Dem Congressman: It‘s a ’Privilege’ to be a Millionaire
- Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:18am by
Becket Adams
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During a Monday broadcast of CNN’s “Starting Point With Soledad O’Brien,” Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) stopped by to discuss the difference between the Republican and Democrat approach to the Bush-era tax cuts.
As many Blaze readers know, Republicans want to extend the tax cuts for all Americans whereas Democrats only want to extend the cuts for households making less than $250,000 a year.
Rep. Crowley told the CNN panel that Congress needs to “reach a compromise.”
“I believe that right now what we’re looking for is compromise,” said Rep. Crowley. “We’re hoping our Republican colleagues will come in. Right now if we passed the bill, if you are a sergeant in the military serving overseas in Afghanistan, you have a wife and children back stateside, you will see a $400 increase in your taxes if the Republican Bill would become law.”
“That’s unacceptable for the middle class and working Americans. We need to pass a bill that makes sense for America, not just for the wealthiest 2 percent of this country,” he added.
His interview then took an odd yet predictable turn.
“To be a millionaire in this country, it is the greatest country the world has known. It is a privilege. And I think most people get that. You work hard, you get ahead, make a living and you contribute back to this country and make it a better country [emphasis added],” he said.
[Author’s note: Apologies for the audio delay in the YouTube video. Apparently, CNN felt it wasn’t important to include all of the congressman’s interview and their "official" video leaves out the “privilege” bit. Therefore, we had to hunt down this poorer quality video from the congressman’s YouTube channel.]
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Comments (71)
capitalismrocks
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:26pmYes, in a sense it is a privilege to become a millionaire…
You have to be willing to put in the effort, time, tenacity, the thinking, the vision, the extra push, to get out from the crowd and make it happen. You have to be willing to take the risk, make the sacrifice and step above the fray….
A privilege, a hard fought, roll up your sleeves, not everyone can do it, but those who do – EARN IT ON THEIR OWN privilege…. yes.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:31pmThis is a dangerous comment from (in my opinion) a dangerous mindset.
Privileges aren’t like rights. They can be taken away. I strongly suspect the unspoken second half of his comment was exactly that. “Being a millionaire is a priveledge and priveledges can be taken away.”
Report Post »suttonea76
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:52pmThis Congressman has just endorsed communism as that is exactly what communism promotes which is to give back to the state but so far we aren’t mandated…..yet! The stupidity of the left is that promoting capitalism DOES give more back to the state. Now we just got to get the idiot legislators to stop spending and then turn around and demand more taxes. Amazing!!!!
Report Post »RebelPatriot
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:37pmOr you get elected as a congressman and you use all your inside information to make millions while you are supposed to be handling the people’s business.
This is one rule for sure needs to be changed. Nobody in government should be taking information gained by their position in government and financially benefitting from it.
There are no ethical people left in DC.
Report Post »acidovorax
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 6:53pm“Yes, in a sense it is a privilege to become a millionaire…”
Granted by whom? Show us who, specifically, granted the millionaire this “privilege” and then we can discuss how much he/she is owed for granting this “privilege”. Of course, the statist appeals to “the people”, which destroys his argument, since “everyone” did not contribute to the millionaire’s success. Likewise, if everyone “owes” some contribution back to all, then they essentially “owe” nothing, for the the equal “debts” on all sides cancels out (I owe you, you owe me, we owe them, they owe us, ad nauseum, infinitum).
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 8:50pm“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”. Name that communist.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 8:51pmAnd who, exactly, confers this “privilege”?
Report Post »Chrison
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:21pmThe democrats are missing the point… the wealthy people in America DO give back their fair share and MORE! The vast majority of tax income comes from those rich folks, NOT the middle class! Moreover, the rich folks invest their wealth which creates jobs, opportunities, and prosperity for the rest of us.
If a person earning $40K a year pays 15% taxes, that equals $6,000. If another person earning $1 million a year pays 15% taxes, that equals $150,000. It is NOT accurate to say that both people pay the SAME taxes just because the tax rate is the same! Obviously, the person earning $1 million a year pays MORE taxes! Any moron can figure this out!
If we keep vilifying wealthy people in America, who can blame them if they take their money and invest it elsewhere??? If we raise taxes through the roof for the wealthy, how can we expect them to continue to invest in creating jobs, opportunities, and prosperity for the rest of us???
And, finally, if we create an environment where striving to succeed is looked down upon, how can we expect ANYONE to want to succeed??? Succeeding is a GOOD thing, folks, not bad!
It just doesn’t add up, folks! Class warfare does NOT create opportunity or prosperity for ANYONE! All it does is drive wealth OUT of an economy and create jobs and prosperity ELSEWHERE! The ONLY way income redistribution levels the playing field is by making EVERYONE poorer!
Does America REALLY want that??? I certainly hope not!
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:48pmJust a point of fact, the two would not be paying at the same rate. The one might be paying 15% but the other would be paying 25-30% and to the Dems that is not enough.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:20pmThere is much truth in the saying: Me thinks you doth protest too much.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:16pmElizabeth Warren would like to be a Native American because they were the Lord’s people, but it sort of makes her a liar too.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:22pmIt’s no coincidence that White Buffaloes have been springing up all over the place.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:14pmWELCOME to the United Socialist 57 States of Amerika – Please declare all you earn and be prepared to share it. We will not tolerate any “Individualism” here.
Please do not try and stand out as you will be punished severely for your efforts to succeed.
You will be told what to do. What to say. Where to work.
What healthcare you will get will be determined by the Minister of Health Department. Do not expect to get special care as you are simply a number to us.
You will work for the state.
Your children will work for the state.
If you are no longer useful to the state – your funding will cease and you will expire.
You belong to the government.
And WHY you ask?
Because you did NOTHING to stop us when you had the chance.
Report Post »willingtoupe
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:58pmMitt Romney is the best choice for now. The only way these things can happen Eric is if Conservatives not sit this election out just because Ron Paul is not in the election race anymore.
Report Post »raineyb
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 11:45amBarrack Obama, Senior said that the rich could be taxed 100%. The state would then give back enough to supply basic needs. I think that Junior would like to do as his father suggested.
Also, look out for taxing principals of saving/retirement accounts over a given amount (such as $200,000)
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:12pmThe diseased/impaired democrat brain in action.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:10pmThe poor will always be with us, but they won’t see themselves as poor when the Revelation is complete.
Report Post »Obamujahadeen
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:03pmIt is a privilege in the same sense it‘s a privilege to be an American but you’d never hear a dem make THAT comparison. Otherwise we‘d shut our doors to third world vermin who won’t speak our language and adopt American customs and way of life like our ancestors did.
But you know THEY mean it like ‘it’s a privilege so somehow uncle sam should ‘cash in’ like Capos pay ‘tribute’ to their mob boss every time they ‘make a score’… only Obama Inc is worse than the mob, the mob didn’t hate America.
Report Post »QuincySmith
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:02pmRep Crowley;
Being a millionaire is not a privilege. It results from hard work, careful planning, some luck, and vision. You do not grant the privilege, you do not help create wealth, you impede it’s creation. I am offended that you suggest government grants this privilege, and know better how to spend our money. Your statement belies your unrighteous desire to control us. You are the reason we are in the sorry state we enjoy presently.
Report Post »MDECKER
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:59amDemocrats can’t get off this kick that compromise means, to agree with them. They really are a pitiful lot. Democrats are no, distinguished, fine, or patrioti. Democrats, every last one of them, are snakes and are bent on destroying our Republic. When Republicans take back the Senate this fall, the only time to reach across the aisle should be to slap their, “distinguished” collegue.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:35pmDid you mean to say “slap thier disgusting collegue”? either way thats funny,made me laugh thanks.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:56amWell im somewhere in the middle and it sucks because every time we try to advance forward we get shoved back by a Government who can‘t mind it’s damn buisness and tend to what they were hired to do.DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION and the people! JERKS
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:14pmBut even the Founding Fathers knew that wasn’t what government would do. Governments job is to grow government, period!
Report Post »They tried to restrain government through the constitution. It hasn’t worked.
LibertyAtStake
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:55amBecause today‘s Democrat Party is Abbie Hoffman’s Democrat Party and sincerely believes the right to pursue happiness is granted by gub’ment (the collective).
Report Post »willingtoupe
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:53amI agree 100%. Being one myself, it truely is hard work to become one but much harder to stay one. Those that inherit, if not taught well can face financial danger. DOESN‘T MEAN I’M RICH. But, you can avoid pettiness from simple minded people and work, increase mental resistance from shyness and fear, and choose your own deciding factors. Thus rewarding myself the priviledge of lesure. 2 Proverbs learned from WALL STREET,
1. This is a free country, but you have to pay for it.
Report Post »2. Money doesn’t buy you happiness, but it gives you time and space to pursuit it.
seeker9
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:50amHillary 2008:“There are too many rich people in this country”.
Report Post »And the Dems intend to “fix” it.
Give me a break. They know every one’s taxes will have to go up. Stop the deception!
barber2
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:48pmSEEKER: Foe a Democrat to “ stop the deception” would mean they would have to quit the race ! Remember they are heading America FORWARD but what they haven’t told you “ the rest of the story ” which is : Over the Cliff !
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:49amWhat a load of bull ..
You have the right to be the biggest scrooge in the U.S.
The biggest miser ever known ..You don’t have to contribute squat .
You pay your taxes and that’s it… the rest is up to the individual..
Good or bad…anything more would be a dictatorship.
Is that what this moron is advocating ..?
Report Post »bobefann
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:47amBY his same line or reasoning. Isn’t being below the poverty line a privilege also? They receive money they do not work for and recieve money not paid out each year in taxes. This is free money. Isn’t this a privilege? Shouldn‘t they also pay for this privilege instead of receiving someoe else’s money?
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:46amWhoa whoa whoa whoa…slow down there pardner. This country is full of people who work hard. You didn’t build that.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:45amPink Floyd – Have A Cigar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sVShT6nVTA
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:27pmHEY DEMONcrat kiss my A$$
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:39pm@MittensKittens
Ahhh, you might want to listen to the song, or buy a vowel
Report Post »barber2
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 12:45pmMittens: just another classy comment from the Paulbots / AKA anarchists !
Report Post »normalmom
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:41amOnly time being rich is a privilege is if you inherit it. When the reason you got rich is your own hard work you freaking earned it and shouldn’t be paying for those not working.
Report Post »dadsrootbeer
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:37amAnything to divert attention away from the real issues in our country and away from the socialist policies of this adminstration. Can’t run on your record, generate more class warfare and bring back slick Willie to appear to be more moderate even though you are a left wing radical socialist.
Report Post »KrebsCyclist
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:34amWesley Mouch LIVES.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:33amAnd just like my parents always said, privileges can be taken away. So that is all the Dems are doing, chosing who keeps their privilege and who doesn’t.
You didn’t earn that.
My answer, “You don’t know me.”
By the way, any Kennedy alive today didn’t “Earn” their millions, so let’s take away their Privilege
Report Post »boston-rightwinger
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:28amI come back to the basic question ‘Whose money is it?’ We know the people in Washington do not know how to spend money wisely. Prove that you can cut expenses big time, then maybe come back and we will discuss changes to the tax code. Until then, stop asking.
Report Post »grannyjojo
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:28amAhhh, more of CNN’s SELECTIVE editing. Gosh, I am so glad I stopped watching CNN a long time ago. They lost MY patronage and MY revenue…. :) “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess”
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:21amThat’s disputable. Because people who took part in the last Resurrection have earned their own fruit, and therefore it isn’t a privilege but a right.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:38amOKAY, every time any of us hear this nonsense about how “lucky” we are to make millions etc. tell the misguided person this:
IN
AMERICA,
A
PERSON
BORN
POOR
or
LOWER
MIDDLE
CLASS
CAN
BE
RICH
in
5-10 years
IF
THEY
ARE
WILLING
TO
PUT
IN
THE
WORK !
These DEMS just don’t believe it, yet they have multiple example of “dirt poor” to “filthy rich” : Oprah, Steven Jobs, Geo. Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Warren Buffet and on and on. This does NOT happen in EUROPEAN countries.
IT DOES happen in America (and will keep happening once we get Obama out of office and send the Progressive freaks back to the hole they crawled out of) …it happens in America because (until recently) we are FREE! We are not relegated to a “ROLE FOR LIFE” !!
DOPES like Elizabeth Warren, hysterical liar that she is, can’t answer this question: IF some of us got rich from using American Roads, Bridges, Schools….Then WHY aren’t ALL of us rich ? (who used the same roads, bridges, schools???) MAYBE, SOME of us worked harder, took more risks, made fewer mistakes and focused more on details… SHE (Warren) cannot answer that question!!
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:50amNot all Democrats are wicked, and not all Republicans are wicked either, and not all independents are wicked. The ones who belong to me want the free flow of all drugs, because I’m moving to get you stuck in the mud.
nobama4ever
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 1:44pm@Patty Henry: I love your post.
This is ridiculous. How in the world does this guy get elected is beyond disbelief. Wake up people, these are the useful idiots of the communists. These people want to be in the elite class of the politbureau and want the rest of the citizens in the dirt. We need to get rid of such fools along with bo and his clans in the 2012 election.
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