The Must See Chart (This Is What Class War Looks Like)

[signalmankenneth]

This will be a very short diary. I just wanted to get this chart out there. I originally received it as a post by the Facebook group "The Christian Left." This chart puts the class war in simple, visual terms. On the left you have the "shared sacrifices" and "painful cuts" that the Republicans claim we must make to get our fiscal house in order. On the right, you can plainly see WHY these cuts are "necessary." The reason? Because we already gave away all that money to America's wealthiest individuals and corporations.

This just mirrors what we're seeing in Wisconsin, where Governor Walker (R-Koch) claims that ordinary public sector workers need to fork over at least $137 million to save the budget. Problem is, he just gave away $117 million in tax breaks for his corporate pals. This is out and out class warfare. The big corporations in America have decided that they can get even richer by raiding the public treasury. It's time for the middle class to stand up and defend itself!

And it's good to see that an aggressive Middle-Class Defense is already under way in Wisconsin. Following the chart is my video tribute to those courageous men and women who have woken up, smelled the coffee, and started to roll!

by Greywolfe359

 

[cawacko]

Ken, are you Greywolfe 359? If not who is he/she?

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

"Class War" is when you dishonestly portray things like your little "chart" which doesn't really indicate anything, other than another 'class warrior's' attempt at propaganda. You need to divide us... it's very easy to recruit new warriors... most everyone is envious of the wealthy, and most everyone is subject to jealousy. You need to keep us divided. So what if you have to outright LIE to do it? By continuing the 'War on The Rich', you can keep Socialists in power, and that's really what this is all about.

 

[Lowaicue]

"Class War" is when you dishonestly portray things like your little "chart" which doesn't really indicate anything, other than another 'class warrior's' attempt at propaganda. You need to divide us... it's very easy to recruit new warriors... most everyone is envious of the wealthy, and most everyone is subject to jealousy. You need to keep us divided. So what if you have to outright LIE to do it? By continuing the 'War on The Rich', you can keep Socialists in power, and that's really what this is all about.

Some people are envious, it's true, but some people, and I count myself as one, understand the way many rich people have accumulated their millions by unfair, unethical and often illegal ways. They have an undue influence upon the forming and policing of laws which actively reduce the power and rights of ordinary people LIKE YOU (cant you see that??).
The war is not, or should not, be against the rich. It should be against the corrupt. The cheats. The manipulators.
We are going to need a very long wall to put them all up against.

 

[signalmankenneth]

Who is Greywolfe 359?

Ken, are you Greywolfe 359? If not who is he/she?

No I'm signalmankenneth!

http://www.dailykos.com/user/greywolfe359

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

Some people are envious, it's true, but some people, and I count myself as one, understand the way many rich people have accumulated their millions by unfair, unethical and often illegal ways. They have an undue influence upon the forming and policing of laws which actively reduce the power and rights of ordinary people LIKE YOU (cant you see that??).
The war is not, or should not, be against the rich. It should be against the corrupt. The cheats. The manipulators.
We are going to need a very long wall to put them all up against.

Way many MORE rich people never delve into politics, and don't give a shit what politicians do, nor did they become rich by illegal or unethical means. This is the stereotype Class Warriors like Ken would like for you to believe, and it's frankly, despicable. There has never been one ounce of evidence, that even a substantial number of wealthy people, didn't earn their wealth honestly! The overwhelming and vast majority, worked hard, had determination, set goals, and were over-achievers. Plain and simple, some people have that and some people don't... it has nothing to do with dishonesty or lack of ethics.

You are right, we should ALL stand against corruption and dishonesty, but one does not have to be "wealthy" to be corrupt or dishonest.

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

You see, this is the classic method for converting people to Socialist systems. It is exactly how most of Europe became "socialized." You take this group over here, who have very little, and you get them angry at that group over there, who have great wealth. Socialism promises to fix all of that, and 'even the field' for everyone! So, someone who has very little, is intrigued by the prospects of having a better life, at the cost of those 'unethical' wealth people over there. The problem with Socialist systems is, the corruption is never addressed. What you end up with, is a "ruling class" who governs over the "working class" who still has very little by comparison. And once you've dismantled capitalism, there is no escaping poverty for the working class, any 'extra' you earn, goes to the 'ruling class' for re-disbursement to the others....except, it actually goes into the corrupt pockets of the 'ruling class' and no one goes anywhere.

Take a look at my thread "My, my, my..." it contains a very good example of Capitalism at work! Here's a guy, Antoine Dodson, living in the projects... dirt poor... and through a twist of fate, ends up becoming an internet phenomenon due to his embarrassingly passionate plea to the news camera. Now, in a Socialist society, any monetary compensation Antoine received for his notoriety, would be confiscated by the government to be redistributed to the collective. But... in a Capitalist society, Antoine was able to "capitalize" on his opportunity, and is now sitting pretty. It's just a great illustration of why our Capitalist system is superior to Socialism, and always will be.

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

Awwww.... look at this!

The Must See Chart... 03-11-2011 08:55 PM Schadenfreude Groaned Post

I guess schidtforbrains didn't have the moral fiber to actually come here and debate the topic with me, or refute anything I had to say.... so he just left a stinky instead! Awww... how cute! Thanks moron... to me, 'groans' and 'thanks' are the same thing... it means I am getting a response! Keep showing me how much influence I have over you!

 

[Lowaicue]

Way many MORE rich people never delve into politics, and don't give a shit what politicians do, nor did they become rich by illegal or unethical means. This is the stereotype Class Warriors like Ken would like for you to believe, and it's frankly, despicable. There has never been one ounce of evidence, that even a substantial number of wealthy people, didn't earn their wealth honestly! The overwhelming and vast majority, worked hard, had determination, set goals, and were over-achievers. Plain and simple, some people have that and some people don't... it has nothing to do with dishonesty or lack of ethics.

You are right, we should ALL stand against corruption and dishonesty, but one does not have to be "wealthy" to be corrupt or dishonest.

I am glad, but not complimented, that we agree.

 

[Bfgrn]

Way many MORE rich people never delve into politics, and don't give a shit what politicians do, nor did they become rich by illegal or unethical means. This is the stereotype Class Warriors like Ken would like for you to believe, and it's frankly, despicable. There has never been one ounce of evidence, that even a substantial number of wealthy people, didn't earn their wealth honestly! The overwhelming and vast majority, worked hard, had determination, set goals, and were over-achievers. Plain and simple, some people have that and some people don't... it has nothing to do with dishonesty or lack of ethics.

You are right, we should ALL stand against corruption and dishonesty, but one does not have to be "wealthy" to be corrupt or dishonest.

You are right, 'one does not have to be "wealthy" to be corrupt or dishonest', but one does have to be wealthy to have the power to enact or influence corrupt or dishonest laws and policies.

From the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the 20th century was aptly called the Gilded Age. Corruption and dishonesty of the wealthy and the corporations was unregulated and had almost complete control of government. And the wealth disparity in America reflected those conditions.

We are now living in the NEW Gilded Age.

The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Cliché, sure, but it's also more true than at any time since the Gilded Age.

The poor are getting poorer, wages are falling behind inflation, and social mobility is at an all-time low.

If you're in that top 1%, life is grand.

Not so for the other 99%

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/15-c...d-inequality-in-america-2010-4##ixzz1GNBxJfzk



The gap between the top 1% and everyone else hasn't been this bad since the Roaring Twenties

Income gap continues to grow

The last two decades were great...if you were a CEO or owner. Not if you were anyone else.

Real average earnings have not increased in 50 years

And savings rates are sinking

Despite the myth of social mobility, poor Americans have a SLIM CHANCE of rising to the upper middle class

Republican tax cuts have significantly increased the wealth gap

Meanwhile, income tax is getting lower and lower for the rich

America spreads its wealth FAR LESS than other developed countries

America's income spread is nearly twice the OECD average

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

Stop peddling propaganda, Bfoon. No one is interested in your koolaid!

When you say stupidity like "New Guilded Age" and most intelligent people realize we have the highest corporate tax rate of any industrialized nation, and our wealthy pay the largest proportion of our overall tax burden, you come across as either being completely ignorant, or a political activist with an agenda. No, we don't live in the days of the Robber Barons! That is an exaggeration, again, designed to alarm people into supporting your call for more Socialist solutions. I don't think that is the way we are heading, but thanks for trying once again.

 

[cawacko]

You are right, 'one does not have to be "wealthy" to be corrupt or dishonest', but one does have to be wealthy to have the power to enact or influence corrupt or dishonest laws and policies.

From the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the 20th century was aptly called the Gilded Age. Corruption and dishonesty of the wealthy and the corporations was unregulated and had almost complete control of government. And the wealth disparity in America reflected those conditions.

We are now living in the NEW Gilded Age.

The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Cliché, sure, but it's also more true than at any time since the Gilded Age.

The poor are getting poorer, wages are falling behind inflation, and social mobility is at an all-time low.

If you're in that top 1%, life is grand.

Not so for the other 99%

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/15-c...d-inequality-in-america-2010-4##ixzz1GNBxJfzk



The gap between the top 1% and everyone else hasn't been this bad since the Roaring Twenties

Income gap continues to grow

The last two decades were great...if you were a CEO or owner. Not if you were anyone else.

Real average earnings have not increased in 50 years

And savings rates are sinking

Despite the myth of social mobility, poor Americans have a SLIM CHANCE of rising to the upper middle class

Republican tax cuts have significantly increased the wealth gap

Meanwhile, income tax is getting lower and lower for the rich

America spreads its wealth FAR LESS than other developed countries

America's income spread is nearly twice the OECD average

Dude, you lose all moral high ground by rooting for the Yankees. They are the rich evil capitalist that you usually dislike/hate but for some reason like in them. No one who is a fan of the evil empire can then claim to be all compassionate and caring about the poor.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

If you don't believe that the very wealthiest in this nation are waging an aggressive class war against the middle class in this nation look at the 3 cornerstones of Government policy that are critical for promoting a strong middle class.

Social Safety Nets
Education
Collective bargaining

Then look at what policies the right wing have been advocating. Reducing social entitlements benefits, reductions in education spending and elimination of collective bargaining rights. These are not proactive attempts to balance the budget folks.

Then consider that just a small increase in the top marginal tax rates would virtually eliminate the budget gap.

The right wing has been very successful on their attacks on the later two. They have been ruthless in denying people their rights to organize for their fair share of the economic pie with the result that we now have the largest disparity of wealth since the 1920's and look at the state of education. Education of the three cornerstones is the most important issue affecting the middle class and look where Republicans stand. They have fought aggressively to undermine our public education system, to deny it resources, to support private education for the wealthy at tax payers expense while making a college education unaffordable for the majority of people. These days you can virtually forget about having a middle class life style with out advanced education of some type, either via a college education or skills training in the trades yet the cost for a college education has risen far above the cost of inflation and even those in the upper middle class cannot afford to send their kids to private colleges where the cost of a 4 year degree exceeds $100,000.

Now look at entitlements. They now want you to work longer for less benefits before you can retire when just a modest adjustment for the rate of inflation in the pay roll tax ceiling would put social security back into surpluses far into the future and look at how viciously they fought true health care reform which would save this nation trillions if implemented as the rest of the wealthy industrialized nations have.

 

[evince]

A cycle of boom and bust is great for the wealthy.

It creates great oportunities to make money IF you have money already.

If you are like most Americans and are not more than middle class or a little over you get raped in a boom and bust cycle.


There is very good reason many weathy people would like to see the boom and bust times return for good.

There are also quite a few wealthy who care more about our country than expanding their bank accounts into infinitum and perfer policies that keep our country strong and also make it a great place for all people to live in.

These people support real reform in our system that will cure this stupid mess and return us to the sanity of Glass Steagal which worked very well for decades before the right leaning world started to dismantle it.

 

[Phantasmal]

Stop peddling propaganda, Bfoon. No one is interested in your koolaid!

When you say stupidity like "New Guilded Age" and most intelligent people realize we have the highest corporate tax rate of any industrialized nation, and our wealthy pay the largest proportion of our overall tax burden, you come across as either being completely ignorant, or a political activist with an agenda. No, we don't live in the days of the Robber Barons! That is an exaggeration, again, designed to alarm people into supporting your call for more Socialist solutions. I don't think that is the way we are heading, but thanks for trying once again.

I want some of that kool aide, it will take my mind off the raping of my friends and neighbors

You just don't like the data, so you ridicule it and the person who is trying to educate you.

 

[Based Chad]

"Class War" is when you dishonestly portray things like your little "chart" which doesn't really indicate anything, other than another 'class warrior's' attempt at propaganda. You need to divide us... it's very easy to recruit new warriors... most everyone is envious of the wealthy, and most everyone is subject to jealousy. You need to keep us divided. So what if you have to outright LIE to do it? By continuing the 'War on The Rich', you can keep Socialists in power, and that's really what this is all about.

By continuing your war on non-fascists you enable the fascists. Thats what this is really about.

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

Motthead: If you don't believe that the very wealthiest in this nation are waging an aggressive class war against the middle class in this nation look at the 3 cornerstones of Government policy that are critical for promoting a strong middle class.

Social Safety Nets
Education
Collective bargaining

Then look at what policies the right wing have been advocating.

First of all, I reject your notion that these three things are cornerstones to anything other than socialism and government dependence. They certainly don't promote a strong middle class, if they did, our country would have the strongest and most vibrant middle class in the world, because we've spent more money on those three things, by FAR, than any other nation. This has been going on for 60..70 years now, just how long does it take?

Let's take these one at a time... Social Entitlements... How does paying people to sit on their ass and draw Welfare, HELP the middle class? Honestly, weening them off welfare and requiring they work for a living, is what HELPS the middle class. First of all, it helps by creating more middle class and fewer welfare class. It also saves the middle class a few bucks in taxes. So, welfare reform actually helped the middle class.

How is privatizing Social Security hurting the middle class? If I had invested the money I've paid into the system, I would be wealthy beyond belief right now, and what's more, my wealth could be passed on to my children, I own it! Seems to me that is BETTER for the middle class, than paying into a system our whole life, which isn't going to ever return the amounts we've paid in, much less a dividend!

Education: You socialists want to keep the teachers unions strong, and keep dumping trillions of dollars into an education system that simply is FAILING to educate our kids. How does THIS help the middle class? Wouldn't the middle class be markedly better off, if they could get a voucher for their share of education funding, and teachers had to compete on the basis of merit, for those dollars? Wouldn't the education of our children IMPROVE? Who wants to keep the status quot? Who wants to make our education system BETTER?

Collective bargaining... Who has proposed we get rid of private sector collective bargaining? No one I know of! Scott Walker didn't even want to eliminate collective bargaining for teachers wages, just for health care and pensions... but don't let the FACTS get in the way of your propaganda! It's easier to convince FOOLS that Walker wants to do away with ALL collective bargaining and ALL unions. From there, it's easy to convince IDIOTS that Republicans just want to get rid of ALL collective bargaining and unions in general. None of this has been said or indicated. FDR said public sector collective bargaining was STUPID... was HE opposed to the middle class???

 

[Based Chad]

First of all, I reject your notion that these three things are cornerstones to anything other than socialism and government dependence. They certainly don't promote a strong middle class, if they did, our country would have the strongest and most vibrant middle class in the world, because we've spent more money on those three things, by FAR, than any other nation. This has been going on for 60..70 years now, just how long does it take?

Let's take these one at a time... Social Entitlements... How does paying people to sit on their ass and draw Welfare, HELP the middle class? Honestly, weening them off welfare and requiring they work for a living, is what HELPS the middle class. First of all, it helps by creating more middle class and fewer welfare class. It also saves the middle class a few bucks in taxes. So, welfare reform actually helped the middle class.

How is privatizing Social Security hurting the middle class? If I had invested the money I've paid into the system, I would be wealthy beyond belief right now, and what's more, my wealth could be passed on to my children, I own it! Seems to me that is BETTER for the middle class, than paying into a system our whole life, which isn't going to ever return the amounts we've paid in, much less a dividend!

Education: You socialists want to keep the teachers unions strong, and keep dumping trillions of dollars into an education system that simply is FAILING to educate our kids. How does THIS help the middle class? Wouldn't the middle class be markedly better off, if they could get a voucher for their share of education funding, and teachers had to compete on the basis of merit, for those dollars? Wouldn't the education of our children IMPROVE? Who wants to keep the status quot? Who wants to make our education system BETTER?

Collective bargaining... Who has proposed we get rid of private sector collective bargaining? No one I know of! Scott Walker didn't even want to eliminate collective bargaining for teachers wages, just for health care and pensions... but don't let the FACTS get in the way of your propaganda! It's easier to convince FOOLS that Walker wants to do away with ALL collective bargaining and ALL unions. From there, it's easy to convince IDIOTS that Republicans just want to get rid of ALL collective bargaining and unions in general. None of this has been said or indicated. FDR said public sector collective bargaining was STUPID... was HE opposed to the middle class???

You have made an error. Forcing people to work gluts the labor market and drives wages down.

 

[Dixie - In Memoriam]

You have made an error. Forcing people to work gluts the labor market and drives wages down.

Ahh... So we should instead, force corporations to pay the few who want to work, a higher wage, so it can be confiscated by the government and given to the many who don't want to work? That sounds like a brilliant plan to me!

 

[apple0154]

Some people are envious, it's true, but some people, and I count myself as one, understand the way many rich people have accumulated their millions by unfair, unethical and often illegal ways. They have an undue influence upon the forming and policing of laws which actively reduce the power and rights of ordinary people LIKE YOU (cant you see that??).
The war is not, or should not, be against the rich. It should be against the corrupt. The cheats. The manipulators.
We are going to need a very long wall to put them all up against.

many rich people have accumulated their millions by unfair, unethical and often illegal ways.

That's precisely the problem.