"Let them eat cake"
--Marie-Antoinette
"I don't care about the poor..."
--Mitt Romney
By Professor John A. Tures, LaGrange College | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Fri, Feb 3, 2012
"Romney probably knows that most folks, even the poor, don't think they are poor. According to Gregroy Mantsios' essay Class in America, people generally think all but a fraction of folks are in the middle class. The upper class don't like to talk about their wealth, and the lower class don't want to admit their poverty.
David Shipler, author of "The Working Poor," writes, "Time magazine found in a 2000 survey that 19 percent of Americans thought they were in the top 1 percent of wage-earners, and another 20 percent expected to be in the future." So when someone claims they are the 99 percent, 40 percent think they are the one percent.
It's simple math. When Romney says he is concerned with the 90-95 percent who are middle class, most folks believe him. Only five percent may actually be offended, and they likely wouldn't have voted for him anyway.">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
divide and conquor--exploiting divisions within the 99%
Monday, November 28, 2011 11:36 AM
This kind of propoganda is a commonly used technique to subvert the credibility/legitimacy and weaken the solidarity of any "dissident" social movement.
The Republican strategy is to direct the resentment and anger of the middleclass downward rather than upward!
It's the bottom 2% of the 99% wch is most active in the "Occupy" movement.
This lowest socio-economic group includes many who are homeless, unemployed, mentally-challenged and
having "substance abuse" issues.
The upper 98% (or in this case the 53%)of the 99% has difficulty identifying with this group ,and therefore try to distance themselves from the movement by claiming that the 2% of the 99% do not represent them.
The lowest (2%) socio-economic group then claims that the 53% have sold out or been co-opted by the 1%.
and have become apologists for the oil and bank corporations
Wouldn't it be nice if the government went after the corporate criminals ,the way they deal with the demonstrators camped out in the parks!
Republicans:
ReplyDeleteInstead of putting their money where their heart is,...
they put their heart where their money is!
If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in character.
DeleteIf there be beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
If there be order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”
- Confucius
"Poverty"
ReplyDeleteis an instrument of economic warfare!
They (the 1% --the predators who disguise themselves as capitalist entrepreneurs)
want us to live on less...so they can "live on more"!
It's us against them!
"Let them eat crumbs!"
Deletethey expect us to be satisfied with crumbs
while they (the one percent) get to eat the whole damn cake.
they forget that we're the goose that lays they're
golden eggs!
#1 issue in the world threatening disintegration of society : economic inequality
Delete1% own as much wealth as the 99% combined
85 individuals own as much wealth as 3.5 billion of yhe poorest people on the planet
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/20/oxfam-85-richest-people-half-of-the-world
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesinsights/2014/03/25/the-67-people-as-wealthy-as-the-worlds-poorest-3-5-billion/
US President calls for tax hike on the rich
income inequality erodes social cohesion.
DeleteSocial and economic exclusion destabilizes the entire society. If a society does not embrace the value of equality and equal rights for all its members, those who feel excluded will resort to violence and criminality. people turn to criminality and violence out of desperation and hopelessness. If a society does not provide broadbased growth and opportunity to all its members, those who are left out will rebel and cause disruption of the social order. Education lays the foundation for employment opportunity and success in life.That is, in earning a livelihood and coping with the challenges of life.
******************
Poverty is not an accident; it doesn't "just happen".
ReplyDeletePoverty is a crime perpetrated by criminals...who must be held accountable for their actions!
Why Poverty?
DeleteEpisode: Park Avenue: Money, Power & the American Dream
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room) presents his take on the gap between rich and poor Americans in Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream. Gibney contends that America's richest citizens have "rigged the game in their favor," and created unprecedented inequality in the United States.
• Visit the Park Avenue: Money, Power & the American Dream webpage
Mitt Romney tells his millionaire doners what he really thinks about Obama voters:
ReplyDeletehttp://m.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/secret-video-romney-private-fundraiser
DeleteRomney shows his true colours:
This guy is out of touch and cannot be trusted to represent all the people!
He has smeared all liberals and Obama supporters as
non-productive welfare bums who are dependent on government handouts.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteRomney's private thoughts made public.
DeleteWhat Romney really sthinks!
Those who don't make enuf to pay taxes are scum
(freeloaders)!
"It is not my job to worry about those people"
The bubble world this guy lives in
Deleteblinds him to the plight of half the population.
Given the power that the president wields
he could do these people a lot of harm!
Deleteto empower someone with such a mindset is to emperil the entire world!
These remarks were made to hardcore Republicans at a $50,000 / plate fundraiser!!
ReplyDeleteThe pot spills whats in it!
The poor who vote for the Republicans
ReplyDeletevote for the continuation of their own oppression!
Republicans approve of torture:
ReplyDeletehttp://garthright.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-romney-torture-memo.html?m=1
ReplyDeleteRomney out of desperation does 180* on most major issues:
In an effort to win the undecided voter and in an attempt to win back voters from the opposite side of the political spectrum,
Romney moves toward the center and portrays himself as a moderate --championing the middle class.
Politicians want your vote and will say anything (whatever you want to hear) to get it.
Once they gain political office they can reverse their position and do as they pleaze
Politicians are skilled unprincipled sociopaths who are focused obsessively on gaining power at all costs.
"Market analysis" tells them what they need to say in order to win votes and get elected. If that means reversing their previously-stated position on any or all issues...so be it!
ReplyDeleteWho are the 47%?
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/where-the-47-percent-live.html
Where the 47 Percent Live
By Daniel Bukszpan
Was Mitt Romney correct in a recently surfaced video that 47 percent of the voting public pay no federal income tax? The figure that he cited originates from a 2011 study conducted by the Tax Policy Center. Although the figure in the study is actually 46.4 percent, the basic claim is true — there is a large swath of U.S. citizens who pay no federal income tax whatsoever.
Who are these people, and why are they exempt?
"They're either paying payroll taxes or they're the elderly," Heather Boushey, senior economist at the Center for American Progress, said in an e-mail. "Only 7.9% of households do not pay any federal taxes, but that's because they're either students, on disability, or unemployed.
These groups may not pay federal income tax, but that's different from paying no taxes whatsoever. "Everyone pays taxes of some sort," Boushey said. "If you have a job, you pay payroll taxes. If you buy things, you pay sales taxes. And people pay taxes to their state and local governments."Other groups who pay no federal income tax include retirees and people earning $20,000 a year or less. "The elderly don't have to pay income tax on their Social Security benefits, while low income workers qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit," Boushey said.
Read ahead to see the 10 states with the highest number of people who pay no federal income tax. The rankings are from the Tax Foundation and are from 2010, the nonpartisan tax research group's most recent list.Eight of the states are considered red, one is leaning toward President Barack Obama and one is a swing state.
Income Tax Liability: 712,035 Returns With No Income Tax Liability: 571,460 Nonpayers: 44.5%Mississippi tops the list because it comes in first place in numerous categories. "Mississippi ranks number one for returns with no taxable income, for Earned Income Tax Credit recipients and refundable child tax credit recipients," Kasprak said.The state is also "last in average income per return," he said. "By most measures, it's the poorest state in the country, so that is why it has so many nonpayers."
2. Georgia Total Returns: 4,589,611 Returns With Income Tax Liability: 2,639,561 Returns With No Income Tax Liability: 1,950,050 Nonpayers: 42.5%Georgia is home to nearly 2 million households that pay no income tax. This puts it near the top of the list of states where the 47 percent reside."Georgia is number two for returns with no taxable income," Kasprak said. "It's also fourth for returns receiving the refundable child tax credit."
3. Alabama Total Returns: 2,102,251 Returns With Income Tax Liability: 1,254,979 Returns With No Income Tax Liability: 847,272 Nonpayers: 40.3%Almost 850,000 Alabama households filed tax returns for 2010 that reflected no liability. According Liability: 3,751,822 Nonpayers: 39%Residents of Florida, the only swing state on the list, aren't in the nation's top 10 for the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit. However, it has the second-highest percentage of returns reflecting income under $50,000 and the sixth-highest percentage of returns with no taxable income.The state's large elderly population is a major factor in its high ranking. "Florida has the highest percentage of returns with taxable Social Security of any of these states," Kasprak said. "That indicates a higher-than-normal percentage of elderly people, who, in general,
If the GOP allows a fiscal cliff to happen because they have signed a pledge to not raise the taxes, a pledge that was originated more than twenty years ago, they will be paying allegiance to Grover Norquist, and they will not be fulfilling the other pledge to serve the American people. The question is, which pledge matters more?
ReplyDeleteThe GOP will have to take responsibility for the economic mess after the fiscal cliff just like they did this year, when the Americans voted overwhelmingly for Obama, because they blame
the economic mess on two wars that were put on a credit card by a GOP president.
After all, the wealthiest Americans do not pay their fair share of the taxes so Grover Norquist's pledge was created to protect the wealthy at the expense of the middle class and its not gonna fly.
When injustice becomes law
ReplyDeleteResistance becomes duty!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuOGIPKEgfY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
ReplyDeleteSTEPHEN COLBERT on The Colbert Report:
"Folks, papa bear Bill O’Reilly is right.
The white establishment, guys like us, we’re the minority now. And we’re helpless against this tide of non-white people who want stuff and things. They’re the thing-stuff-wanters.
Whereas the traditional white people of any race, we don’t want things. We have things. Okay?"
The ones who want "free stuff' are the corporate welfare recipients who are sucking yhe life out of the taxpayer.
That includes yhe financial institutions thst received taxpayer bailouts
The relationship between socioeconomic status and health and life expectancy.
ReplyDeletePoverty/deprivation is associated with health problems and lower life expectancy
Global Commission Report
...listen to interview with Sir Michael Marmot on "Health and wealth" by AnnaMarie Tremonte on CBC/ the current
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/mobile/touch/episode/2013/11/28/sir-michael-marmot-on-health-inequality/
The relationship between health and wealth :
ReplyDeletehttp://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/current_20131128_94254.mp3
Every season is for giving, not just Christmas
ReplyDelete>
> By KATHY MICHAELS
> December 20, 2013 ·
>
> http://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/236748731.html?mobile=true
>
> There's been much ado about Industry Minister James Moore's miserly comments regarding child poverty. But, is it fair?Sure, the comment, "is it my job to feed my neighbour’s child? I don’t think so,” cast a Dickensian pall on those who hold office in this country, but what is the Harper government if not a stalwart defender of those who have?It's no secret to the have-nots—aka Tiny Tims and Bob Cratchets or as we're increasingly known, the 99 per cent—that this isn't the type of government that gets fussed by a paltry matters such as child poverty.Taking a page from Ebenezer Scrooge's pre-epiphany playbook, they've been busying themselves with these age old questions instead: "Are there no prisons? …union workhouses."Well, nobody is really on top of the union workhouses these days, but prisons; those are big deal to our elected officials of varying levels.The province almost brought one to Kelowna.We were so close to having a place to put all those people who have been struggling to pay their rent, or generally make ends meet.And those pesky neighbour children of Moore's?They'd get three square meals, and he'd be off the hook.Of course, it may be cheaper in the long run to contribute to a fair and equitable society. The kind where the economy functions, but not at the expense of those at the margins.Because, make no mistake, those margins are widening and only a fool would think they're impervious to the type of downward spiral that could place them there.If you need evidence, Christmas is the easiest time to get a firsthand story about families who thought things were going along tickety-boo, until hit-after-hit to their bottom line sent them to the foodbank or the Sally Ann for the holidays.Local news organizations have lined their pages with their stories in an effort to get all who have a little more to ante up.But those stories contrasted against Moore's stupid comment —apology disregarded—has made me realize that we all could do better.It's been 170 years since Dickens penned A Christmas Carol, and we're still struggling with the same disparity between rich and poor.The 2013 State of the Child Report, organized by Community Action Toward Children's Heath and The report indicated the overall child poverty rate in B.C. is 17.1 per cent; 34.2 per cent of single-parent households have income levels that fall below the Low Income Measure in the Kelowna Metropolitan Area.The report determined the 2013 Living Wage for the Central Okanagan is $18.01 per hour, to deal with: Average housing costs of $1,264.96 per month, average food costs of $832.82 per month, average child care costs of $1,133.39 per month and average monthly transportation costs of $492.46 for families.That's far too many people who are dealing with untenable circumstances, and their stories should weigh on us more often than just during the holidays, or when one of the feds open their mouth to spew Scrooge like comments.
> Now excuse me, I'm going to check on my neighbours.
>
> **************************
> listen to:
Oct. 16 2013 CBC.ca/the current
Are the rich less feeling? Yes.
Research suggestz that wealth reduces compassion.
http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/current_20131016_97692.mp3
When we lose our compassion we lose our humanity
Deletehttp://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/current_20131016_97692.mp3
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&redir_esc=&client=ms-android-samsung&source=android-unknown&v=141338691&qsubts=1388189597794&q=The+Current+from+CBC+Radio+%28Highlights%29+Are+the+rich+less+feeling%3F+Research+suggests+wealth+reduces+compassion+-+Oct+16%2C+2013
Science confirms it is more blessed to give tban to receive. The giver is happier yhan yhe receiver.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in poverty leads to increased incidence. of mental and phyzical illness :
see Paul Latimer's Dec 26 2013 column in Kelownacapnews.com page A18
http://issuu.com/blackpress/docs/i20131226070313984/1?e=1205826/6128283
ReplyDeleteIMF study finds inequality is damaging to economic growth
International Monetary Fund paper dismisses rightwing argument that redistributing incomes is self-defeating
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/feb/26/imf-inequality-economic-growth
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/why-rich-richer-poor-poorer-003317014.html
ReplyDeleteWhy the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
ReplyDeleteBerni Sanders : a politician who is not afraid to speak the truth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa1wGlGbTVI
The truth is powerful!
Stacks of petitions signed by 2 million Americans opposed to cuts in Social Security benefits were delivered to the Capitol this week as Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced new legislation to expand benefits and strengthen the program for generations to come. “Social Security is the most successful government program in our nation's history. Through good times and bad, Social Security has paid out every benefit owed to every eligible American,” Bernie said. “The most effective way to strengthen Social Security for the future is to eliminate the cap on the payroll tax on all income above $250,000 so millionaires and billionaires pay the same share as everyone else.”
DeleteUnder current law, someone making millions of dollars a year pays the same amount in payroll taxes as someone making $118,500 a year. Bernie's bill would subject all income over $250,000 to the payroll tax, a move that would impact only the top 1.5 percent of wage earners. Asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute their fair share to Social Security could extend the solvency of the program through 2060 and allow benefits to be expanded for millions of Americans. “At a time when more than half of the American people have less than $10,000 in savings and senior poverty is increasing, we should not be talking about cutting Social Security benefits. We should be talking about expanding benefits to make sure that every American can retire with dignity,” Bernie said.
also watch: Mario Cuomo1984 DNC Keynote address. delivered 16 July 1984, San Francisco, CA
ReplyDeletehttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mariocuomo1984dnc.htm
"there is despair...in the faces of the people you don't see."
"the higher you reach, the further you'll get"
ReplyDelete--Mario Cuomo
from Peter Mansbridge's1993 interview
http://news.yahoo.com/video/mario-cuomo-1993-interview-145803504.html http://a.msn.com/00/en-ca/BBhrO5A
'Rockin' In The Free World'
ReplyDeleteThe phrase "Rockin’ In The Free World" is not a flag waving Republican anthem. It is a sarcastic takedown of Republican values.Neil Young supports Bernie Sanders, and there is no way in hell that he would ever support Donald Trump or let him near his music.
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/16/neil-young-sends-big-f-u-music-thief-donald-trump-endorsing-bernie-sanders.html
“The rich get much richer and the Republicans think they (the rich) need more help. The middle class and working families of this country become poorer and the Republicans think we need to cut programs they desperately need. I do not believe that these are the priorities of the American people,” --Bernie Sanders
ReplyDeletehttp://sanders.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=2100124577.1260610.7&gen=1
The war on the middle class
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2015/06/12/bernie-sanders-the-war-middle-class/hAJUTAjWgupBLx4zAMh7nN/story.html? hootPostID=932abaf0e7def55e4bea95b77a4d4763
By Bernie Sanders
JUNE 12, 2015
HERE IS THE reality of the American economy. Despite an explosion in technology and a huge increase in worker productivity, the middle class continues its 40-year decline. Today, millions of Americans are working longer hours for lower wages and median family income is almost $5,000 less than it was in 1999.Meanwhile, the wealthiest people and the largest corporations are doing phenomenally well. Today, 99 percent of all new income is going to the top 1 percent, while the top one-tenth of 1 percent own almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. In the last two years, the wealthiest 14 people in this country increased their wealth by $157 billion. That increase is more than is owned by the bottom 130 million Americans – combined. Over the last 40 years, the largest corporations in this country have closed thousands of factories in the United States and outsourced millions of American jobs to low-wage countries overseas. That is why we need a new trade policy and why I am opposed to the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership now before Congress.Large corporations and their lobbyists have created loopholes enabling corporations to avoid an estimated $100 billion a year in taxes by shifting profits to the Cayman Islands and other offshore tax havens. That is why we need real tax reform which demands that the very wealthy and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes.Corporate America has mounted vigorous anti-union campaigns, making it harder for workers to collectively bargain for decent wages and benefits. That is why we must make certain that workers are given a fair chance to join a union.
Meanwhile, US companies are buying back billions of dollars of their own stock in a way that manipulates stock prices, hurts the economy and, by the way, used to be against the law.Instead of putting resources into innovative ways to build their businesses or hire new employees, corporations are pumping their record-breaking profits into buying back their own stock and increasing dividends to benefit their executives and wealthy shareholders at the expense of their workers. It is a major reason why CEOs are now making nearly 300 times what the typical worker makes. We must demand an end to stock buybacks.We also must do a lot more to rebuild the middle class, check corporate greed, and make our economy work again for working families.We need to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next several years. With 70 percent of the economy dependent on consumers buying goods and services, the best way to expand the economy is to raise wages and create good jobs to increase the purchasing power of the American people.We need to pass pay equity for women workers. It is not acceptable that women receive 78 cents on the dollar compared to male workers doing the same job.We need to make certain that every worker in this country receives guaranteed paid sick leave and vacation time.We need to encourage business models that provide employees the tools to purchase their own businesses through Employee Stock Ownership Plans and worker-owned cooperatives. Workers at employer-owned companies are more motivated, productive, and satisfied with their jobs.It is time to say loudly and clearly that corporate greed and the war against the American middle class must end. Enough is enough!
the Republican party is a party of bigotry and intolerance
ReplyDeletethe fact that Donald Trump leads the polls among the GOP candidates for president indicates that.a lot of the grassroots members of the Republican party support his ideas
It is truely a sad commentary on the quality of conservative leadership when a person like Donald Trump would be considered for President
British parliament considers banning Donald Trump from entering the country.
ReplyDeletethe Republican party is a party of bigotry and intolerance
the fact that Donald Trump leads the polls among the GOP candidates for president indicates that.a lot of the grassroots members of the Republican party support his ideas
It is truely a sad commentary on the quality of conservative leadership when a person like Donald Trump would be considered for President
Tuesday 21 November, 2017 Full Episode Transcript
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-november-21-2017-1.4410676/tuesday-21-november-2017-full-episode-transcript-1.4412822#segment3
"my name is Harry Lesley Smith" podcast
SOUNDCLIP
My name is Harry Leslie Smith and I am almost 100 years old. My memories and my voice are my last weapon against the political tide. I want to return to Britain and the world to the darkness of my youth when the ordinary worker grubbed for existence, while the one percent of that day lived off the fat of our labor like princes during the days of slavery.
So welcome to my last act of defiance.AMT: With those words 94 year old Harry Leslie Smith launched his first podcast. It is called Harry's Last Stand.