True, these Republicans are gutless, greedy cowards. Watching them sell their souls for power and profit isn’t just infuriating — it’s grotesque. They know exactly what they’re doing and they do it anyway. And yes, money must be torn out of politics root and stem. What kind of democracy lets billionaires pull the strings while the rest of us watch our futures evaporate?
You, I, and millions of others are feeling the impact of the rapidly dropping stock market. We rely on our retirement plans to live a relatively comfortable life. Or, for many of us, to simply survive. So our diminishing retirements really matter. However, for multi-millionaires and billionaires like Trump and Musk, as well as Cabinet members and many, if not most, Republicans in Congress, it is a mere blip, representing only abstract paper wealth. Will they survive? Of course.
Between 1965 and 1985, the income tax rate for the super-rich was 70%. They survived. It is all relative. A loss of $150,000 would hurt many families. However, a loss of $750,000 to a billionaire would be equivalent to our losing $1.00. We wouldn’t feel it. They don’t feel it. That is the problem. The super-rich are cushioned. Sure, a significant loss may affect their lifestyle but not their life. They have never felt the pain of not having enough money for necessities; consequently, they have no empathy for those who have. That’s why people like Musk can throw tens of millions of dollars into political campaigns. It’s a drop in the bucket. We need to remove money from politics.
I'm with you on this, Jack. 100%. And like you, I have no sympathy or compassion for those who voted for Trump, especially not the second time. And I have little to no sympathy to those Democrats who pouted and stayed home.
He built his entire base from a false narrative. He couldn't have done it without the muckrakers, and the mass movement that resulted from the election of Obama. The question now is how far he can take it and whether democracy still has a chance. We have seen the enemy, and they are us.
With all the bobble heads in government we have little protection from government leaders elsewhere in the world . My fondest wish is that Trump has a massive stroke. Government holds a special election and Harris wins. Normalizing government.
Hear! Hear! In addition to personal and business financial strain and ruin, local governments invest their fund balances and invest for long term obligations like retirement pensions and medical plans. With investments way down local government budgets are impacted. For some it’s a bit of hardship but for others they may have to cut cut cut. But where? Roads, water, police, fire?
I will not, either.
True, these Republicans are gutless, greedy cowards. Watching them sell their souls for power and profit isn’t just infuriating — it’s grotesque. They know exactly what they’re doing and they do it anyway. And yes, money must be torn out of politics root and stem. What kind of democracy lets billionaires pull the strings while the rest of us watch our futures evaporate?
It's called a "kleptocracy," or perhaps a "kakocracy" and needs a poet to truly describe it!
Jack,
You, I, and millions of others are feeling the impact of the rapidly dropping stock market. We rely on our retirement plans to live a relatively comfortable life. Or, for many of us, to simply survive. So our diminishing retirements really matter. However, for multi-millionaires and billionaires like Trump and Musk, as well as Cabinet members and many, if not most, Republicans in Congress, it is a mere blip, representing only abstract paper wealth. Will they survive? Of course.
Between 1965 and 1985, the income tax rate for the super-rich was 70%. They survived. It is all relative. A loss of $150,000 would hurt many families. However, a loss of $750,000 to a billionaire would be equivalent to our losing $1.00. We wouldn’t feel it. They don’t feel it. That is the problem. The super-rich are cushioned. Sure, a significant loss may affect their lifestyle but not their life. They have never felt the pain of not having enough money for necessities; consequently, they have no empathy for those who have. That’s why people like Musk can throw tens of millions of dollars into political campaigns. It’s a drop in the bucket. We need to remove money from politics.
Hank, I couldn't possibly improve on that excellent summation of the mess we are in!
Best
Jack
I'm with you on this, Jack. 100%. And like you, I have no sympathy or compassion for those who voted for Trump, especially not the second time. And I have little to no sympathy to those Democrats who pouted and stayed home.
He built his entire base from a false narrative. He couldn't have done it without the muckrakers, and the mass movement that resulted from the election of Obama. The question now is how far he can take it and whether democracy still has a chance. We have seen the enemy, and they are us.
With all the bobble heads in government we have little protection from government leaders elsewhere in the world . My fondest wish is that Trump has a massive stroke. Government holds a special election and Harris wins. Normalizing government.
Hear! Hear! In addition to personal and business financial strain and ruin, local governments invest their fund balances and invest for long term obligations like retirement pensions and medical plans. With investments way down local government budgets are impacted. For some it’s a bit of hardship but for others they may have to cut cut cut. But where? Roads, water, police, fire?