The Republicans have a conundrum on income equality

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Let me preface my remarks by saying I will drink radiator fluid if they are able to steal this issue. In order to address income equality a government needs to ensure its highest earners pay their fair share of taxes so the proceeds can be used to improve the lot of all earners.

Republicans want to grow the economy which is admirable, we all do, but if the tax structure remains the same, those highest earners will still be way ahead of everybody else.

[el_bryanto]

1. I don't think they see the conundrum

They aren't really learning from their mistakes; if their economic policies fail to provide what they have promised it simply means we need to do more of what they way. And, more to the point, they don't really recognize how the economy is failing so many people. Either they believe that those who are having a rough time are having a rough time because "they don't want to work" or they believe that there just aren't that many of them.

Most people tend not to get out of their particular sphere.

Bryant

[Wounded Bear]

3. The problem with this, and with your comment...

is that the current policies are working just fine for them. They don't acknowledge a problem, because there isn't one....for them.

They're doing just fine, and rightly think that any solution to this 'problem' will affect them directly.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Their argument so far seems to be....

somewhere between it doesn't exist and it doesn't matter. Haven't heard much else, other than Romney's BS pandering attempt. If enough Americans can believe that bullshit to elect him, we're genuinely screwed.

They don't want to steal the issue, they want to suppress it. The more Dems that get on the bandwagon trumpeting this song, the better IMHO.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. It seems they are falling into the "it matters" camp

Last edited Thu Jan 29, 2015, 12:57 PM - Edit history (1)

That should help us.

[Wounded Bear]

13. Well, Liz Warren started the ball rolling...

You're right. The Repubs should have no credibility on this issue. And certainly, asshole libertarians should just STFU on it.

[hifiguy]

23. A bilion or so of Kochtopus money

and the low-info mouth breathers will believe the Repukes will save them and the liberals will turn them into Soylent Green. Lies can always chase out the truth if they're told loudly and often enough.

[Populist_Prole]

18. Yes, I'd say that's about right

Or more like, "it doesn't exist and it doesn't matter...but if it does exist and is hurting you, we'll happily distract you by pandering to your favorite single issue" ( god/guns/race baiting; whatever )

[BeyondGeography]

4. Too many Americans are either easily fooled or looking for any excuse to vote for the white guy

They'll point to the Clintons and their millions and bloviate about government fat cats. Even better if it's a "little guy" like Scott Walker. They could steal the issue, no problem. Stay away from that radiator fluid.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

6. Do not be intimidated.

Wasn't it the patrician John Kennedy who put poor old haggard Dick Nixon in a clown suit.

[BeyondGeography]

7. Mostly, I laugh

through the tears.

I remember watching the Gore/Bush debates saying, no, can't be, look at this malformed ignoramus sneering at his moral and intellectual superior. They have to be able to see what a flaming disaster that would be...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. Romney had a lot more problems than being rich...

Voters aren't going to penalize you for being rich as long as they feel you give a s--t about everybody else.

Wealth used to be created by building things and buying land and watching it appreciate. I'm not an expert on income equality but I suspect a lot of it is fueled by the hyper exaggerated gains in the stock market.

[tridim]

8. Republicans most definitely do NOT want to grow the economy.

I have seen no proof that they want anything other than this country and its economy to fail, again.

Action, not words.

[world wide wally]

9. Republicans have learned very well that half of American voters will believe anything

that comes out of their mouths. In other words, they have no intention of ever delivering on any of their promises other than cutting taxes for the wealthy. So, beginning at 50% of the voters, all they need after that is one vote to win and they know it.

[Initech]

10. They either support income inequality or they support the billionaire moocher class.

They can't pretend to support the mess that they created with empty gestures the way they have been doing.

[DetlefK]

11. R's: "We will fight income inequality!" Voters: "How?" R's: "First, vote for me, then I'll tell ya."

Hint: It rhymes with "Put that pickle down."

[KingCharlemagne]

19. "I have a 'secret plan' to win the war (on income inquality)" - now where have we heard that one

before?

[Johonny]

12. I bet their solution will be to lie outright to its cause

and add in a healthy dose of blaming Obama.

[Bandit]

14. While I find their attempt to look concerned laughable, they do make a very good point.

Every year since Obama became President the inequality has gotten worse. They want to try and hang it on Obama even though they know they have fought him tooth and nail the entire time. The point remains though they are correct. NOTHING has been done to address the issue. The very slight increase in taxes on the wealthy does not even come close to addressing the issue. The facts are that even under the VERY high marginal rates during the fifties and sixties the rich still got richer, however everybody else got a little better off as well. We need to go back to those days of very progressive taxation..EVERYBODY is better off.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. I would argue that anyone ...

arguing for the use of the tax code as a means of addressing Income Inequality ...

is off-base and are making a losing argument.

The tax code can do a lot in a lot of economic areas; but, decreasing income inequality is not one of them ... unless we tax wealth, not income, at 100% and then, have that tax revenue directly transferred to the people at the bottom of the economic ladder.

That is a highly unlikely scenario.

Further ... Pet Peeve Alert!!! ...

I wish people would stop using the phrase "Income UNEQUALITY" ... and use the, more accurate, term: "Income INEQUITY." Who among us would knowingly argue that everyone's income should be the same, without regard to qualifications, effort, or even the plain dumb luck of being at the right place, at the right time, to exploit an opportunity?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. Point well taken. /NT

[jeff47]

20. Just remember, the RV kind is safe, the car kind is not.

RV radiator fluid is propylene glycol, and not too toxic. Car radiator fluid is ethylene glycol, and very toxic.

And get ready for a centrist who doesn't want to upset Wall Street versus a Republican screaming about poverty (and planning to do nothing about it).

[DemocratSinceBirth]

21. Wouldn't both kill you? /NT

[jeff47]

22. You'd have to drink a hell of a lot of the RV kind

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_glycol#Safety_in_Humans

Serious toxicity generally occurs at plasma concentrations over 4 g/L in, which requires extremely high intake over a relatively short period of time, or when used as a vehicle for drugs or vitamins given intravenously or orally.