Frank Burns @ 64

It’s time to bring back the 70% tax bracket. They asked for it.

Why stop there? It was over 90 under Eisenhower.

:-)

Those crazy Republicans…90% tax huh? He he he he heh.

Hey, the current tax system doesn’t seem to be stopping the uber-rich from getting out from under taxes, so it’s not just the rate you look at.

…

Reading about the anti-McMansion proposals yesterday, I was wondering what kind of people think that 2500 square feet is too small; what do they have that they need 4000 square feet or more in their houses? (I won’t even touch the plasma-TV-in-every-room – that’s just excessive consumption.)

I think McMansions are a symptom not of stupidity or greed but of a lack of other great sound ways to invest while enjoying one’s wealth. With a big house you invest and enjoy living in it at the same time (at least until you have a terrible health care cost that bankrupts you).

We need some reform in our vision of wealth for everyone. There need to be ways to invest and ways to enjoy wealth (home, car, entertainment, travel, etc.) which are more sane and allow better allocation of wealth back into the capital base for commercial use.

I don’t know how many people simply don’t trust the markets and prefer real estate, but it’s probably not just a few.

If you have $500,000 would you invest in the markets or buy a McMansion? Is the money better placed that way or in a bank or in a pension fund or in T-bills or in stocks (in terms of what might be good for the economy)? Somehow I doubt real estate should soak up all that much of the nation’s wealth. It’s a waste of physical resources for one thing.

Is Edwards the William Jennings Bryan?

Is Populism reemerging as class warfare ensues?

Marx would say it was the consciousnes of the masses. Frankly, I do not see that yet.

It’s not Populism as the Kingfisher might’ve understood it or LBJ practiced it. It’s Progressivism (aggressively solving the nation’s problems in a wholistic enlightened way). Class warfare is just MSM rhetoric.

It isn’t just giving money to the poor because Poverty is ‘wrong’. It’s ending the huge disparity in wealth to keep America united and to ensure Hope and the American Dream don’t die because so many people aren’t allowed to share in the tremendous wealth of America — wealth everyone is creating.

I’d love to hear some Conservative economists try to explain how the CEOs are really worth giga-zillion dollars of compensation and yet a fieldworker is worth about 6$/hr. Their immorality and stupidity becomes apparent the instant they open their yappers.

We live in the most prosperous country in the most prosperous time in human history and yet many people can’t get health care and many people go bankrupt and lose their homes. It is a sure sign our current system needs to be fixed.

One buys handbags for $$$$$

And us – we have a decent life, but we sure don’t waste money on that crap. We have a beautiful home, great food, a lovely garden, cars that are paid off, affectionate horses and dogs, and our own business working with our customers who are our neighbors. I lived in SoCal for 5 years and wouldn’t go back at gunpoint. Talk about conspicuous consumption, and at the end of the day who really cares. Now I live in the most beautiful state in the west, and no one here cares about that stuff. We care about each other.

And who might that be??
Ignore #125

I thank God that I am old enough to have grown up in an America that was mainly solid middle class.

It’s very sad what has happened to us, the saddest part is that so few people see how bad it really is. That old story about the frog in the slowly-warming-to-boiling water is so appropriate for how most Americans are dealing with the rape and slaughter of all that ought to be dear to us.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

My friend has finally told me who, after viewing last night’s debate with me, she thinks would make the best next Democratic president in 2008. And she has given me substantial reasons for her view.

What’s with the annoying vanity post ?? Make a point or dont bother posting – this little teaser (and all the subsequent ones you posted) is annoying – what’s the point ??!?

Ooooh, someone you know has substantial reasons to vote for someone, and its important enough in your mind that it should be noted to the rest of us, but shhh, its a secret… gee, you have a secret, isnt that fun ??? High school beckons for you…

I’m in high school. That’s where I teach. You be sure and have a good night. ;0)

the story about the instant houses proves just how tacky these “new rich” are

you can’t pour your soul into making a house a home if you don’t have a soul to begin with

Kin, this thread is of interest to me because I have just made the decision to move away from this town, and your term ’soulless’ hits home. Soul and heart were, to me, missing ingredients. The surface was very pretty initially, but only skin deep.

I have been to houses where they told with great pride how they just took over all ‘furnishings’ from the previous owners, for about fifty or a hundred grand. They think it is a great deal.

The ‘rent by the hour’ is indeed very common here.

They rent a little cracker box not big enough for three people. Rural America is taking a big hit, especially in the rust belt.

That’s one reason I keep my eye on Edward’s….the middle class is in dire straits. Reminds me of Steppenwolf’s song,America………anyone remember that. There sure as hell is a “monster on the loose.” Actually, think that was the album’s title.

P.S. TruthShark, may I reccommend you stop by a health food store and purchase a Bach Flower Remedy called Rescue Remedy………..it’s for stress and anxiety……Peace to us all.