1. mkk | 10.27.08

This is the best they can do? All this shows is that McCain is too dull to actually understand what Obama was talking about, or hopes that the rest of America is too dull to understand what Obama was talking about.

2. David | 10.27.08

McCain has his interpretation of “redistributing wealth,” above. Well, here’s MY interpretation!

I am one of those hard working people he talks about, and I am tired of the fact that even though the productivity of the American worker steadily increases, our wages stagnate or decrease - while at the same time, the incomes of the richest in this country have increased to a point that is far beyond obscene.

When I was a kid, my dad worked for a company where everyone got profit sharing checks a couple times a year, and a nice Christmas bonus too. When’s the last time you talked to someone who got a profit sharing check from their employer? Ten years ago? Twenty? Today, most people have never even heard of a profit sharing check because “profit” is something reserved for corporate executives and shareholders - NOT the rest of us.

All that new wealth that our increased productivity helped create goes straight into the pockets of CEOs and their fellow executives.

So yeah - damn straight - I want a redistribution of wealth!

McCain says “let’s create new business and new wealth.” Why? Just so we can have another batch of overpaid CEOs who get rich off their employees and pay them just enough to keep them from revolting?

3. Jeff Smith | 10.27.08

The thing here is that all new economic models “redistribute” finances. Trickle-down economics were one way of doing that. There have been many, and there will be many. The problem here is that the nomenclature used was unfortunate, and has been utilized as a political tactic. The idea of social change without court intervention and on a state level - outside the realm of big government in people’s lives - seems to be, in fact, a conservative tenet.

4. Andrew | 10.27.08

If you go to church the paster will tell you to spread your wealth around and help people yet the far right wing so called religious Palin says its a bad thing.

Leave it to the republicans to say helping the less fortunate is a bad thing

5. Jh Atlanta, GA | 10.27.08

Palin just doesn’t get it. Nobody but her and McCain says Obama will raise taxes.
Obama doesn’t.
The independent sites like factcheck.org don’t.

Just Palin and McCain.
Now, McCain has an excuse. He is getting old, and has a lot of senior moments like when he couldn’t remember how many houses he had, or can’t name all the Secretaries of State that have endorsed him.
But Palin doesn’t have any excuse, except if you just want to acknowledge she is an airhead.

6. Concerned | 10.27.08

Excuse me, but Palin is a hypocrite. She believes in spreading the wealth even more than Obama. In fact, she believes in a COLLECTIVE system. Here’s the quote:

“And Alaska—we’re set up, unlike other states in the union, where it’s collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs. … ”

Why that’s almost COMMUNIST! And she has the nerve to cry socialism?

Looks like the McCain campaigns major platform is slipping away…

7. Ian | 10.27.08

Wealth is redistributed all the time. First of all taxes are used to pay for police, fire departments, the military, roads, and the $700 billion bailout. I don’t like taxes any more than anyone else does, but when our money is pooled collectively it can do great things. A good example of this is our Universities which are leaders in science and technology and which tend to spin off small businesses and new technologies which, in turn, spurs economic growth.

8. Johnny Baller | 10.27.08

Using our tax dollars to bail-out failed banks is also a redistribution of wealth. McCain and his party insult my intelligence with their biased and uneducated comments about things they understand little of.

9. lucy2008 | 10.27.08

Mr. Orr,

Did you listen to the entire audio of this radio interview? Did you read the transcript? If you do, you will see that this is a totally made up issue.

I’m saddened that topics like this which are good topics and are discussed with good intent, are turned into something that become inflammatory and based on the opposite meaning. I’ve become so cynical about the Republican party and what they are willing to do and have our nation brought down to that level. Mr. McCain has lost all respect from my family and myself. He has no moral compass and has made a deal with the worse elements of his party. This level of smear is a diservice to our entire country in front of the world.

Mr. Bush and Chaney were embarrassing and shameful and war criminals performing torture while thumbing their noses at the Geneva Convention rules. Mr. McCain was one of those who thumbed his nose, too on that topic. That made me think hard about who this man was. But his campaign has confirmed it because he is willing to get down and dirty and dirtier. Some think that means he’s a fighter. Well, any person can fight, but the people who fight without a moral compass are the same that say the end justify the means. There have been a lot of bad people in our government- Chaney being one. There have been people like the National Socialists in Gernmany during WWII who believed the same thing.

10. James McGill | 10.27.08

The people who are old enough to identify with McCarthyism, hear “redistribution of wealth” not only as “a bad thing”, but also, do not believe that every economic system has as its goal, some kind of wealth distribution.

Those who don’t understand the subtext (”socialism is bad and will eat your children”) don’t see the idea of a boost to the lower economic classes as a bad idea at all.

11. America | 10.27.08

McCain and Palin are the only two Americans dumb enough to fall for this trick. So speaking theoretically that an extreme act by the Supreme Court would be the redistribution of wealth makes you more of a Socialist than ACTUALLY redistributing wealth as Palin did in Alaska with the Windfall Profits Tax.

These two nimrods are misleading America. I hope my brothers and sisters aren’t stupid enough to actually take the bait.

12. Righty _for_Obama | 10.27.08

This is why!

Even though I voted for all the Bushes, Dole, and Reagan, this time I am going with the honest straight talking Obama.

These attempts to smear Obama are just embarrassing to see. Reminds me of those edit jobs they do on Letterman where they can make a politician seem to say whatever they want just by selecting on or two or three words and stringing them together.

For crying out loud, wake up America, don’t let them buy your vote with their fear, lies, and empty promises again!

No, I won’t be fooled again!

13. Rob | 10.27.08

or Mkk maybe YOU don’t get it. Maybe Obama is the closet Socialist that so many of us think him to be. Maybe you are wrong (nah, couldn’t be that now could it?)

14. SmKn | 10.27.08

Seriously, we republicans should just look at this year as a total loss. McCain puts forth the scary Socialism - but frankly I have to be honest, this is not socialism. Capitalism does work, but frankly this ‘redistributing the wealth’ line that McCain is pushing forward just seems too familiar to Reagonomics that sold so many of us into the the idea of ‘redistributing the wealth’ through a trickle down effect. I don’t like the idea of the rich paying more taxes, but frankly really look everyone will be paying taxes - it is not like the Middle Class are going to suddenly not pay taxes. This time around it will be evenly handed it seems with Obama, and frankly I am fine with that. I’m more turn off now a days with the rallies by McCain, has anyone gone to them recently? I stopped going when the racists started showing up.

McCain was a terrible choice for the Republican party. Already this week is starting off as another point dropper with this type of attack for our party. Time to just bide our time people.

15. CF | 10.27.08

“Senator Obama did not say that the courts should get into the business of redistributing wealth at all”

You’re right, he said distribution of wealth should be pushed through the LEGISLATURE because the courts weren’t radical ENOUGH!

David, at least you realize what Obama is really saying, instead of most Obamabots out there who walk around like zombies repeating, “Yes we can…yes we can…yes we can…”.

If you want a Marxist country, like the USSR, Cuba, Venzuela, and China, then go ahead and vote for Obama. If you want a President who calls the Constitution and the founding fathers, “limited” and “flawed”, then vote for Obama.

16. tom | 10.27.08

Totaly agree with the comments on this latest desperate McCain/Phailin’ campaign. This is all he can come up with? Seven years ago? I for one and tired of his make believe claims about Obama raising taxes. Obama’s damn clear on this issue. Working slobs like me get a tax break. Why doesn’t the McFailin campaign attempt to change course and stop protecting the captains of industry and Wall St? Once we elect Obama, it will be fun to watch the civil war break out between McCain and Phailin.

–tom

17. James | 10.27.08

“Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes that are redistributed go back to those who pay them, in roads and airports and hospitals and schools. And taxes are necessary for the common good. And there’s nothing wrong with examining what our tax structure is or who should be paying more or who should be paying less, and for us to say that makes you a socialist is an unfortunate characterization that I don’t think is accurate.”

- Colin Powell

18. Pete Wilson | 10.27.08

Now did Obama say this before or after McCain hung out with Charles Keating? Seems like McCain tried his hand at spreading the the wealth..

19. PALIN | 10.27.08

Everyone needs to really question Obama’s policy. This is nothing more than welfare! My money will not go for anyone not willing to work.

20. Ric | 10.27.08

Let me see if I can get this straight. Giving the oil companies billions of dollars in tax breaks at the expense of the rest of us is NOT redistribution of wealth. Giving the lower an middle class a tax break instead of giving yet another tax cut to the wealthiest among us IS.

21. Scott Mahoney | 10.27.08

David & MKK,

That’s that the attitude! Who needs personal responsibility! Let’s just ask for more entitlements, let the others work hard, get lucky and then you ask government to take from them and give to you. How does that make you any different than the people you are complaining about except that you are now the benificiary of the fleecing. For shame!

22. Ken | 10.27.08

Strangely, David doesn’t understand that redistribution of wealth is from those who work, like David, to those who do not.

It is clear that the economy can only become health with high productivity. Paying people for not working is not what an economist would consider high productivity.

Also, the 95% tax cut isn’t a cut it is a credit. Just because someone pays taxes doesn’t mean that they will not, around tax time, receive those taxes back due to allowances an such. So, someone who pays $5,000 in taxes and gets that money back due to allowances will receive that money back and they will receive a credit. (Also, don’t forget about the Clinton tax era.)

Essentially Obama politics takes more and gives back less.

23. Deborah Harry | 10.27.08

I work too hard to hand it off to some lazy sofa slug who wears bedroom slippers to the mall just to steal.

24. JRinBellingham | 10.27.08

My biggest curiosity regarding this “redistribution of wealth” argument against Obama and his campaign is that under the current administration there has been the fastest redistribution of wealth in our current history from the middle class into the pockets of the mega-wealthy. So why, when the flux of money goes in that direction, is it not a “redistribution”, but if it goes from the wealthy to the middle class it is considered such? Trickle down economics is a redistribution of wealth as well. It is not the addage of “he who works hardest gets ahead” anymore. It is more, “Hope you’re born into wealth so that you can get the best education, the best job opportunities, and the best chance at staying wealthy.” I know too many people who work 80 hours a week and can’t get ahead. I’d like to know why there is a resistance to making it easier for those people to afford a retirement, education and healthcare for their kids, and a life without constant financial burden…?

25. Glenn | 10.27.08

So yeah - damn straight - I want a redistribution of wealth! McCain says “let’s create new business and new wealth.”

Quit whining about your situation working for the other guy. Start your own business. Even you can be a rich CEO if you get a brain transplant. Stealing from others is not the solution.

26. Linda | 10.27.08

This is the sort of thinly disguised racism McCain has indulged in throughout his campaign. Trying to scare undecided or uninformed voters by making them think big, bad, black Obama is going to try to get even with “whitey.”
I am so tired of this sort of attitude about race, and if I were inclined to vote for McCain, which I’m not, these sorts of attacks would put me right off. As they should any thinking person.
And, incidentally, I am not, myself, black.

27. Andrew | 10.27.08

So let me clarify what I hear David saying. He wants the “government” to give him something for doing nothing?

Why don’t you take control of your own life and build your own wealth? Why is it someone elses job to make sure that you have what you deem is “enough” money?

If you are hard working and not becoming more wealthy, it is probably because you have taken on too much debt and live beyond your means, thus disabling you from ever getting ahead. Am I wrong?

Redistribution of wealth will provide no incentive for anyone to work hard in the future. This will utlimately lead to socialism and then communism. What lead us to this great, prosperous and free society we live in now? Capitalism, and the genious behind our constitution.

28. tim sharp | 10.27.08

David,

Exactly!

29. Dan | 10.27.08

McCain supports keeping wealth exactly where it is - the majority in the hands of the minority, with an ever-increasing gap between the richest and poorest.

30. John | 10.27.08

David,

My wages have steadily increased over the last 8 years, not stagnated like you say.

You actually think your boss is going to give you a “raise” after Obama has taken more of his company money? Why would he do that? He’s not stupid, he’s going to lay more people off, OR raise the price of his products and services to pay for his money lost in tax increases.

The money you save in a tax “cuts” (if you even pay taxes to begin with) will be made up in higher goods/services prices.

Use your brain for two minutes instead of taking Obama’s “bribe” at face value.

31. Scott Mahoney | 10.27.08

David & MKK,

That’s that the attitude! Who needs personal responsibility! Let’s just ask for more entitlements, let the others work hard, get lucky and then you ask government to take from them and give to you. How does that make you any different than the people you are complaining about except that you are now the benificiary of the fleecing. For shame!

32. Rick | 10.27.08

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I don’t blame you for trying this stunt, but I think the American people are tired of stunts like this, and are smarter than they have been in the past. They have seen so much corruption and lying over the last 8 years. It is time to stop the nonsense and start repairing our great nation. We do that by not electing someone who admittedly voted with Bush 90% of the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uThoBMfcFRc

33. Dave from Minnesota | 10.27.08

Am I missing something with McCain’s attacks on “socialism” and “redistribution of wealth”? Isn’t Obama just saying return the tax code to what it was before Bush took office, so the 1990s? Is McCain trying to say we lived in a socialist society in the 1990s? What is he, a communist?

34. ProudtobeanExpat | 10.27.08

Here’s a much more recent quote:
“[W]e’re set up, unlike other states in the union, where it’s collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs.”
– Sarah Palin, in an interview with the New Yorker this summer

35. mj | 10.27.08

Given the Right’s massive UPWARD redistribution of wealth over the past generation, McCain’s ostensible outrage over redistribution is just a bit rich (pun both unintended and intended). OF COURSE redistribution is a threat — to those who’ve already grabbed most of the wealth in this society. Make no mistake: wealth is not the reward that flows to hard work. Too many people work too hard at difficult jobs, with little or no hope of upward mobility, for that to be true. Wealth is the reward that flows to, well, established wealth. The Bushies have gone a long way toward turning our tax system into a tax on work, while exempting wealth, yet they and McCain still have the chutzpah to claim they understand and care for the ordinary worker. What a monumental scam, on an historic scale…

mj

36. Rick | 10.27.08

Ken,

How is giving a tax break to the middle class redistributing to people who do not work? Where I live, ALL middle class families are working, and working at least 2 jobs, sometimes 3 to survive in this world created by GWB. So bs

37. Dark Angel | 10.27.08

“So yeah - damn straight - I want a redistribution of wealth!”

If you are for the redistribution of wealth, than you can redistribute your wealth to me!!! I’ll gladly take it and more!!!!

38. Armedbear | 10.27.08

Why not put the Fair tax program in place, eliminate all taxes but sales tax on new products? That will mean that you are the sole person responsible for your wealth. Why are people bashing mega millionaires and billionaires? They made their money or inherited it and capitalized on it. The only people that seem to want redistribution are the ones that are to lazy to work hard.

39. Matt | 10.27.08

McCain and Moooselini might call it “redistribution,” but I call it payback. That’s our bailout money the banking, credit and insurance industries are paying their executives to buy more 100 million dollar Van Goghs to decorate the bathrooms in their ten mansions that they fly to and fro from in their jet planes.

40. Simon | 10.27.08

I believe that what the 2001 Obama meant was that the wealth hasn’t been redistributed to the minority communities and neighborhoods. Drive down a ghetto in any big city or run down rural area. Take a look at the streets, the infrastructure, the playgrounds. How is the upkeep? Pretty shoddy, dilapidated, and down-right dangerous.

Now, drive down the northern side of Fillmore street in Pacific Heights in San Francisco, then cross Geary street and drive down the southern side of Fillmore street. Take a look at the street signs, the pavement, the streetlights. How do they look? Pretty outstanding and lavish, no?

IMO that is what Obama meant by “redistribution of wealth”. The civil rights movement was able to bring about change by allowing minorities the right to do simple things like eat at a diner counter, sit in the front of the bus, use the bathroom at public places without being redirected to a humiliating outhouse. He meant that the wealth of the nation should go to areas of lower income so that their streets and parks can be rebuilt and last longer than just a few years.

When I lived in San Francisco, the nicest neighborhoods got their streets repaved many times over before a street in a “bad” neighborhood got its share.

41. eric | 10.27.08

So desperate. It’s ironic that Obama states in this interview that a tragedy of the civil rights movement was their reliance on courts to influence social change. This strategy of social change through the courts is a strategy of the left - so Obama appears to be supporting more conservative thinking on the role of the courts. Instead he supports efforts to organize communities to push for change through political channels. This in fact is being done successfully, right now, by Obama and his campaign.

42. moonbuggy | 10.27.08

It’s not like you can trust anything mccain says anyway. It’s the last 7 days and he’s even more desperate than he was 3 weeks ago. Then this is based on mcccain’s exaggerated claim’s of socialism when neither of the candidates plans are anything like true socialism. Then you look at the fact that the RNC is part of this. OH and who are they? The Republican National Committee are the same ones that employed our now infamous Backwards B hoaxer.

43. Bryantson | 10.27.08

Thanks David, for showing us who you Barack supporters really are. Bitter lazy whiners who want a handout. If you are one of those people who are sooo “productive” then why aren’t you getting a promotion and making more money? Because you like Senator Government are socialists and all we want is for Barack to tell the truth. Who is Senator Government? None of your followers seem to care but the rest of us do. Come on Barack, you already got your fake Presidential seal, it’s in the bag, just come out tomorrow and tell us the truth that you are a socialist! You know you want to, stop hiding, what are you afraid of?

44. PulSamsara | 10.27.08

John McCain Desperately slices old conversations to go down with NO Grace -
Pathetic.

—————————————————-
Why would America REWARD complete Republican failure ?

We wont.

45. David | 10.27.08

You gotta love the desperation on the part of Faux News, Drudge, CSM, and all the others. Next we will hear that Obama killed Bambi…

46. Pearl | 10.27.08

So, you want to create a welfare state? History has shown that those who get hand outs aren’t exactly motivated to work. I’ve been working since the age of 13. I was the first in my family to graduate college, and I put myself through four years of university schooling working as a waitress to pay my tuition. I am proud of that accomplishment, and the fact that I have been steadily employed for nearly 35 years. What are the people who get Obama’s hand outs going to be proud of? What will motivate them to work hard? And while I agree that many CEOs get paid too much, I also think America’s labor unions and other groups of that sort are dragging down our corporations to the point that they can’t function efficiently. Re-distribution of wealth is not the answer. Allowing our corporations to function with less union influence is. Yes, let’s regulate intelligently, but let’s don’t take away the incentive for corporations and individuals to excel.

47. Billsdad | 10.27.08

Tell me, please, Palin’s often touted tax on the oil companies to give a check to Alaska’s citizens, was that a redistribution of wealth? It came from the consumer (you and me in the other 49 states) or from the oil companies’ shareholders. What’s Eskimo for Socialism?

48. CF | 10.27.08

JRinBellingham

The redistribution of wealth you talk about occurred by the hands of American citizens, not the government.

Would you rather have the business down the street redistributing the wealth, or the power-hungry government?

At least businesses are trying to please their customers by offering goods/services. The government is only in it for themselves.

If a business becomes too powerful, there is competition in the market to take them down (IE Microsoft vs Apple). If the government becomes too powerful, who is going to take THEM down? They have a standing army.

Give me redistribution of wealth, but give it to the hands of the free-market, not the morons in Washington.

49. John M. | 10.27.08

C’mon, you fools… Tell me you’re not really buying into the GOP line of BS. The middle class is disappearing under them… And you want to continue this trend?! What kind of dimwits are you?!

Obama talks about giving a break to those who need it… And deserve it. Did he say “We’re going to give tax breaks to people on welfare?” NO! That wouldn’t even make sense. They don’t pay taxes!!!

You, the 95% of working Americans who pay taxes, would get the breaks instead of the 5% of fat, money hoarding CEOs in this country. Unless you fit that bracket, pull your head out and think!

50. Rich | 10.27.08

This is a prime example of why I’m voting against McCain. Here are some pics set to music that give more reasons to vote against him. For a 45 year old with little web experience - I’m not too disapointed in my first Youtube creation. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8gJ_rPHXtk

51. Richard | 10.27.08

After years of “redistributing” the wealth produced by our hard work to the rich and powerful (while our wages decline), I’m all for “redistributing” that wealth back to the people who actually created it — we working folks! Obama doesn’t want to reward do-nothings and whiners — he wants to make sure that we don’t get screwed yet again by more regressive tax policy and voodoo economics. Bush’s tax cuts have shafted everyone but the richest Americans — McCain wants to make them permanent, and do more of the same. I don’t want the Republicans to “trickle down” on me any more — enough!

52. Roger Sherman | 10.27.08

The current Republican administration has pursued one of the biggest transfers of wealth in history, taking from the middle class and giving it to the rich. McCain is not taking a very principled stand here…

53. Nicole | 10.27.08

You have to pay taxes in order to get tax breaks. People who don’t have jobs, don’t pay income taxes. So, most of the arguments on here don’t really add up. Obama is not talking about giving my taxes to people who don’t have jobs! He’s just telling me that he’s cutting my income taxes. I work hard and my tax cuts have been going to million/billionairs. It’s my turn.

54. Ernie | 10.27.08

David,

You are right on the money. McCain would even know or talk to a Joe the plumber if he wasn’t running for office, nor would his Republican buddies.

55. Jo Anne | 10.27.08

Johnny Baller

It looks like your talking about stuff you don’t understand. Go back to school and learn something this time

56. roger mac | 10.27.08

I see an America full of folks who want their lives fixed by “the gummint.” So … you want better? Go and freaking get it! Get more education! Learn a new skill! Work harder! Instead, I hear all these whining (yup, that’s right) dodos who hate themselves cause they aren’t a CEO. Shame on YOU! Aldous Huxley would have a field day with this scenario!!!

57. Paul | 10.27.08

It really bothers me that the political right makes the assumption that lower-income people just aren’t working hard enough. I work a $50K+ job while my wife stays home with our two kids. We live in a small house and drive modest vehicles We don’t live on credit. We sit on old furniture and struggle to save for retirement. And still, we can’t seem to make ends meet. I have college-educated friends working two ad three jobs to provide for their families while they struggle to pay the bills. I seriously feel for those who make 1/3 what I make and have daycare bills besides. Don’t be so quick to think people who are lower-middle class and below are just lazy. The American Dream that working hard pays off isn’t always true.

58. Alex M. | 10.27.08

I find it disingenuous and intellectually dishonest for McCain to accuse Obama of wanting to “redistribute wealth” when McCain wants to do the same thing, just in a different manner. Both candidates have tax plans that distribute those taxes in various ways. I was a McCain supporter until now. This was the last straw.

59. Bryantson | 10.27.08

40% of the 95% of working America pay no taxes right now. Stick with me liberals, so that means Obama will be giving out free money to those who DONT EVEN PAY TAXES! hello, wake up, and as you earn a bit more you start to lose these tax “credits” So you get punished when you get a raise and you get punished for trying to move up in the world. Bush cut taxes for EVERYONE, including raising the amount of income where people would have to start paying taxes. Democrats and Obama will let these tax cuts expire in 2010, just 14 months away. When they expire your taxes will go up again. Bush cut every bracket and they all expire in 2010, therefore tax increase. See liberals this is not hard we know you can do it.

60. MT | 10.27.08

JH from Atlanta,

Correction - Factcheck.org is not an independent site, it’s an Obama site.

61. Carolyn | 10.27.08

The wealth gets spread around when we build roads and fund school programs and pay our police force. It’s called building a community.

62. Archie Haase | 10.27.08

If spreading money around and giving the average working American enough money to house, feed, and educate your children is a socialist idea then I must be socialist. President Grant said someplace in his memoir that he never understood how those white trash in the south could fight for a cause, that really in the end would have enslaved them. I am paraphrasing but that is generally what he said.

I am at a loss trying to understand those that cannot go to the doctor, dentist, send their children to college, or even buy an affordable house vote republican. Please someone explain to me why they vote against their interest.

63. Arizona | 10.27.08

From my perspective I see a great deal of fear coming from Republicans. I am being told to fear Liberals, Muslims, Gays, Americans, Senators, Terrorists, Government and now Poverty. I am discontent with being imprisoned by your fears. I was fearful in the last two elections and look where it has lead us. I will fear no more. I will choose Courage and Hope. I will embrace our country for what it is, a beacon of Freedom and Liberty. I will embrace our fellow Americans for who they are, Fearless and Brave. I will fear no more.
Please join me and vote with reason not fear.
I will fear no more.

64. Marcus | 10.27.08

just a comment from australia. if a large percentage of americans continue to swallow this same absurd and nonsensical message (Obama = communist; public services = socialism; stupid = pro-america; intelligent = anti-america) they will dig their own grave and won’t need enemies abroad. it will be a shame because those of us like me that believe in the good that lies in the american project will be marginalised as it will become obvious that most americans no longer believe in the american project and prefer instead the path of fear, ignorance and isolation. the tax argument is ridiculous. taxes pay for your military and for your schools. either you produce and tax, or borrow the money from the chinese and the arabs. what would you prefer? the stupidity of this debate astounds me. please vote wisely for your own sakes, not to mention the rest of us who see the US as a leader for enlightened values. If you want a future of ignorance, fear and isolation, why don’t you just by-pass Palin and vote for the Taleban?

65. ZachJonesIsHome | 10.27.08

Listen to the comments that were made.
http://texasdarlin.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/2001-interview-obama-explains-that-wealth-distribution-should-be-legislated/

66. GHM | 10.27.08

Its about time we the poor and middle class get a break>
YES YES
I WILL VOTE Stright DEMOCRAT!!!

67. 2 cents | 10.27.08

Mighty Glenn, you business owner, you champion of the American dream, I solute you as a fellow soldier in the war against the whining of the little guy, the employee who can’t muster the courage to break away from those chains that we, the business owners of America no longer must bear.

What an a**hole, can everyone be a business owner? Most are not and work hard — that is the American way; it’s in our cultural makeup to work hard. Obama is giving a break to the hard working majority, and I commend that highly. It’s a break for the real American Joe the plumber, the guy that does not make a profit freaking $250,000 a year, but maybe $40,000 if he’s doing well.

At long last, the Republicans will be taking a much warranted seat to the side, while the Free (aka liberals) run the show. Bye, bye and good riddance.

Let Free-dom reign

68. DJ | 10.27.08

Obama and the democrats want to increase taxes on corporations and anyone making more than $250,000 (which would include a lot of small businesses). Name one corporation, in the history of the United States, that has EVER paid taxes. Corporations do not pay taxes, they pass the COST of taxes on to their workers (with lower wages and job cuts) and to the consumer (with higher prices). So go ahead and tax those filthy rich and evil corporations, but don’t whine about lost jobs and rising prices after the fact.

69. Jeff Larsen | 10.27.08

I own a small business and provide profit sharing for all my employees, a 10% contribution to their IRA and COMPLETE health care.

When Obama raise my taxes I will cease to do these things and let him redistribute my wealth since I have not been up to the task.

70. Terry | 10.27.08

We used to live in a society where, if you got a good job after high school or college, you had a reasonable expectation of keeping it, prospering in it, enjoying increases in pay and promotions along the way, all the while receiving benefits such as paid health care, paid sick leave, paid life insurance, and received shares in the company, profit sharing and retirement. As one of the other comments noted, our parents could also expect a Christmas bonus and profit sharing in many jobs. My dad’s company felt like family to him. Now we live in this dog-eat-dog, every man for himself economy which does NOT make it more possible for the average working “Joe” to get ahead, it makes it harder. This is due to the steady but sure erosion of the power of the working class. That power was hard won by the labor movement in this country, but no longer exists at all. Any employment counselor will tell you that in today’s world, you have to expect to change jobs numerous times, and not of your own volition.

To put it bluntly, this seachange sucks. It can be laid to rest at the feet of the greedy right, who by using emotional social conservative issues in the most crass way possible, have managed to convince a couple of generations of voters to vote against their own economic interests on a regular basis. It’s got to stop. The way to stop it is to change the system, and the way to change the system is to NOT elect John McCain.

71. JC | 10.27.08

72. Jim M | 10.27.08

Hey David, wake up.. Times change.

Do you really think the “rich” will just accept higher taxes? No way, they will cut back on labor, increase prices, or in the case of individuals, cut back spending, or work to find tax sheltered investments or off-shore accounts.

If they (the rich) stop buying homes, boats, cars, dining-out etc.. where’s that leave you?

73. JWord | 10.27.08

Helping other people (our “neighbors”) is a God-given commandment. The Good Samaritan who helped and paid for the care of an injured stranger was credited by Jesus as more worthy than the Pharisee who simply walked by because the stranger was a pagan to him. However, helping one’s neighbors is something one should do on their own initiative out of love, not out of compulsion from the government. Taking money from some people (rich or otherwise) and giving it to others should not be the role of government. Obama has no intention of sparing the “middle class” from taxation. His rhetoric is intended to get him elected. Once he’s in power with a Democrat-controlled Congress, he will have to lower his so-called $200,000 tax-cut threshhold to a much lower figure; probably around the $75,000 figure (or lower) that he was using in the primaries. His goal clearly is to provide tax-cuts (i.e., tax credits (checks), health care, and education benefits. However, it won’t be for people who are “middle class”. As always, the benefits of such social policies will go to lower class Americans and the true “middle class” will be left holding the bag. Obama has mezmerized too many people with idealistic rhetoric. Better wake up before November 4!

74. Kyle | 10.27.08

Eric #41 got it right. Barack was taking a “conservative” view of change. We shouldn’t rely on the courts. Social Change has to be through political avenues.

As far as redistribution? Well Bush and Reagan have been re-distributing more and more of the countries wealth to the rich, with little or nothing to show for it. We do not have a significantly more productive economy due to the wealthy investing in capital improvements. Instead they bought boats, cars, and houses with it. As a matter of fact, every time we increase the tax on the rich, they avoid it by increasing investment in their business instead of consuming it. Further, the increase taxes they do pay go to that portion of the National infrastructure that they derive a benefit from that in turn increases their profitablity. Thus increasing taxes on the rich is just asking them to shoulder their share of the burden, so we can all invest and get rich through our efforts.

75. zach | 10.27.08

John McCain wants to talk about redistribution of wealth. The Bush-McCain economics have redistributed all the wealth from the middle class to the very rich, making them even richer. That’s the real redistribution of wealth.

76. zenboy | 10.27.08

I think it’s ironic that McCain is against redistributing the wealth, since he was called out by Tom Brokaw yesterday on Meet the Press about similar comments he made about wealth distribution four and eight years ago. At least, I thought it was ironic until I realize now that both McCain and Palin are evil robotic drones that tend to reverse themselves, every chance they get. That’s right, they’re Palindrones - here’s the scoop: http://yooryoo.com/2008/09/evil-robotic-firm-unleashes-palin-drones-on-the-world/

77. CF | 10.27.08

Paul,

What a whiny little complainer you are. I spent two full years in Peru, where people were living on $10.00 a week and living in huts and you complain about a $50,000+/yr job, where you’re wife can stay home.

You are a whiny little brat that needs Obama to save your “poor” situation.

You Communists are all the same. Life is all just doom and gloom for you isn’t it?

78. independant Joe | 10.27.08

I am for Obama but I must point something out. Gov. Palin is no airhead. It takes a keen political mind to be able to speak at length using only campaign slogans and the phrases seen on bumper stickers. Seriously! She had failed in earlier one on one interviews but has managed to condense her utterances more neatly. The puppeteers see her potential for sure! Now, to be sure, Gov. Palin is seen as lacking these days but just wait and see. Once she learns to include actual policy points to her rhetoric she will be a force to be reckoned with. McCain should remember. You reap what you sow.

79. Niles Coventry | 10.27.08

I am ALL in favor of some creative wealth redistribution. The idea that individuals should be allowed to amass fortunes in the hundreds of millions of dollars has always struck me as obscene. The wealthiest nation on earth and we still can’t guarantee health care to all of our citizens?!!! Corporate America and their fabulously wealthy elite had better get ready to start putting some of their money to work for the common good. And I’m not at all worried that they will try to pull up stakes and move elsewhere. I think we could put some momentum behind making that kind of behavior a felony. Maybe even an act of domestic economic terrorism. Can you spell Gitmo?

80. Chris Coffey | 10.27.08

The knock on McCain and Palin on this board seems to be running 20 to 1 which will really infuriate the Obama crowd should he lose next Tuesday.
If you thought the Libs were hot when Bush won just wait for the gnashing of teeth on this one. Just random thoughts from a political observer….

81. cherstinane | 10.27.08

I wish people would put the shoe on the other foot before they put their foot in their mouth -

If you were a big, greedy, selfish corporate entity (who already pays the HIGHEST percentage and the HIGHEST amount of taxes BY FAR) and the government takes even more of it - I don’t care what the reason — what are you going to do -

1. Realize that this only fair and that your greed and selfishness got you to this point –
2. Consider it the “American Way” to pay MORE than your fair share — so others less fortunate can have the PROMISE of more money.
3. Raise your prices to cover the cost of the new taxes.
4. Cut jobs due to a decrease in cash flow.
5. Move where you don’t pay so much in taxes and the area is more “business friendly”. China perhaps And their workers work REAL cheap - India too!

Hmm…. I also wonder why Obama himself says he cannot implement his tax plan if the country is still in a recession when he gets in office?

You know… why would that be? I don’t understand - since his policies (which I have read) are so great for stimulating economic growth. Can someone please enlighten me?

And David - I agree - My life has gotten steadily better for the last eight years - despite the fact that the media says it should not have gotten better. Who do I believe -my checkbook or some journalist?

I have gone from lower middle class to upper middle class and most of that “boost” came from myself - not a company and their profit sharing check - not a government handout -

I don’t believe in relying on the government or a company to ensure a bright future for myself!

82. Bryantson | 10.27.08

LIBERALS ARE RESPONSIBLE - TIMELINE (To make it easy for liberals to follow) I should draw some picutres for them too but I’m limited here in this textbox.

1995 - Clinton makes changes to CRA to force quotas on savings and loan companies. Forcing them to grant a % of risky loans to those who can’t afford them.

1995-2008 Fannie and Freddie buy up these risky investments to inflate assets which are what their CEO bonuses are based on (franklin raines, jim johnson)

2005 - Republicans bring up the crisis in the congress and senate, in which Barney Frank and Chris Dodd stonewall. Dodd gets record contributions from Fannie and Freddie.

2006 Jan - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
2006 Feb - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
2006 Mar - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
2006 Apr - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
2006 May - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
…
2007 Sep - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
2007 Oct - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
2007 Nov - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
…
2008 Feb - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
2008 Mar - Democrats control congress and senate and do nothing.
…
2008 Sep - BLAME BUSH AND REPUBLICANS
2008 Oct - BLAME BUSH AND REPUBLICANS

83. Sean Hannah | 10.27.08

I was born and raised in Arizona in a Republican household and taught that John McCain and all the others like him were good for the economy and Arizona.

Then I moved to Hawai’i and learned about democracy and the notion of taking care of the community…. everyone having a hand in the rise and fall of a community’s success. So… I switched to the Democratic Party!

For the last 1.5 years, I’ve lived in Fairbanks, Alaska and seen how this state “redistributes” it’s annual oil revenue “royalty” checks to all Alaskans and wonder about Sarah’s ideals when she’s fulminating her hypocrisy against Obama. On top of all that, she approved an additional $1200.00 per person for an “energy rebate” this year to all Permanent Fund Dividend (oil revenue royalties) check recipients!! This year’s distribution totalled $3269.00 PER PERSON!!! And if you are married and have 4 kids, that’s a total of almost $20,000 for your family!!!

NOW THAT’S SPREADING THE WEALTH!!! And Sarah’s family got their checks…. NO DOUBT!!!

So when the McPalin campaign rails against Obama for any notion of redistributing wealth…. I just have to roll my eyes and think that the overpaid “hockey mom” is anything but and realise she’s talking outta both sides of her mouth!!

84. dennis | 10.27.08

I, myself, am not rich. I do, however, accept the fact that if I want to get rich, I need to take the same entreprenurial risks that the rich take. What they acquire by doing so is called “success,” and they typically deserve it for one reason or another. To punish the rich for success and ask them to pay higher taxes for the poor is ridiculous, and as a reminder, they already pay considerably higher taxes than you. A “tax cut” for the rich is only bringing them a little closer to fairness. It is survival of the fittest. If you want to get rich or create more jobs, come up with an idea or develop a skill, sell it, and employ people. If you don’t make enough money, chances are you don’t produce enough revenue for someone else to deserve it, so enrich yourself or live with it. What benefit would a job-creating entrepreneur see in starting a company and employing people if they will be forced to give their profits to the lazy and otherwise stupid? I am opposed to Obama’s socialism, but also don’t want 4 more years of warmongering on behalf of the RNC. Tell me again, which top candidate was it that wanted to eliminate excess government spending in order to lower taxes for everyone? Gee, I don’t think it was either of them.

85. W. J. | 10.27.08

I don’t know what some of you guys were listening to, but this is pretty damning stuff. He laid it out point blank. You just can’t spin it. He said what he said.

86. AF Veteran | 10.27.08

Here’s an interesting video of McCain when he ran for president in 2000.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2JPbQOHEkY

87. PleaseChange | 10.27.08

Andrew: America, as many on this board have already pointed out, has been in the business of redistributing wealth since way back. Income tax and it’s always been based on how much we make. I work hard, pay my bills, but I’m not rich. Yet, I know that I make a heck of a lot more than families with children. It’s good for business too. If I work in the service industry and get paid $10 per hour, I should be able to at least put a roof over my head and feed my family. Right? Progressive taxes allow for more people to join the ranks of the middle class. The bigger the middle class gets, the more people we have who can afford to pay joe the plumber and purchase goods and services that keep our economy going. The fact is that Bush cut taxes for the rich and famous a few years ago and now look where we are…where did all the jobs those tax breaks were suppose to creat? Instead of trickle down, we should start calling it tinkle down theory.

88. C Nelson | 10.27.08

The Obama campaign need not worry about this latest bit of negative information on their candidate. As always, they can rely upon the media to do everything in its power to explain away and cover up anything which might help the public discern what Obama really thinks and who he really is.

89. Brett | 10.27.08

I’m sure there are many out there who could really use a government check. However, what we’re talking about here is Raising taxes on some to write checks to others, All so you can make a grandiose statement about cutting 95% of the American’s taxes, the majority of whom don’t pay taxes… This makes me nausious… How about you cut the rediculous government spending, salaries and bribes and use that money to help the poor. Quit raising taxes on those who actually work and run this economy, and pay the salaries of the work force.

My concern is that this nation will actually believe that Republican policies have caused the financial crisis we’re in now, when it is really rooted in the outragious policies of Democratic legislators who mandate that coorporations like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and every bank in America give an equal amount of loans to low income americans who don’t qualify for loans. It’s insane! Let the Church help the poor. No more government credit cards for those who can’t pay the bills they already have. Our nation needs a serious lesson on living within our means.

90. tino | 10.27.08

I will be damned if the money I work hard for is going to be given to those who dont work and already collect welfare , food stamps , collect sss disability checks for them selves and their kids in school with adhd at 600.00 dollars a pop. they already make more than me and Im a teacher.

Minorities already go to school for free with the eop program. Illegal immigrants already get out of state tuition waived, free health care …Who do you think this money is going to..every one but me , who pays tax, pays college tuition loans..Im not a minority or an illegal immigrant…we cant even get a bail out on college tuition loans , where banks, and financial institutions, minorities, and illegal immigrants get the break of a life time.

I want my bail out to be able to drive a decent car, the kids I teach drive nicer cars than me.. I want a home but dont make enough to afford a decent one , where kiss butt loans were given to minorities and illegal immigrants..At least i would have worked 3 jobs to keep the homes out of forclosure….If Obama wins, Im leaving..they cant take much more from me..they are taking most of it already

91. George D. | 10.27.08

Everyone wanting Obama will get just what they deserve! You will see within 2 years, mark my word, a US economy that is almost bankrupt; a US military that has all but been dismantled; a country under active attacks by terrorists, and socialism at it’s best. I don’t seek to change your opinion. I just seek to give you warning. I’m not saying McCain is going to be good for America; I’m saying Obama will be disasterous.

92. mkell | 10.27.08

I find the level of fabrication in these comments interestingly high… How could so many people - those that clearly “read” information on the www - remain numb to the universal truths of each campaign.

A healthy economy has a stable foundation. If Joe the plumber has no money to buy basic commodities, then effects are exponential. In short, family can’t buy soap, soap maker can’t hire a new employee, employee can’t buy a car, dealer can’t take stock in newer vehicles, GM lays off thousands…. rinse and repeat.

Its about trickle up. Trickle up is how capitalism got off the ground.

On the other hand, trickle down is simply feudalistic economic in a modern guise.

93. Lou | 10.27.08

–”It is amazing that even at this late hour, we are still learning more about Senator Obama and his agenda,” McCain told a crowd in Ohio.–

Release your medical and military records (and your wife’s tax records), Mr. McCain, and the world would be even more amazed.

It’s over, John. You sold your soul for nothing.

94. Drew | 10.27.08

Matt: You pitifully misunderstand both the cause and the hoped for effect of the bailout. The current financial crisis is the direct RESULT of loose lending encouraged by Barney Frank and company in the 90’s, and the ridiculous credit derivative market, made possible in December of ‘01 by then outgoing President Clinton. The GOAL of the bailout is not to enable wall street firms to make payroll. It is to restore liquidity, in both cash and confidence, to the credit market.

Linda: Interestingly, the only person to bring up race is you, by crying “racism!” I suspect you are clinging to an undeveloped and underinformed sense of entitlement that was drilled into you by public school teachers or college professors, and you hope to redeem yourself, at least partly, by (erroneously) pointing out big bad racism wherever you suspect it lies. Some advice: It isn’t “racism” to talk about Mr. Obama’s political perspective on the civil rights movement, which he feels did not do enough to redistribute wealth. Also, why did you feel the need to inform us all that you are white? Seems to me that only one person here is making this about race . . .

95. PleaseChange | 10.27.08

Marcus from Australia: A message from America..why don’t you keep your wacky ideas in the outback and mind your business.

96. arrows6 | 10.27.08

#29 Linda wrote:
“This is the sort of thinly disguised racism McCain has indulged in throughout his campaign. Trying to scare undecided or uninformed voters by making them think big, bad, black Obama is going to try to get even with “whitey.”
I am so tired of this sort of attitude about race, and if I were inclined to vote for McCain, which I’m not, these sorts of attacks would put me right off. As they should any thinking person.
And, incidentally, I am not, myself, black.”

Linda, seriously, have you listened to that radio interview? Obama was talking about the redistribution of income as being a CIVIL RIGHT, and the failure of the Civil Rights Movement to enact that kind of change. A woman named Karen called in and asked him was it too late to make Reparative Change through the courts. Making reparations to those whom the civil rights movement was designed to help. Obama answered her in terms of redistributing wealth, and how the courts just weren’t designed to administer that kind of change…that it should come through the LEGISLATURE.

Please, listen to the interview. Open your eyes. If this is about RACE, it’s Obama who is talking in those terms.

He also falsely stated that the Civil Rights Movement brought about the right for blacks to vote. Any kid in school should know that that happened with the 14th Amendment. Women didn’t get that right until the 18th amendment was ratified.

I’m not black either, and I’m no racist. My parents taught me since I was a baby that man sees the outside, and God sees the heart. That a person’s skin color was no more an indication of their character than their address. I grew up in a relatively poor home, but it was rich with love for each other and for our neighbor.

I’m also grateful for the good and right changes brought about by the Civil Rights Movement. This nation is based on the concept of equality under the law.

97. Ben | 10.27.08

David, profits are for owners. If you want a cut of the profit buy some company stock or go start your own business. Owners earn profits for taking the business risk. They put in their capital investment and if they’re lucky they get back profits. If they aren’t lucky they lose their business and with it their investment. It’s not fare to compare the wage earner (no capital risk) to the guy who ponied up his life savings, risking everything to start the business. That’s a guy who has skin in the game and he deserves the profits if and when they come.

98. Tom in Alabama | 10.27.08

Independent Joe, Huh, that plan sounds familar, did you get the idea by watching Obama the last 2 years? All he said for two years was “We all want change, hope for a better world, change you can believe in” “hope for change” “change for hope” “Hope hope hope then we get change” “Change=Hope” “change is the brother of hope” “hope is the sister of change” “Seek change and change shall come” “change is great, hope is greater”……………………………………………….

99. J.dee | 10.27.08

I agree with IAN, and he made a good point. I know that “socialism” as an economic plan is a bad idea, and one that is doomed to fail; free markets thrive, thats a fact. But socializing our schools, police, rescue, state construction, sewage and roads has been one of the reasons that the US has maintained it’s place in the world. The republicans have been throwing around the “S” word for weeks now- trying to justify it with Obama sound-bites. But the simple truth is: America could not survive if private companies replaced our socialized functions. I couldn’t afford to send my kid to a private school, and hire someone to fix the potholes in my street, and pay an investigator to catch the people that stole my car… or afford the hospital after I ran into a burning house to save my wife. Apparently the GOP can. Socialized functions work, we just need to know where to draw the line.

100. CF | 10.27.08

Corporations that will pay more taxes under Obama’s plan will charge you more when you buy their goods and services!

When you go to the Doctor, you will pay more.
When you go to Walmart, you will pay more.
When you go to the movies, you will pay more.
When you eat at McDonald’s, you will pay more.

Why can nobody understand this simple fact!? I feel like I’m living in the Twilight Zone!

Wake up!

101. Fred | 10.27.08

It amazes me how many Americans have been brain washed into thinking that making a profit is somehow bad or immoral.
Many see their job as some kind of right because they are an “American Worker”, they have no concept of the risk, sacrifice, blood sweat and tears that entrepreneurs go through for their job to even exist.

102. Peggy | 10.27.08

Wow, do you Obama people really think by hurting businesses (big and small), that somehow you are getting a bigger slice of the pie? Wow, think! These businesses are there to make money….investors will invest in businesses that make money. They go to states, and/or countries that allow them to make money. You take away their ability to do that, THEY LEAVE!!! Why do you think so many are going to Ireland, India, China, etc? You will lose your jobs. Don’t be bribed with a check that will come in the mail once…..those of us that do pay taxes will not be able to do it anymore to support the welfare of Obama. He is like a poison to this country…look at Cuba, and that will be the US in 10 years if Obama is elected.

103. SteveGupta | 10.27.08

Redistribution of wealth: The whole talk was about the slavery and its consequences, i.e. the denial of civil rights to the blacks. In this context the Supreme Court or the legislature never even discussed the “redistribution” of wealth, that was taken from slaves by the slave owners. For example, if the children of a slave were sold off at $500 per child, when the slave was freed, was he not entitled to get the $500 per child, as “redistribution?”

This chapter of American history is something we would rather ignore. Senator McCain should not bring up this “redistribution” at this time as it has no bearing on the next four or eight years, unless Senator Obama said that he was supporting this redistribution at this time. On listening to the whole talk on YouTube, I do not think Senator Obama was recommending anything of that sort.

104. Matt | 10.27.08

@ 30. Andrew

Alright, let’s examine the issue. I went to state university, because on my father’s salary as a teacher working 9 hour days 5 days per week, plus his supplementary income from teaching at a local university on weekends (that makes 7 days per week), it was all we could afford to live in a dingy garden apartment and pay for part of my college education (thank god for scholarships, otherwise I would’ve been out of luck).

I worked laboriously for four years to obtain a BSEE in Computer Engineering and Computer Science. That’s 157 undergraduate credits in eight semesters. I graduated with Honors in Engineering and Divisional Honors in Computer Science. After college, I went to work at the largest telecomm company in the country as a software developer, where I receive a higher than average salary for my field and level of experience, and a good benefits package. I am frugal, and I always have been. I never carry more than $300 of credit card debt, and I pay my card off monthly.

Despite all this, I am somehow living almost paycheck-to-paycheck. Granted, I live in one of the most expensive areas of the country (NY Metro Area), but I also live in a house with two peers. We split the rent.

105. michael k | 10.27.08

This redistribution argument is utter nonsense and pure fabrication from a failing campaign and a rather less educated base… there is NO redistribution occurring really (honestly, truthfully,….), under Obama’s leadership the government is simply going to take less of the wages from the lower income levels, and ever so slightly more from people that are doing just fine… those that will truly hardly notice in the grand scheme of things. If you think that is redistribution, God help you.

If more people have more money to buy the products that the wealthier lot produce, ultimately the wealthy WILL get wealthier, hire more people, and spur economic growth.

Common sense stuff.

106. Aycee in Oregon | 10.27.08

What McCain isn’t telling people, and this should be quite obvious, is that Obama’s plan includes creating wealth and jobs in renewable energy and other economic sectors, reducing our dependency on foreign oil, you know, Texas Tea, the real reason we invaded Iraq and our soldiers are dying for.

Obama’s economic revival plan will help the middle and lower income of our country, those most hurt by the past 8 years under Bush and McCain, where we have seen the gap between the wealthy and middle class grow and more people losing their homes or falling into poverty.

The current economic meltdown is a direct result of John McCain’s voting record and philosophy of letting business take care of the economy, without the required controls and regulations that even Greenspan now admits should have been in place. McCain’s stand on the Iraq war, which should never have been waged, is that we will stay there indefinitely.

This war now costs us 3 billion dollars a month. Notice that McCain doesn’t talk about how much it is costing us, nor how badly those funds are needed to help our ailing economy and people back here at home, I guess this is what he means by the “fundamentals of the economy are strong” or by “putting country first”, only he has the wrong country in mind and it isn’t ours.

107. Chris | 10.27.08

You guys would defend Mr. O if he was found to have comitted murder. I’ve never seen a group of fellow Americans so hyptnotised by someone who has so little substance. He’s buying this election after breaking his first promise to America about accepting funds and the limits that go with them. He’s lied about ACORN, Bill Ayers, Jerimiah Wright. It’s useless to debate the Obamazombies. Just hope enough independent thinkers can see through.

108. WCB | 10.27.08

I have to say I agree with David. Study after study shows the rich getting richer and the rest of us getting pushed to the side. Employee benefits are being squeezed or phased out completely, and is anyone besides Obama talking about it? Didn’t think so.

109. DM in Montgomery | 10.27.08

Noblesse oblige, eh? Don’t believe it for a second. Far too much wealth has been concentrated in the hands of far too few people in America. This is dangerous as far as our stability as a nation is concerned.

The rich are in it for themselves. McCain, raving maniac, is one of them, as is Bush. One of these days the poor will realize who is giving them the short end of the stick…it’s not the democrats.

And to Bryantson, the Republicans have either stalled, fillibustered, or had Bush veto almost everything the Democrat congress has attempted. Get your facts straight.

110. Dirk | 10.27.08

The “Wealthy” have been sticking it to the “Poor” since the beginning of time. They always have and they always will.

The only way we are ever going to keep any kind of balance, or create a level playing field, is to have Govt. that will occasionally step in and level things out. It always going to be painful (and seemingly unfair) to one side or the other. Nevertheless, it has to be done from time to time. Otherwise, it will simply become to lop-sided and we will all just be slaves to the ruling class… again.

As I see it, right now, the evidence shows it has become far too lop-sided (again). There are few rich SOBs who have more money and power than God. That is not how a healthy society should function. Regardless of all the “FEAR MONGERING” by those who are afraid they may loose some of their Millions and Billions, I say it is time to re-level the playing field and give everyone a little bit of opportunities that come with having some financial freedom.

Obama is not trying to destroy the Capitalism Concept, I think he just wants to bring back in to a more balanced arena. Big business and Super Wealthy people are not willing to do what is Right and Fair, so our govt. needs to help them do it, thats all.

111. GB | 10.27.08

Paying slightly less tax is not a handout, when you consider that vast vast vast majority of us are in that boat. I have put myself thru college, working while going to school, and working like a slave and I work more and more every year … yet I seem to have less and less disposable income, how do you figure that?
Is it because I am lazy to promote myself? Is it because I don’t work hard enough to succeed? Is it because I not only work harder but smarter yet I am not able to make significant gains?
Come on, you people have been brainwashed and scared into thinking that helping the middle-class will “ruin” our contry … the fact is, if you DON’T HELP the middle-class, you will DEFINITELY ruin this country.
From the mouth of an analyst, and I’m scary when it comes to data and numbers.

112. Charles R | 10.27.08

Ok, so there are a lot of misinformed people on this site. I would like to applaud those who actually make their arguments and back them up with true evidence instead of just expousing what someone else is already saying.

So let’s try this from a different angle: McCain’s camp, please (appropriately) defend the smear campaign put on by John McCain/Sarah Palin and their repeated attempts at demogoguery as relates to Barack Obama.

Barack’s camp needs to answer for a few misleading ads of their own. Both are guilty of deception by omission. Now, at a count, McCain is clearly the more guilty party, but I am not disturbed by McCain’s camp wanting to hold Barack’s feet to that same fire.

Redistribution of wealth is way overdue. And for Johnny Six-Pack and Susie Meatloaf who are so convinced that all the businesses are going to pick up stakes and leave the country, did it occur to you MAYBE it’s better for the American people if they left?

This is, afterall, an enterprising nation. Anytime a vacuum is left, it’s very quickly filled. Witness the attempt at Prohibition. If the Bigs at the corporations want to pick up stakes and run, then the American people will know who’s protecting their own selfish interests, and who is really here for the American people. If you’re worried about losing jobs overseas, report those businesses that left and boycott them.

113. beevee | 10.27.08

This just shows that the McCain gang will stoop to any level and dig up dirt at the democratic candidate even when they know it is all a lie and comments made years ago taken out of context. Does this old fool has anything better to offer to the voters than this dirt. Hope he (McCain) loses the election.

114. Niles Coventry | 10.27.08

The republican mantra is this irrational notion that anyone in this country can become a millionaire if they just work hard. Indeed, the only reason that so many middle-class voters have, until now, stayed in the republican camp, is because most men with nothing would rather cling to the possibility of becoming rich, than face the reality of being poor. I live in Las Vegas where I see the same foolish rational played out day after day.

115. matt m | 10.27.08

@ 99 arrows6

FYI, the civil rights movement led to the abolition of so-called “Literacy Tests” in the south, which were a combination of test and registration procedures that effectively precluded blacks from registering to vote in those areas. The administration of the testing and registration procedures was usually given by those interested in preventing blacks from registering, and so the whole process amounted to de facto disenfranchisement of “undesirables.”

Sometimes you have to look beyond the letter of the law to completely understand the context of a situation.

116. SJH/Miami | 10.27.08

I really question anyone’s judgement supporting Obama’s redistribution
of wealth plan with the evidence in all he has stated about the subject
in the past 20 years.

No one seems prepared to discuss the relationship of the word ” Retribution ”
which has been raised in articles in the ultra-liberal local press re-
cently, to Obama’s ” Redistribution ” plans.

If you think welfare pushes the anger button of hard working, tax paying,
bill paying Americans, ( whom are the majority ) wait until this unsavory
antiquity of past injustice theory raises it’s ugly head.

We all need to think more than twice about giving the power of the House,
Senate, & White House to this Liberal Gang, and then just throw in the
Supreme Court for grins to complete the end of Capitalism and Liberty as
we know it.

I’m not afraid, just scared s…less……..

SJH / Miami

117. Tom in Alabama | 10.27.08

As a white male who grew up in the South during the 60’s, I certainly understood what Barak Obama meant when he said that the courts did not do enough to redistribute the nations wealth. Many have said the same thing in that, just because our nation’s laws changed to protect civil rights, the economic plight of those who had been discriminated against for so long, did not much change. Obama recognized the slow pace of change and yes, the courts could have done more to enforce legislation that has allowed people of color to finally get a share of the economic pie. Many conservatives today still view the civil rights legislation as allowing blacks to “take” something away that belonged to them.

118. steve | 10.27.08

This is for David, sorry you don’t get bonus or profit sharing, I have every year for the last 17 years. People work hard for what they get. Obama does not need to take from us and give to the people who don’t work. Doing that just makes them more likely not to want to work, it’s called welfare.

119. Jeff B | 10.27.08

David……Not many will disagree that we believe the CEO’s get paid too much. BUT is it the Governments responsibility to correct the issue? Since when is it the responsibility of government to make sure every American gets his exact, fair share in life, and that everything in life is fair? Why should the government get involved in what a company pays his CEO, CFO or anyother officer? I pay too much for Coffee too, and yesterday I waited at a stop sign longer than I needed and it cost me a lot in gas to sit there waiting, and last week my mother over paid at the local hardware store…life isn’t fair….and the government is here to protect us from wars, not to settle your dispute over someone getting more pay than you. Local Unions are more to blame than anyone else for this countries issue in manufacturing, productivity, and jobs leaving for overseas.

McCain has his interpretation of “redistributing wealth,” above. Well, here’s MY interpretation!

I am one of those hard working people he talks about, and I am tired of the fact that even though the productivity of the American worker steadily increases, our wages stagnate or decrease - while at the same time, the incomes of the richest in this country have increased to a point that is far beyond obscene.

When I was a kid, my dad worked for a company where everyone got profit sharing checks a couple times a year, and a nice Christmas bonus too. When’s the last time you talked to someone who got a profit sharing check from their employer? Ten years ago? Twenty? Today, most people have never even heard of a profit sharing check because “profit” is something reserved for corporate executives and shareholders - NOT the rest of us.

All that new wealth that our increased productivity helped create goes straight into the pockets of CEOs and their fellow executives.

So yeah - damn straight - I want a redistribution of wealth!

McCain says “let’s create new business and new wealth.” Why? Just so we can have another batch of overpaid CEOs who get rich off their employees and pay them just enough to keep them from revolting?

120. Bryantson | 10.27.08

DENNIS - It’s McCain, wants a spending freeze and cut waste his whole career. WAKE UP!

121. Drew | 10.27.08

Micheal K @ 108 makes me want to laugh. And cry. But mostly just laugh. Of course you will vote for the democrat, Michael K, because you just pulled the worst “it doesn’t mean what it means” since Willy Clinton!

122. michael k | 10.27.08

“He also falsely stated that the Civil Rights Movement brought about the right for blacks to vote. Any kid in school should know that that happened with the 14th Amendment. Women didn’t get that right until the 18th amendment was ratified.”

Have you heard of Jim Crow laws??? This is an example of why you are not allowed to electioneer at the polls in modern society. Up until (and still after) the civil rights movement, minorities were NOT free to express themselves - one of those means of self-expression happened to be the ability to vote without fear of repercussions.

You left out a whole 100 years of history there. As you can see it makes a monumental difference… putting his “actual” statement back into context.

123. Dave | 10.27.08

This is a desperation move, plain and simple. It is a classic case of rhetoric’s where the true meaning is taking completely out of context to warp the true meaning. It is reporting at it’s best. You quote just enough information to add a slight element of truth, but when push comes to shove, the information is far from the truth. Sadly, the media lies to us everyday in this way. It is called a spin. They can spin a story any way they want. You can make something positive sound evil, and something evil sound positive. Fox news is one of the worst. This is why I don’t care much for many news articles these days. It’s hard to tell what is true and what is not. It is sickening the way things are overhyped while other more important issue are bushed to the side.

124. Paul | 10.27.08

CF, I think you missed my point — that plenty of middle and lower-income people work hard. I support a plan that eases the strain on average Americans so they can be more secure in their family lives. Is that the definition of a communist? If so, I will proudly answer to that.

125. Burban | 10.27.08

David, I am saddened to admit that today you are all too typical. You don’t have the iniative or drive to do what it takes to start and grow your own business, so you sit and complain about those that did and succeeded. You say you work hard? Well, those that do create a value for themselves with their employer and are rewarded accordingly. If not, they are sure to find new places and new employers who appreciate and compensate that work ethic. You don’t like what you’re getting paid, then go somewhere else. You don’t think anyone is willing to pay you what you are worth? THEN CREATE FOR YOURSELF. Quit being the victim…please…have more pride than that.

126. americanpie | 10.27.08

“peggy”
I own a small business and I can tell you If I was making $250,000 a year I would be more than happy to pay a little more in taxes, Why you ask ? Because I’m not a greedy little miser with double standards suffering from senility (An acute debilitating disease caused by Republicans) It’s called paying your way you welfare wannabe !

127. Hiram | 10.27.08

Bryantson: re: “Liberals are responsible”

Your post are talking points right out of the “Rush Playbook.” Liberals are responsible for everything!

Here are the facts. Republicans have been in complete control for 6 out of the past 8 years. No other party has had that kind of majority rule in the entire history of this country. You can look that up. It’s fact.

The bottom line is no matter what Clinton did or didn’t do, no matter what Fannie or Freddie did or didn’t do, the Republicans could have changed things at any time. They had a complete majority for 6 out of the past 8 years. They were in charge. They were responsible. It was their watch.

The Republicans have been driving the bus for the past 8 years and now that the bus is in the ditch, you can’t switch the blame anywhere else. Republicans were at the wheel and it’s high time they went to the back of the bus, sat down, and gave someone else a chance to drive.

128. Jenn | 10.27.08

We live in one of the richest countries of the world where all but the very poorest live a hundred times better lifestyle than the majority of the rest of the people on this planet. If people would stop wasting their money on entertainment and junk food, and exercise a little self-restraint they would realize that they have plenty of money to be comfortable. If you don’t feel like you make enough money, use your brain, develop a skill or do something about it. You CHOOSE to have the job that you have, and if you feel you are being taken advantage of by your employer, then YOU are allowing that to happen. You are responsible for your own life. Anyone who expects handouts to be given to them by taking money from others is just plain lazy. Taxes were created to pay for the services that protect our God-given rights, like the right to protect ourselves and our property from harm and the right to pursue employment and provide for our families. “Redistributing the wealth” is legalized theft.
I don’t like McCain or his policies, but I dislike Obama a lot more. I don’t think either one will do a very good job. But since one of them will win, we Americans will just have to take responsibility for our own lives.

129. j | 10.27.08

When gangsters do it it’s called extortion, when politicians do it it’s called “wealth redistribution.” Either way money is forceably taken from some and given to others. However, politicians get rich off of wealth redistribution, but not extortion. That’s why they passed RICO laws to stop extortions - politicians, smartly, prefer to have a monopoly on such profitable activities.

And don’t hide behind religious calls to “spread the wealth.” That’s all discretionary - with the will of the giver.

It was horrible when the bailout went through - how many commenters voiced their opposition to their representative, btw - but two wrongs don’t make a right. The republican party is not the answer and despite Obama’s charm, neither is the democrat. Both men will lead the country over the edge, one will just take the path to the right, the other to the left.

130. Business Owners Unite | 10.27.08

Mighty Glenn, you business owner, you champion of the American dream, I solute you as a fellow soldier in the war against the whining of the little guy, the employee who can’t muster the courage to break away from those chains that we, the business owners of America no longer must bear.

Give me a break. Can everyone be a business owner? Most are not and work hard — that is the American way; it’s in our cultural makeup to work hard. Obama is giving a break to the hard working majority, and I commend that highly. It’s a break for the real American Joe the plumber, the guy that does not make a profit freaking $250,000 a year, but maybe $40,000 if he’s doing well.

At long last, the Republicans will be taking a much warranted seat to the side, while the Free (aka liberals) run the show. Bye, bye and good riddance.

Let Free-dom reign

131. Bryantson | 10.27.08

DM - OK, you smart guy. What in two years have the liberal democrat controlled house and senate tried to pass that was so important? Tell me the specific bill they tried to pass to put oversight on Fannie and Freddie who were swelling the bank accounts of these liberals.

132. DCX2 | 10.27.08

Matt #107 - My story is similar to yours. My parents worked two jobs and saved up enough to put me most of the way through college, after scholarships. I graduated BS in CE with a minor in CS, with honors, with a 4.0 GPA. I work for a software company developing hardware, and I make about average salary, but I live in a relatively inexpensive area of the country (Western PA). I wouldn’t say I live paycheck to paycheck, but I worked my butt off and I ain’t rich.

Personally, I’d rather not be rich. I want to make enough to live comfortably so that as many other people can live comfortably as well. The more I make, the less there is for everyone else to make.

133. theantibush | 10.27.08

134. Jeff | 10.27.08

8 more days and then McCain can go back to being a grumpy, angry man on his own time (and stop pretending to be something else), and Palin can get back to Alaska. What a relief.

135. Dan | 10.27.08

136. Mandelay | 10.27.08

When the Monitor gets time, please assign someone to find any occasion when an opponent or media outlet criticized Obama and was not met with a charge of bringing up “distractions.” Are all criticisms of Obama to be forever deemed “distractions?” And will, like that t.v. station in Florida, critics who pose tough questions be “boycotted” by a possible Obama administration? The Monitor has long been a safe harbor of high-level journalism. Are you ready for the future?

137. Rob Wilson | 10.27.08

I have ten years of college, untold hours of continuing education, four professional licenses, and a 23 year career in human services. Despite what I do and the education/experience needed to do it, I still can’t earn enough money to pay my bills. I earn now what I earned in 1988. I am all for “re-distributing the wealth” because I do not get paid adequately for the work I do. The insurance companies keep our salaries low while giving their administrators mulitmillion dollar bonuses. I pay high taxes and my wife can’t afford basic health insurance. The people who are voting for McCain are either well-off or ignorant. I could use some socialism in MY life. New insults seem to be “Arab”, “Socialist”, “Muslim”, “Liberal”, and “Terrorist”, and of course - “Unpatriotic”. I’m a fat, bald, white guy with middle class values and consertive views and I’m voting for Obama because I’m tired of being screwed.

138. Niles Coventry | 10.27.08

To me, gambling away your money in Vegas is exactly the same thing as investing it in a new business, which probably just goes to show how much I know about business.

139. Bryantson | 10.27.08

NOTE TO SOCIALISTS

- Point me to a socialist redistributing wealth country that has it better than we do even now in the financial crisis?

- Tell me the name of the guy paying no taxes and receiving a tax credit THAT HIRED YOU.

- Point me to a universal health care system that works better than the world leading US private health care system.

ALL YOU WHINERS - You all want more free money and this right to take others wealth. All you’re going to do is end up with a short term bonus and then most of you will get laid off, then maybe you’ll realize how economics works.

140. Rita M | 10.27.08

I feel sorry for all those people who don’t understand what BO wants to do. Schools gradually quit teaching what socialism and communism really involve in the early 1900’s and as a consequence all the lemmings following BO know not what they do. I was fortunate to speak in person to people who were victims of socialist and communist governments. It starts out pretty and nice, but to maintain, they must supress and eventually “relocate” dissenters in the middle of the night under the cover of darkness. Your freedoms vanish like rainbows. Be careful what you wish for you fans of wealth redistribution. It won’t stop there.

141. joe6pack | 10.27.08

what is so wrong about giving to those who are less fortunate?

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/update-crazy-mccain-lady-we-liked-it/768741/

142. JD | 10.27.08

Like it or not, the benefits of capitalism that we enjoy today are only possible because of government spending and social programs. As a society, we need a healthy and educated workforce, an efficient infrastructure, a national defense and many other social services. No matter how intelligent and hardworking an individual may be, his or her success would be limited if the country was in disrepair and there was rioting in the streets, etc. Obama-minded Democrats just feel that the people who benefit the most from government spending (ultimately the rich) should pay their fair share in supporting it.

143. Tim B | 10.27.08

110. Chris: “I’ve never seen a group of fellow Americans so hyptnotised by someone who has so little substance.”

Yet you support Palin, no doubt, so your rant means nothing.

In fact, most Republican rants this year mean nothing because they’re based on nothing. The ACORN “scandal” was manufactured from whole cloth. The Ayers connection implicates many more Republicans than Democrats if you really want to continue down that distorted path of lies. And the monotonous repetitive word association games - “Barack HUSSEIN Obama”, “wealth redistribution”, “tax and spend”, “LIBERAL MEDIA!!”, “socialism”, and the like - has gone from annoying to outright laughable. And the best part is after weeks of polls demonstrating that these tactics are hurting you, YOU KEEP DOING IT!

Go home, Republicans, and take your ball too. There’s a lot of work to be done cleaning up after you.

144. Paul | 10.27.08

The extrapolation on this video is terrible– It tacked on criticism when Barack implied none and completely fabricated different advocacies. “Redistributive change” does not mean socialism. It could, but Obama never specifically said anything in the clip that links the two.

145. Mike D | 10.27.08

What’s with all this talk about Obama supporters having a sense of entitlement or lack of ambition because they think the lower and middle class shouldn’t pay as much tax as the wealthiest among us? There’s no job training or degrees out there to take you from working in a factory or even an office (with a Masters degree in-hand) to controlling a billion-dollar company. I’ve read comments on this board along the lines of ‘quit complaining that you’re not a CEO and work harder to earn a better life’. No amount of hard work will convert the lower and middle class into CEOs. Even if simply working harder and smarter were the key, there can’t possibly be 300 million American CEOs making millions of dollars a year with no one working the drive-through window. That’s a matter of changing the names of CEOs, not helping those left behind in the 90%.

The whole idea here is a lower tax percentage on workers who spend a greater portion of their paycheck on NECESSITIES. If you don’t work, you don’t pay taxes and you don’t benefit from a reduced tax rate. These aren’t handouts to the lazy we’re talking about, it’s rebalancing what share of the taxes is fair for each tax bracket. If you earn $250,000 per year (the average yearly salary for everyone else in the country every 2 months or so), you don’t NEED to spend more than $50,000 of that on food and shelter to live comfortably. The rest is icing. Meanwhile, minimum wage workers pay nearly as much tax and spend a vast majority of their income on food, shelter, and transportation.

Less tax on money spent for the basics, allows for more spending on the “luxuries”, which drive our capitalistic system. At the same time, the rich can afford to buy these luxuries whether the economy is good or bad and regardless of small tax increases, leaving no lasting negative impact on the economy from that half of the system.

146. Tom Edwardsq | 10.27.08

Seems to me a lot of you folks got scared enough to write rebuttals about something that “means nothing”.

A Republican voting for Obama

147. JAB | 10.27.08

I find McCain’s “redistribute the wealth” criticism disingenuous. Millions have lost jobs and millions more will. Retirees have lost at least Two Trillion in value in retirement funds. People have lost homes, pensions, health care, retirement funds, the ability to afford to send their children to college/vocational school, and all this has been while CEOs have gotten hundreds of millions for leading their companies into bankruptcy. The UK Guardian says CEOs of bailed out companies will get 70 billion this year. All that seems like a “redistribute the wealth” plan to me, a plan to make the rich much richer while the Middle Class is jobless. And of course that came from Bush-Cheney, McCain-Gramm. It’s not “redistribute the wealth” that is the issue. It is who will try to rebuild the Middle Class. And that’s Obama.

148. MaryJane | 10.27.08

Say whatever you want now McCain, it will not work! Over 1/3 of voters have already voted and many more are smart enough to know that you’re hanging on by a shred and trying anything at this point in the game!!

149. formerrep | 10.27.08

David,
You may have caught flack on this blog,
but thank you for voicing the reasons why I am voting democratic this election.
As a very “hard working” American who has seen little increase in my salary,
and actually a reduction in benifits over the last 10 years.

All this fear mongering and discussions of “big government”.
C’mon people. We pay almost one third of our paychecks in taxes!!!
Question is, where is all that money going NOW!?

In theory, isn’t the government SUPPOSED to be there to serve the people and be trusted to use our hard earned tax dollars for the greater good? Or is it just to pat the backs of big corporations and oil executives who in return fill political coffers? Call me cynical at this point, but that’s what I call “big government”.

150. Fla-Indie | 10.27.08

“If you want a Marxist country, like the USSR, Cuba, Venzuela, and China, then go ahead and vote for Obama. If you want a President who calls the Constitution and the founding fathers, “limited” and “flawed”, then vote for Obama.”

OMG - How pathetic hatred can make a person’s brain. So sad…

151. V.K.Viswam | 10.27.08

Vote McCain. Privatize profits, Socialize losses.

It worked for the last 8 years - McCain still has 13 cars and 8 houses.

152. waltfoster@midrivers.com | 10.27.08

Spreading the wealth: Is that not what Growing Jobs in the USA all about?

153. Leo3 | 10.27.08

This is how they get people angry enough to start thinking about killing others. “Taking your money” - like it’s right out of people’s bank accounts - “and giving it to others” (code = ‘colored people’).

And, completely ignoring that what O is talking about is ONLY those making over $250K!

In other words, stir up the blue collar etc folks (like myself and probably most of you reading this), who are lucky to make $75K per year, but are socially conservative and already stressed, to prevent g-d- MILLIONAIRES and BILLIONAIRES from paying more taxes!!

McCain and ‘fellow travelers’ should be arrested for fomenting race hatred.

154. mich | 10.27.08

Republicans want to socialize debt and privatize wealth.

155. Kevin | 10.27.08

Redistribute wealth like having the Federal govt. buy up all the bad mortgages and handing out cash to failed corporations…or something else?

156. Michael | 10.27.08

The Republicans have been “redistributing wealth” for the last eight years, from the poor and middle class to the most wealthy. I’d be happy to see a change.

When all your campaign can do is attempt to character assasinate thru ancient clips and snippets of conversation, you know you have nothing to offer this country.

Mclame and Failin are probably the most pathetic candidates this country has seen.

157. Cleveland | 10.27.08

Reparations for slavery would be a redistribution of wealth, wouldn’t it?

158. Robert Davis | 10.27.08

Funny, Senator McCain goes on and on about Joe the Plumber, but by comments like these, clearly defines himself as an enemy of everybody but the upper class. He also is being deceitful- Senator Obama has never stated that he wants to redistribute the wealthy’s wealth- he simply wants to restore the tax structure that previously existed, destroyed by clever Reagan and Bush “tax cuts”, requiring the ultra wealthy and highly profitable corporations to contribute more than token amounts to the nation’s treasury.
McCain has obviously run out of positive things to talk about.

159. Hilary Smith | 10.27.08

If it’s fine to redistribute the society’s wealth to irresponsible bankers why is it wrong to redistribut the society’s wealth to the society?

160. Bryan | 10.27.08

It’s too bad that the Obama campaign is trying to divide our country with class envy/class warfare… No “CHANGE” about that. Libs have used this with great success!

161. Kevin | 10.27.08

Rob,

You don’t have any right to other people’s money. Other nonfat people get along just fine without employing the govt. to steal for them. Get up off you admittedly fat rear end and work for your own wealth. I make less than $35,000 per year yet don’t invoke some right to the fruits of other people’s labor…

162. michael k | 10.27.08

Sorry bud (er… Drew) most of us “folks” understand exactly what is means. If you don’t, don’t fret as you will perhaps remain unaffected when is comes to fruition - since you may choose to believe so.

Redistribution, as conveyed by the RNC (we all know jMac has no control over this campaign), would mean that the gov’t taketh from the wealthy solely to give to the poor (”middle class”) to hoard - the filthy, dirty, lazy mongrels. In reality, the gov’t will not be taking much more than they already do. They will being taking only slightly less from the lower class, so that they (them poor “folk”) can give more of “it” straight back to who the money belongs to….

the wealthy.

Obama’s plan benefits the wealthy considerably in facilitating the preservation of their positions. Besides, we all know that the wealthy won’t pay up anyway…. when have they ever? Why cry now?

163. Sofla | 10.27.08

Who controlled congress when Clinton signed de-regulation into law (on a veto-proof majority)???

Who controlled congress for the first six years of the Bush admin.???

It wasn’t the Socialist party!!!

164. CF | 10.27.08

“If you want a Marxist country, like the USSR, Cuba, Venzuela, and China, then go ahead and vote for Obama. If you want a President who calls the Constitution and the founding fathers, “limited” and “flawed”, then vote for Obama.”

OMG - How pathetic hatred can make a person’s brain. So sad…”

-Fla-Indie

I agree, how can Obama hate our Constitution, Hamilton, Jefferson, George Washington so much to call them “flawed” and “limited”? How can he hate America so much to be friends with a pastor who says G.D America? How can he hate America so much to be friends with Bill Ayers, a man who bombed our own country?

165. Hal | 10.27.08

We are all Marxists now.

166. CF | 10.27.08

CORPORATIONS THAT WILL PAY MORE TAXES UNDER OBAMA’S PLAN WILL CHARGE “YOU” MORE WHEN YOU BUY THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES!

When you go to the Doctor, YOU WILL PAY MORE
When you go to Walmart, YOU WILL PAY MORE
When you go to the movies, YOU WILL PAY MORE
When you eat at McDonald’s, YOU WILL PAY MORE
ETC, ETC, ETC, ETC…

167. Johnson | 10.27.08

I think everyone who makes more money than I do should have their taxes doubled, while those at my level and below should have their taxes cut in half. That seems like the most fair plan to me.

168. eric | 10.27.08

#63 JT

“Correction - Factcheck.org is not an independent site, it’s an Obama site.”

Please don’t lie outright. It’s embarrassing.
http://www.factcheck.org/about/

169. Larry | 10.27.08

So here’s the general liberal response to Obama’s statement:

1. LIARS! Obama never said we should redistribute the wealth!!!

2. There’s nothing wrong with redistributing the wealth!

or

1. Obama is NOT a socialist!

2. Socialism is better than capitalism!

If it’s true and Obama isn’t a wealth-redistributing socialist, then I wonder why liberals love him so.

170. concerned | 10.27.08

This is in reply to post # 33, John.

So John if we follow what you are saying, a tax cut to your employer will mean that your boss will give you a raise just because he saved money on taxes ?

Hmm.. Bush gave tax cuts, i see what has happened to the economy after those tax cuts, CEO’s getting huge fat bonuses while people like us worry everyday if we will have a job.

Your boss is may lay you off no matter whether he got a tax break or not.It’s all about keeping wall street happy.

My salary has increased as well, but so has the cost of living.

Honestly all this talk of tax cuts is weird especially when we are in such deficit hole, two wars going…, bailouts..
Where is all the money going to come to fund such big operations.

171. philko | 10.27.08

I am a business owner and currently pay $0.25 of every dollar I make in taxes. Obama is going to raise that to $0.35. So now, if I expand my business to make an extra buck, I’m not going to get to keep 75 cents of it like I used to. I’ll only get to keep 65 cents.

Sixty five cents is way too little!

I have already made the decision that if Obama wins I will not expand my business just to make 65 cents on each buck. I would rather make nothing at all.

In fact, I may just decide to shutter my business altogether because losing that extra dime on every dollar is just too much.

See how Obama likes THAT!!!

172. Kathy | 10.27.08

Oh I get such a kick out of the people that think Obama will only hurt “the rich”. Keep an eye on those unemployment figures folks.

173. V.K.Viswam | 10.27.08

…or is that 8 cars and 13 houses?

I can’t remember.

174. Paul | 10.27.08

You foolish, foolish people. If you think Obama is going to line your pockets with money by taxing the productive in our society you are dreaming. Punishing the productive in our society leads to less production.

If you desire more income it is up to you to make it happen. Ten years ago when I was 40 and in- between jobs I decided to go to school and earn a nursing degree. My goal was to land a more stable job. My wife and I sacrificed a lot while I was in school for four years. I did not rely on the government to provide my stability. You shouldn’t either. At 44 I went back to school and earned a Master’s degeee in nursing. Again we sacrificed. I drove the same vehicle for 11 years. We ate out once per month. We took lunches to work and school that we made at home. We lived in the same small house for 20 years. Now my wife is about to graduate with her Master’s in nursing and we are now earning close to $250K. We have been recently labeled as “lucky”. Labeled by “less fortunate” people who drive a new car every 4 years, run up credit cards into the thousands, rarely eat at home, buy a new cell phone every 6 months, etc. I say “the harder we worked the luckier we got”. I guarantee we will work less shifts to make sure that our income remains under the figure that Obama deems is “rich”.

175. Brian L | 10.27.08

I do not understand all the statements that Baraks proposed plan will take money away from you. Unless you are making over a 1/4 of a million dollars, nothing is getting taken away from you, if you do, then you pay a little more in taxes a yr. How does that take away from the 90+ percent of Americans who are nowhere near 250,000/yr.

Isnt it the middle/lower classes that drive the economy? working for the rich company owners, buying products from the rich company owners. I would think if you wanted to help the economy overall, wouldnt you want concentrate on the middel/lower classes?

I think its quite obvious the dilema the economy is in was a direct result of both parties, but the last 8yrs under Bush, it has gotten worse. It was brought up by members of both parties, and still the majority ignored it. It seems to me that McCain would carry on with business as usual which would be more of the same. Breaks for the super rich, trickling down to the poor, which never happens.

I would rather take my chance with Obama, he may not be a great president, but his ambitions seem alot more promising than what has happened in the last 8yrs, and what has more of a possibility to carry on with McCain at the helm. Plus Palin scares me, i wouldn’t trust her to run a franchised taco bell.

176. Frank R | 10.27.08

I have always wondered how the GOP is always so successful in getting voters to vote against their own best interest. They are really good at this, hats off to them. But I have to wonder who are these average middle class people who boo Obama when he is called a socialist by Palin or McCain? Are they stupid, ill-informed or just die-hard Republicans? Hey there are reasons that a good Republican can state as to why they are against Obama, but this tax deal makes no sense. The proposal is that we let the tax cuts put in place by Bush for the richest 2% of Americans expire. We then shift that tax cut to those who make net incomes of less than $250,000 per year. So the Bush tax cut for the rich, which McCain says he will make permanent is OK, but give that same break to the middle class and its socialism? The basis for the Bush cuts was to stimulate the economy and create jobs with those 2% of the rich being the job creators in this country. It didn’t work. So the thought is move that money to the middle class and it will create more jobs and increase the GNP. And thats makes sense. A family that has a combined income of about $100,000 will get a cut in taxes of $1,000 to $1,450 (averages from 5 democratic sites and 5 republican sites). So that about $100 more a month. And it will get spent at the grocery store, clothes and shoes, just everyday stuff to keep the family going - And that is a great start to getting this economy back on track and getting new jobs. Yet all the folks at these GOP rallies boo this concept, damn fools or they are all making more than $250,000 a year.

177. Big picture | 10.27.08

When it comes to taxes, each individual as well as each company has to look at the big picture. While Federal taxes have decreased, I have seen State and Local taxes increased to deal with the costs of providing services - schools, roads, water, etc.

So when I hear about the tax plans of the candidates, and thus “redistribution” I want to understand the total impact on my income. Just lowering Federal taxes does not mean I pay less on taxes. Check out the tax freedom day as a way to assess overall taxes at http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxfreedomday/

178. Victor (from Alaska) | 10.27.08

To: MT (No. 63)

FactCheck.org is NOT an Obama Website. It is a non-biased breakdown of the spin that both sides generate. It just so happens that it has to debunk a disproportional amount of false McPalin claims, so maybe it just seems like an Obama ’site.

http://www.factcheck.org/about/

Why resort to lies and and fear mongering? Let We the People read and investigate for themselves.

Thank God the Anchorage Daily News was courageous enough to speak for the rest of us.

…oh yeah; I’m from Wasilla and I voted for Gov. Palin, so don’t tell me I have a grudge. I just want the Gov to come back home and get back to work.

Obama / Biden ‘08

Get Out and Vote! Regardless of who you are voting for, be a part of the process!

179. DCX2 | 10.27.08

Bryanston - “Tell me the specific bill they tried to pass to put oversight on Fannie and Freddie who were swelling the bank accounts of these liberals.”

H.R. 1427 in the 110th session of Congress. Barney Frank was chairman of the committee the bill came out of. It passed the House but failed in the Senate.

If you were interested in the truth, I’m sure you could do research and find more examples. However, it appears you are only interested in partisan bickering. Don’t let something as silly as facts get in the way of your hatred for others.

180. chlai88 | 10.27.08

I’m really amazed at how republicans get sold so quickly on the dope that McCain and his team is peddling. McCain has already lost the campaign argument because his changes every week. But if he continues down this path, **** lose even more. He can stoke up the extreme feelings of more of his base supporters, like some of the commenters here but he can’t convince the moderates, independents and the undecideds to flock to his camp. McCain should just fire his campaign advisers but it’s now also just too late for anything.

181. bridget | 10.27.08

All of you who are afraid of your hard earned money going to ’sofa slobs’ and people unwilling to work need to try looking around you. That woman who has been staying home to raise 3 kids and just lost her husband in a car accident isn’t exactly a ’sofa slob.’ She has been thrown into a horrible situation with the loss of her partner, children to raise and no immediate income. How is she supposed to feed those kids and keep a roof over their heads if you unilateraly decide that everyone in need just refuses to work and doesn’t deserve a hand up when they are down? She could get a job, in an economy that wasn’t ruined, sure. And she might even be able to send her kids to a safe and responsible day care program while she is at work, if the states had enough money to operate such things.

You cry cry cry about “obamabots” blindly chanting yes we can when all you do is repeat the buzz words you hear without ever even trying to apply yourself or you loved ones to the situation at hand. Selfish, ignorant and bull headed, the lot of you.

182. DMarkie | 10.27.08

Uh oh, negative news about Obama on the web! Send in the fanboy stormtroopers!

All hail the One! All hail Obama! Crush the infidels! Call them hate mongers and racists and baby killers!

Call them wealth mongers, even though the Obamas do make $4.5Mil a year!

Point out how often McCain votes with Bush, even though Ted Kennedy votes with Bush 60% of the time!

Ignore, repress, forget! forget… forget…

183. sara | 10.27.08

I am currently a 24 year old female - fresh out of college. I work an hourly job that barely pays the bills - but my point is…I make it work. I did not have daddy to pay for my college, car, and rent - I paid for it all myself - so my question to all of you liberals is how can you NOT make it work? If you want something, get off your lazy a** and get it!! I do not support the resdistribution of wealth because it encourages hand outs. Success in life is all about choice - you are the one who has to choose how your life will be. If you sit around all day wishing for things instead of going out and doing something about it - nothing will change. If I can still manage to have cable television and other such luxuries while paying off debt higher than my yearly salary - than YOU can too. STOP WHINING and DO IT YOURSELF!

184. philko | 10.27.08

if america would wake up from this state of stupor that it’s in, it would see that it needs a change in policy..all policies, foreign policies have sucked, economic polices in the past 8 years have driven this country into the ground… come on, whoring our jobs out overseas while big corps & top 4% of america get a tax break is NOT a good idea.. it has weakened america’s industry in pretty much all across the board…. America, wake up and do the right thing, suck in your pride and vote for a president that will have more integrity, intelligence, and policies that better the entire country, not just the select rich few.. Obama ‘08

185. Ric | 10.27.08

Typical leftie BS..take from the “rich” & give it to the poor. Seems to sound good to those who feel they are somehow entitled to a piece of someone elses wealth

186. Shade | 10.27.08

I see this is a tough issue for everyone. I think if Obama was to become president and raise taxes on the rich, then their will be the greedy rich that will react in a negative way by taking it out on the consumer due to their power.

Nevertheless, for the religious or the agnostic, the Lord is still God over all and believe it or not He stills controls what happens in this country good or bad.

I think it is good that things change in this country, especially in the wealth system. All of the economic turmoil, all of these events happening, God is aware of all such things and to some people disbelief, He is orchestrating all of this.

This may be a good time for some people, study Psalms 37 that talks about the greedy that preys upon the poor and how the Lord deals with them. All of these events are coming to pass.

Fearing the rich and their repercussions isn’t going to matter and for the rich to think that they are in control is a great deception. God controls the money

187. Victor (from Alaska) | 10.27.08

To MT (No. 63):

The Annenberg Foundation oversees FactCheck.org

The president and chairwoman of the foundation, Leonore Annenberg, has endorsed John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.

How could FactCheck.org be an “Obama website”?

Try the spin somewhere else.

Obama / Biden ‘08

188. Dave | 10.27.08

I am 57 and handle workouts of companies that are broken.

The Trickle-down economics of McCain is a joke. The joke is on the average american who thinks that it will work. I have never seen a rich person hand out money or let his go freely. Usually, but not always, they give to charity in order to lessen thier tax burden. But generally they are the tightest ones with the penny. But they do believe in trickling down the debt that they have incurred over the last 8 years while they get all the tax breaks. I do not see where McCain’s tax proposals will help get american companies back on thier feet.

I just came back from China, and clearly they are moving ahead with having rebuilt thier infrastructure. We did the same thing in the 60’s and 70’s, and it needs to be done again now but with the inclusion of a national energy policy towards developing new technologies. Back in the 60’s & 70’s, those programs along with the space program led to the growth that we experienced over the following 40+ years. It was the middle class that grew this country, not the super rich that currently get all the tax breaks.

Doing an analysis of McCain’s health proposal most of the independant studies come out that it will put 30 million people out on the street without coverage. Handling my own coverage as well as my staffs, and both of my parents, I don’t see where McCain’s plan works.

I used to be a supporter of McCain, but now I feel he will say anything to get elected. Also, I am starting to feel that he is starting to believe what he is saying, and that is truly scary.

189. Adam | 10.27.08

DCX2 #135. You see, it’s comments from people like DCX2 that show a lot of the problems with these arguments about economics and taxes. I am sure that DCX2 is a very smart person and is good at what he does, but he shows little understanding of economic issues.

Quote “I want to make enough to live comfortably so that as many other people can live comfortably as well. The more I make, the less there is for everyone else to make.”

This statement is just simply false, yet it shows the elementary view of the economy on the left, which is perpetuated by many of its followers. In all reality, the more you make the better off everyone will be around you. You will be able to afford to go out to dinner, where the family running the restaurant can make a buck, you can buy new furniture, which allows the furniture maker to be able feed his family, and on and on. Wealth is not merely a stagnant figure, as in a whole pie, of which you can only have more at the expense of someone else, who has to have less as a result of your having more. Wealth is created. Economics is not a zero-sum game, as Gordon Gecko would have you believe. No, both people in a transaction can win. It is not always win-lose.

What is really amazing is not how many poor people there are, but that there is any wealth at all, that our society is structured in such a way that any person can “make it”. If you have some time, you should watch John Stossell’s special on “greed”. That would be a good crash course on free market economics.

190. Shade | 10.27.08

I see this is a tough issue for everyone. I think if Obama was to become president and raise taxes on the rich, then their will be the greedy rich that will react in a negative way by taking it out on the consumer due to their power.

Nevertheless, for the religious or the agnostic, the Lord is still God over all and believe it or not He stills controls what happens in this country good or bad.

I think it is good that things change in this country, especially in the wealth system. All of the economic turmoil, all of these events happening, God is aware of all such things and to some people disbelief, He is orchestrating all of this.

This may be a good time for some people, study Psalms 37 that talks about the greedy that preys upon the poor and how the Lord deals with them. All of these events are coming to pass.

Fearing the rich and their repercussions isn’t going to matter and for the rich to think that they are in control is a great deception. God controls the money

191. Arnoldk8 | 10.27.08

Well I am just another Joe the Plumber and I have never complained about paying TAXES ,but I do complain about how the incompetent Washington politicians spend my hard earned money.It seems to me that the real problem is what they do with the Tax monies,they give it to undeserving country’s who hate our guts, spend it on worthless programs that accomplish nothing ,pass it out freely to Goldbricks (Army slang for LAZY)and those who would rather be on the DOLE than WORK for themselves.
It seems to me that those who want more of my money,want to further expand the waste concept.Of the two who wants more of my money,who will take more? The answer is obvious to me .Who will expand spending in an effort to introduce redistribution of the wealth at Joe the plumber’s expense.

192. kristen | 10.27.08

Obama isn’t saying he is giving this “redistribution of wealth” to people who don’t work. He is saying there needs to be a fairer tax code to help the lower and middle class people who work just as hard as the upper class, but don’t see the same “benefit of the rich.” Yeah, some of it may go to people on welfare now or those who don’t work but we already have that now. It’s not a new concept.

193. Joe Lectualizer | 10.27.08

O fans could be shown a verified tape of O in meeting with Osama bin Laden and they still would brush it off… there is nothing he can for which his people will disagree with. They’ve been completely and utterly and blindly starstruck.

194. matt | 10.27.08

When politicians start calling other politicians socialists they are just name calling. Every economy is a mix of socialism and capitalism. It just depends on where the emphasis is, where the government provides services and passes laws.

I have my own company and may or may not pay slightly more if Obama is elected. Provided my taxes pay for useful things like education, health care and not to subsidize oil companies and defense contractors, I am okay with that.

People who make over 250K a year can afford to hire tax accounts that can find ways to shelter their income. The problem is that our tax systems is absurdly complicated and littered with loopholes.

Swedes pay roughly the same taxes as Californians, yet they have universal health care, free education and pensions. The argument should be more about what we get for our tax dollars than whether we pay 5% more or less.

195. Ray | 10.27.08

Who says you have to work for a CEO that pockets the profits? Start your own business.

196. ann | 10.27.08

You Obama supporters are all severely misinformed if you think you will be the benefiiciary of these “tax increases”. If you are as hardworking as you claim to be then be prepared to not see a red cent of this so called redistribution. It is going to go to people that are currently not paying taxes. Translation for you-They do not work. These tax increases will prevent any small businesses from growing and as a result no jobs to be created in the US which will result in a deeper recession then we are already headed for. I think if anyone did a little due diligence on Obama instead of listening to the media that you will see that Obama is an extreme RADICAL.

197. Luca Ponti | 10.27.08

Yawn. : 0
Bush and crew get the gold star for income redistribution. And so what else is new? Bush-McCain want it to go to their millionaire/billionaire buddies, and Obama wants it to go to those who worked and created the wealth….the lower and middle classes. Bush-McCain stacked the Supreme Court in favor of Bif Oli and Big Business. I am sure Obama will endeavor to fill vacancies that favor the mass populace…that is the lower and middle class. So, vote for how you want it distributed. End of argument.

198. Robert | 10.27.08

To all those calling Obama a socialist or Marxist or Communist, you really have no idea of what you’re talking about. Obama has not indicated that he intends to nationalize any industries, collectivize the means of production, or ban religion as the opiate of the masses. Even if he did so wish (which is not evidenced by anything he has said), his efforts would be futile. This country has never been socialist in its 232 year history, and that’s not going to change any time soon. Your alarmism reflects a gullibility for Drudge’s, or Fox’s, talking points.

199. Employer from NJ | 10.27.08

Higher taxes equate to less available funds to reward employees. Less raises, less bonuses, less benefits.

I’d love to give out big raises to my employees this year, but my mortgage is going to stay exactly the same and the raise will have to be given to me so I can pay for the extra income taxes.

And don’t forget about the 15.3% social security tax that I will have to pay. Might just have to let some one go.

200. LeoDaK | 10.27.08

Wow, Shade - God sits there with a little remote control, huh?

I’m not knocking believing in God, but given the size of the universe, to imagine that he’s micro-managing us - on probably one of millions of planets with life - is a typically human level of self-centeredness.

Go ahead and pray to God, and the Saints too if you like, but it’s still good to remember ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ (ie, don’t wait for Him or Her or It to do it for you!)

201. Far Out | 10.27.08

Am I dense, or isn’t the income tax system already setup to “redistribute wealth”, by charging the “wealthy” more and giving credits to those to make less? The more you make, the higher overall percentage the government takes. Why is McCain pretending like this is some new socialism?

202. Mike | 10.27.08

Redistribution of wealth is classic socialism straight from the ideological assertions of Karl Marx ie class struggle and a proletariat lead revolution. You cannot push this agenda publicly in a capitalistic country without asserting a switch to a communistic society. Socialism is not a bad word but it just doesn’t work in a society that values independence and individual freedoms.

That’s the reason alone I am voting for McCain and not Obama. Otherwise, Obama is a very charismatic leader and an effective communicator. He is just wrong on this.

203. Eli | 10.27.08

In February 2008, Governor Palin’s office sent Sen. Ted Stevens ( Republican, Alaska, )a 70-page memo outlining almost $200 million worth of new earmark funding requests for Alaska.

In fiscal year 2002, Wasilla ( population 6000) took in $6.1 million in earmarks — about $1,000 in federal money for every resident. By contrast, Boise, Idaho — which has more than 190,000 residents — received $6.9 million in earmarks in fiscal 2008.

As Mayor, Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.

As mayor of Wasilla, however, Palin oversaw the hiring of Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh, an Anchorage-based law firm with close ties to Alaska’s most senior Republicans: Rep. Don Young and Sen. Ted Stevens, who was indicted in July on charges of accepting illegal gifts. The Wasilla account was handled by the former chief of staff to Stevens, Steven W. Silver, who is a partner in the firm.

Palin was elected mayor of Wasilla in 1996 on a campaign theme of “a time for change.”

What a fraud. Reformers- they are NOT. Just more of the Same.

Not this time, folks

204. William Renquist | 10.27.08

If trickle down economics doesn’t work then why has America been doing so well for the past 232 years? Yes, it has it’s ups and downs, but fundamentally it has been doing pretty good! If it wasnt doing good, wny would people immigrate to the U.S. Freedom from oppression, yes. Freedom of Speech, yes. Good Education, yes.

What is wrong with the status quo? Should everyone be rich? Should everyone make millions? Should everyone be paid the exact same amount for their job? I say no! Education is advancement - act locally by supporting your local schools. Think future: by understanding that education is the path to great things. Wealth is not a dollar sign, it’s knowledge and it is earned, and with that knowledge comes a better standard of living, better goal setting and better financial responsibility.

Guaranteed Students Loans are gauranteed my friends. I graduated from a community college and make a real decent living. I am simply amazed at the number of people who point fingers and blame everything but themselves for the situations they are in and the choices they make in life.

205. Larry Linn | 10.27.08

You Neo-Cons are just whiners. Bush has been the president for almost eight years, and the Neo-Cons Republicans have controlled Congress for six of those years as well as the last two years of the Clinton Administration. How many Presidential vetoes by Bush has Congress overridden? Four! All of those vetoes required support by some Republicans in both the House and the Senate. Bush and his ilk, have followed the economic policies of the Fascists. Mussolini defined his economic stance by saying that his Fascist government “will give full freedom to private enterprise and will abandon all intervention in private economy.” Bush and the Republicans followed this philosophy, and now our country is on the verge of bankruptcy.

206. Beltway Greg | 10.27.08

Actually, we can blame this entire episode on that meddling Magna Carta incident back in 1215.

Here’s the deal. And this is really sad, America has been redistributing the wealth…to people like me. I make over $250K a year and if McCain supporters want to give me a tax cut why should I stop them? Maybe because I care about our country? The ration of CEO to worker pay went from something like 50:1 to 350:1 over the last couple of decades and wages for the middle class have been stagnant or falling over the same time period. Trickle down was a joke. The only time our economy functioned was during the Clinton administration after he and Bush 41 raised taxes and created a surplus. Bush has put you on welfare. The guy has actually sent Americans two checks that they didn’t need. Who am I to care? The dollar has risen too much in the last couple of weeks anyway. We will start raising interest rates in the next couple of years to attract investment, until then short it. The poor fought the war and they’ll bear the brunt of the economic slowdown. Have it your way and make people like me rich.

Beltway Greg

207. chris | 10.27.08

The same people on here that are crying for these “tax cuts” are the same people who get passed up for a promotion at work & think that it has to do w/the color of their skin, or whether they are male or female, or what religion they are. These are the only people that Obama’s policies will help, those who can’t do for themselves. Traaaagic! I read a statement above about someone who was asking when the last time anybody saw a profit sharing check, well I for one see a profit sharing check every year. And I am certainly no Sr. Level executive, just a lowly employee who does my job well & doesn’t expect somebody to reward me for doing nothing. So many people these days just expect the world to hand them everything, its pathetic. Work hard, get an education, and make something of yourself, then maybe you will understand why those of us who did, don’t want those of you who didn’t reaping the benefits of our hard work.

208. Gene from Maine | 10.27.08

I live in Maine, this state has been run by Democrats for the last 30+ years. we are the highest taxed and least Business friendly State in the Nation.so go ahead and vote for Obama,it will be nice to know that the rest of the Nation can suffer along with us for a change.

A FORMER DEMOCRAT VOTING FOR MCAINE…………..

209. Sam | 10.27.08

A tax was cut, and then cut, and the nation’s economy tanked. Unemployement rose to the highest level in 6 years.

People stopped buying because they had no money to spend. Circuit City and other shops had to close up some of their shops. Car makers had to close shop because people had less money to buy cars (oh, except for the rich folks who buy expensive foreign cars).

So this tax scheme didn’t seem to work. Somebody says let’s cut taxes for the buyers of goods and, to counteract the national deficit, let’s bring the wealthy people’s taxes back to the same level they were before they were cut. And all the rich folks cry, “Oh my god, they are RAISING MY TAXES.

210. ringo | 10.27.08

The easiest way to figure out where someone’s true loyalty lies is to follow the money.

Here’s the BBC report on US campaign financing: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7596690.stm

Maybe we can DRILL down in the industrial contributions and PUMP out some information.

211. buzzkiller | 10.27.08

i am so sick of hearing about “socialism” and “socialization.” redistribute my tax dollars into the hands of failing financial companies, into big oil subsidies and into the hands of red-state farmers, and then complain about how obama is a socialist? are you serious?

as a small business owner i’d like to see the playing field leveled, where those who are more wealthy pay the same percentage of taxes on their income as i do on mine. being more successful shouldn’t make you exempt from pulling your own weight, to put an inordinate share of the burden on the other 98% of us.

stop the hypocrisy, stop the lies and get your facts straight.

212. An. Observation | 10.27.08

People need to understand that in the end a vast majority of politicians regardless of political party are motivated more by staying in power or getting into power than doing what is right. Most of their so called plans are nothing more than mechanisms to buy votes and get the American public hooked on the drug we call the government of the United Staes of America.

I forget whose quote this is, but it seems quite appropriate for the times in which we find ourselves. So here goes….

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.”

213. Tony Quetano | 10.27.08

Let’s take a minute and try and rationalize the interpretation of this situation as Socialist …

The Republican Party as a whole (based on statements of various representatives of it) now has these stances:

If you’re not against abortion, you’re “Pro-Abortion”.
If you’re not providing the “Fair and Balanced” coverage of Fox News, you’re a member of the ‘liberal media’.
If you’re not blindly supportive of your government and the Republican party, you’re not in a “Pro-American” section of the country.
If you’re serving in Congress and have issues with the direction of the country, you’re “Anti-American”.

And finally …

If you’re talking about a redistribution of wealth scheme that doesn’t involve laissez-faire economics (now known as “trickle-down”), you’re a Socialist and a Marxist.

You see guys, its not that they are making false claims … they are simply attempting to redefine what the term “Center” really means! They are just trying to make the center much more right than it used to be considered. This is why they can make these arguments straight-faced, and why Colin Powell says the party has narrowed … they really don’t define the political center the way the rest of us do.

Hope that clears it up.

214. Mike | 10.27.08

Blind, Blind, Blind.

Obama supporters may just be the most gullible people on the planet. You all realize that Obama is not going to extend the Bush tax cuts, correct? You do realize that in turn you’re going to realize a tax increase by this action, correct? So how is that rebuilding the middle class? Obama will be taking more out of your paycheck and giving rebate checks to people who do not even income pay taxes–that’s not a rebate, it’s WELFARE. And this is not just McCain spun political rhetoric people–it’s fact. You’re all so hungry for change that you will buy anything the community organizer from Chicago tries to sell you. He’s Al Sharpton, but in a much slicker package. I am not enamored with either candidtae, but I know a phony when I see it. Unfortunately with the candidates we have to choose from it’s come down to the lesser of two evils. Voting for a socialist will absolutely destroy this country.

215. Sandy | 10.27.08

So this is McCain’s latest argument. He can’t tell us what he’ll do to get us out of this mess just that we should elect him so he can stop a democratic Congress from doing anything to get us out of this mess.

Why is it tax reform when the republicans favor the wealthy but it’s socialism when Democrats favor the middle class and the poor? Through their policies and tax breaks, the republicans have been redistributing wealth upwards for years.

216. Archie Haase | 10.27.08

If spreading money around and giving the average working American enough money to house, feed, and educate your children is a socialist idea then I must be socialist. President Grant said someplace in his memoir that he never understood how those white trash in the south could fight for a cause, that really in the end would have enslaved them. I am paraphrasing but that is generally what he said.

I am at a loss trying to understand those that cannot go to the doctor, dentist, send their children to college, or even buy an affordable house vote republican. Please someone explain to me why they vote against their interest.

217. StrongSilentFont | 10.27.08

The U.S. tax system has been progressive for generations, in that those with higher incomes pay a greater percentage of their income in taxes than lower income taxpayers, who pay a higher percentage of their income for necessities. But this progression is uneven, reflecting the tax-sheltering options available to the very high-income.

Based on 2006 IRS figures posted today at http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0810/gallery.tully_henrys.fortune/index.html,
here’s what different brackets shell out, on average:

88% OF ALL TAXPAYER PAY…

Annual income $5 million: 21%

Although the figures have shifted over the years, only a few extremists have denounced this as “socialism.” It does not seem to have discouraged anyone from either working hard and saving their money or inheriting wealth. In recent years, it has not discouraged the rich from getting richer, either.

Some voters apparently fantasize that the GOP, which has presided over the growing income disparity in the US, will give them a better tax break when they finally hit the million-dollar lottery. And I don’t hear anybody who’s decrying “redistribution” volunteering to pay 24% or 35% to the IRS, like the wealthy. If you want to vote like you’re really rich, you should to pay your dues, right?

218. concerned_citizen | 10.27.08

This post pretty much summarizes my view on the whole deal:

“As an Independent, I am bothered to see the Democrats blame the Bush administration for our current economic problems. Two prior Democratic administrations initiated and promoted unsound and loose economic policies. Currently, the Democrats control Congress and the committees, and they share responsibility for what transpires in this country.

In 1977, Jimmy Carter’s administration enacted the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), which forced banks to make loans to low income borrowers. In 1999, the Clinton administration pressured Fannie Mae, the nation’s largest underwriter of home mortgages, to change its credit requirements on mortgage loans it purchased from banks and other lenders. Fannie Mae succumbed to the pressure and diluted its credit requirements. Banks then changed their loan requirements, including no down payments, and made home loans to low income people whose credit would not normally be good enough to qualify for loans.

The seeds were planted for the current economic problems many years ago, and nurtured through a number of administrations and legislative bodies to our current situation. Can we can expect more of the same if Obama is elected, and he, along with a rubber stamp Democratic Congress, allow the proliferation of liberal economic policies?

Over the passage of time the world has taught us to be wary of change and all the mesmerizing promises made by political candidates. ”
–Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, N.H.

219. Marcus | 10.27.08

This is the REAL voice of Republicans. Fear and nothing else. Tell them about black bags and terrorists and they’ll sell you and their children and all your rights with it. They let Bush run amok in this country for fear. That’s the true evil in this country. I wonder if he ever talked to a WW2 vet. He might have learned courage.

“I was fortunate to speak in person to people who were victims of socialist and communist governments. It starts out pretty and nice, but to maintain, they must supress and eventually “relocate” dissenters in the middle of the night under the cover of darkness.”

220. JJ from Rural USA | 10.27.08

100. Ben | 10.27.08 — ” David, profits are for owners. If you want a cut of the profit buy some company stock or go start your own business. Owners earn profits for taking the business risk. They put in their capital investment and if they’re lucky they get back profits. If they aren’t lucky they lose their business and with it their investment. It’s not fare to compare the wage earner (no capital risk) to the guy who ponied up his life savings, risking everything to start the business. That’s a guy who has skin in the game and he deserves the profits if and when they come.”

I am a small business owner and I for one realize that without my employees I would have no profit. Unfortunately, I don’t fall into the $250,000 and above wage earner nor do my employees. But on a very basic level I do my own redistribution by giving a year end bonus to every employee - yes even the secretaries. Why? Because they do the work, and if I pay them well then they will continue ot do a good job for me and get a bigger bonus (we hope) next year.

The “BIG” businesses do this only for those that “buy stock”, as dividends, so that is their way of sharing the profits. The “trickle down” economics was good in theory, the problem is that since the big dogs saw more, they took more and the trickle slowed, and slowed, and slowed as their wallets needed more and more to keep up their lifestyles. Guess what - economic catastrophy - and it wasn’t the bad loans but what was done with them as they were sold off over and over again until everyone had sucked the last bit of potential profit out - now we get to finance the jerks who pulled this stunt.

There is NO ONE PLAN that I have heard from either side that does what should be done and that is a TOTAL revamp of the tax system in this country. The richest pay less taxes - as a percentage - than most of the middle class because of the deductions, loopholes and so forth. Someone ought to get it right. Don’t think anyone can.

I was going to vote for John but his running mate drove me away - seriously have you heard her? I wish there really was SOMEONE we could all get behind as we all know we need it!

221. Anna Isozaki | 10.27.08

As IF!! How are American people supposed to swallow McCain and Palin’s hysterical accusations when the whole world is choking on the facts of the McCain campaign, its staff, and McCain’s real policies: Palin’s $22,000 makeup jobs for just 2 weeks this October, the $150,000 clothes spending spree, campaign manager Rick Davis’s 2 million dollars from the failed mortgage giants and $15,000 a month until last month just for access to Senator McCain? We are not supposed to want change, when we’ve just had taxpayer bailouts for AIG executives who then went to resorts and on pheasant hunting expeditions in the UK by chartered jet? Or the McCain votes for 4 billion dollars in breaks to the oil companies and more than 20 votes against renewable energy initiatives? 8 years of mind-boggling payouts for CEOs who break the companies they work for, while 2.5 million Americans are losing their homes to foreclosure because their interest rates skyrocketed, or they didn’t have health insurance and had an illness in the family — and when the financial meltdown came, Senator McCain went to the White House with calls for MORE deregulation? Senator Obama is a moderate who wants to work for a healthy capitalist economy, so that we can have a middle class again. It’s not clear who the McCain campaign intends to be defending. Oh… themselves.

222. priscilla | 10.27.08

Jumpstart the Economy

* Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to American Families:Barack Obama and Joe Biden will enact a windfall profits tax on excessive oil company profits to give American families an immediate $1,000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay rising bills. This relief would be a down payment on the Obama-Biden long-term plan to provide middle-class families with at least $1,000 per year in permanent tax relief.
* Provide $50 billion to Jumpstart the Economy and Prevent 1 Million Americans from Losing Their Jobs: This relief would include a $25 billion State Growth Fund to prevent state and local cuts in health, education, housing, and heating assistance or counterproductive increases in property taxes, tolls or fees. The Obama-Biden relief plan will also include $25 billion in a Jobs and Growth Fund to prevent cutbacks in road and bridge maintenance and fund school re­pair - all to save more than 1 million jobs in danger of being cut.

223. Jiles Samson | 10.27.08

The public education system monopoly controlled by the left has finally completed its mission if the majority of the comments on this story are any indication.

There is obviously a complete lack of economic and constitutional understanding. Therefore, we will get the president we deserve, Obama and make sure that everyone is equally miserable. You think things are bad now? Ever travel overseas? The average American lives better than 98% of the people on earth. Oh, well, the people will need to learn the hard way that there aren’t enough rich people to tax to have a lasting nanny state. It is a Ponzi scheme that will crumble down, just like the national debt is as well to pay for the half-way socialism we’ve already had in terms if Social Security, welfare and medicare. Now we are finally at the tipping point and going all the way. You want change? Here it comes baby.

224. jon | 10.27.08

This is just more of the same from McCain, and the GOP.
If you listen to the whole tape, as I have, all Obama was doing, was giving a civics lesson - - the Legislature is the proper branch of the Federal Government, to make social changes… not the Courts.
He was specifically speaking of the Warren Court.

Why is it that to the GOP, giving tax cuts to Corporations & the Wealthy, is good, but rescinding those tax cuts, and instead giving them to the People, is somehow *socialism?*
Taxes are, and always will be a distribution of wealth. So, it just where you think those cuts should go. Me, I think the People should get the cuts.
These past 8 years, it’s the People’s wealth that has been distributed to the Wealthy. Those people, and the Corporations, having been living off The People’s backs.

And as an aside… I do very well financially. If McCain wins, I’ll be making out like a bandit. But, only in America could I have succeeded as I have, and I don’t need to be receiving money from those less fortunate than me. Besides, it takes money to run the Government I want. I want good roads, bridges, water, schools, fire depts, police depts, etc, for everyone.
That stuff costs money, and I have no problem paying my fair share.
People need to stop voting against their interests. If you’re making less than $200,000, you are crazy to vote for McCain. But if you do, and he wins… you’ll be putting more money in my pocket, not yours.
Think before you vote.

225. Joe the Lib | 10.27.08

Good day all,
Just checking over the posts and wanted to see if I can add a couple of things.
First, my assumptions:
To be middle class, your annual AGI must be close to the price for a home in your area, you must have at least one working member of the family and you have to have some sort of savings besides home equity.

There is a finite amount of capital in the country; there will always be those with more and those with less. We can’t have the entire populace of the country be “rich” unless we’re benefiting from the labor of non-residents.

Wealth accumulation is easier with when you start with some asset: cash, talent or intelligence. No assets make wealth accumulation a much more difficult process.

We need to be specific when we use the word “taxes”. There are “taxes” which everyone pays, like sales, payroll and gas. Very few citizens “don’t even pay taxes”.

226. Shade | 10.27.08

I see this is a tough issue for everyone. I think if Obama was to become president and raise taxes on the rich, then their will be the greedy rich that will react in a negative way by taking it out on the consumer due to their power.

Nevertheless, for the religious or the agnostic, the Lord is still God over all and believe it or not He stills controls what happens in this country good or bad.

I think it is good that things change in this country, especially in the wealth system. All of the economic turmoil, all of these events happening, God is aware of all such things and to some people disbelief, He is orchestrating all of this.

This may be a good time for some people, study Psalms 37 that talks about the greedy that preys upon the poor and how the Lord deals with them. All of these events are coming to pass.

Fearing the rich and their repercussions isn’t going to matter and for the rich to think that they are in control is a great deception. God controls the money

227. Delion | 10.27.08

Ask yourself why other countries have been steadily lowering their corporate tax rates. Ask yourself why the UK, Germany and others would possibly lower their corporate rates. Do you think it is to help CEOs get more pay? In 2008, the US has one of the highest corporate tax rates 35% plus state rates of 7-8% average. That is 43%. If I am a multinational corporation, why would I build a factory here right now at 43%. Granted there are non-tax reasons as well. However, we are all competing on an international level right now. These other countries are typically more liberal, but they have realized that higher corporate rates scare business away.

Lower corporate rates attract business, and with the business comes jobs. McCain has advocated a 25% top corporate rate. It’s not about rewarding the rich, it’s about being competitive in a world that is becoming more competitive than we are.

228. Lucas | 10.27.08

Why John McCain should never be allowed near the “nuclear” trigger. This “Make Believe Maverick” does not have the temperament or the judgment that is necessary to be President of the United States.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/10

Please read and heed.

Vietnam Veteran
Khe Sanh 1968

229. Erik the Happy Ex-Pat | 10.27.08

I left the United States a year ago and it was the smartest thing I ever did in my life. If someone was unable to see the writing on the wall, they needed their head examined.
Did Americans honestly think the bill was never going to come due? With interest? Seriously??
For all the morons blabbing over socialism, communism, or any other ‘ism’ needs to get over it. My instinct is to guess that the average American citizen scarcely thinks about any of these ideologies, including democracy. So please
don’t contaminate us with your banality now.
Americans have been living under the yoke of ‘wedge issues’ for 30 years, and longer. And while we allowed ourselves to be distracted by less important issues, the state of the republic has declined.

230. Paul Stewart | 10.27.08

The right wing commentary will just get more and more ideological and indeed hysterical. It will continue to try to paint Obama what he is not. It will continue to try to destroy his character. That is their only hope. It is not going to work.

To those who spouting Socialist. Well, if Obama is a socialist, then McCain and Bush are bush-wacking Pirates, dressed in business suits. In league with those running some of the the large businesses these days with “golden parachutes”, with special note of the oil companies, car companies and the investment banks. All of them crying “deregulation, deregulation”, “self regulation, self regulation”, “limits to liability”, “limits to liability”, etc….

The American people are starting to tune out the Republican Party. And rightly so. I think the reason is obvious - America as a Nation trumps the Republican Party. Many are starting to see through the Republican facade. William Buckley Jr. gets it, Colin Powell really gets it, but the Party Leaders and demagogues do not - especially people like Rush, Bush, Bachmann and and de Rothschild. The Party is so imbued in its own Propaganda, in its own sense of Superiority and Self Righteousness, that it has indeed lost its way.

The Republican Party has something of a Maoist sentiment of being the ruling Party and the Ruling Class. In spite of the dissent of most of the Nation. Real Republicans need to seize the levers of the Party, tear it down and rebuild from the grass roots up. Its ownership is too centered in selfish ideological hands and its philosophy has gone Piratical; way too right wing. I think it is way out of the mainstream. For so long it has been there, and held its ground by moving the mainstream and demonizing the left. No more.

231. Mike | 10.27.08

A simple lesson for those who do not understand economics:

Corporations do not actually pay taxes. “Taxes” to a corporation are a cost of doing business; a cost that gets passed directly on to the consumer. Do you think if Obama got elected and raised coporate taxes by 20%, that the corporation goes “OK we will just make less money”. NOOOOOOO…. it gets passed on to the consumer! It is a indirect tax to you…wake up! There is no free lunch! Do the work and earn the money yourself! Get a clue–put down the Kool Aide Obamanites!

232. DCX2 | 10.27.08

Adam #192 - “Wealth is not merely a stagnant figure, as in a whole pie, of which you can only have more at the expense of someone else, who has to have less as a result of your having more. Wealth is created.”

1) Wealth is “created” - either by the producing economy, or by the use of debt. Our producing economy has for the most part been shipped to China, hence the explosion in the use of debt in order to finance the American lifestyle. When you take out that $100,000 mortgage, you are “creating” $100,000 - creating “wealth”. But this is not your wealth that is created; it is someone else’s. If you fail to pay your lender, they will take your money and your house. This debt-based economy ensures that only the rich have any of the wealth that is created.

2) Imagine you belong to a company. The company has a net annual revenue. The bigger the percentage that the CEO takes out of the company’s revenue, the less left over for the employees’ salaries.

You know those people who go out to eat, and buy big screen TVs, etc? Those people can’t do it if their boss hoards all the company’s profits. If he shares those profits, THEN the wealth will flow from the middle class through the economy.

The more everyone else makes, the better off everyone is. This is why CEOs who make hundreds of times more than their average worker’s salary are destroying our economy. The company’s revenues for a given year are a constant - and the more the CEO takes for himself out of the company’s revenue, the less there is available for employees/shareholders/etc.

233. FriendDave | 10.27.08

One radical revolutionary once claimed that there should be a “second phase” of the civil rights movement that would be even bigger than the “first phase.”

This second phase sought an “economic bill of rights” where government funding would provide housing and even guarantee an annual income for the poor.

Certainly some of Obama’s views could be considered similar when wishing that the civil rights movement had managed to achieve greater nation-wide economic parity.

Definitely views of a radical.

The first man I referred to was, of course, Martin Luther King, Jr.

234. Sue | 10.27.08

In a local restaurant my server had on a “Obama 08″ tie. I laughed as he had given away his political preference—just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need—the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I’ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient needed money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

235. Lalit | 10.27.08

REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH: I think most people here are angry because they are under the impression that Obama will take the money from hard working rich and give it to lazy poor, hence bring about “socialism” to this country and abolish incentive to work hard.

Well this is a FALSE rhetoric and this is why: The tax rate for the wealthy (top tier rate) is 36%. It used to be 91% thirty years ago. Republican movememnt starting with Reagan brought it down to 36%. Obama only wants to raise it to 39% Still much lower than what it used to be.

Now to me it seems like redistributional of wealth has been happening as the money from the hard working americans has been taken and given to the rich recently. Capital gains tax is cut into half by Bush and McCain wants to cut it even more. So let’s see here, if a guy who makes Millions of dollars pays a few thousands more will be really “hurt” or middle class families who are hurting get $1000 back will benefit more??

The whole notion that some how give more to the rich and they will create jobs and spread the wealth is only correct to a certain extent. Not all companies with rich profits reinvest, instead lately they have been pushing jobs overseas to save on labor cost and only creating low paying jobs in America.

We need to find a balance, as someone has to pay for the wars, entitlements and future infrastructure. I know that Obama has presented a very BALANCED approach.. it is to give some of the wealth back to the middle class. I am sure if a guy who make $20000+ a month won’t miss $600 more in taxes and will still drive around in his luxury vehicle! but I can sure use $50 extra in pocket every month right now!!

236. pv | 10.27.08

When you fall in love to Obama or any candidates, you always look beyond what he did in the past and how bad that is. You don’t want to live in communism or socialism country, do you? Uses your hearts but also your brain… just a thought

237. TK | 10.27.08

Face it folks,the middle class pays for everything!
The wealthiest people don’t, They have Trusts, write-offs etc. All the Politicos are wealthy,they give their constituents just enough to keep them happy and themselves in power!
Wake up, We’re the dummies, Black,White,Green or Purple, Dem. or Rep. doesn’t matter. We can squwak, That’s part of the fun, scratch the skin and they’re the same people with the same agendas pointing across the aisle, blaming the other side for their shortcomings
Remember the Golden Rule “Those who have the Gold rule”!!!
ps. With this current monetary crisis someone will make big bucks do you think it will be you? So Vote and see the BIG difference.
TK

238. Scott | 10.27.08

I’m a liberal, and proud of it. I don’t mind paying taxes for things that our society needs–public schools, national defense, scientific research, national parks, etc. And I think most people would agree that when it comes time to pay for these things, those who earn more should contribute more than those who earn less. Fortunately for me, I’m doing okay this year, and so will pay a little more.

However, there’s a big difference between that and simply taking money from the wealthy and giving it to the middle class just because of some notion of fairness. The purpose should be to finance things that society needs, not to redistribute wealth just for the sake of redistribution. Doing that begins to blur the line between liberalism and socialism.

Right now the top 1% of taxpayers earn 22% of the total income nationally. Certainly there’s a lot of inequality there. But they also pay 40% of the total income tax. The top 5% earn around 37% of the total income, but pay 60% of the total income tax. The top half pay 97% of all income tax. As was pointed out above, a substantial fraction (40%) pay no income tax at all.

I’m a believer in progressive taxation, but given these numbers, it’s hard to argue that the current tax system is unfair to the middle class. Five percent of taxpayers already pay for 60% of government. How much more should we demand of them? We’re almost at a point where the entire cost of government will be paid by only half of the taxpayers. Is that healthy?

It would be one thing if Obama were proposing new taxes to pay for new programs. But he’s proposing new taxes on high earners to give refundable tax credits to other people–people who will actually receive cash from the government. To me, this goes too far. At this point it’s not public investment anymore. It’s just spreading the wealth around.

239. chickc | 10.27.08

People who thinks Obama’s plans are a socialist plot need to think about what they’re saying. Americans have paid taxes for years.

How do you think we pay for the infrastructure (used by the masses) or save animals, pay for law enforcement, build hospitals oh and yes, even paying for welfare programs?

My goodness, I guess that means we’ve been a socialist country since the first taxes were collected. However, Republicans, the free enterprise system does not produce all the services needed by society.

This coming from the same party that disgraced the nation by endorsing torture, assassinations, Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, secret prisons, kidnapping, kangaroo courts, spying on U.S. citizens and undermining America’s Constitution. Some of the least educated, most backwards, most prejudiced Americans we have.

240. Jazzyhue | 10.27.08

I thought this country was the land of the free and home of the brave. Now that the polls are showing Obama way ahead all the GOP can do is scare you so called brave into believing their lies. All they have left is to scare you into thinking that a democratic run country is such a bad thing. We tried it the Republicans way and it turned out disastrous. I am a brave soul that fears nothing. I have no need to lie like the GOP does because I have nothing to hide or fear. They would like it better if this was the home of the cowards and that’s exactly what they are calling all of you that give in to their scare tactics.

241. BlakeEvans | 10.27.08

Redistribution of wealth is commonplace. When I grow my business; I hire more people, and more people share in this wealth. When redistribution is forced on a company, something else happens.

As a company’s total profits decline, this cost is carried on to the consumer. As the price is inflated, a new supply/demand price point is made, which will be lower. As the profits decline, the company must move to minimize overhead. People are laid off. Unemployment benefits begin. Then the money extracted by the government from the business must be used to fund this person’s unemployment.

So what happens when the government doesn’t get to fund it’s projects? It then has to raise taxes on the middle class. So the middle class gets slammed in two directions. Loss of jobs and loss of wages.

Wake up people. When you destroy the cash cow, there will be NO WEALTH to redistribute!

242. FadingFast | 10.27.08

Desperation wrapped in distortion:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a.9RAjNlqSF4&refer=home

Lucas - you beat me to the punch in posting the “Make-Believe Maverick” url. I have no fear of Barack Obama or his economic plan, but John McCain scares the daylights out of me. I admit he once had me fooled with his pose of moderation and “reaching across the aisle”, but given the power of the Presidency, this phony little “Top Gun” will shoot from the hip with little or no forethought or principle. He may think(?) it’s cute to sing “Bomb, bomb Iran, but the last thing we need is to go from moron to maniac in the Oval Office.

243. Purl Gurl | 10.27.08

Only true surprise I find about American presidential elections this year is a vast majority of Obama supporters are adamantly bent on rendering America a pseudo Marxist nation. This call for rendering America a socialist welfare nation by Obama and his supporters, this truly does surprise me.

Quite ironic an American Indian, like me, an American Indian who has every right to “hate” America, is fighting to defend our Spirit of America, fighting to defend our American ideals, fighting to defend our founding principles of Freedom and Democracy.

Appears there is a Free Lunch in life, appears half or more of Americans expect a Free Lunch paid for by hard working successful Americans.

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Give me all I want for free, I am an American! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! I do not have to work for a living, I am an American!

Gimme my welfare check, Barack!

When I was born, my peoples, we Indians, were not granted American citizenship, were not granted a right to vote. We fought long and hard for citizenship and a right to vote. We won.

Today, Americans are fighting for welfare checks in their mailboxes.

I believe I will pack up my family, head back to our Indian lands, then lead a life of honest hard work, of independence and of pride.

Our family enjoys pride, we will never become welfare recipients; we always have and always will earn our lunch.

Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation

244. morebs | 10.27.08

What Obama said on tape was pretty cut and dry; he believes in wealth distribution, aka socialism. There is no defense for his comments, therefore the Obama campaign will continue to blame the messenger.

245. Brooke | 10.27.08

I get completely what Obama means. Even though the civil rights movement, nothing was ever done to ensure equal pay. All minorities with the exception of Asian American’s make significantly less income then white Americans. Nothing was ever done to insure that equal amounts of money were put into the education of black communities, as white communities. Nothing was done to these communities to improve home market values either. So what has happened is even though some African Americans have moved up in society there are still large populations stuck in the same old neighborhoods.

246. Shade | 10.27.08

For all of those who think that the rich is going to punish the poor, don’t be surprised if the rich is totally knocked away, thus making room for more entrepreneurs to rise up. We all know and it’s common sense that the rich oppresses those beneath them.

I like what Obama is talking about because it makes it now easier for the hard working American to now own a business. If I was able to make 250,000 in individual profits, I would be more than happy to pay a little more tax. It hurts me to hear the level of greed in many people voices.

Man, this stuff so glorifies the Bible because the Lord knows exactly what he is talking about and the Lord knows how to take the smoke away from people eyes.

I am not talking any of that fake right wing Christianity legalism, but the true Word of God .

247. Shade | 10.27.08

I see this is a tough issue for everyone. I think if Obama was to become president and raise taxes on the rich, then their will be the greedy rich that will react in a negative way by taking it out on the consumer due to their power.

Nevertheless, for the religious or the agnostic, the Lord is still God over all and believe it or not He stills controls what happens in this country good or bad.

I think it is good that things change in this country, especially in the wealth system. All of the economic turmoil, all of these events happening, God is aware of all such things and to some people disbelief, He is orchestrating all of this.

This may be a good time for some people, study Psalms 37 that talks about the greedy that preys upon the poor and how the Lord deals with them. All of these events are coming to pass.

Fearing the rich and their repercussions isn’t going to matter and for the rich to think that they are in control is a great deception. God controls the money

248. Milkhail B. | 10.27.08

249. Wiz | 10.27.08

What a joke, this race is over and Papi Bama will save us all. He is Marx, Stalin, Castro and Kim Jong Ill’in AND the candy man all rolled into one gloriously marketed package.

250. Derek Douglas | 10.27.08

Only the most stalwart Republican would be blinded not to see the vast redistribution of wealth that has shifted from taxpayers to Government cronies over the past 8 years. The teapot dome scandal pales to what I believe is the most corrupt US Government in the history of the Nation. Mistake #1 was to allow a privileged family to take the seat of power twice. We are not talking Adamses’ here, I’m afraid. Money should not be able to buy the highest office in the land. The Bush - Cheney Family and friends have made billions with the increase in oil prices/war contracts. Most of this is off the backs of the poorest of poor in this country where a greater portion of their income is spent on higher food and gas prices. Keeping the printing presses hot paying for an unjust war has helped to create a meltdown in the world Economy. Future generations of ordinary families will be forced to settle up the tremendous public debt that looms overhead. Senators are indicted nearly every month for fraud and theft. It is a shameful time to be an American, indeed.

251. Paul Bentley | 10.27.08

How shocking! Obama talking about wealth redistribution, when its alright to redistribute the wealth amongst the fat cats that run Wall Street.

252. Audrey Butcher | 10.27.08

We owe and enormous debt because of Bush’s expensive wars. Someone must pay that debt to the Chinese. If we don’t we will become a communist colony. It is only fair that all help pay. McCain lives like a very wealthy man because of his wife and may not think rationally about money.

253. Jim | 10.27.08

McCain is lost and confused and does’nt know which to turn. At least Bush looked like a deer caught in the headlights. With McCain, you don’t even need headlights and that deer is flattened! Can you spell T-O-A-S-T? And *burnt* toast at that! Meanwhile the RNC has descending into yelling, screaming, and finger pointing, total meltdown. I hear resumes are flying all over the place!

254. Ken | 10.27.08

First off, its not about wealth distribution, its about tax fairness. Personally I don’t think there should be any tax breaks now, given that we’re got a 10 TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT. And where did this 10 TRILLION DOLLARS that ALL AMERICAN TAX PAYERS owe, go to… most likely the rich, who generally don’t
pay their fair share of taxes, because they make most of their money from capital gains and not salary, and have tax shelter options open to them.

Yes everyone can attempt to acquire vast amounts of wealth, but the fact is if you make most of your money from salary, and earn less than $250,000 a year, you likelyhood of getting to the point where most of your money is made via capital investiment is very small. I just want everyone to pay their fair share to balance the budget, and reduce the deficit, and its clear that trickle down (the theory that was used to lower taxes on the wealthy) hasn’t succeeded, so now we have to go back to at least Reagan era rates (I don’t think anyone is talking about 70% tax brackets.. but that might be needed to balance the budget and reduce the deficit).

255. matt23 | 10.27.08

–Donald A. Moskowitz

Maybe the democrats share the blame but the republicans authored the bill that repealed the portions of the Glass Steagall act that lead to the regulation of the financial system.

We are not bailing out a few bad mortgages, we are bailing out paper assets and valueless derivative instruments. If it was just a question of bad loans 700 billion could have covered that. We are paying for wildly corrupt and speculative financial practices. Democrats didn’t do that investment bankers did and republicans created the deregulated environment in which to do it.

256. Jeremy | 10.27.08

These post’s show exatly why politics are out of control. How many hundreds here have expressed strong feelings about one politician or the other with “facts” that they believe are right. Politicians are all sleazy, McCain and yes even or maybe especially Obama. We as voters will never be able to vote on where the candidates stand on the issue because they only stand for issues that are popular right then. Both candidates have changed course so many time this election it makes your head turn. You have no idea what Obama will do once he gets in because you have no idea who he is or what he stands for. Every “Fact” about how great he is is followed but a “fact” of how he is a terrorist. We will all find out soon enough. What politician hasn’t promised something great while campaigning to forget about that promise come inaguration day. Good luck to all of you who REALLY believe in either of these guys.

257. Jim Berryman | 10.27.08

Senator McCain, you just found this out ?? It is 7 years old where have you been ?? this is not news!! I am not happy about your suggestion that the government should buy up loans at my expense when I have been responsible and paid my loans and not over extended myself. Obama’s plan is not perfect by any stretch but, what a joke your plan is.

258. Michelle/colorado | 10.27.08

I think this is the most ridiculus audio i’ve ever heard…Why are there so many cuts in the recording of this? Sounds like someone is trying to play hardball again..give up McCain/Palin it’s not going to work anymore. why when someone like Obama is trying to help the Middle Class everyone is having a fit…Come on people wake up! That is why the Rich are Rich because the Republicans Like to help themselves and not the Midlle Class or the Poor. Someone needs to make a change and that someone will be Barack Obama!!

Soon this will be over….Soon

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

259. Rex | 10.27.08

Pity the poor lazy fools who fell for Obama’s sucker punch. They voted to trade freedom for security and revenge against “the rich” who in fact are their employers.

When their employers can no longer make a profit, they fire the fools who work for them so that, in the end, the fools have neither freedom nor security nor revenge…nor do they deserve it…adapted from Ben Franklin

Welcome to Obama’s Amerika, komrade…to each according to his need, from each according to his abilities…Karl Marx

260. Deborah | 10.27.08

I can’t believe that you all think the middle class is going to get that redistribution. I am a working mother of 3 and just making it on 12.00hr an I can’t get food stamps or any help from our government. I have not own my own house and American Dream and I am almost 50yrs old I have 3 diploma’s and still can’t get paid any more than what I am making. Redistribution Whoo Baby I already give Medicaid money out of my check and what I give them I could be putting into my own 401K…but I am help people in LA and around the world to get a house car and everything else that they ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE…What about me…Redistribute NO WAY NO HOW. So of you College kids need to see what are welfare system does for people that do not want to work because they have it made on welfare people like me pay for them to eat bonbon’s all day while I work for 12.00hr and pay for my own Insurance and still pay my taxes and Medicaid to those that don’t

261. Shakes | 10.27.08

McCain is apparently horrified by the idea of spreading the wealth, but he seems quite comfortable with the idea of concentrating the wealth in the hands of a few - just as we’ve seen happening through the Bush years.

But do businesses do better when supported by government tax breaks and subsidies, or when they have a large middle class that can afford to buy their products?

Both candidates will maintain the system of progressive taxation. They will both be taxing the rich at a higher rate than the poor. The big difference here is whether or not to let the Bush tax cuts expire. McCain says no. Obama says yes, but only for the two highest earning brackets. Those making $250,000 a year or more would see their tax “burden” increase by 3%-5%.

But either way, with a progressive tax system the rich pay higher taxes than the poor or the middle class. And that tax money is “redistributed” to everyone through infrastructure, security, education, etc.

McCain won’t increase the tax rate on the rich, but unless he wants to propose a flat tax, then he, like Obama, is still going to be taxing the rich at a higher rate in order to benefit the rest of us. Which is to say, he’s going to spread some of their wealth around.

If that’s socialism, then McCain is a socialist, and all of us have been living in a socialist country for decades.

262. Jill | 10.28.08

Once again McCain shows he is not a man of straight talk. Again he totally misrepresents the conversation, and context of the material he quotes. In a soundbite game, we can even make McCain sound like he is a communist and wants to start world war III, but it would be just as deceitful. Truely, the man is showing daily that he is not a man of character, but is a character. And a mean spirited one at that. A vote for McCain Palin is a vote backwards for our great nation.

263. Don C. | 10.28.08

What is greedy? An excessively or inordinately desire of wealth, profit, etc.

So who is more greedy…the person that pursues excessive wealth or profit via his/her self sacrifice or people who desire the excessive wealth of others without any self sacrifices?

Just a question that you may want to mul over.

Keep in mind that if you take away the excessive of the truly greedy and spread it out amongst the covenant masses the covenant masses will not prosper.

Do some math.

Lets say the US population is 300 Million and 200 million work. Lets say 2% of the 200 million (which is 4 million) are going to get taxed at a higher rate. Lets say those 4 million people make an average of $1 million. $1 million times 4 million (people) is $4 trillion.

That seems like a lot doesn’t it? Lets continue.

The tax increase is going to be a 4% capital gains tax. 4% of $4 trillion is $160 billion. Remember we just supplied $700 billion to prop up an entire economy. Still seems like a lot doesn’t it? Again, lets continue.

That will be distributed amongst the 196 million who will not get taxed. What is $160 billion divided by 196 million?

$816…no more zeros after that.

Will that create wealth in your household? by the way, the less you make, the less is your piece of the pie. So some may about $500 while others might get about $1000.

However, what is $816 divided by 52 (weeks in a year) and you may get a whopping $15 a week!!!!

You probably want more than that to make a change in you life. So keep tearing apart the structure until your greed is satisfied but the economy will be wrecked in the meantime. Greed is not good either way but it makes no sense to partake in it.

264. Whatever | 10.28.08

What is most disturbing is what Obama said about the Constitution: That it has been understood in terms of negative limits, as our Founders intended.

HE wants it to be understood in terms of what government MUST do for the people.

That is NOT what the Founders intended.

The Constitution was intended to place limits on the government so that people had the liberty to pursue their own happiness.

It was not intended to establish a big government that does everything for us.

Those of you who do not understand this need to take remedial American history.

We should all be very concerned about such an interpretation.

265. matt23 | 10.28.08

I meant to say that it is the Republicans that led to the DEREGULATION of the financial system, not the regulation of it.

266. alex | 10.28.08

This amounts to now-standard GOP strategy: find something sufficiently close to what you’re trying to argue, yell it at the top of your lungs, and hope nobody pays attention. Obama was clearly saying that the tragedy was that the civil rights movement got narrow-mindedly stuck in courts.

McCain claimed that Obama said one of the “tragedies” of the civil rights movement is that it didn’t bring about a redistribution of wealth in our society… even suggested that he’s QUOTING the man.

So when McCain said: “I strongly believe that we must resist our worst fears. Never surrender!” … then I guess it’d be fair for Obama to quote McCain as saying “I strongly believe that we must… surrender!”

Make sense.

267. john | 10.28.08

>My biggest curiosity regarding this “redistribution of wealth” argument against Obama and his campaign is that under the current administration there has been the fastest redistribution of wealth in our current history from the middle class into the pockets of the mega-wealthy. So why, when the flux of money goes in that direction, is it not a “redistribution”, but if it goes from the wealthy to the middle class it is considered such? Trickle down economics is a redistribution of wealth as well.

Well you think that because you find red-baiting amusing. Others go crazy over it. Just look at some of these comments (I WILL NOT PAY FOR SOMEONE WHO WON’T WORK - You really think the CEOs we bailed out were working that hard?)

268. tim | 10.28.08

>The only people that seem to want redistribution are the ones that are to lazy to work hard.

You can’t be serious. The richest man in America (and the world) supports Obama, as do many other top 1% income earners.

269. teacher | 10.28.08

To all of you middle class bloggers,
try being one of the fools (like me) who makes the ridiculous decision to be a teacher and educate our nation’s kids.. rich and poor. Try to afford the american dream… supporting your family on less than 40k a year. (buying a house is not even a consideration) No wonder good teachers are leaving the profession in droves.

I love being a teacher, take pride in my work and work VERY hard for the money they earn, unfortunately I have had to consider other options. At least Obama is talking about higher pay for those of us who decide to stick it out so he gets my vote.

270. Purl Gurl | 10.28.08

A different perspective for readers.

My husband and I were born to poverty on a rural Oklahoma farm, literally on a farm. Born ignorant and penniless, we have worked our fingers to the bone for decades to arrive at a position in life of comfortable wealth. We worked our way out of poverty to wealth, worked really hard.

Last fiscal year we paid a fifty-three percent tax rate, a combined personal income tax, capital gains tax and other taxes. More than half of our income is taken away by taxes, not including typical retail taxes. We estimate under an Obama administration, our tax liability will move up ten percent, to about a sixty-three percent tax rate. Under a McCain administration, our total tax rate will be significantly reduced.

High taxes, this annoys us. However, what really angers us is our family, including our daughter, will be carrying the weight of a majority of Americans upon our backs. Bad enough as is, but Obama will make this worse by taking away our hard earned money then giving our money to those who pay no taxes, to those who do not contribute as much to America, to those who do not work as hard as our family.

Obama will render our family a welfare agency, in fact. This is his plan.

Our family response, should Obama be elected, will be to cash out much of our stock market investments, cash out our real estate investments, cash out almost all our investment holdings. We will do this to lower and hopefully eliminate our tax exposure. Millions of other families, I am sure, will do the same. We will withdraw our family money from America.

Obama will prompt many to take actions which will lead to economic disaster for America.

Our family is extremely angry about this prospect of carrying the weight of Americans upon our backs which includes, most likely, you readers.

Our family was born to poverty. We worked our way out of poverty, on our own with no help from any nor our government. None of us have ever collected unemployment benefits, never have received food stamps nor received welfare. We have pride. We work hard. We carry our own weight as all people should.

Where is your pride? Why should our family have to carry your weight upon our backs?

Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation

271. bluedog_in_redstate | 10.28.08

You know what kills me about this whole “redistribution of wealth” strawman? The hypocrisy. We have a bunch of neo-conservative fiscal fascists claiming to be the bastion of Christian right while touting the glories of unchecked capitalism. What did the Bible say about “redistribution of wealth”?

For example:

Jer. 22:3. Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Luke 12:33. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.”

Luke 3:11. And [John the Baptist] would answer and say to them, “Let the man with two tunics share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise.”

Mt. 5:42. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Prov. 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.
Jer. 22:16 “Did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is that not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD.

Deut. 15:10. You shall give generously to [your poor brother], and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.

Prov. 19:17. He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.

…and my favorite…

Mt. 6:24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Money.”

So…where in there exactly does is say “redistribution of wealth is bad”? Or is Jesus, in fact, a Socialist? Somewhere, a wingnut’s brain just exploded.

272. DCX2 | 10.28.08

Sue #234 - Obama’s tax plan only cuts taxes for working families (like your server). People who do not work (say, the homeless bum you gave $10 to) will not get money back.

273. Paul | 10.28.08

There’s a problem with the idea that all wealth is earned and all hard work is rewarded. I used to work with a guy who, after 30 years working for the same company, had gotten “raises” up to my starting salary. This devoted employee lived in a dingy little apartment. Meanwhile, the owner of the company lived in a $1 million+ house. I don’t begrudge her the right to become wealthy for being a successful business person. But given the peanuts she was paying this other guy, I don’t think all of her take-home pay was really “hers.” I think she took home a lot of wealth off of his productivity. In this case, raising her taxes is a way to take back some of his money. It’s one example, but I think it applies broadly across the U.S. economy.

274. Marimba | 10.28.08

I don’t understand McCain’s concern about redistribution of wealth when that is what has been going on during the Bush administration. The difference is that in the Bush administration, the redistribution was going in favor of the wealthiest, to the detriment of the middle class. I believe McCain’s only real concern is about the change in the direction of the redistribution.

275. LeoDaK | 10.28.08

Purl Girl,
You sound sincere, but I’m puzzled: Where is there a 53% tax rate? Isn’t the highest rate 36%? And Obama is proposing it go up to (horrors) 39%? Are you talking about a state tax, or what? Thanks.

276. whatalongroaditis | 10.28.08

“To take from one, because it is thought that his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare others, who, or whose fathers have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, ‘the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry, and the fruits acquired by it.’”
– Thomas Jefferson

277. LeoDaK | 10.28.08

Thank you Bluedog in Red State and thank you Paul, for some specific examples from two very different contexts!

278. DCX2 | 10.28.08

whatalongroaditis - Nice quote, except that there are plenty of people who work hard and don’t make much money, and there are plenty of people who screw their company and walk away millionaires (like Carly Fiorina)

In case you didn’t notice, Obama’s tax plan gives a tax credit to working people. Working people are, by definition, not on welfare.

279. Romas | 10.28.08

We could ignore innuendo and speculation regarding Senator Obama’s words and look at someone with a clear record..
Sarah Palin, for instance.
As governor of Alaska she imposed a windfall profits tax on the oil companies and distributed dividends directly to the citizens of Alaska. Free money.. A check, right there in the mailbox. Maybe a couple grand a year.
How’s that for spreading the wealth?
And John McCain is sooo proud. Because that’s not socialism. That’s being a Maverick.

280. Purl Gurl | 10.28.08

Romas writes, “As governor of Alaska she imposed a windfall profits tax on the oil companies and distributed dividends directly to the citizens of Alaska…How’s that for spreading the wealth?”

Romas, you are playing Obama’s deceitful game. This is not socialist spreading the wealth. Those oil and mineral reserves in Alaska belong to the people of Alaska in the name of the state. This is no different than a rancher in West Texas selling mineral rights then collecting royalty payments on oil being pumped up from under his land. This is a very common practice.

Sarah Palin has created a huge budget surplus for the state of Alaska. So much so, she is sending “royalty” payments to Alaskan citizens to help out families. Alaska has more money than can be spent, thanks to Sarah Palin.

Palin is NOT taxing citizens then giving away their money. This is what Obama plans to do; take money from families then give this money to others.

You readers, do NOT be fooled by Obama and do NOT be fooled by Obama supporters. Both Obama and his supporters practice deceit.

Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation

281. Steven from AL | 10.28.08

To #4 Andrew who posted…

“If you go to church the paster will tell you to spread your wealth around and help people yet the far right wing so called religious Palin says its a bad thing.

Leave it to the republicans to say helping the less fortunate is a bad thing”

Does this mean that charity now begins at the House (of Representatives) instead of the HOME?

Let us try to remember the original intent of our Constitution as one of the “flawed” (as Obama put it) founding fathers stated, “The U. S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself.” Benjamin Franklin

282. Purl Gurl | 10.29.08

LeoDak asks about taxes. I provided a well written and a very sincere article for you LeoDak. My article was published here, yesterday. I am noting my article is removed today. Published yesterday, censored out today.

Now you see it, now you don’t. Perhaps some Obama supporters or the Obama campaign people complained my article is simply too truthful. I would not be surprised because I am banished from the Obama campaign website. Obama does not like Muslim women and Obama does not like American Indian women. I suspect Obama simply does not like women.

My presumption is Jimmy Orr with the Christian Science Monitor does not want readers to learn of Obama’s deception about his tax policy and how his tax policy will lead to economic destruction, or Jimmy Orr is fearful of Obama.

Rather unfortunate the Christian Science Monitor practices censorship to prevent readers from learning of truth about Obama.

Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation

283. Mike from NY | 10.29.08

I’m sure you all know the saying, but I will say it anyway:
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!!

1. BallotVox » Blog Archive » Redistribution of Wealth | 10.27.08