Bernie Goldberg Proposes National Monument to Honor ‘The Rich’
- Posted on December 14, 2010 at 2:15am by
Meredith Jessup
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Via BernardGoldberg.com:
Did you know that the top one percent of American wage earners (adjusted gross income) pay about 38 percent of all our federal personal taxes (according to the National Taxpayer Union)? The top one percent, by the way, account for 23.5 percent of all income — a substantial amount, yes, but considerably less than 38 percent.
Or that the top five percent pay just under 60 percent?
Or that the top ten percent pay about 70 percent of all the personal income taxes collected in this great land of ours?
These “fat-cats” are the ones who do the heavy lifting in this country. They’re the ones whose federal tax dollars pick up a big chunk of the tab for all sorts of noble things, such as: food for folks who don’t have enough to eat … medicine and doctors for people with little money … financial aid to help other people’s kids go to college … milk and diapers for poor babies whose 15 year-old mothers and deadbeat fathers are too irresponsible to take care of their own kids … a safety net for old folks who are retired on fixed incomes … and on and on. …
So let’s get busy on that shiny monument in our nation’s capital. And let’s get some unemployed people out there building it. It’s the least they can do for those nice rich people who have been keeping them afloat.
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vhirko
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:26pmavtually, the real wealth that I have met are the most giving people I have yet to meet…you probably mean the “flashy rich”
Report Post »vhirko
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:23pmwhy? Goldberg is right??I pay into a system I can never use… so if you want to be fair then lets talk fair… but why should someone who payed hundreds of thousands to go to school or someone who risked everything be punished?? because I can pay for someone to mow my grass??? but arent I providing a job… I dont get .you can never win with these people
Report Post »vhirko
Posted on December 17, 2010 at 5:17pmMy family is “rich” … we pay about 50% in taxes (income, local, property)
my husband employs people because he is a driven person and has risked everything to pursue what he loves.Yes, you could say we are greedy but greed is not bad without greed we would be a bunch of losers. we are greedy because we love our family and want to help them but most of all because of our handicapped son. He also has CP and a rare brain malformation and he is the reason we work so hard to make sure that if we are gone he will be able to support himself with no goverment help. He has therapy daily and you can say we could live in a huge house with that money but we pay into the system yet we have never actually used the system becuase we are too “rich.” Some of the kids I see have therapy 5 days a week but from the goverment (well really from me and the rest of the taxpayers) while we work our butts off to provide not only for us but others ( which is fine, dont get me wrong) but when you see all this waste it makes me want to throw up because I know how to spend my money better. I can only imagine what amazing treatment I could provide if i got to keep more money. We are also very charitable. We have a big heart and love to help not because we have to but because we love to. My husband is the most honest, hardworking person I have yet to meet. He is the one who taught me that no matter how hard you always do the right thing. We are by no means rich… maybe in life but not in money.. and how can these idiots judge someone by numbers… you never know what is going on in the family.
P.S. how can anyone say banks are greedy? Banks are not there to give money away.. if you dont want a loan dont take it…if you dont like the terms, dont sign it… i just dont get it… people preach about doing the right thing but then expect to keep their house when they dont pay for it….anyway.. I was just reading another blog..
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 12:40pm‘Rich’ comes in many forms.. One of my all time favorites is the ‘tax paying rich’… It’s simple math. They pay more so i don’t have to..
Any kindergarten level graduate can figure out that the solution is MORE Rich, not less….
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 9:05amI would like to shove that cigar up Goldberg’s ass.
Report Post »aaak
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 9:59pmWell said. I have often wondered why this message has not been said before, these “rich” do pay for so much more than anyone knows and it is unfortunate that people don’t know about it.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 9:08amSo what AAK? You a rich person but kisser or what?
Report Post »rbagala
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 2:56pmWe are a nation of monument builders but to build a monument to the rich has no validity. Instead it stinks of elitism. To glorify the rich for simply being the rich is insidious. The average American’s tax dollars are already being spent for pork barrel bills by our congressmen.
Report Post »If the rich need a monument let them build it themselves. I doubt they will ever dare build this “golden calf” to the eyes of the worker.
Their “monument” is in their ingenuity to become rich through entrepreneurship, innovation and business acumen. Oceans of ink has been spilled exalting the deeds of the rich, From Mr. Ford’s creation of the assembly line to Bill Gates creating the PC. These alone are monuments not only of America‘s rich but our culture’s ability to create wealth.
aaak
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 10:00pmI think you seem to angry to get his sarcasm
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 12:44pmDear alinsky loons (Wherever you may be found on this board)… The rich are TAXPAYERS.. Unless they are progressives, or liberal politicians of course.. These would be the “Rich” you should be concerning yourself with…
How about a monument to ALL Taxpayers! Put them outside the Welfare offices every\where!
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 1:33pmJesus would not be a republican. Accept it PEOPLE.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 1:32pmThese fat cats can kiss my big white poor ass.
Report Post »bobad
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 12:11pmMan, you people GET IT! There is so much truth and common sense here on this blog, the Feds are going to take it down.
Report Post »flashk
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 11:32amBe thankful for what you all have and quit worrying about what the other guy has .
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 1:51pmGood advice expect when the other guy can steal from you and be protected by our government.
Report Post »Randeecobra
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 9:48amHere is what I want to see on TV…..follow me around while I ask bums on the street, union working class members, college professors, SEIU picket pros, the fellow pumping my gas, the undocumented worker at a fast food joint, and every teacher I can find for a job. Watch their faces as they think through the question……these people, the majority of the population have idea how to produce a job. Now follow me as I walk into factories, shops, banks, and so on with the same question……I would most likely be handed an application or least told that there are not open positions. I would not get the same, WTF look I would from a teacher.
Report Post »love labs
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 9:08amOH ONE MORE THING TO ALL YOU COLLEGE EDUCATED WHO HAVE MUCH EDUCATION BUT LACK COMMON SENSE AND HAVE NEVER DONE A PHYSICAL DAYS WORK IN YOUR LIFE YOU GOT YOUR EDUCATION ON THE BACKS OF YOUR PARENTS WHO WORKED FOR A RICH PERSON YOU INGRATE PIECES OF WASTE …. im just saying!!!
Report Post »love labs
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 8:20amI have a question to any of you that think the rich should be condemed [while many rich people attitudes suck ]who does the most purchasing ? lets take boating for example whole industries are predicated on the rich ,you dont see too many homeless people driving in their duallies pulling a 32 foot fountain speedboat ,putting 300 dollars of gas in the tank spending a hundred dollars for lunch just to spend a day usually sunday [because they work six days a week 10,12, hours a day ] for their familys and friends fun . I COULD GO ON TO ALL THE MORONS OUT THERE STOP BEGRUDGING SUCSESS AND GET OFF YOUR LAAAZY ASSES AND MAKE SOMETHING OF YOURSELF!!!
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 6:37amHow about pass the 911 First responders bill instead?
Report Post »love labs
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 9:18amRead the contents of the bill ,all is not what it appears.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 5:54amHow many Hospitals have poor Americans built ?
How many research projects have poor Americans funded?
How many cars, railways, airplanes have poor Americans designed, built, put into production ?
How many College – Hospital -Museum – endowments have poor Americans created ?
How many Scholarships have poor Americans funded ?
How many charities do poor Americans fund ?
How many JOBS DO POOR AMERICANS create ?
How many pay checks do poor Americans sign weekly for others ?
How much money do poor Americans pay in taxes….ZERO
It does not matter how much money you have, if you earned it…it’s YOURS. Rich people do far more good through charitable contributions than the government does by taking their money and sending it overseas, or spending it on building a new court house to name after someone. It is a SIN to COVET
Report Post »bolec slodkie
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 7:36amThe most note worthy characteristic of the American people is their initiative. It is this spirit which has developed America, and it was the same spirit in our soldiers which made our armies successful abroad. If the spirit of business adventure is killed, this country will cease to hold the foremost position in the world. And yet it is this very spirit which excessive [income] surtaxes are now destroying…..If failure attends, the loss is borne exclusively by the adventurer, but if success ensues, the Government takes more than half of the profits. People argue the risk is not worth the return.
http://www.archive.org/stream/taxationthepeopl033026mbp/taxationthepeopl033026mbp_djvu.txt
TAXATION:THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS
Report Post »ANDREW W. MELLON
New York
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1924
pp18-19
dontbotherme
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 10:15pmNot all rich people are hate filled, self-centered money grabbers. There are many who give to charities anonymously (with the hopes of doing something good & worthwhile). There is no monument due here. They are not worthy of that. Just as in the food for oil scam, dishonest governments steal money meant for the poor for evil purposes.
Report Post »HOG Ron
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 8:28pmSeems to me if your “rich” it also seems they are “greedy-rich”. donate several million dollars to charities and they think they are good people. Look at Haiti for example, millions donated to that country after the earthquake and the people are still suffering. Where did all of that money go for. Probably in some rich man’s pocket.
Deuteronomy22
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 5:33amThe rich pay 38 percent of federal income taxes but virtually no Social Security tax. When you include SS taxes the numbers are substantially less than 38% of all federal taxes paid. The top 1% own 38% of the nation’s wealth. They recieve almost all of the capital gains,which are taxed at 15%. In reality they pay much less than 38% of all taxes. They are under taxed compared to the past. There share of income is the highest ever and their share of taxes the lowest. This story is, to quote Bristol Palin’s ghost writer, a “canard”.
Report Post »Deuteronomy22
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 5:36amOh and I’d like to hear all of you Christians defend this man who proposes a monument to the rich. Jesus help these fools who worship and idolize money, debauchery and wealth
Report Post »bolec slodkie
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 7:40amThe rich and the desire to become the rich is what keeps this country going. Jesus didn’t condemt the rich young man by telling him to sell everything and give it to the poor. He used that order to show the young man where his priorities were.
Report Post »It is “THE LOVE OF MONEY,” that is loving money above people and GOD that is the root of all evil.
It is poor uniformed mental midgits like you who misplace the word “OF” in order to pridfully elevate yourself above the rest of us Christians.
bolec slodkie
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 7:44amThere was a time when 97% of the US population didn’t pay taxes because they made less than $3,000 ($38,000 inflation adjusted dollars). A book was written to convice that 97% to cut taxes on the 3% who did pay taxes. http://www.archive.org/stream/taxationthepeopl033026mbp/taxationthepeopl033026mbp_djvu.txt
It worked. Taxes were cut for the top rate from 77% to 25% and it made the 1920s roar.
TAXATION:THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS
Report Post »ANDREW W. MELLON
New York
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
1924
pp18-19
Deuteronomy22
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 9:59ambolec slodkie
Report Post »Posted on December 15, 2010 at 7:44am
. “Taxes were cut for the top rate from 77% to 25% and it made the 1920s roar. “——————————————And how did that end up in 1929? Pretty much the same way the Bush tax cuts are leading today. Funny how the distribution gap of wealth has never been greater both in the 1920s and 2000s. Wait the day of reckoning is fast approaching.
akim
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 10:03amYEA BABY.
Make the Federal Government pay for it too.
Report Post »Dan Reed
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 12:17pmDeuter, his numbers are based on the final count. His numbers take into consideration social security and capital gains. Pretending they didnt is a straw man to prove a false point. You’re acting as though Goldberg only counted income tax. He didn’t. He counted the total. Very strange response… knee-jerk silliness.
Report Post »Dan Reed
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 12:28pmThe Bush tax cuts aren’t responsible for anything… you have a fundamental misunderstanding of tax revenue and govt spending. In the past 70 years, the percentage of GDP that is collected as tax revenue hovers around 18% every year, ranging from 14% to 20.9% as the highest. There is no correlation between a higher marginal rate and higher tax collection. NONE. Look for yourself.
Tax receipt as a % of GDP
http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=200
Top marginal tax rate
http://www.truthandpolitics.org/top-rates.php
From 1951-1963, the top rate was 91%. Average tax receipts were about 18% of GDP.
From 1988-1992, the top rate was 28-31%. Average tax receipts were about 18% of GDP
From 1993-2000, the top rate was 39%. Avg receipts were about 19% of GDP.
Right now, we are spending at 25%. Even if we somehow collected the highest percentage ever, 21%, we would still be spending at 25%.
All this talk about cutting taxes for the rich being responsible for the deficit and the debt is utter nonsense. This is not my “right-wing” opinion, or shilling for the rich. ITS BASIC ARITHMETIC.
Cut spending. Period.
And yes, there should be a monument to the rich. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for their greed. Their greed makes everyone richer.
Report Post »Deuteronomy22
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 10:00amSo blec if Jesus were alive today would he be hanging around Wall Street or Bangladesh? Wearing a Rolex and tailored suits or living without material possessions. I specifically wrote that these people idolize wealt. How many billions does one need to accumulate in personal wealth before you would consider their deeds un CDhristian?
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on December 16, 2010 at 12:50pmDear doodoorotomy.. The ‘past’ was unfair and counterproductive. We know this from the Laffer curve and from many historical precedence. We also know that excessive taxation destroys what is left of our manufacturing and general competitiveness.
The American way to deal with “the rich” is to offer a goods or service for which they will trade you some of their riches. If you are successful enough in your quest to satisfy the needs ans/or desires of your fellow man – You too will become rich!
The other way is to take a job, live within your means, save and invest… Everyone can do that – depending on their ability to live with a finite amount of LCD big screens.
Report Post »