DCUM Class warfare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should I pay 39.5% of my income because, well, I have it? 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all.

If the feds want the dual income professionals to have one spouse SAH, raising taxes is an awesome way to do it.

So that you don't have to live in a walled compound? (I assume you are the type that wouldn't buy the "so I can look myself in the mirror" argument. Or that it would be the Christian thing to do argument)

When taxes are lowered, people don't just sit on the money they don't have to give up. They give more to charity and they spend more on goods and services, which affects other people's businesses and jobs. I can look myself in the mirror with no problem. (I'm not the PP, however).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think on DCUM the warfare is less about money and more about time and effort invested in children (regardless of money). I.e. that big decision between career and staying at home. For most people in DC that decision is more about feelings of responsibility and self-worth, rather than about money.

I don't understand. Even though I work full time, I invest much effort and time in my children. That's a personality and priorities thing, not a matter of whether someone works for pay or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11:18, really? STFU? Seriously? I've been to Brazilian favelas and Kenyan kiberas, I've seen the wealthy barricaded behind barbed wire and cement walls. I will gladly pay more in taxes to live in a more equitable society.

And if you've really been to those societies you'll realize that only in America can some1 come from the bottom and make it to the top. Our system is built on using your own talents. In Kenya a few families have it all and the rest live like paupers, in Brazil you better be of European descent. Again America is the greatest country in the world. Look at the immigrants that show up on our shores and "make it". Year after year, check out your local university you'll see them as TAs or researchers working so hard.

PP, how many countries did you live in to come to this conclusion? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should I pay 39.5% of my income because, well, I have it? 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all.

If the feds want the dual income professionals to have one spouse SAH, raising taxes is an awesome way to do it.

So that you don't have to live in a walled compound? (I assume you are the type that wouldn't buy the "so I can look myself in the mirror" argument. Or that it would be the Christian thing to do argument)

When taxes are lowered, people don't just sit on the money they don't have to give up. They give more to charity and they spend more on goods and services, which affects other people's businesses and jobs. I can look myself in the mirror with no problem. (I'm not the PP, however).

And if you raise my taxes, I'm not going to cut my spending or investing. I'll simply give less to charity. Is that what poor people want?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bet I can count numerous Africans, Indians and Chinese who are waiting for their number to come up to immigrate here. We wont miss a couple of gringos without work ethic who have given up on making this country great.

See, I'd argue that gross inequality is a big problem, and by trying to fight this trend (which has escalated in the past several decades), I'm doing my part to make this country great.

Don't fight income inequality by screwing those working for a living in high paid jobs though.

[Anonymous]

That's what income inequality is all about. We're underpaying people who actually produce things and overpaying people in finance, law, and so on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I work very hard, are well educated with graduate degrees and have been blown to smithereens by this recession. DH was un/underemployed for two years. I work for a non-profit, and so no, I'm not making big law dollars. But I work damn hard and put in long hours. So is our current hardship situation our fault? I don't think so. Were we irresponsible with our money. NO. So I really don't want to hear from the meritocracy that hasn't yet been hit by the recession about how they deserve to be millionaires because they just work so darn hard.

Let's face it, the middle class is getting screwed left, right, and center.

Sorry for your predicament. But lets face it, you had a choice. When you were at your good school you chose to go the nonprofit route and you must have KNOWN that that was the path to riches. It comes with the territory. Don't blame someone who chose a safe profession and went for the money.

It was never my intention to be on a "path to riches". But does that preclude me from a middle class existence? Isn't that the point of this thread? Not everyone can or wants to be a CEO, or a big law partner, but we should all be able to enjoy a decent standard of living that includes health care, shelter, good food, and good schools. Especially if you work hard in school, and work hard in your chosen profession. I reject the premise that I either choose a big earning profession, or I'm screwed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should I pay 39.5% of my income because, well, I have it? 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all.

If the feds want the dual income professionals to have one spouse SAH, raising taxes is an awesome way to do it.

So that you don't have to live in a walled compound? (I assume you are the type that wouldn't buy the "so I can look myself in the mirror" argument. Or that it would be the Christian thing to do argument)

When taxes are lowered, people don't just sit on the money they don't have to give up. They give more to charity and they spend more on goods and services, which affects other people's businesses and jobs. I can look myself in the mirror with no problem. (I'm not the PP, however).

And if you raise my taxes, I'm not going to cut my spending or investing. I'll simply give less to charity. Is that what poor people want?

What is the current fraction of your income that you give to charity? Anyway... I bet you are not rich enough to be in the class for which it would be useful to raise taxes. Very few people are in that bracket, and they don't waste their time on DCUM. Anyway, if your current tax rate is not near 15%, you are not nearly rich enough to be the one of the ones that are not pulling their weight (and you probably never will be)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should I pay 39.5% of my income because, well, I have it? 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all.

If the feds want the dual income professionals to have one spouse SAH, raising taxes is an awesome way to do it.

So that you don't have to live in a walled compound? (I assume you are the type that wouldn't buy the "so I can look myself in the mirror" argument. Or that it would be the Christian thing to do argument)

When taxes are lowered, people don't just sit on the money they don't have to give up. They give more to charity and they spend more on goods and services, which affects other people's businesses and jobs. I can look myself in the mirror with no problem. (I'm not the PP, however).

And if you raise my taxes, I'm not going to cut my spending or investing. I'll simply give less to charity. Is that what poor people want?

I know lots of people in the $1M+ annual income category, including myself, and not a one would say that. It makes me doubt your income and net worth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should I pay 39.5% of my income because, well, I have it? 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all.

If the feds want the dual income professionals to have one spouse SAH, raising taxes is an awesome way to do it.

So that you don't have to live in a walled compound? (I assume you are the type that wouldn't buy the "so I can look myself in the mirror" argument. Or that it would be the Christian thing to do argument)

When taxes are lowered, people don't just sit on the money they don't have to give up. They give more to charity and they spend more on goods and services, which affects other people's businesses and jobs. I can look myself in the mirror with no problem. (I'm not the PP, however).

Actually this is not true. People in the category of $1M+ don't change their consumption patterns much based on small changes in income. It affects what they save, because they typically already save more than they spend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why should I pay 39.5% of my income because, well, I have it? 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all.

If the feds want the dual income professionals to have one spouse SAH, raising taxes is an awesome way to do it.

When taxes are lowered, people don't just sit on the money they don't have to give up. They give more to charity and they spend more on goods and services, which affects other people's businesses and jobs. I can look myself in the mirror with no problem. (I'm not the PP, however).

Actually this is not true. People in the category of $1M+ don't change their consumption patterns much based on small changes in income. It affects what they save, because they typically already save more than they spend.

My father is like that. He has tons of money and just saves it. Nobody needs that much stuff. I guess my children will get a great inheritance, but that doesn't help charity or businesses or anything right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I work very hard, are well educated with graduate degrees and have been blown to smithereens by this recession. DH was un/underemployed for two years. I work for a non-profit, and so no, I'm not making big law dollars. But I work damn hard and put in long hours. So is our current hardship situation our fault? I don't think so. Were we irresponsible with our money. NO. So I really don't want to hear from the meritocracy that hasn't yet been hit by the recession about how they deserve to be millionaires because they just work so darn hard.

Let's face it, the middle class is getting screwed left, right, and center.

Sorry for your predicament. But lets face it, you had a choice. When you were at your good school you chose to go the nonprofit route and you must have KNOWN that that was the path to riches. It comes with the territory. Don't blame someone who chose a safe profession and went for the money.

It was never my intention to be on a "path to riches". But does that preclude me from a middle class existence? Isn't that the point of this thread? Not everyone can or wants to be a CEO, or a big law partner, but we should all be able to enjoy a decent standard of living that includes health care, shelter, good food, and good schools. Especially if you work hard in school, and work hard in your chosen profession. I reject the premise that I either choose a big earning profession, or I'm screwed.

I'm sorry you reject that premise. That's exactly right. That's why I didn't slack off in school, go PT when I had kids, etc. Do you really think I should pay for you rejecting this premise? Grow up.

[Anonymous]

Actually this is not true. People in the category of $1M+ don't change their consumption patterns much based on small changes in income. It affects what they save, because they typically already save more than they spend.

It may not change "consumption" but charitable contributions do not fall under consumption..

And if you raise my taxes, I'm not going to cut my spending or investing. I'll simply give less to charity. Is that what poor people want?


I know lots of people in the $1M+ annual income category, including myself, and not a one would say that. It makes me doubt your income and net worth.

Really?? I know a lot of people who will be cutting back on charitable contributions if taxes go up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sorry you reject that premise. That's exactly right. That's why I didn't slack off in school, go PT when I had kids, etc. Do you really think I should pay for you rejecting this premise? Grow up.

Why should the rest of us be expected to support you with tax expenditures? You benefit from a stable society more than poor people do, or people in precarious positions. Pay your fair share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should I pay 39.5% of my income because, well, I have it? 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax at all.

If the feds want the dual income professionals to have one spouse SAH, raising taxes is an awesome way to do it.

When taxes are lowered, people don't just sit on the money they don't have to give up. They give more to charity and they spend more on goods and services, which affects other people's businesses and jobs. I can look myself in the mirror with no problem. (I'm not the PP, however).

Actually this is not true. People in the category of $1M+ don't change their consumption patterns much based on small changes in income. It affects what they save, because they typically already save more than they spend.

My father is like that. He has tons of money and just saves it. Nobody needs that much stuff. I guess my children will get a great inheritance, but that doesn't help charity or businesses or anything right now.

So let's steal some from him to fund largess. Who cares how hard he worked for it.