First they came for the “millionaires,” and we said nothing, then they came for the “extravagant” pensioners, and why shouldn’t they?
Randall Hoven writing in AMERICAN THINKER we think has hit on a profoundly important analogy / comparison that might help diffuse the “who cares about them” negativity from blue collar and a good portion of the rest of middle America toward those targeted for tax increases by Obama. Republicans need to internalize the comparison, its implications and succinctly present it to the country. The whole article is entirely meritorious. Please look at it. But here are some key pull quotes that set forth the general conclusion. The theme is developed fully in the article and is quite compelling.
. . . if you have an annual pension of $40,000, you are effectively a millionaire, especially if that pension is adjusted for cost of living.
. . . stereotypes need to be re-visited. Who thinks of retired public school teachers as millionaires on easy street? Who thinks a guy with a million or two in the bank and who makes all his money from capital gains, dividends and interest has about the same standard of living as that retired teacher? Who thinks Joe the Millionaire has the more realistic fear of destitution in his old age than the retired teacher?
Think about these stereotypes when you want to raise taxes on capital gains, dividends and “unearned” income. Or when you want to sock it to the “millionaires.” Or when you want to “invest in education.” Or just when you say anything about the “middle class” or any other “class.”
And also think about who is really pushing the “us versus them” paradigm.
The “fairness” emotion takes a considerably different turn I suspect when these basic financial comparisons are made. Again, read it, internalize it and pass it on. Thanks to DLH for pointing out the great merit of the article.
