Robert Reich: Inequality has warped the minds of America’s rich

[ErikJ]

The former labor secretary on why our country's wealthy won't pay anything close to the tax rate of 40 years ago

America has a serious “We” problem — as in “Why should we pay for them?”

The question is popping up all over the place. It underlies the debate over extending unemployment benefits to the long-term unemployed and providing food stamps to the poor.

It’s found in the resistance of some young and healthy people to being required to buy health insurance in order to help pay for people with preexisting health problems.

It can be heard among the residents of upscale neighborhoods who don’t want their tax dollars going to the inhabitants of poorer neighborhoods nearby.

The pronouns “we” and “they” are the most important of all political words. They demarcate who’s within the sphere of mutual responsibility, and who’s not. Someone within that sphere who’s needy is one of “us” — an extension of our family, friends, community, tribe – and deserving of help. But needy people outside that sphere are “them,” presumed undeserving unless proved otherwise.
.............................more
http://www.salon.com/2014/02/15/robert_reich_inequality_has_warped_the_minds_of_americas_rich_partner/

[Marr]

1. I understand that mindset, coming from poor and working class people.

We've seen a steady dissolving of the social contract, to the point where today it's downright insultingly exploitative of those groups. As a working class American, you get to attend underfunded public schools, likely enlist in the military to help protect the assets of the wealthy overseas and secure cheap labor, then come home and live in squalor because your civilian career has been outsourced to the country you just returned from. You also get to enjoy a two-tiered justice system, and a political system so rigged that your participation, at least at the national level, is little more than a marketing gimmick.

All while being belittled constantly as a "taker" and told by the wealthy, via their corporate media outlets, that you cannot be given unemployment benefits because you will just sit on your lazy ass unless threatened with starvation. Oh and also, they're rich because they just "worked hard", unlike you.

That more limited view of who constitutes "we" among the wealthy is just the opposite side of that coin, and can only be explained as sheer arrogance and self-glorification.

[Enthusiast]

4. Well said.

[valerief]

5. Very well said!

[cntrygrl]

9. I love your way with words!

[BootinUp]

2. pretty good article nt

[Enthusiast]

3. What warped their minds was being constantly misled by the right wing media.

They bought in to the Ayn Rand philosophy of greed is good.

[valerief]

6. Nah. When tax rates went down, they got more. The more they got, the more they wanted.

They didn't think about it. They just wanted more.

[Enthusiast]

7. They better start giving it some consideration.

Just advice to the haves (and have mores), as Dubya put it.

[ErikJ]

8. Galbraith summed them up

[Enthusiast]

13. He nailed that one.

[riderinthestorm]

10. Robert Reich always has something interesting to add to a discussion

Lately, he's been right on the money (heh)

K&R

[pansypoo53219]

11. paulson needed to make wall street feel the pain they caused. more GOP bullshit.

EVERYBODY felt the great depression.

[angstlessk]

12. Damn I love me some Robert Reich...if only he were taller

he could run for president....I hate prejudice...I would vote for him..in a heartbeat!

[jsr]

14. +1