From Howard Smith:Instead of a massive tax cut for the richest Americans which was Trump’s major legislative “achievement”, Biden begins his presidency with a massive economic relief package to help the rest of Americans. That defines the difference in governance between Republicans and Democrats. Who you vote for matters.
I’m willing to pay a little more to create a thriving middle class.
And we got comments:
Howard Smith
If you don't believe that Americans deserve the dignity of being paid a living wage for their labor it is not your politics that is at issue, it is your moral compass.
Terrell Shaw
Howard Smith exactly. Folks should be able to profit from innovation, invention, and industry, of course, but those who cannot recognize their debt to the society at large are selfish parasites in my humble and correct opinion. Yes to entrpreneurship; no to radical wealth accumulation by the few at the expense of those who provided the muscle and infrastructure that makes that accumulation possible.
Terrell Shaw
Maximum liberty is near the center of the capitalism-socialism scale and tyranny resides at both ends.
Howard Smith
Terrell Shaw great quote.
Howard Smith
Terrell, as you are well aware, FDR showed us how to build the largest middle class the world has ever seen and he did it with the New Deal....legislation that invested in Americans including a minimum wage (which he called a "living wage") and an investment in America's infrastructure...spending! I think we both believe Biden is all about setting us on this same course once again.
John Carlin
I'm willing to let people who buy big macs pay more.
Terrell Shaw
How about In n Out burgers?
John Carlin
In CA they get$15 an hour starting next year I think. Not sure if in n out is going to pay them more than this but probably.
Terrell Shaw
I can't wait to have another In n Out burger --- but it'll cost me an airline ticket --- considering the little side effects absolutely worth it.
Danny Price
Terrell - if 0.35 cents more for a burger and proportional inflation on other goods was the total marginal difference to get to this, I really doubt many would mind. It would, of course, potentially affect consumer behavior and economic spending - i.e. discretionary purchases (GDP).
Denmark, however, also has the 4th highest marginal total tax rates in the world. On average, every citizen there pays about 50% of their income in total taxes, including a flat 8% labor tax (before other taxes), and total 41-52% other taxes (federal, local, health, etc.). The cash for their system doesn’t come from a small surcharge on a Big Mac. Doubt that flies here, even in blue states.
Howard Smith
Danny Price Raising the minimum wage does not require us pay the same tax rate as Denmark although I do think we need to return to a true progressive tax structure that was at one time supported even by Republicans. You probably know that under Eisenhower the top the top tax bracket was over 90%. Since Reagan's "trickle down economics" Republicans have successfully used tax and economic policy to increase the concentration of wealth in America at the expense of the middle class and those who aspire to it. There is no greater example than Walmart which has made one family the richest in America while requiring the rest of us to subsidize their workforce with a safety net at a cost of billions of dollars. McDonald's falls in this same category. But under the RepublicanEisenhower administration the tax system was truly progressive, the minimum wage was raised, we supported the GI Bill, a thriving and growing middle class built the interstate system, dominated the world in manufacturing and had the world's best public education system and he supported unions! Eisenhower chose to invest in our future, not the few. As an aside, he also warned us against the "military industrial complex" but that is another story. Finally, it is worth noting citizens of Denmark are rated the 2nd happiest in the world. We are ranked 18th.
Danny Price
Howard Smith - not sure how it may have been misread, but nowhere in my comment do I suggest raising minimum wage “requires” a tax increase. But to make the meme’s comparison remotely valid requires the full context. I get the diatribe against wealth concentration and it is certainly something to address in our country.
A “top tax bracket” of 90% (which I am not in favor of even if it does not, and will never impact me), is quite a bit different from raising the lowest income tax bracket to 41% and making the average over half. People in Denmark may be happy - apparently they chose to contribute huge taxes in exchange for government providing their security and happiness. As I said, you won’t get that through blue states, much less nationally. Any politician who even proposed that tax structure would get run out on a rail.
And, for the record, to the extent you are suggesting it, I do not align directly with the views or agendas of either national party.
Howard Smith
Danny Price I have no doubt you are correct and we could argue why. But, it is a fact we once had a real progressive tax structure with a top tax bracket of 91% and during that time period our national debt was much less and our middle class was rapidly growing. Neither is the case now. And, I admit I am an Eisenhower Republican which makes me a Democrat today.
Beckie Gurley
It would also make the tax burden of those of us paying ridiculous high taxes to lower. Because they would not need government assistance. It would stimulate the economy. They would be able to buy homes and cars. They could afford health insurance. So maybe my health insurance premiums would also go down. It is a proven fact, when people have money, they spend money.
Tim Raley
Everyone is missing the key component of the picture... UNION! It's the union that got them the good pay. It's the union that got them the benefits and the paid time off and so forth! Try bringing a union into McDonald's! That would be a laugh. Even Amazon is fighting like hell to keep the union out. I'll just go on my knowledge and experience and say those Amazon workers are being ripped off BUT those workers don't do the quality job of the other delivery companies. They also pay around $700 biweekly for insurance. With a union in there, that would probably 700 more in their pockets biweekly!
Alvin Jackson Sr.
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