Houston, we have a problem.

[slightlv]

18. There are several changes we could make in this country

to even out the disproportionality of wealth. I think the first is the tax code... it needs to go back to being the progressive tax code it was up until the 80's, when "greed is good" ruled everything.

But even "little things" need to be changed. We -must- take a good, long look at the 501c tax exemptions. Churches have blown it since *rump came on the stage. But I hesitate to lump all churches in with the bad ones. So I think there must be a more distinct winnowing down of definitions and actions to qualify for exemption. Also, we have to start pushing back on those that do "wrongly" get exemptions, either by applying those where what the church does is beyond the public good or because they preach politics from the pulpit. They also must be held to the high standard (?) of following all gov rules and regulations, with no preferences made that kick people out of the church or working there because of who they are.

Also, we need to go back to where the tax code was seen as favoring earned income, rather than unearned income. There's a lot fewer ways for loopholes to creep in if you do that, IMO. One way of looking at taxes (and the tax code) is as an indirect way to influence culture and morality in a society. When earned income is taxed to the max and demeaned by politicians, I think it has a detrimental effect on t hat society. Cutting out loopholes and making the tax code more simplistic should be a priority. Establishing a base tax for corporations that they -must- pay each year would, I hope, get us back to where corporations once again saw themselves as part of a community - rather than the free-wheeling, loyalty to no country, that they are today.

On 9-11, a coworker and I had a large disagreement. He was one of those who called himself a Libertarian; I'm a flaming Liberal and proud of it. Before the buildings pancaked, I predicted that business, corporations, and "moneyed elite" would use this tragedy as an on ramp to jack up prices and lead us into a new round of unaffordability of common goods. He disagreed. (ha!) He didn't believe in the Shock Doctrine; I did and do believe it even now, cynic that I am. I suggested that our company, and most others, would start decreasing wages while raising the prices of their goods.. and of course, that's exactly what happened. He considered this "good business"... and I begged to differ because I believe there must be a level of ethics that must be adhered to by anyone doing business. He was absolutely against Medicare for All, did not believe people were entitled to medical care, food, shelter, etc., simply by dint of being born. My opinion was everyone was entitled to a baseline of survival. I was pushing, even then, for something like the UBI. He flipped out at that! But our progressive ideas can be updated, refined, and put into action through a fair tax code, as well as a strong Social Safety Net. But that can only happen when people realize we're all in this society together, rather than every one of us being an individual out for only themselves and damn the rest of the world.

But my coworker symbolizes that hardcore Maga crowd, and I have no idea how to bring them peacefully into the fold of society. We have two fundamental differences in the way people look at the world. And there doesn't seem to be ways to build bridges across the divides. That's my basic sticking point, where I shake my head, throw up my hands, and admit I'm at a loss...