Stealing from the Poor

 

Jeez Louise, yesterday was old home week.  Had to call an old friend for work and we got a chat in.  Paul called out of the blue last night and we got a chat in.  Kinda nice.  Decided to take a half day on Friday to hang with the boyos and lay in some supplies.  I think that I may start working on my pantry.  I have a sneaking hunch that food prices are not going down anytime soon.

Today's Screed

Michael's Piece

Stealing from the Poor to Give to the Poor

Why is a politician who wants to help refuges, accused of caring more for refugees than for destitute American citizens? Why is the politician not accused of caring more for refugees than for billionaires? What is the premise that links giving to one destitute human being, with taking from another?

The premise supporting this accusation may not be obvious, but it is the same premise that supported recent tax cuts. The premise is that to distribute the earnings generated by the US economy more equitably, more must be given to the wealthy. According to this premise, the portion of the pot taken to help destitute citizens cannot increase; if there are more destitute, each will get less. 

The accused politician obviously believes that there is not an inherent unfairness in taking more from the pot to help refugees, if not destitute citizens. Thus, what is demonstrated by the accusation itself, is that the accused politician cares more about refugees, than the accuser cares about destitute citizens.

Something is amiss in the wealthiest nation on earth, when it is not absurd to think that the bill for helping refugees, will be paid by destitute citizens.

My Addendum

The power to tax, once conceded, has no limits; it continues until it destroys.

Robert A. Heinlein

I have rarely, if ever, diametrically opposed Michael's thought's.  I think that we are looking at the same thing and agreeing as to the nature of the thing, but I think sometimes that our opinion as to the outcome diverges significantly.

I feel that Michael is still hopeful that common sense and good faith will rise and the inherent goodness of the American people will collectively come to an epiphany of common sense and make the necessary changes in their lives and the life of the nation.

I very much hope that his is the way that the nation will turn.  I very much doubt that this will be the case.

Whether one likes it or not, I feel that we no longer live in a democracy.  The oligopoly that has a stranglehold on the fate of the Republic has no intention of their privileges being degraded.  The are risking complete destruction to maintain them.

The Proletariat have, with some minor exceptions, been viewed as and acted on as tax donkeys.  This in nothing new.