (death's hand excepted). Such a foolish step -- contrary to my ideals, repugnant to every feeling of my nature. Our firm offered all it could offer, even generous terms. Our other men had gratefully accepted them. They went as far as I could have wished, but the false step was made in trying to run the Homestead Works with new men. It is a test to which workingmen should not be subjected. It is expecting too much of poor men to stand by and see their work taken by others. . . The pain I suffer increases daily. The Works are not worth one drop of human blood. I wish they had sunk.

Andrew Carnegie