President Obama recently presented some fairly detailed proposals to make changes in the tax code. This is sure to be a major subject of controversy in the months ahead.
Here's a road map for you of today's show:
First I'll give you some historical background about where we stand, economic justice-wise.
Next, the details of Obama's plan. Knowing exactly what's in there is crucial, because it's already being distorted big-time by the right.
Following that, my evaluation of Obama's proposal.
Then onto debunking what you've come to expect, a campaign of lies from the right. Audio clips of Hannity, McCain and other mendacious folk.
Finally, saving perhaps the best for last, you'll hear about a proposed financial transactions tax. It would raise hundreds of billions of dollars almost effortlessly, with actually beneficial effect. You can use this to put the right on the defensive on the tax issue.
If all this sounds interesting, please listen to the podcast for the details.
(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)
Comments: This
section is for listeners. To receive a reply from Jack Clark,
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How is it fair that I pay a rate of ~27% while a majority of people pay a lesser rate? How is it fair that some people not only do not pay taxes in but somehow suck money back out? EITC!?
Another measure of the systems current unfairness would be that those who pay in the least often receive the most services.
If you want a fair system how about we figure out a budget, divide the cost of the budget by the number of adults in this country, and send a bill for that amount to each and every adult in this country.
I know, I know... Despite the fact that an idea like that is as egalitarian as it gets a lot of people would refuse to pay their fair share.
Another idea that would be fair that many people don't like is the flat tax. What if you, me, and everyone else paid the same percentage of our income in taxes? I have never heard a decent argument against a flat tax. How is it that a flat tax is unfair to the lower income taxpayer? He or she still pays much less than a high income taxpayer?
The bottom line is that these so called progressive tax brackets are nothing more than economic discrimination and/or class envy.
The poor deserve to be punished by the tax code just as much as the rich. It's only fair...
A flat tax is silly because it's based on a simplistic Marxist ideology of labor-theory value.
The Marxists and Chickenhammer believe the first dollar you earn has the same value as the millionth dollar, so a 10% tax is equally fair to all income classes.
The rest of the developed world agree Adam Smith's model was better - value declines as the supply increases. When you earn very little, every dollar is worth much more to you.
A 10% tax on the poor means a person must go without food, shelter, or medical treatment. A wealthy person faces more trivial sacrifices such as a smaller yacht or domestic wines.
The progressive tax is most fair because it distributes the burden of taxation most equally.
Ahhh chicken .. back to spouting your less than fact based right wing NONSENSE.
The reason that the rich pay more taxes is BECAUSE they use the "commons" much much much more (which is supported by tax dollars) than the less fortunate. Things like the the legal system to protect their money, the law enforcement system (again to protect their "property"), the roads/airports (because they can afford to get around more) etc... SO IT'S ONLY FAIR THEY PAY MORE, THEY USE MORE!!!!!!
Oh and the ETIC (EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT) you mentioned is to reward LOW INCOME people with CHILDREN who would get penalized tax wise for working (you do want to encourage the poor to WORK don't you?!?!?!?).
LOOK ALL THIS UP INSTEAD OF CONSTANTLY REPEATING THE RIGHT WING / BILL O'LIELY / Rush Drugbaugh NON FACTS THAT YOU SEEM TO ALWAYS ESPOUSE HERE. Get inside reality buddy or someday it's going bite you right in the place where you seem to be speaking from ;)
Jack
Clark documents the right's wars on the poor,
civil liberties, the right of workers to organize
at work and obtain a decent working wage and work
conditions, and against other countries who refuse
to accept American domination. Jack provides all
the sources so that you can see for yourself how
the right is out to enrich itself at the expense
of everyone else. Great job, Jack!
Submitted By: magyarbill
awesome
show
Clark
always backs up his statements against
the right wing with fact and data, which
gives him all the more credibility.
As conglomerate media controlled by
politics clouds the mainstream news
media, Jack Clark, along with NPR and
Democracy Now! have become my primary
news source. Awesome podcast!
Submitted By: jgates118
In-Depth,
Meaty, Hardcore Knowledge
This
podcast is not just entertainment, humor,
chimp-bashing, or gee-whiz recap of
the weeks events. Instead, it hits hard
and in-depth on the world economic situation
and how right-wing policies impact the
poor and less advantaged all over the
world. He examines Americas support
of the World Bank, IMF,multinational
corporations, etc., and connects the
dots. This is a podcast for grown-ups.
He gives good reasons why the right
wing is NOT living up to its precious
Bible, without putting down the Bible.
As a Jesus-loving Christian and moderate
Democrat, I respect this podcast for
its subject matter. The grown-up manner
of the speaker is just icing on the
cake. He IS funny, but hes not trying
to be, he just has a deadpan delivery
but doesnt have to make jokes to make
it interesting. The facts make it interesting
and devastating.
Submitted By: ebrenn1
A
Breath of Fresh Air
Jack
Clarks Blast the Right podcast is truly
a breath of fresh air when it comes
to political commentary. Jack is not
like some commentators who simply climb
on their soap box and state their own
opinions as fact. Instead, Jack welcomes
competent challenges to his way of thinking,
and with logical analysis and sound
research, debunks the lies, distortions,
and self-deceptions of the right wing.
I strongly recommend Blast the Right
for people who seek the truth and care
more about the long term health and
well-being of the whole citizenry than
the short term personal gain advocated
by modern conservatives. Listen as Jack
carefully shows how the high-sounding
"God and country" rhetoric
of the right wing is really just a smokescreen
for policies that ultimately lead only
to the increased misery, suffering,
and death of the less fortunate for
the particular benefit of the wealthy
and the well-connected. And, if you
find yourself in agreement, return to
Podcast Alley to place your vote! Thanks!
