I keep hearing Warren Buffets name with the quote that he thinks wealthy people are not taxed enough. If he believes that then he should be making large payments to the government and he should be suggesting that all of his wealthy brethren do the same Until I hear of this happening it is just rhetoric.

Do you really think that all of Mexico’s problems can be cured by taxing the rich. Do you not think that the rich will find legal ways to keep their money? Does their government bear no responsibility for the problems.

Once again it is the evil rich, the innovators,the successful that are the problem.

My comment about the Bush tax increase was that it led to the prosperity of the Clinton administration. You may recall that Clinton built on this increase by leading Congress to reinstate the tax rates of the pre-Reagan years which, much to the consternation of Republicans, lowered interest rates and fueled rapid growth largely by increasing confidence internationally in our determination to cut deficit spending. You may remember the Orange county financial debacle caused by the manager of the county employees retirement fund who was so convinced that the Clinton tax increases would result in recession that he lost billions betting against the economy.

Warren Buffet has called for higher taxes on the wealthy because he knows how unhealthy it is for our economy to allow an increasing percentage of the fruits of our productivity to be concentrated in the bank accounts of the top 1% on the economic ladder. Consider the plight of Mexico. The wealth of Mexico is concentrated in the hands of a small percentage of the population. The government serves their interests and the peasants are left with few opportunities for themselves or their children. Because of the refusal of the ruling class in Mexico to allow themselves to be fairly taxed in order to improve opportunities for all the citizens of Mexico, they now live in fortified compounds, travel everywhere with body guards and live in fear of kidnappings and murder. Is that the way we want to live? Fair levels of taxation benefit everyone including the wealthy.

JRW et al: I would encourage you to look at a graph of the GDP, Tax Revenues and Presidential terms. Since the Elder Bush was brought up please note the budget compromise of 1990 led to an immediate downturn (not recession) in the economy.

All, 10%, if it is good enough for God it is good enough for the government. Exempt the bottom third of wage earners to help ease the burden on those who make less.

CB, the great thing about Reagan is he was not afraid to 1) Tell it like it is 2) Go over Congress’ head and take it straight to the people and 3) Surround himself with people he considered to know more than he did.

The future is “Tribes”

cb

My response to your comment above would be….I don’t think you have made any comments stating you believe your taxes are too low

I agree smaller government will only happen when the voters step,up listen to candidates and make wise voting decisions.

My concern is how can this happen when our society is filled with people basing their vote on who can give them the most stuff. It is very disturbing to hear the % of Americans that receive some type of assistance from the federal government.

As you have no doubt watched enough of the current crop of Presidential candidates make long lists of proposals of what they will give away if they are elected.

I have to confess that I was thinking the same think as I typed my comment; however, as long as it isn’t required by the government I’d spend it elsewhere, too.

re: size of government. That’s where citizens come in. Until John and Jane America begin to pressure their own senators and representatives to reduce the size of the government, it will be business as usual. I’m not optimistic that Americans on the whole can even imagine life without a burdensome federal gov’t.

Thanks for your reply.

I agree with you that smaller federal government is the goal, but I don’t see that happening.

I have seen comments like that of Mr Buffett’s made by some very wealthy people, even some politicians. The problem I have is if we tax the wealthy at a rate much higher than the rest of us, that smacks of class envy. If that begins it won’t stop and then it would be much easier to redefine “wealthy”. I just can’t get onboard with punishing achievement.

With a cynical tone I propose that any individual who feels he isn’t taxed enough has the ability to make an unsolicited gift to the federal government.

I don’t hear any press reports of this happening.