Democrats, Republicans and the Crisis of Legitimacy

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
I enjoyed Capitalism and Freedom and Free To Choose, both books my M. Friedman. I can't say you describe them accurately so I'll just say if you would like to learn more on the positions you misrepresent, both are excellent reads. No worries if you are not interested. Have a great day!
Milton Friedman is a leading proponent of just one school of economic thought, neoliberalism, which has increasingly been discredited as a model for broad based prosperity.

There are plenty of other economists and perspectives out there, like those of former Labor Secretary Robert Reich and Brown University professor Mark Blyth, who will provide much needed counterpoint and criticism of Friedman's assertions.
 

Bugeye

Well-Known Member
You're the one being dismissive because for some strange reason you refuse to acknowledge that wealthy people make their money not through wages but through dividends, asset appreciation and capital gains, all of which are taxed at vastly lower rates than wages. It's called 'unearned income' for a reason, and that reason is taxes.

Contrary to your attempt to label my comments, I'm being anything but 'dismissive'; I'm backing my assertions with specific, verifiable examples.

People hate being wrong, I get that. I'm not trying to tell you that you're stupid- far from it! I'm calling attention to a system that has been systematically misrepresenting itself to Americans and who has managed to fool you into thinking a very incomplete picture is representative of all the relevant facts.


Progressive tax structure. Sorry, you are wrong. Your anecdotes don't trump this data. Nothing silly about it.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member


Progressive tax structure. Sorry, you are wrong. Your anecdotes don't trump this data. Nothing silly about it.
THAT'S WAGE INCOME, it does not include unearned income tax schedules.

It's the third time I've discussed this very fact.

Rich people get most of their income from non wage income sources, which are taxed at much lower rates.

Do you get it now?
 

Bugeye

Well-Known Member
THAT'S WAGE INCOME, it does not include unearned income tax schedules.

It's the third time I've discussed this very fact.

Rich people get most of their income from non wage income sources, which are taxed at much lower rates.

Do you get it now?
No, I don't get it. Last time I checked my income tax filing included income from dividends on line 9 and capital gains on line 13 of the 1040 form - Individual Income Tax Return. The graph is for all tax payments collected which includes individual income, payroll, corporate income, estate, and excise. Do YOU get it now?
 

Bugeye

Well-Known Member
Mark Blyth..another one who tells it like it is. So there you go. You want real world economists talking in the real world? Blyth..Wolff..& Reich will get you there.
Well...I'm an hour and half in and disagree with Wolff on some things but I do think he tells a good narrative that helps me understand where you are coming from. His us vs the evil corporations stuff is a bit much and does not jive with my experiences in the corporate world but I'll finish the lecture and think on it a bit before making final judgement. Thanks again.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Back to the original topic; 30 million Americans are eligible but haven't even registered to vote.

40% of registered voters are unaffiliated with either major party.

These are not the statistics of an engaged electorate.
 

Justin-case

Well-Known Member
Back to the original topic; 30 million Americans are eligible but haven't even registered to vote.

40% of registered voters are unaffiliated with either major party.

These are not the statistics of an engaged electorate.
Even when people are registered to vote there is no guarantee they will. People are lazy, surely that's something you can relate with.
 

Fogdog

Well-Known Member
Back to the original topic; 30 million Americans are eligible but haven't even registered to vote.

40% of registered voters are unaffiliated with either major party.

These are not the statistics of an engaged electorate.
A core sample taken from a tree showing 80 rings means a tree is 80 years old.

More statistics presented devoid of meaning.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Even when people are registered to vote there is no guarantee they will. People are lazy, surely that's something you can relate with.
Millions of people came out and marched in Saturday. That doesn't sound lazy in any way.

But keep projecting, keyboard warrior.
 
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