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1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
25. I think the problem is framing ...
Tue Mar 10, 2015, 07:58 PM
Mar 2015

and the tactics presented to address that frame. For example:

The rich discovered it was easier to buy some Congress-Critters, get the restrictions lifted, and steal from the middle and lower classes. This was not growth.


I completely agree; but, the framing of the problem is far too general ... and, more problematic, the solution being proffered is raising taxes or the wealthy and/or corporations. That solution does not directly address the framing of the problem, i.e., the removal of regulations that allow for the looting of the middle and working classes - or, at best, the proffered solution is three (or more) steps away from the problem.

Now, raising taxes will, in fact, reduce the money that the wealthy have to influence the laws that lead to the lifting of the restrictions, that allow for the looting of the middle and working class. All that is true; but, who among the disengaged electorate is going to follow the logic?

Likewise, raising taxes on the wealthy and/or corporations is equidistance from "promoting growth", i.e., raising taxes will, in fact, reduce the money that the wealthy have to influence the laws that lead to the lifting of the restrictions that allow them to sock money away off-shore, rather than, invest it in job creation. All that is true; but, again, who among the disengaged electorate is going to follow the logic?

I agree that infrastructure investment is an/the engine for growth; but, taxing the wealthy and corporations is the wrong framing for attaining that goal. Yes, we can promote increasing taxation, then lobby for the bought and paid for Congress that we lament to allocate that tax revenue to infrastructure investment (I.e., repair projects). But that is widely seen (and spun by the wealthy) as confiscatory, even among the middle and working classes.

Wouldn't the better strategy be to create tax credits for infrastructure repairs investment? Yes, it could very well have the effect of lower the effective tax rate for the wealthy and/or corporations; but, so what ... the revenue would flow into domestic infrastructure repair, and not off-shore bank accounts. And that investment will create jobs, which creates demand, which creates more jobs.

I don't want to soak anyone Sherman A1 Mar 2015 #1
We should tax and tax and tax them until they're only fabulously wealthy. Scuba Mar 2015 #3
Unfortuantely, tax monies usually only encourage the political elite to fund new wars. truedelphi Mar 2015 #22
While those are important considerations salib Mar 2015 #26
So your rationale is to keep taxes on the wealthy low, 'cause government might misuse the money? Scuba Mar 2015 #31
Report after report shows that when our modern government has more money, truedelphi Mar 2015 #48
Hey, at least you stuck to your position. Gotta give you that. Scuba Mar 2015 #49
"This was not growth." That's correct. It was legalized theft. Hard to tell where ... Scuba Mar 2015 #2
There is little difference between a campaign "donation", paying exhorbant fees for speeches or rhett o rick Mar 2015 #5
Exactly, we need a claw back in several ways Warpy Mar 2015 #4
If you are running, you got my vote. nm rhett o rick Mar 2015 #6
/\_/\_This right here_/\_/\ Scuba Mar 2015 #7
Warpy and Scuba for co-president. antiquie Mar 2015 #10
We also need 1) a minimum guaranteed income. 2) Publicly funded health CARE for all. 3) Publicly Vincardog Mar 2015 #11
I like all offerred aspirant Mar 2015 #16
Vote for Warpy! Enthusiast Mar 2015 #12
Do you see any hope that any of this will happen? It seems to me that the wealthy have already Dark n Stormy Knight Mar 2015 #13
Boy you took the words right out of my mouth. n/t. airplaneman Mar 2015 #15
I admire the platform Fairgo Mar 2015 #54
The rich are the ones who soaked us. phantom power Mar 2015 #8
Well, Newest Reality Mar 2015 #9
A heavy brine. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #14
Or... Alkene Mar 2015 #17
Are they equivalent? rock Mar 2015 #18
They both amount to the same but the poor rich want sympathy so they are claiming rhett o rick Mar 2015 #20
I heard an interesting idea on the radio yesterday. world wide wally Mar 2015 #19
It amounts to the same thing, doesn't it? Jack Rabbit Mar 2015 #21
It's a matter of perspective. When the rich steal our wealth they call it good business. rhett o rick Mar 2015 #23
In a real democracy, our perspective is the only one that matters Jack Rabbit Mar 2015 #24
Bahwhahahahah! truedelphi Mar 2015 #50
Wasn't the MOB'S slogan aspirant Mar 2015 #28
I think the problem is framing ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #25
Would it turn into another sell/trade credit program like carbon emissions? ~ nt antiquie Mar 2015 #27
I hadn't thought about that ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #29
Good ideas. antiquie Mar 2015 #30
As I said in another thread ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #32
Isn't this a chicken or the egg conundrum? Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #33
I think change will take a large percentage of the populace. antiquie Mar 2015 #34
Yep, Elizabeth Warren is showing the way Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #35
Obviously we are not communicating. ~ nt antiquie Mar 2015 #36
So what is your point? Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #37
You made it for me. You choose to read the opposite of what I said. antiquie Mar 2015 #38
Seriously? Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #40
Making demands without convincing and workable solutions is ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #39
I don't see the "problem" as a lack of a plan Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #41
I will repeat for the third time (this time adding emphasis) ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #42
Who needs to be convinced any plan is workable? Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #43
Okay ... the non-convincing part is working so well. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #44
What? Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #45
Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #46
Cool, thanks for focusing this discussion Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #47
"IF there was the political will in Congress" ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #53
The IF is ever present given our political/economic climate Cosmic Kitten Mar 2015 #55
He isn't talking about framing but selling old conservative snake oil to actually further TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #56
So sorry I appreciated 1StrongBlackMan comments. antiquie Mar 2015 #57
K&R. JDPriestly Mar 2015 #51
So far, yes..."They've/MSM" has been fredamae Mar 2015 #52
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