I am pissed! Where in the hell is the pain for the upper-class in this new budget?

[archiemo]

And DO NOT tell me it's there in the form of expiring tax cuts for them because we know those will never be allowed to expire. I need some help here in trying to keep my chin up because this is getting downright disgusting.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Pain is for the little people.

These times call for shared sacrifice. We sacrifice, and the rich share the things we sacrifice.

[OhioChick]

2. Oh C'mon, time to pull yourself up by the bootstraps...

:sarcasm:

[pansypoo53219]

24. i think democrats should start handing out bootstraps at rallies.

this is what republikkkans want you to have, and that's it.

[indy legend]

96. And what the hell do those that don't have a damn pair of boots pull themselves up by?

[lebkuchen]

34. As Palin preaches

America is all about hard work. If you can't make it in this great land of ours, you're not working hard enough!

Meanwhile, Germans have 6 weeks of paid vacation every year. France has 8 weeks. What a bunch of wussies.

[SammyWinstonJack]

48. Yeah Live to Work vs Work to Live. USA! USA! USA!

:puke: Oh and Mama Grifter wouldn't know what hard work is!.

[Yavin4]

115. She Somewhat Worked Hard for 2 Years

and then quit. Is that what she means?

[Donnachaidh]

3. the elites will hurt their hands squeezing the last coins from the working poor

And our government will pat us on the head while it's being done. :eyes:

[HopeHoops]

4. They have to pay a 10 cent luxury tax on Grey Poupon.

Talk about a commercial that screams "you don't want to be associated with this baby shit in a jar".

[KansasVoter]

5. The upper class will never suffer! They own this government!

[dkofos]

6. Pain is for peons.

[DearAbby]

7. Is this the reward for voting

just to keep the GOP Out all these years?

[damntexdem]

8. Oh, it's in their heartsickness, having to stand by and watch so many others suffer.

That is, when they happen to look up from counting their money.

;-)

[Hell Hath No Fury]

9. Use your anger to take action -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x413773

[Marblehead]

10. two Americas

I live in the painful one.

[FBaggins]

11. They have to watch the rest of us suffer.

You have no idea how difficult that can be!

[old mark]

28. ...Or, they can just go to their summer home in Italy.....or the one in France...nt

[FBaggins]

30. So they can watch other people suffer?

I think it's harder to watch people suffer in a foreign language. :)

[old mark]

31. Just have the servants close the drapes.....nt

[Raine]

47. Yeah but I think they enjoy watching people suffer

it's entertaining to them, just like that kind of thing was to the ancient Romans.

[jeffrey_X]

97. No they don't. They don't see it and they aren't aware....

they think everyone will be OK.

[xchrom]

12. a phrase i'm afraid that will rightfully go down in infamy. nt

[snagglepuss]

25. Which phrase?

[xchrom]

26. 'shared sacrifice'. nt

[Autumn]

13. Just dig a little deeper

somewhere under that pile of horse shit is a pony. We all know Obamas campaign promises on the tax cuts.

[SammyWinstonJack]

49. LOL!

:spray: :evilgrin:

[Enthusiast]

77. But look what Obama

has accomplished in such a short time!

[Ninga]

14. I am trying my best to unerstand the end game here, but am coming up

empty..

A real head scratcher.

[tavalon]

41. Do something that we in the US are unaccustomed to:

Think in terms of class. The lower class and the upper class. The upper class is beating the shit out of the lower class. But don't worry, we can just eat cake.

[KansDem]

15. It's Leona Helmsley economics...Only the little people pay taxes and endure the pain.

The upper class may be somewhat discomforted from watching Americans starve in the streets, but their next trip to the Bahamas aboard their private yacht should remedy that.


Did you see that dead corpse in the street on the way to the docks?
The...what?
Nevermind...just pour me another Mai Tai

[whirlygigspin]

82. the 'rabble' are revolting ha! pay! suckers pay!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_s6Cu32Fga4k/RuF2qi6EQsI/AAAAAAAAA6w/Y1vxd-K8YS0/s400/leona+helmsley+002.jpg
'We don't need a Mubarrak in this country to steal billions--our government does it for us everyday'

[peace frog]

114. GAH!!!!

Please, post a warning first!



I said: "You must pay a lot of taxes". She said: "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes."
–Elizabeth Baum, former housekeeper to Leona Helmsley (October 1983)

[Lasher]

16. Obama's budget will be mostly ignored.

House Republicans' budget will be even worse. Obama and Senate Democrats will support it, feigning despondency.

[Phlem]

63. +1

[Doctor_J]

99. And claiming they did the best they could

[txlibdem]

119. And that those mean Republicans "wouldn't let them" do a better budget

It's all a f(*king show put on to keep our attention off the fact that they're all millionaires and they don't give one flying f*(k about you or I and our pain or suffering.

We need government that has as its sole focus the betterment of the people, not the rich and the corporations. It's time for some serious house cleaning.

[liberal N proud]

17. We have to suck it up so the rich can drive their fancy cars

and live in the extravagant mansions and sail in their fabulous yachts.

Someone has to maintain the image that America is the land of plenty and someone has be penalized for it.



:sarcasm:

[Kablooie]

18. Read up on human history. Pain is only for the rich during revolutions.

Any other time they are completely insulated from any societal restrictions.

[csziggy]

19. Then it is past time for a revolution! n/t

[tomp]

87. now the discussion is getting somewhere! nt

[tavalon]

42. The interesting thing that the rich would do well to read up on, history wise,

is that if enough pain is inflicted on the much larger lower class, revolutions almost always come. So, if they had the sense God should have given them, they would share to avoid pain. Of course, they don't seem to have that kind of self preservation. It seems like they are overly concerned with self preservation but looking at the bigger picture, they clearly are not.

[Kablooie]

75. According to the last 600 years of history we are due for a major upheaval.

It's known as the fourth turning and I'm beginning to feel it may arrive right on schedule.

http://www.fourthturning.com/html/history___turnings.html

[tavalon]

106. Cassandra here

I'm guessing that would make me an old prophet. Waiting on a hero.

[Ozymanithrax]

20. Once you reach a certain economical position, there is no pain...

You just have a slight lowering of your liquidity level.

[dkf]

74. That is true.

You would have to do some sort of wealth tax to inflict pain. That would be different from any taxes we currently have and would require government confiscation.

[LAGC]

21. God dammit, the rich need their second yachts and vacation homes.

Who are you to spoil their recreation?!

You're just jealous and full of envy, that's all.

I mean, its your fault you're not rich. If you aren't willing to exploit people and grift money from them on a massive scale, what gives you the right to bitch?

Take some responsibility for your situation and quit being so poor, you leech!

:sarcasm:

[OHdem10]

22. When Reagan changed our economy to The FREE MARKET

SYSTEM, it was designed to favor Business and the Upper
Incomers.

It goes like this. First he changed the rules so that
Business has no obligation to anyone except their Shareholders.
Who are the Shareholders (Elites and Upper Incomers hold
most shares). Business was relieved of any obligation to
workers, the city, the country. Workers got the shaft.

Wall St and the Elites crack the whip on Business. EARN US
MORE PPOFITS. Every quarter Business turns in their reports
and must show profit or they will be punished. Business will
do anything to avoid the wrath of Wall St. and the Rating
Agencies for Businesses. Who is going to benefit from these
profits?? Elites, Upper Incomers and Wall St.

Business can get profits in at least two ways. One, they cut
back on work force making them work harder for same amount
of salary. When they have bled all they can from this turnip
they go about the world searching for the cheapest labor.
Keep in mind, for any business their labor costs are the
highest cost to the company. Business has one duty , earn
profits so cheap labor solves the problem.

The Free Market provides business a way to achieve their
goal with few regulations. They have no obligation to the
country to city to state and surely nothing is owed the worker.

If you believe in a society in which only Individuals counts.
No one is responsible for assisting anyone else. you are not
concerned with general welfare of the country as a whole, the
Free Market Works.

If you believe in a common good and we are our brothers' keeper
then the Free Market gives a shaft to the Middle Class, Working
Class. This is the largest group in America, the Middle Class
and Poor. The Free Market leaves them in the ditch. There
is no way to put lipstick on this pig.

It is designed to make the Richer Richer , the poor poorer and
diminish the Middle Class.

No one person can change this system.. It will take a strong
movement and many voices to make the change.

Never forget: Before this we had a successful MIXED ECONOMY
1945 1970. Capitalism and Social Programs. At that time
Business had responsibility to this country. People earned
enough that there was one breadwinner, could own a modest home
a modest care and save enough to send their kids to College.
College Tuition was very very reasonable. I am telling you
this for those too young to remember. The Republicans believed
then we were engaged in Socialism and have done everything to
destroy it. Reagan did a good job and GWB nailed it to the ground.



If you bel

[CountAllVotes]

23. yeah where is their pain?

After all the tax cuts for the rich have been extended *forever* ...

In the meantime they are cutting out all help for those that need it the most.

The people making these *decisions* make *me* sick! :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

:kick: & recommend!!

[dennis4868]

27. There are higher taxes....

For those mAking $250,000 or more...don't base the facts on HuffPost and most DUers....they will always be negative....

[kath]

68. Say what? Do you have a link?

Which taxes have gone up for those making >250K? Details please.

[ladjf]

29. It is worse than disgusting.It trends toward a total collapse of

American society. nt

[_ed_]

32. Obama is Reagan's legacy

He's the personal embodiment of Reagan's legacy.

[Hawkowl]

44. He's Reagan's Asshole

In other words, the worst part of Reagan.

[Enthusiast]

78. I fear you are correct. nt

[Juche]

33. Means testing social programs?

Assuming they actually do it and start means testing SS and medicare. But that harms the upper class (100-300k a year), not the truly rich since SS is capped at about 110k. And up until recently investment income wasn't taxed for medicare.

But it is a pittance for the truly wealthy.



Just so everyone knows though, being rich doesn't automatically make you a heartless Mr. burns republican type. Alan Grayson has a net worth of $31 million and counting. Ned Lamont is worth $200 million. The democracy alliance is made up of liberal millionaires, billionaires and organizations with large cash funds (unions, environmental groups) working together to elect progressives.

So a person can be rich and not be evil, and there are rich people fighting for the American middle class too.

There really needs to be a distinction between the 'good' and 'evil' rich. The Koch Brothers are not George Soros. But either way, income inequality is far too high and must be addressed. But I think many liberal rich people realize that.

[Enthusiast]

80. Most of DUers know full

well that all the rich are not greedy fucks. But all the Republican wealthy are greedy fucks, of course.

[Juche]

93. My point is they aren't all evil

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are using their wealth to fight global poverty. The Democracy Alliance members are using wealth to elect progressives. Ned Lamont and Grayson are wealthy. etc. Obama won the 250k+ a year crowd 53-47 over McCain. It seems progressives don't always realize that tons of wealthy people are on our side.

[toddwv]

35. You have no idea what you are talking about. The wealthy in this country are suffering too.

Haven't you ever seen "Brewster's Millions"? Do you think that it's EASY to spend all that new money pouring in? I'm sick of all the whining about "how am I going to feed my children when I lose my job?" or "I can't work because I had a heart-attack and now I'm going to lose my house and my car because I can't pay the bills and continue medical treatment." Everyone acts like the rich is just sitting around in their mansions planning their next 2 month vacation to their château in France while waiting for their maid to bring them their tea and their 12 luxury cars sit idle in the garage. They have other things to do like informing their investment rep just how they want all of YOUR money properly diversified for mid and long term gain.

So quit yer bitchin'!

[emilyg]

52. +++++

[Enthusiast]

81. I agree!

Leave the rich alone!:cry:

[glinda]

36. Doesn't appear to be any. I don't know how the Dems can be so silent on this stuff.

[kath]

69. Which Democrats? At this point, there only seems to be a handful or so of them left.

The rest, including the guy in the White House, are Republicans.

[deaniac21]

37. I see pain for everyone.

[Odin2005]

38. Elites only make concessions if they are afriad of the masses slaughtering them.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

61. ...

[FiveGoodMen]

39. You want that kind of a budget, you need someone else in the White House.

[Ignis]

40. Why would those in charge hurt themselves and their friends?

"It's a big club, and you {we} ain't in it."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5dBZDSSky0

[SammyWinstonJack]

51. Bingo!

:thumbsup:

[Bonobo]

43. The rich feel no pain like the poor and that is the stone cold truth.

Even taking 90% of their money would not represent the kind of pain and anxiety that the poor feel every day and every night.

Having no money to fix the car you need to get to your crappy job.

Having no money to take your kids out for a meal even once a month.

Having no money to pay for a visit to the dentist.

They will NEVER feel that pain and anxiety.

This "budget" from Obama represents what America really stands for --contempt for the poor and the belief that they are poor because they deserve it.

Because in America, all you have to do is work hard to make your dreams come true.

So if you aren't rich, you are a stupid, lazy loser.

[neverforget]

45. we share the sacrifice while the wealthy profit off of it

[tpsbmam]

46. I'm struck by the photo you're using of Obama. In 2008 I'd have seen a nice photo

of a good man. Now I see conniving and scheming behind a smirk. Interesting how the perception of the man has changed the way I see that photo.

I totally agree and K&R!

[emilyg]

54. I thought I was the only

one seeing him so differently now.

[tpsbmam]

59. I have a feeling there are tons of us out here. nt

[chimpymustgo]

105. OMG -I HATE seeing that grin. He is laughing his ASS off at us.

[lonestarnot]

50. Banksters, insurance cos., ceos and bonusers aren't feeling it. They don't have time.

[sulphurdunn]

53. The Roman Emperor Caligula supposedly said,

"Let them hate us so long as they fear us," in reference to the Roman mob, as they were referred to by the Roman aristocracy.

Regarding the American aristocracy, we hate them, but we do not fear them. They are in deep shit and too arrogant to even know it. It always plays out that way. Just ask Caligula.

[RandomThoughts]

55. Fear is the first weapon used by many tyrannies

And usually those that use fear, learn not to fear, since they know it is all in the fear.

So in something like, class warfare, it is not only that they try to scare you, it is that some of them have very little fear.

It is that lack of fear that can lead people to strong positions, both better and worse positions.


So not only should people shed their fear, even if it does not always work out, but know that they are using lack of fear against you, since if they can not be scared, you have to actually do something to them. I skip over scaring people since I don't like fear concepts.

Fear is pretty simple, you can get someone to move off of some position by fear, and not even doing anything, someone with no fear, has to actually have something done to them.

So after no fear, you learn intent not effect, so even if they try to take your beer and travel money, even an effect does not bother you, since you know that beer and travel money is due, and any effect is no different then any other, because you do not think in terms of what is, but what should be as your motivator.

From there you are immune to threat and action.

That leads to craptastic situation without justice, from there justice has to react to reset the balance, and things get corrected.

And I am due beer and travel money, and many experiences.

[hobbit709]

89. And what happened to Caligula?

[sulphurdunn]

118. He was assassinated

by the Praetorian Guard and the Senate, the very people who came to fear the "mob" because of its anger toward Caligula's flagrant and obtuse abuses of power.

[Doctor_J]

98. True today

The main problem is that we live in fear of them, and they have nothing to fear from us. Some guillotine parties broadcast on PBS would change the dynamic.

[Toon Me Out]

56. They have tremendous backpain

when they fall off their wallets.

[burrowowl]

57. We are going to have to take to the STREETS!

[Initech]

58. If they want a revolt, I say bring it on motherfuckers!!!

[w8liftinglady]

60. we are only seeing cuts for the poor and downtrodden in texas

they don't matter,anyway...do they?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

62. "hard choices"= some become impoverished so others can get richer

:grr:

[alp227]

64. nowhere as long as he keeps holding hands with the chamber of commerce n/t

[dd2003]

65. Didnt you hear?

We need to LOWER taxes on the rich! They say so!

[Oldtimeralso]

66. K&R

Proud to be #100

[DeSwiss]

67. Kinda gets you right in the 'ol avatar, don't it?

I understand your anger. I was angry too back when I still believed we could fix this shit. I know better now. This system we labor under is a form of social cancer and it is slowly killing us by sapping the life right out of us. The middle class is being "economically disappeared" right in front of us daring us to complain. We could be next. All the while the rich play for a little more time. Enough time for the next con. The next bailout. The next fraud. Delaying us from recognizing the truth of what is REALLY GOING ON. To keep us from ever so slowly coming to the realization that the game is rigged and we're the suckers. And that we've always been the suckers.

What's different now is that the game is close to ending. We owe trillions and trillions that will never be repaid. Because we played along and this is where we ended up. The rich will "own" everything and no one can stop them. No one. Not Russia. Not China. No one. And so they don't have to pretend as hard as they used to because.... what are we gonna do now? Vote them out? Ha! Right.

In order to stop being "pissed" first you must come to understand some basic truths. Here's the first one: You cannot "fix" an inherently flawed system. You can patch it when its flaws become obvious, but that only works for a while. But we're now at the point where the patches will no longer keep the system intact and it is falling apart before our eyes. And we don't want to believe what we're seeing, so we continue to act incredulously as if it's supposed to keep working when we know that its broken.

It's broken.

It's broken.

However, as Aldous Huxley said: "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

- It's broken. It can't work anymore. BROKEN. Acceptance is the first step.

K&R

"This shit's got to go." http://www.youtube.com/user/TZMOfficialChannel#p/u/1/QYLLFpNn4lM">~Jacques Fresco

[janet118]

70. ask not what the rich can do for you . . .

ask what you can do for the rich.

:grr:

[Bryn]

71. I feel same anger

Blah!!! I am so disgusted. K&R

[Capitalocracy]

72. I think you're misunderestimating the concept of "shared sacrifice".

WE'RE supposed to "share" the "sacrifice". THEY are supposed to dish it out.

[dkf]

Of course the tax cuts for the rich will expire. All the Bush tax cuts will expire.

There is no money.

[dkf]

73. Of course the tax cuts for the rich will expire. All the Bush tax cuts will expire.

There is no money.

[Enthusiast]

76. We were forced to

go bipartisan so we could extend the unemployment benefits. Don't you know anything?

[RandomThoughts]

79. Funny thought, I know so little I don't know if that is sarcastic or not.

:D

:rofl:

Just had an epiphany. You never know if someone is being sarcastic. And that is the difference between those that think religious concepts are real and better ideas, and those that think it is a joke played on people.

If you think 'spiritual' is actually being satire or sarcasm, then you think joke doctrine, if not you think in many terms of spiritual thought.


And anytime anyone says anything to you, you only know if it is sarcastic or not, by comparing it to what you know. You never know when someone is sarcastic.

That is why I don't like to use sarcasm and try to think no one uses sarcasm, since really it is just reversing what you hear, making anything you hear mean anything.

What a concept. The existence of the possibility of sarcasm, makes any communication also based on the listener.

[dotymed]

83. ".You Say You Want A Revolution?"

Oh well. I do.

[dotymed]

84. Maybe, this how they raise their

1 trillion euros to get a seat on the Ark for 2012.....doubtful....but this oppression is no longer tolerable and WE need to take to the streets....it is our only hope....

[WVRICK13]

85. The Pain

of watching the rest of us suffer. Just kidding, the rich control our President and the rest of the government.

[vssmith]

86. They sacrifice all that cake they force down our throats

[pecwae]

88. Fergit it.

There is no such pain. Never has been, never will be, unless there's a major realignment of priorities and probably of the stars and planets.

[Vinca]

90. The pain is the sun burn they'll get watching us poor folk rummage

for the necessities of life from the comfort of their second (or third or fourth) home decks. Can you rub a little sunscreen on me, luvie?

[archiemo]

91. K&R

[chriscruzan]

92. Take back the food chain

and starve them out! Guerilla gardening is a good start. These lazy bastards will not know what hit them when we cut the food supply off. Plant food for yourself and some for your neighbors,you are going to need it when the monies dry up. Make the wealthy eat the Monsanto crap they reap. This is NO JOKE we will have to return to subsistence lifestyles before the end of our generation. The wealthy are trying to kill us as needed. Protect our food chain! The USA was built on the ability to feed the world. We can start anew by helping to feed the least wealthy in our own communities. LIBERALS must feed ourselves and our neighbors. The 'King' of liberals, Jesus, fed the poor. Shove that in some Tea baggers face and see what kind of response is forthcoming.

[stillrockin]

94. It's uniquely American, just like Bush's plan.

[INdemo]

95. We need a real progressive to challenge Obama in 2012

or an Independent like Sanders..We need to start a draft Sanders campaign now..he could win..We don't have a voice in Congress and we don't have a voice in the White House..We voted for a Democrat and as it turns out he was really a Republican. Were we ever fooled.
Everything the Republicans wanted they got under the Bush administration.And now they get want they want with Obama.It is like a Bush third term.
There are millions of voters that wont be fooled again.

[NorthCarolina]

108. It's already been started

http://www.sandersforpresident.org/

[INdemo]

109. I did not see a petition

with that link..just a bunch of outdated comments...

[NorthCarolina]

112. I believe Sanders himself put a stop to it

On December 17, Senator Bernie Sanders has denied any plans to run for president and said he will run for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2012. Sen. Sanders answered a direct question on the Mark Johnson radio show (minute 13 of the audio file on that page) about the effort to draft him to run for president, stating that “It’s obviously flattering, but is not going to happen” and that it’s “off the table.”

This would account for the lack of a petition.

[leeroysphitz]

100. pain is coming for them but it won't have anything to do with any budget. n/t

[Doctor_J]

103. From your keyboard to Americans' eyes

I don't think we have the nerve of the Egyptians though.

[Kyad02]

101. Let the Poor freeze says President Sellout....

I've got trust funds to protect. This guy is a Republican through and through. We all got suckered big time.

[valerief]

102. They suffer enough trying to decide just where to invest all their money. Let them suffer in peace.

[Rockholm]

104. If the mortgage interest deduction is removed, I will feel it.

Most of my peers will feel it. My business will suffer if this happens.

[pnwmom]

107. You ask where it is in the budget, and then you say not to answer.

The budget does raise taxes on the wealthy, and not just by letting tax cuts expire and estate taxes return to 2009 levels. It also limits tax deductions for mortgages and charity for people with incomes over $250K -- which would be a new tax increase.

Your not believing these increases will happen is a separate issue; they ARE a part of the budget proposed by Obama.

[Name removed]

110. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pnwmom]

113. By "pain," I assumed the OP meant tax increases. The increases

in Obama's budget are significant. Now it's up to Congress to pass them.

[snooper2]

111. We are busy taking care of our in-laws who are on SSDI

and unemployed

[Yavin4]

116. If the Clinton Tax Rates Were Restored, The Rich Would Not Even Notice It

The whole point of tax cuts is to deprive govt of money which makes painful cuts necessary. Every dollar of domestic spending that's cut just makes people more and more dependent on low paying private sector jobs and makes all workers more docile and accepting of mistreatment on the job.

Both political parties are now the parties of low taxes on the wealthy and gutting domestic spending. Real change can only come with a brand new party willing to fight for progressive values.

[paparush]

117. Top .01% - "I say, Jeves, throw a few more homeless onto the fire. Don't want to catch a chill."