Wages are low because of our tax system...

[kentuck]

The reason we don't have more jobs and better paying jobs in this country is our failure to reform our tax system. Companies get tax breaks to move jobs overseas.

Millions of jobs have left our country and corporations are rewarded for doing so. At the same time, they are holding onto trillions of dollars until Repubs take control so they can return those profits back to America and pay no taxes at all.

Democrats had a chance to reform our tax code and they blew it. The working people have suffered the consequences of our crooked and greedy tax system, under the guise of free trade.

The leaders of this country, both Parties, betrayed the working people of this nation. They talked about how "free trade" was good for everyone. The textile workers lost their jobs. IT workers lost their jobs. Customer service workers lost their jobs. Ten thousand manufacturers left America. And they left little for the American workers.

[MiniMe]

1. Wages are low because of the greed of the 1%

They don't want to share. It is the same reason they are going after social programs, they want it ALL for themselves imho

[leftstreet]

2. Wages are low because owners make huge profits

Tax-funded social services are being gutted

[L0oniX]

6. Just like the old plantation owners only now taxes pay for food stamps for some of the slaves.

...and they want to gut that too ...seems a little self defeating. Just because the people are not abducted from Africa does not mean the idea of slavery is gone. Today's plantation owners ship the jobs to the country of the cheapest labor slave suppliers ...or slave auction blocks. The idea is to keep the slaves healthy enough to work hard so the owner doesn't have to give them anymore than that which is where we are all headed with part time low level service jobs. If we are lucky we can make enough to pay for the bare essentials and should we try to get higher education to increase our well being we become slaves to debt. Slavery seems to be the plan they have for us all.

[kentuck]

17. Truth.

...

[kentuck]

3. The capitalist system was not created to put all the money into one pocket.

The ideal capitalism would be one that re-invested the capital created into making more jobs and making society better. It was not meant to create as much wealth as possible for the capitalist. Unfortunately, greed was not factored into the equation.

[L0oniX]

4. Slavery by any other name.

The idea was to keep your slaves healthy enough to keep working hard on your plantation. It's the same idea in play today only it's not abducted people from Africa, it's people enslaved all over the planet (irregardless of race) and the plantation owners will have their crops made where ever it is the most profitable for them to do so. Profit over people is the mantra of the greedy sociopath. "people over profit" is worth fighting for.

[taught_me_patience]

5. Wages are low because people want to buy cheap shit

and the only way to make it that cheap is to produce it overseas.

[BrotherIvan]

7. +1

Yup. Consumers could solve this problem if they wanted to. You don't have to buy every damn thing from a giant corporation. Small businesses have very low profit margins because they can't take advantage of giant scale and major outsourcing. Stop buying cheap crap and people will quit making it. But I think that horse has left the station.

[lovemydog]

8. Agreed. What should we do now?

Specifically, what should the democratic party do, to both broaden its appeal to voters and to actually help the majority of the people for whom they are supposed to be working.

First, I suggest we propose an increase in capital gains taxes. What are the current rates? Aren't they like half of what they were when Bill Clinton took office? They were cut too much, if I'm not mistaken from around 30% to around 15%. Republicans are trying to cut them even further. Many republicans in Congress are even trying to eliminate capital gains tax entirely. If those republicans are successful, that action alone would greatly increase the inequality that's already crippling our country.

Second, increase personal income taxes on those making over $200k per year. How does that all work. I know someone more knowledgeable on these rates can post here and offer some more information.

Third, remove the loopholes for tax-cheating large corporations. The rationale is that they are creating jobs here. But what about those that don't create jobs here?

Fourth, ease the tax burdens on the working poor. If it were up to me, there would be zero income taxation on anyone earning less than, say, $60,000 per year. And certainly zero on anyone earning, say, $30,000 per year.

I believe the democratic party should go more populist. More progressive. More in line with the majority of the working middle class, the working poor, the large majority of people! Any thoughts or suggestions by any other posters here are greatly welcome.

I'm all ears on this. What are some other thoughts of other posters here?

[kentuck]

9. We make political agreements with countries that offer tax havens to the tax cheats...

First of all, we boycott them and do not ally with them if they offer these tax cheats what they are looking for.

Secondly, we repeal the trade agreements that offer tax breaks to companies taking jobs overseas.

Thirdly, we do not prosecute those companies that return their ill-gotten profits to this country in the next six months. Also, if they invest in new jobs, they get a tax break.

Next, we would pass a 90% tax on all incomes above $1 million dollars, including actors and sports figures.

Last of all, we would presume that any corporations that did not return to this country will have renounced their US citizenship and would not be eligible for any benefits or protections of the US government.

I could go on and on....

[lovemydog]

11. Thank you kentuck.

I like the way you think. I truly wish more democrats would rally around these things. And also, demand them of their representatives.

[airplaneman]

10. since you asked.......................

I would break up all the large corporations. Big food, Banks, Walmart - the list is long. A lot of small businesses would be much healthier. Major antitrust breakups are long past due.
Tax all stock and derivative trades at 1%.
Have a major infrastructure overhaul employing lots to people - actually the government should employ anybody that cant find a private sector job doing what is needed by society.
Tax the hell out of corporations that outsource jobs.
Have an import tax on all incoming goods.
Do what Brazil does - if it is not make 60% in Brazil the import tax is 75%.
There are endless ways we can improve things.
I would love to see an FDR type president happen today.
-Airplane

[lovemydog]

12. Just the stock and derivative trade tax alone

would generate a lot in revenue. Has anyone estimated how much? I'd guess it's enough to finance free health care. I don't know though.

Thanks for all your suggestions airplaneman. I agree with you that there are endless ways we can improve things. I think we need an FDR type president and an FDR type congress to go along with it!

[airplaneman]

13. a one percent stock and derivative tax would generate about 12 trillion a year n/t.

[lovemydog]

14. Holy crap - let's fight for it!

I'm glad you opened my eyes to this.

Is anyone else lobbying for it?

[airplaneman]

15. Europe is doing it and there is some talk here but they are only going like 0.003% n/t.

[lovemydog]

18. Thank you airplaneman.

I say go the full 1%

Like Europe!

The capitalists have made us pay for their mistakes.

It's time they pay a tiny percentage (1%) to the countries that allow them to operate without being taken over by socialism.

I love this idea and believe populist democrats should get on board with it!