It is time to ACT!

[Joe Nation]

This is a tough, tough situation by any standard. The sad part is that we probably haven't seen the worst of it yet. If we ever needed the government to step up and take care of their citizens, the time is now. People are facing the prospect of catching a deadly disease and possibly spreading it to their families by gong to a job that isn't safe or staying home and running out of resources to even meet their most basic needs, or relying on help from both state and federal governments.

We are a wealthy country. The wealthiest country in fact. We could help the neediest people. Those left with no other choices if we only decided to open up the pharaoh's grain bins and feed the least fortunate. We should institute a massive tax on the wealthiest Americans as a temporary emergency measure and save this country from the terrible choices we have to make. Life or death isn't an exaggeration at this point. This is no time to debate economic principles or scream Socialism. It is time to act for the good of the country or admit that we don't give a damn about the least among us.

[Newest Reality]

1. I agree..

I agree with your altruism. It makes perfect sense. It is a pragmatic solution.

However, there is a misunderstanding about this being a wealthy country. Since capitalism concerns the right to ownership as one of its principles, those that have the wealth own the wealthy country, so to speak.

Fifty-years of Neo-Liberal policies have forged that into an iron wall that exists between THEIR wealthy country and the rest of us who are either trying to hold on to a middle-class existence or are already out the door, in essence, negotiating abject poverty, (in numbers which will be growing immensely).

Considering how gross inequality in a silent class war that they have already won means that most of us combined hold a small amount of the wealth, (many have negative net worth and debt) and assets, while a small group holds a very large portion of it by comparison, we are not in a position to do much at all, especially when our government is totally unconcerned with the status of nearly half of Americans. Our policies our influenced by lobbyists who make their demands known and get them signed into law. They are never altruistic.

In a sense, we are now victims of a war that was taboo to even speak of because, if you spoke about the real, underlying problem then: socialist = communist, etc. There is a caste system in this country, it just goes without mention.

With that in mind there will have to be a strong will, a long struggle, an unprecedented amount of participation and some good, responsible and concerned leadership in order to even begin a transformation and restructuring that would make your great suggestion possible. Otherwise, all things considered, it is a nice thought and wishful thinking, especially now that the curtains are open and the props are being pulled away and we get to see the brick wall at the back of the theater.

[Hoyt]

2. Don't think now is time for a "massive tax on wealthy," but it's clear society, businesses,

government, and wealthy need to cut a new deal.

Most of wealthy’s wealth is on paper. A massive tax would reduce that to a small amount, while wrecking most businesses and our economic future. We might live off that for a year or two, but then what?

We need to elect leaders who transition us to some more like Scandinavia countries. Of course, they are having issues with CV19, just like everyone else.