A couple of months ago, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) was asked about wealthy people like Warren Buffett who believe they should pay more in taxes for the nation's benefit. The Republican governor said they should "shut up" and rely on a voluntary system in which the rich pay more to the treasury, but only if they want to.
Associated Press
And while Christie added, "I'm tired of hearing about it," Stephen King responded this week, "I'm not tired of talking about it." The best-selling author, whose success has made him very wealthy, argued in colorful terms, "Tax me for f@%&'s sake."
It's true that some rich folks put at least some of their tax savings into charitable contributions.... What charitable 1 percenters can't do is assume responsibility -- America's national responsibilities: the care of its sick and its poor, the education of its young, the repair of its failing infrastructure, the repayment of its staggering war debts. Charity from the rich can't fix global warming or lower the price of gasoline by one single red penny. That kind of salvation does not come from Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Ballmer saying, "OK, I'll write a $2 million bonus check to the IRS." That annoying responsibility stuff comes from three words that are anathema to the Tea Partiers: United American citizenry.
What of those wealthy Republicans who insist they shouldn't apologize for their riches? King isn't impressed with this argument, either.
What some of us want ... is for you to acknowledge that you couldn't have made it in America without America..... I don't want you to apologize for being rich; I want you to acknowledge that in America, we all should have to pay our fair share. That our civics classes never taught us that being American means that -- sorry, kiddies -- you're on your own. That those who have received much must be obligated to pay -- not to give, not to "cut a check and shut up," in Governor Christie's words, but to pay -- in the same proportion. That's called stepping up and not whining about it. That's called patriotism, a word the Tea Partiers love to throw around as long as it doesn't cost their beloved rich folks any money.
It seems to me Stephen King should start a political blog. I'd read it.
Leave a Comment:
See, Shooter, here is where you go wrong:
A civilization makes a collective investment in its future, the benefits of which are reaped by subsequent generations. Take, as an analogy, a family farm. When the land is first cleared, it is full of stumps and rocks. The first generation works hard and improves the soil, removing rocks and adding manure and compost. It receives a subsistence level return, but it improves all the time. The next generation improves it further, adding outbuildings, storage for sileage, hay, and seed. While life improves, there is still a focus on building for the future, investing in improvements, and putting away for hard times.
Now comes the present day Republican generation, which denies the very premise of collective investment. Instead, they eat the seed corn, over plant the fields, sell the livestock, and deny any obligation to pay for mEaintenance and improvement on the basis that "they" -- their generation -- earned what they have.
No, they didn't. Their parents and grandparents built the civilization -- the farm -- that created the environment in which they could reap these benefits. They have an obligation -- a social contract -- to pay forward what they cannot pay back. It is time for them -- for you -- to suck it up and behave like honorable men and women who recognize the great debt you owe your country.
I, hope he scared the fair share hell out of those who take much and give little!
Perhaps you've missed the part where I demonstrate that they pay more than their fair share upthread?
If I followed the lead of the greedy rich (not all rich are greedy), then why should I buy American? Why should I buy from the companies that they run, if I can get it cheaper from Canada, or China or Mexico?
so you trust WB- interesting- in any event- what is a fare share- I do not get all of this - seems more like a desire to punish those that have been successful- I agree that if your are making minimum wage it is very tough to survive- but how will increasing the marginal rate or increasing cap gains rates change that?
"It seems to me Stephen King should start a political blog. I'd read it." Absolutely.
It's too bad that the ultra-conservatives who claim to support the teachings of Jesus Christ so much forgot the part about not laying your treasure up on earth. The pursuit of unimaginable wealth and power at the expense of all and everyone else is a SIN. I love King's books and respect his political beliefs.
Shooter says: "A large majority (270, or 68%) were entirely self-made billionaires who started from little or nothing."
Which serves only to prove Stephen King's point that they owe their wealth to being able to live in America. Ingrates, (most) all of them.
shooter works for the Koch brothers.
A graduated flat tax without any loopholes would insure that everyone would pay tax. The income tax should apply to all income and the SSI cap should be removed. If we had a single payer and an individual mandate syatem for health care, it would solve our health care problems.
Unfortunately the far right has it in their heads that the rich will save this country by cutting their taxes so they will keep jobs in this country. It has never worked and it isn't going to work. The really unnerving thing is the vast majority of these people believe the lies they have been told. We need a fair tax system in this country and a responsible spending policy. We have neither. The far right think that less government (meaning less taxes and spending) will rescue them from the debt. It won't work either because the right doesn't want less government. They continually overreach into our homes, our doctor's offices and our everyday decisions. They only want less government when it comes to their taxes, not ours. They only talk less government to get elected, then reach into our lives. It is a lie that far too many middle class people have swallowed, but they will learn the hard way like everyone else. They are all up in arms about Obamacare and the individual mandate. Well, my take on it is that it is about time!!! I am tired of paying for all those uninsured who clog our healthcare system and then file bankruptcy because they can't pay. We (taxpayers) are paying for that in many ways, so I am all for Obamacare. It is not any different than requiring car owners to carry insurance on their cars so uninsured drivers don't drive up insurance costs for responsible people who do carry insurance on their cars. I am tired of paying for irresponsible people who cost the rest of us so much in higher costs. Shooter is all for a flat tax...LOL!!! You will never get that through Congress because they won't raise taxes on any of the rich and it won't work unless all taxpayers and corporations are included.
The political / criminal scam will soon be exposed and neither party will win. Then America will really have something to talk about. I agree - 100% - every American owes a debt to this nation and "boys" it is time to pay up! That goes for every politician, every judge and every man in America, including the Governor of Maine.
Maine's Federal Case # 2:09-582 should go public - before the 2012 ELECTIONS, don't you think? (How about you: Jeb+Papa Bush and Obama?) Then election fraud can't be added to the crimes already committed, by those who should be protecting this incredible country!
OCCUPY America is ready to begin! And paying your dues will be on top of that list! You're doing a great job, Ms. Maddow. Continue to confront America! And the rest of you - join in!
Regards, from the millionaire on foodstamps - who can't wait to pay her taxes!