Rick Steves on America's "false austerity"

[freeplessinseattle]

"The belief lies at the root of why the Edmonds-based travel entrepreneur is giving $1 million over the next 10 years to meet all facility costs of his hometown Edmonds Center for the Arts as well as the Cascade Symphony Orchestra.

.....

The money being donated by Steves is what he has "made" courtesy of the 2001 Bush tax cuts, whose benefits have flowed disproportionately to those earning more than $250,000 a year....The GOP on Capitol Hill, Tea Party populists and plutocrats alike, argues that the tax cut money is needed for jobs and capital investment.

Hooey, replies Steves at his office in Edmonds.

"I'm sure my money will better be put to use in the Edmonds arts than by hiring people I don't need," he said.

"My feeling is that people in this tax bracket are sitting on money," he added. "It's not doing anything. And, you know, you get to a point where money does not buy happiness . . . The whole notion that the rich can't afford a tax hike, that's nonsense."

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/connelly/article/Connelly-Rick-Steves-false-austerity-is-2143279.php

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[siligut]

2. Rick Steves has figured it out

I took his class and went on one of his tours, he is a self-actualized individual.

[woo me with science]

3. Rick Steves is a treasure.

This isn't the first time he has demonstrated his values through concrete action:

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Steves):

In 2005 Steves purchased a 24-unit apartment complex in Lynnwood, Washington and had it fixed up to serve as transitional housing for homeless mothers and their children. Steves is allowing free use of the complex for 15 years—leaving management responsibilities to the local YWCA Pathways for Women, while Rotarians in the Edmonds Noontime Rotary Club help maintain the buildings, do grounds upkeep, and provide everything from the furniture to the flowers. In addition, the club raised $30,000 in donations to build a play structure for the children of Trinity Place.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. I had no idea. He always seemed to me like a real decent dude. I'm glad

I wasn't mistaken. I do have to admit that I am also extremely jealous of his job. But I'm sure he's a better unofficial adviser than I would be.

[freeplessinseattle]

5. wow, what a guy! thanks for the info n/t

[a la izquierda]

6. I love Rick Steves!

What an ambassador for the US in Europe and elsewhere.

[smirkymonkey]

7. So do I - I have been on a number of his tours which are great

and I think that's why he's so enlightened - Travel really opens people's minds and hearts. It's hard to find a bigot or a greedy person who travels just for the love of meeting other people and seeing how they live.

[robdogbucky]

8. And.....

Why Rick Steves Cares About the Decriminalization of Marijuana

Why Rick Steves believes marijuana should be decriminalized and regulated



With my work on the ACLU-produced TV program Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation, support of NORML (a group working to decriminalize marijuana in the USA) and willingness to talk at Seattle's Hempfest as well as at other events, some people are wondering what's motivating me. Let me explain:

I support the decriminalization of marijuana among responsible adult users in the USA. ("Decriminalization" does not mean unfettered use — it simply means NOT mandating that use is a criminally punishable offense.)

I do NOT support the legalization of hard drugs.

Like most of Europe, I believe marijuana is a soft drug (like alcohol and tobacco), not a hard drug. Like alcohol and tobacco, it should be treated as a health rather than a criminal issue. Crime should only enter the equation if it is abused to the point where innocent people are harmed...

http://www.ricksteves.com/about/pressroom/activism/marijuana.htm

[Ilsa]

9. I have a CD set of some of his world travels. I love recording and

watching his shows. His love of people shows through. His family looks really nice also. I'm thankful to him for his generosity in helping others and promoting the arts.

That's real leadership.

[flying rabbit]

10. Kick for Rick nt