Fallacy of a meme. I was in a discussion with friends elsewhere...a mix of libertarians, Dems, and Reps. Most were in agreement with the attached meme. Not me. Not because i support socialism, but because of a simple thinking error.
People were quick to point out the Democratic politicians and their mansions...Obama, Clinton's, Sanders and Biden to name some.
Here's thinking error 1. These politicians are not in a socialist government! It's a federal republic or constitutional representative democracy. Again, it's not socialism. So linking their riches to socialism is off base. They're getting rich off corruption in the current government system.
Thinking error 2. Pointing to the left as if they're the ones to blame or are the sole beneficiaries. Wait...are Democratic politicians the only ones getting rich in this system? Hell no! Corruption is an equal opportunity employer! Politicians on both sides of the aisle are getting major campaign donations, simply voting themselves raises, and receiving other gifts/kickbacks that increase their net worth, etc.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Also these people are pretty old. And some (Clinton) are more wealthy than others (Sanders) whose wealth is comparable to most professional retirees his age. Clinton has clearly gained more from grifting the political, business, and philanthropic system than the relative outsider Bernie, who calls to reform that system. And socialists would remind us not to misplace our criticism on the professional class when the real cause of inequality lies with capital (i.e. the billionaires). We should aspire to raise more working people to the quality of living enjoyed by professionals. They are workers too and we we all deserve such compensation. And barring a revolution or racism no longer being a point of disagreement between the left and right, we probably need them in any populist electoral coalition.
WilyRickWiles
Level 8
Sep 7, 2019
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@ObiRonMoldy Perhaps. Some of my liberal centrist, professional friends get really scared when I start talking about expanding government programs and increasing taxes, no matter how much I assure them that I'm talking about taxing billionaires to address inequality separate from the issue of government spending (I think our monetary system enables a certain level of deficit spending and certain programs like universal healthcare simply shift spending from one sector to another--not necessarily one class to another). The idea of taxing the ultrawealthy is very popular if you can convince people you're not going after THEIR money.
I like the idea of a wealth tax like Elizabeth Warren has proposed. And I think it's necessary to couple such a policy with antitrust enforcement in order to be effective.
Our tax regime currently encourages some of these problems. I think that many of our tax deductions, particularly the charitable contribution deduction, have to go. And Trump has probably helped rip off that bandage by weakening the main thing that allowed people to itemize: the mortgage interest deduction.
@WilyRickWiles Now there I completely agree with you! I am along proponent of a progressive wealth tax aiming primarily at billionaires, however, let the common man aspire to become a millionaire through hard work and tax them hard when it becomes excessive.
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