A masterful summation! As one who lived through the era from Roosevelt to Obama, I can say that you are absolutely correct about the clumsy, harsh, ineffective, steps taken by Reagan's predecessors. There is no denying that the Regan Bull market allowed even those who formerly could not afford stock investments, to prosper, at least a litlle.
Glaucon:
Do you not believe that this corruption is a real problem? Our bought and paid for government (all segments) are directly responsible for the oppressive taxation, restriction of liberties, and much more at the behest of the moneyed interests, who obtain legislation and rulings favorable to their greed and lust for money, at the expense of all the rest of us. This extends both nationally and internationally.
Before you ask, I am not anti-rich, anti-capitalist or any other class anti, but I am opposed to the plutocracy in which we are living. Most of our social problems, economic problems, educational problems and a host of other societal problems are caused by legislative meddling, usually at the behest of someone making a profit.
Play for pay is not a Chicago syndrome, the entire nation is infected with this disease. pafret
Call me cynical, but, I can't think too harshly about any politician. They have the same bad smell as smarmy used car salesman insurance huckster. Think Gary Trudeau with Donkey ears and an Elephant snout
Your opinions of Romney may or may not be justified. You should note that I indicted ALL politicians -- Each and every one of them is beholden to special (moneyed) interests and this is a debt that gets repaid regardless of the detriment to the nation or its people.
The name of the game is not simple tax avoidance, buying the politicians, guarantees, that legislation will be passed favorable to the plutocrats such that they will reap untold profits. Think Al Gore and his Smog credit/tax, the solar energy legislation fiascos and a host of other legislation that enriched individuals who were either relatives of or contributed heavily to the politician in numerous ways. Lest you think it is only the current administration that does this be assured that all politicians engage in the same behavior.
Harry Reid has a track record of introducing legislation that directly benefits his family members. How many other interests he represents is not known to me, however I do know that they weren't mine.
How many bailouts have our politicians supported under the guise that it would be bad for the nation to "let the savings and loan industry collapse, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack, GM" and many others who contributed heavily to the political campaigns had their debts reassigned to you and me. They got the profits, we get the bill, courtesy of our purchased and paid for government.
Our current incumbent in the White House (a president he is not) has incurred the largest debt in history in order to stimulate the economy. Ask youself, whose economy got stimulated? It wasn't mine, and from the number of closed businesses in my town, and reports of reduced earninings by retail giants like Wal Mart, it wasn't any other ordinary taxpayers economy.
One thing I know, the size of each individuals debt incurred by the politicians on behalf of the moneyed interests is beyond anything we will ever be able to repay. We will ultimately resort to the printing press and you will be paying a million dollars for an egg just like the Weimar Republic of Germany
Here's my question; if the rich stopped spending so much money, on the above, wouldn't that make their bottom lines even larger? How much sense does it make, to spend 10 million dollars - to avoid 9 million in taxes? Is it the principle of the thing? If so, then spending 100 billion to get Romney into office - is not unreasonable at all.
Amen Cantbelieve. It is definitely time to stop pretending the adherents of this cult are anything other than mortal enemies of our way of life.
Amen Cantbelieve. It is definitely time to prtend the adherents of this cult are anything other than mortal enemies of our way of life.