The Language of Shared Sacrifice

[texshelters]

The Language of Shared Sacrifice



Find complete original here: http://texshelters.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/the-language-of-shared-sacrifice/



President Obama has been using the term “shared sacrifice” in an effort to get Republicans to compromise with him over the budget. Obama is asking for more revenue in tax increases and closure of some tax loopholes for corporations and the upper 1%, and the Republicans, in general, want cut to social programs like Medicare and Social Security. 

So, Obama said that he will meet the Republicans part way and discuss cuts if Republicans are willing to raise revenues, i.e. raise some taxes. The President calls for “shared sacrifice.” http://news.xin.msn.com/en/world/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5055041 Although giving more in taxes when you can afford it seems less of a sacrifice than losing your health care or job or being unable to pay your heating costs in winter, the “GOP say they’ve sacrificed enough already on debt negotiations.” http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/gop-leaders-ve-sacrifice-enough-already-debt-negotiations-190415729.html

What has the GOP really sacrificed? To sacrifice, you have to have something to give up. The Republicans are so bound to a failed ideology called “trickle down economics” that they think it is a sacrifice to reconsider these policies. Just voting for an increase in the debt ceiling is considered a “shared sacrifice” by what Republicans call their “leadership.” http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58745.html

<snip>



Who suffers more, a CEO who fails to get a bonus because of a poor economy but still gets his/her million plus dollar salary, or the millions of workers who have lost their jobs since 2008?

Who suffers more, Exxon/Mobil or the people who can’t afford their pain medication due to cuts in Medicare and Medicaid? 

Who suffers more, GE (and other corporations) who may no longer be able to avoid all taxes in the future http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/general-electric-paid-federal-taxes-2010/story?id=13224558 , or the ever growing number of people who live in poverty? http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/US-Poverty-Rate-Highest-in-15-Years-103060399.html

<snip>


Peace,

Tex Shelters



Read the rest here: http://texshelters.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/the-language-of-shared-sacrifice/

[Sherman A1]

1. Here's my thoughts on "shared sacrifice"

The upper 1% has pretty much gotten all the tax breaks over the last 30 years, so they have gotten their share (or benefit) from the system.

Now it's time to PAY UP for the FREE Ride.


My knee jerk response would be to simply tax them into the dirt, then toss their useless carcasses into Gitmo.

But, that's just my knee jerk response. :mad:

[elocs]

2. What's the equality in the rich & big business getting tax breaks,

or no tax increases and the poor, needy, and low income Americans get the social programs that help them cut?

Do the rich have to worry about their health coverage? Does the price of food cause them to worry whether they will eat or not? How about the price of gas or energy--are the rich concerned when those prices are too high whether they will be able to afford to drive or heat their homes?

Obviously the answer to all of those questions is "no".

Are there any cherished Democratic and Progressive values and ideals that the leader and leaders of our Party are not willing to sacrifice, compromise, and bargain away?

Who has our backs? They sure the hell want our votes though.

[Ship of Fools]

3. My stepdaughter

should be the poster child of 20-something conservative Republicans ... I can tell you, with 100% certainty, that she and young kids like her consider the acquisition of wealth as VIRTUOUS and have a Darwinesque attitude toward the impoverished. The disdain on her face when we banter about the necessity of social programs says it all. There is no empathy, no compassion (even though she is super *Christian*). Unless you have 2.5 kids, a McMansion, a couple of SUVs, and the one-and-only goal of obtaining as much wealth as possible in this lifetime, you are a *socialist*. These *goals* are all she thinks about, all she works for. If she wasn't my husbands kid, well, I oughtta ... To the moon, alice, you know what I mean?

-- just one woman's opinion --

[texshelters]

6. Well, wealth can be had

with hard work. fine. But I'm talking about the cheaters and liars and those that make wealth on the backs of other's suffering.

Many have no qualms in the suffering of others as long as they got theirs.

It's pathological and greed and selfishness does nothing to make this a better planet to live on.

The upshot? I don't begrudge JK Rowling, or Steve Jobs, or others their wealth, as long as they pay their share in taxes for the benefit society gives them. I begrudge GE, Kochs, and other who make more money the more they lay off and the more taxes they can avoid. There is a BIG difference. (For all I know, Jobs avoids taxes are well, and he aint no saint). You get the point.

Darwin doesn't apply in the case of human who have manipulated the natural environment to their advantage and grow up with social advantages not written about in Darwin. Yea, preaching to the choir, amen. Good luck with the Step Daughter. I'm rooting for you.

Thanks.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[Ship of Fools]

8. oh, I agree --

I don't begrudge wealth AT ALL -- but I damned sure don't respect a "Christian" who openly sneers at those who have nothing. She literally sneers. At an outdoor restaurant, a homeless woman approached me for money. My stepdaughter looked as if she was going to jump all over her. This is her mentality. I do believe they have a Darwin-esque idea that those who "have" survive, those who don't can just starve/collapse and die ... Seriously, she doesn't believe that the poor DESERVE medical care/housing/food, if they cannot afford it, since everything in this lifetime is a "choice." She honestly believes it to be amoral to advocate for "spreading the wealth" (easily the dumbest way to put it, ever ...) How is that not Darwin-esque? I agree wealth is a social construct, but resultant life or death is, well, very real.

Live for the moment --
Ship of Fools

[texshelters]

11. Interesting story

She acts like Ponchus Pilot in Jesus Christ Superstar then?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmnmOTYPU9E


Ugh. Sned her my link. Ha ha.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[texshelters]

7. Duplicate

deleted

[Fire1]

10. Pseudo christian most likely. n/t

[roxiejules]

4. Deficit hawks are leading the global economy down the rabbit hole.

To tackle the deficit intelligently, “you could try stimulating the economy, getting people back to work, and getting tax revenues up. But the White House long ago decided not to do that.”

- Tom Ferguson



http://www.newdeal20.org/2011/07/15/tom-ferguson-takes-on-austerity-at-home-and-abroad-51862/

[Angry Dragon]

5. The top rate under Raygun was 70%

it should be noted that any top rate up to that point would not be a tax increase just a move back to where it was.......
That to me sounds fair

[Bozita]

9. Have you met Ms. Judy Peaches yet?