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  #76 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
htperr6565 htperr6565 is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jviehe View Post
And I say the poor benefit more from the system. And they have a choice not to live here.
Yes of course. When everyone turns five, they have the option of moving to any country they want, and are given the thousands of dollars that would take! You are right, i forgot.
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  #77 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
htperr6565 htperr6565 is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
Why? You feel the rich should be charged more just because they live more comfortable, so why not students for, oh yes, "benefiting more" from their education? Why don't we "punish" good grades that way? Just as we "punish" success.
I don't see how being the most successful and most comfortable members of society equats to punishment. not following you here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
It's designed, as far as capitalism is concerned, to benefit the skilled and intelligent. However, as far as government involvement is concerned, it is designed to benefit the poor, the incompetent, and the lazy.
Spare the mythology. Have you been following this large corporate bailouts? You don't think large aspects of the government are designed to protect the larger interests of capitalism?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
The rich can afford their own bodyguards, anyway. I doubt that they rely too much on the police to get there in minutes when seconds count.
No, i am not talking about emergency situations. I am talking about the stable, safe environment that government provides for capitalism on a daily basis, which is a higher priority than providing individual security to the masses.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
Yes I am.Yes I am.Yes I am.
well, america would be a terrible place if this was policy. And would probably not function well at all.
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Last edited by htperr6565; 09-09-2008 at 08:53 AM.
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  #78 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
htperr6565 htperr6565 is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
I am in disbelief over your comments. Am I getting this right? Your belief is that the rich are the ones benefiting from the system? In what alternate universe are you living? The Human Resources section of the federal budget has been allocated $1.8 trillion for 2008. This is money taken from the top half of wager earners, and given to the bottom half via social services. This is pure redistribution of income. How, exactly, do you figure the rich are benefiting from this system?
Because of the comfortable lives they live, the mc mansions, the fancy cars, the restaurants of choice, etc. You are looking at "who benefits more from the tax situation." I am looking at "who benefits more from the entire capitalist system of america"
Quote:
Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
How do some people benefit more from the economy than others? ?
Look at the lives of some, look at the lives of others. Can you honestly not say someone in a west coast mc mansion benefits more from the economy than a single mom in a trailer???

Quote:
Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
Oh, and about your single mom raising 3 kids example . . . do I owe her anything? I am nearing 40, never been married and have no kids. Those are choices I made. I wanted to start a business, so I worked my way through college, payed off my school loans, and now have been able to start my business.
Everyone is part of the same system, modern american capitalism. Yes, you owe a bit to the folks you have left behind in your pursuit of selfishness.
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Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
I understood that none of this would have been possible while raising children, so I chose not to have any. She chose to have a family instead.
You have no idea about her circumstances and how she got there.
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  #79 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
htperr6565 htperr6565 is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

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Originally Posted by Steve View Post
You seem to take issue with someone assuming rich people work more hours, yet you're completely comfortable making the assumption that most rich people are sissies.

Hypocrite much?
well, the only rich man i have ever seen on a construction site was not carrying tools. lets put it that way.
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  #80 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
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WharfedaleTiger WharfedaleTiger is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

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Originally Posted by jviehe View Post
And I say the poor benefit more from the system. And they have a choice not to live here.
Which is the way it should be, they're the ones who get the worst deal from capitalism after all. And BTW they often don't have a choice not to live here-moving house isn't cheap you know, and moving to another country is even harder.
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  #81 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
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SupPackFan SupPackFan is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by htperr6565 View Post
Because of the comfortable lives they live, the mc mansions, the fancy cars, the restaurants of choice, etc. You are looking at "who benefits more from the tax situation." I am looking at "who benefits more from the entire capitalist system of america"
It truly frightens me to think there are people in this country who think as you do. Comfortable lives? Mc Mansions? Do you understand the difference between a multi-million dollar salary and a family bringing in 160K? Do you understand that they are both being punished the same via taxes, mainly, because people like YOU in this country feel that they owe you something?

Quote:
Look at the lives of some, look at the lives of others. Can you honestly not say someone in a west coast mc mansion benefits more from the economy than a single mom in a trailer???
Again, where in the Constitution of the United States does it state that all Americans are to be equal? The government's only job is to ensure equal opportunity - what you do with that opportunity is your problem. I support a government that uses my money to help that family, even though I owe her nothing. All I ask is that she does not blame me for her problems!

Quote:
Everyone is part of the same system, modern american capitalism. Yes, you owe a bit to the folks you have left behind in your pursuit of selfishness.

You have no idea about her circumstances and how she got there.
Selfishness? A man who worked full-time blue collar jobs all the way through college to support myself, and then as many hours as possible after college to pay off my school loans, and build up enough equity to qualify for a business loan. A man who was finally able to start that business at 33, and two years later took my first vacation EVER - stepping on an airplane for the first time in my life. A man who now watches 50% of every dollar profit be confiscated by the city, state, and federal government agencies - that is selfish to you?

I see things differently. I see parents who bring children into this world while not having a stable relationship as selfish. Without any care for the stress and turmoil they have forced upon these children, because it is fun, they continue bringing more into the 'single mother' world. I could have made some babies as well, and then bitched and whined about how the children were getting in the way of my dreams. But I was responsible, I believe children are more deserving of their parents time than any career goals. No, I am not the selfish one. Just like most of your opinions, this one is completely backward.
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  #82 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
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jviehe jviehe is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

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Originally Posted by htperr6565 View Post
Yes of course. When everyone turns five, they have the option of moving to any country they want, and are given the thousands of dollars that would take! You are right, i forgot.
NOthing more to contribute then?
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  #83 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
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jviehe jviehe is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by WharfedaleTiger View Post
Which is the way it should be, they're the ones who get the worst deal from capitalism after all. And BTW they often don't have a choice not to live here-moving house isn't cheap you know, and moving to another country is even harder.
Mexicans do it everyday. Homeless somehow move all the time with no money. Youre just making excuses. And the poor get the best deal from capitalism. They contribute nothing to very little and get a lot back.
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  #84 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
TSGracchus TSGracchus is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

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Originally Posted by jviehe View Post
And the poor get the best deal from capitalism.
This has got to be the most absurd statement I've seen in weeks.

If they were getting a good deal, they wouldn't be poor. DUH! Or are you one of those silly people who labors under the delusion that anyone and everyone can make it in the system we have?

The system mandates a certain percentage of losers. It may be the fault of the losers (or of their genes and upbringing) that they occupy those slots rather than someone else. It is certainly not their fault that the slots exist and that someone occupies them.
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  #85 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
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SupPackFan SupPackFan is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

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Originally Posted by TSGracchus View Post
This has got to be the most absurd statement I've seen in weeks.

If they were getting a good deal, they wouldn't be poor. DUH! Or are you one of those silly people who labors under the delusion that anyone and everyone can make it in the system we have?
Why don't you compare poor people under capitalism to poor people under socialism, theocracy, dictatorship, or any other system you can find in this world. Why don't you compare poor people in the US to poor people ANYWHERE else in the world. Only here, do 'poor' people own vehicles, cellular phones, home computers, etc, etc.
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  #86 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
Slon Slon is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by htperr6565 View Post
I don't see how being the most successful and most comfortable members of society equats to punishment. not following you here.
Because that's not what I said. Being successful and comfortable is not, in and of itself, punishing. However, the rich are taxes more. So, I am asking, why not punish those who "benefit" more from education.
Quote:
Spare the mythology. Have you been following this large corporate bailouts? You don't think large aspects of the government are designed to protect the larger interests of capitalism?
Perhaps they are, but I oppose corporate welfare, as well. However, generally speaking, government money goes to those who fail.
Quote:
No, i am not talking about emergency situations. I am talking about the stable, safe environment that government provides for capitalism on a daily basis, which is a higher priority than providing individual security to the masses.
Once again, I doubt the rich rely on police more than than the poor do. If there were no police, who do you think would have the money to hire private mercenaries and bodyguards to maintain their stability? Furthermore, I ask again, if "benefiting more" from the stability means you should be taxed more, why not tax successful students more?
Quote:

well, america would be a terrible place if this was policy. And would probably not function well at all.
What would be so terrible about it? People would be forced to rely on their own saving methods, which would likely be more efficient since you would not lose money that goes to those who administrate the social security. American citizens will be more able to compete with illegals who get paid below the min. wage under the table. Why do hospitals need government funds, anyway?
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  #87 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
TSGracchus TSGracchus is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

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Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
Why don't you compare poor people under capitalism to poor people under socialism
All right. As a matter of fact, the poor do better under socialism. That's not enough by itself to endorse socialism over a mixed economy such as we have, but you did bring it up.

In any case, how well the poor do here or there or elsewhere has no bearing on the question of what was said, which was saying, not that our poor get a better deal than other people's poor, but that they get a better deal than our rich.

Which is ridiculous.
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  #88 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
htperr6565 htperr6565 is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
It truly frightens me to think there are people in this country who think as you do. Comfortable lives? Mc Mansions? Do you understand the difference between a multi-million dollar salary and a family bringing in 160K? Do you understand that they are both being punished the same via taxes, mainly, because people like YOU in this country feel that they owe you something?
No, i feel that they owe the system something. You are making it sound like bringing in 160K is a terrible life. I work with people on a daily basis that would have no idea what to do with that money, but work the same hours at a job that somebody has to do for this entire system to work.
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Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
Again, where in the Constitution of the United States does it state that all Americans are to be equal?
It says that nowhere, and i have said that nowhere.
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Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
The government's only job is to ensure equal opportunity - what you do with that opportunity is your problem.
Equal opportunity is just as much a joke as true equality. its about reducing the gaps.
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Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
I support a government that uses my money to help that family, even though I owe her nothing. All I ask is that she does not blame me for her problems!
i doubt she does. but you seem to be willing to assume she does.
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"Mrs. Palin, which specific journals and news sources do you read? (after being asked once)"

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  #89 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
htperr6565 htperr6565 is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
Because that's not what I said. Being successful and comfortable is not, in and of itself, punishing. However, the rich are taxes more. So, I am asking, why not punish those who "benefit" more from education.
It is much easier to quanitify objectively who is benefiting more from the capitalist system through looking at income. In education, straight A's do not exactly lead to material success, as that is what the issue we are discussing is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
Once again, I doubt the rich rely on police more than than the poor do. If there were no police, who do you think would have the money to hire private mercenaries and bodyguards to maintain their stability?
I never said they rely on security any more than the poor. I said they benefit more from the general security provided by government and that government prioritizes a secure environment for business over a secure environment for people. There just happens to be some overlap there.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
What would be so terrible about it? People would be forced to rely on their own saving methods, which would likely be more efficient since you would not lose money that goes to those who administrate the social security. American citizens will be more able to compete with illegals who get paid below the min. wage under the table.
You are assuming that all people are capable of saving money, and that they make enough to do so. If that were true, do you think the government would have ever created SS?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slon View Post
Why do hospitals need government funds, anyway?
LOL. To function!!! Just like it is a myth that colleges are paid for by only tuition, it is a myth that hospitals function solely from pateint pay.
Government subsidizes hospitals for the benefit of the people. Just like the subsidize education. Imagine tuition costs without it! That would restrict millions from college who are not already restricted by financial means.

Oh, and what are your thoughts on agricultural subsidies? More interference with the free market, i assume?
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  #90 (permalink)  
Old 09-09-2008
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WharfedaleTiger WharfedaleTiger is offline
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Re: Who works more, the rich or the blue collar class?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SupPackFan View Post
It truly frightens me to think there are people in this country who think as you do. Comfortable lives? Mc Mansions? Do you understand the difference between a multi-million dollar salary and a family bringing in 160K? Do you understand that they are both being punished the same via taxes, mainly, because people like YOU in this country feel that they owe you something?
I have to say if thats true it worrys me, its why you have a gradiated income tax for one thing: being on 160K a year is middle class IMO, over £200,000 a year (about $400,000) is 'rich' to me.

Quote:
Again, where in the Constitution of the United States does it state that all Americans are to be equal? The government's only job is to ensure equal opportunity - what you do with that opportunity is your problem. I support a government that uses my money to help that family, even though I owe her nothing. All I ask is that she does not blame me for her problems!
I partly agree, but I would add that the government has to also provide minimum human rights, protect the country and provide a minimum standard of living.

Quote:
Selfishness? A man who worked full-time blue collar jobs all the way through college to support myself, and then as many hours as possible after college to pay off my school loans, and build up enough equity to qualify for a business loan. A man who was finally able to start that business at 33, and two years later took my first vacation EVER - stepping on an airplane for the first time in my life. A man who now watches 50% of every dollar profit be confiscated by the city, state, and federal government agencies - that is selfish to you?
Depends, thats not really enough info IMO. But anyways, I don't know how much you earn but if you over $1,000,000 then 50% is about right-it should be the maximum income tax band. (i'd have a few more gradiations, but thats basically about right.
Quote:
I see things differently. I see parents who bring children into this world while not having a stable relationship as selfish. Without any care for the stress and turmoil they have forced upon these children, because it is fun, they