The 'unfortunate’ also deserve a break
The following is a Counterpoint.
By Danny Glenn
Regarding the column, “Where’s the outrage? Tax-and-spend government defies the law” (April 19):Where was Charles Davenport’s outrage when Bush and Cheney were helping Exxon, Halliburton and a host of war profiteers raid the U.S. Treasury?
Where was his outrage when Bush took a huge budget surplus and turned it into record deficits? Where is the outrage that the booming economy of 2000 was turned into a 2008 financial meltdown due to Republican policies?
He accuses the Obama administration of a tax-and-spend mind set, but borrow-and-spend was the Bush way. The Bush administration introduced socialism for the rich and the well-connected. Now Republicans call helping the victims of their greed socialism.
Republicans continue to spread the lie that FDR’s programs, giving people jobs building roads and infrastructure, didn’t work. Born in 1938, I grew up hearing working people say that Franklin Roosevelt’s programs saved the country and they were grateful. Why do you think he was elected four times?
Davenport characterizes the wealthy as industrious and ambitious, but ignores the fact that about 60 percent of the wealth of the richest was inherited. Industrious Cindy McCain inherited a business worth more than $100 million. Why shouldn’t she pay higher taxes? She could sell one of her seven homes.
Soon enough he begins to denigrate those with whom he disagrees. He casts those of us who are not wealthy as “slothful and indolent.”
Well, Chuck, we the slothful and indolent do your work, fight and die in your wars and suffer when the economy goes bad. We make the sacrifices; we are the sacrificed.
We middle-class working folks are not asking the fortunate to go to some God-forsaken corner of the planet to shed blood for the military-industrial complex. We just need a little help getting the country back on its feet. Paying higher taxes isn’t punishment, it’s patriotism. Don’t you love your country?
The writer lives in Greensboro.
Comments (12)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
Well, I love my country, but not enough to pay more taxes. Fortunately, I'm one of the 95% who won't see a dime in increased taxes (as Obama promised). Praise the Lord for the rich 5% and deficit spending!
Posted on April 29, 2009 3:21 AM
I likely will pay more taxes and willingly so to finally have a president who represents me and my values. The greatest myths of the past 28 years... 1) The free market always works justly and requires no oversight or regulation. 2) Every one who receives any governmental assistance is a freeloader who chooses their own circumstances. 3) income is commensurate to one's hard work and contribution to society (Thanks to Ivana Trump & Paris Hilton to making such vast contributions to American culture - here's your tax break).
Posted on April 29, 2009 4:09 AM
13 bucks a week...that's proportionate to the increase in a carton of Marlboro Light 100s, is it not?
Maybe even enough left over for a small jar of wal-mart brand petro jelly.
Posted on April 29, 2009 7:04 AM
I have this overwhelming feeling of Deja vu with this counterpoint!
Posted on April 29, 2009 7:34 AM
Is Allen's Johnson back on the pipe?
Posted on April 29, 2009 8:47 AM
True, Rufus, but worth the repeat. Unfortunately, even if it was repeated a hundred times, some will never get it or will intentionally ignore it. Either way, those people will be the big losers when all is said and done.
Posted on April 29, 2009 9:19 AM
Yes, yes, Danny Glenn! Tell it like it is! Applause! Applause!
Posted on April 29, 2009 10:44 AM
Yes, yes, Danny Glenn! Tell it like it is! Applause! Applause!
Posted on April 29, 2009 10:44 AM
"True, Rufus, but worth the repeat."
Amen, it's one of the best in a while.
Posted on April 29, 2009 12:54 PM
"I likely will pay more taxes and willingly so to finally have a president who represents me and my values."
Good!! I wish like minded folks would all send extra checks to the IRS each quarter. They are going to need them.
Good piece by Doug Clark today regarding taxes, especially in light of all the anti-meat letters recently.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/04/28/article/doug_clark_enjoy_that_fatty_burger_while_you_can
Posted on April 29, 2009 1:21 PM
Give the lte writer credit for "walking the walk." He grew up poor, his father was imprisoned, and he got rejected by the NBA last year. This 'unfortunate' soul deserved a break, got one when he was allowed back on his team, and made the best of it. He put the past behind him, focused on improving his game, and led his team to the top.
Congratulations Danny and keep up the good work!
Posted on April 29, 2009 4:52 PM
"Where was the outrage when Bush blah, blah, blah"...
"Where was the outrage when Cheney blah, blah, blah"...
Where was the outrage when blah, blah, blah"...
That's a helluva defense of the little messiah's rape and plunder of out great-grand children's earnings. 'Bush did it too' seems to make it OK for their savior to hijack the income of those yet to be born.
Pitiful.
Posted on April 29, 2009 9:03 PM