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Phil Mickelson tax rant.

93 posts
  1. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    1/24/2013 12:01 PM
    Alan Ashton said: I did like his apology... he hit it off line and then played smart and wedged it back into play.

    Done deal for me.


    Now if he would only play golf that way, California could use the extra winnings....?

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  2. Sandy Clark
    Sandy Clark avatar
    0 posts
    1/24/2013 3:01 PM
    Not looking good for Phil at Torrey Pines so far today. You need to jump all over the north course. He is even through 13 so far. If you are close to even after 2 days, you may not be playing days 3 and 4. He better up his game or he may have no income for this week!



  3. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    1/25/2013 7:01 AM
    Thought I saw somewhere yesterday that Tiger admitted the tax rates in California is what caused him to move away many years ago.

    Rather then bash Phil, (I'll admit I suppose, I did to start this post) but, why don't people use it to look at their tax codes? Honestly what needs to be reworked or cut (I know those that are trying to survive on welfare are the easy targets, but I would say look at what percentage of the budget they take up). Like I think we can all agree, one project I support wouldn't be something someone else would say is not a priority. I think any item in a budget should have a cost benefit analysis, and so should the tax credits and breaks given to companies. I know companies will ask for tax breaks to stay put, but unless the extra jobs or the loss of jobs replace the amount of the tax break I would suggest not giving it to them, of course they will go to some other city or town who is willing to pay the price, the prostitutes that they are. What is the cost of corporate welfare compared to welfare itself? Really, don't they play as much a part into what Phil has to pay in taxes as well, or any small business that doesn't have the power and clout that a larger firm has. Yes try to rework the support systems as well, it is funny the best defense to needed police, prisons and the justice system is education and keeping young people involved and off the streets, and they are typically the first things cut. Just my opinion on the deal.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  4. Keith Fellenstein
    Keith Fellenstein avatar
    0 posts
    1/25/2013 11:01 AM
    James Schmid said:
    Keith Fellenstein said: all of us have had the same advantage of living and working in this great country and thus the same opportunity Phil had/has.


    Do you honestly believe that everyone in this nation has access to the same level of opportunities?


    In the broader sense, yes. In reference to living in this country with the same freedoms and opportunities as any other citizen, yes. Your definition of "opportunities" isn't relative to the discussion. Now, if we want to discuss class warfare or class envy then I will be happy to accept your definition of opportunity.



  5. James Schmid
    James Schmid avatar
    1 posts
    1/25/2013 2:01 PM
    Keith Fellenstein said:
    James Schmid said:
    Keith Fellenstein said: all of us have had the same advantage of living and working in this great country and thus the same opportunity Phil had/has.


    Do you honestly believe that everyone in this nation has access to the same level of opportunities?


    In the broader sense, yes. In reference to living in this country with the same freedoms and opportunities as any other citizen, yes. Your definition of "opportunities" isn't relative to the discussion. Now, if we want to discuss class warfare or class envy then I will be happy to accept your definition of opportunity.


    Merriam webster lists 2 definitions for the word opportunity 1. A favorable juncture of circumstances 2. A good chance for opportunity or advancement.

    I am talking about reality. I am not talking about theory or statues. The fact that some bill of rights, constitution, or whatever statute you want to reference forbids discrimination, and states that we are all equal and free or whatever does not make it so.

    The simple facts of the matter is that we are not all treated equally by the law, or by one another. We do not each have access to the same opportunities for advancement or personal development.

    Grass under trees dies - why? Because its under a tree, not because theres a law segregating it to a different class restricting the growth of grass. It dies because its under a tree and the sun don't shine there.

    Kids in the ghetto dont have opportunities - why? because they live in the ghetto. not because they are lazy or discriminated against in our statutes of law. They fail to thrive because their enviroment sucks.

    What does class warfare or envy have to do with anything?



  6. Wahlin Scott B
    Wahlin Scott B avatar
    1/26/2013 8:01 AM
    If you have never had a combat soldier in your family it would be impossible for you to understand the sacrifice. I could try to explain it to you, but you would not understand. Some think it is fine for a wildly successful person to complain about their lot in life in America while others die and much worse to make their success possible. So be it.



  7. Jon Gansen
    Jon Gansen avatar
    1 posts
    1/26/2013 9:01 AM
    Scott Wahlin, CGCS said: If you have never had a combat soldier in your family it would be impossible for you to understand the sacrifice. I could try to explain it to you, but you would not understand. Some think it is fine for a wildly successful person to complain about their lot in life in America while others die and much worse to make their success possible. So be it.


    Phil did not do any thing wrong except exercise his right of free speech. Something that a person of military background should recognise and encourage. Why does he not have that right? Because you disagree with him.
    Maybe he didn't serve but I do believe he contributes time money and his celebrity status to give back and recognise veterans.



  8. Scott Tullis
    Scott Tullis avatar
    0 posts
    1/26/2013 11:01 AM
    The only fair way to tax the rich is a consumption tax. A national and state "inclusive" sales tax with exemtions for absolutely no product or service is the best possible solution.

    www.fairtax.org



  9. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    1/26/2013 4:01 PM
    Scott Tullis said: The only fair way to tax the rich is a consumption tax. A national and state "inclusive" sales tax with exemptions for http://www.fairtax.org


    Scott, it might sound great in theory, but what about situations such as medicines that are needed for all sorts of conditions, especially genetic conditions? So because I have a disease that requires a $500 co-pay and I'm going to get charged a sales tax on that purchase, while someone that does not have that condition does not? I know live is not fair, but to me and this is an opinion, that is something I would consider discrimination, (if I may use that term?, maybe there might be a better word for it?). Of course I have heard the theories that if one items is lobbied for and given an exemption that just sets it up for more lobbying.

    The other issue with a sales tax, (and we have seen it at the state and local levels during this economic crisis), when the economy is bad and people cut back on their spending, it makes it somewhat tougher for the state and local governments, of course I suppose when there are a lot of job losses that cuts back on income tax revenues as well. Same thing is occurring with the gas taxes, people get more fuel efficient cars and change driving habits and if all road repairs rest on just fuel taxes, sometimes depending on the needs, it doesn't provide enough money to repair the roads.

    But it is something that could be debated.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  10. Keith Fellenstein
    Keith Fellenstein avatar
    0 posts
    1/28/2013 10:01 AM
    James Schmid said:
    Keith Fellenstein said:
    James Schmid said:
    Keith Fellenstein said: all of us have had the same advantage of living and working in this great country and thus the same opportunity Phil had/has.


    Do you honestly believe that everyone in this nation has access to the same level of opportunities?


    In the broader sense, yes. In reference to living in this country with the same freedoms and opportunities as any other citizen, yes. Your definition of "opportunities" isn't relative to the discussion. Now, if we want to discuss class warfare or class envy then I will be happy to accept your definition of opportunity.


    Merriam webster lists 2 definitions for the word opportunity 1. A favorable juncture of circumstances 2. A good chance for opportunity or advancement.

    I am talking about reality. I am not talking about theory or statues. The fact that some bill of rights, constitution, or whatever statute you want to reference forbids discrimination, and states that we are all equal and free or whatever does not make it so.

    The simple facts of the matter is that we are not all treated equally by the law, or by one another. We do not each have access to the same opportunities for advancement or personal development.

    Grass under trees dies - why? Because its under a tree, not because theres a law segregating it to a different class restricting the growth of grass. It dies because its under a tree and the sun don't shine there.

    Kids in the ghetto dont have opportunities - why? because they live in the ghetto. not because they are lazy or discriminated against in our statutes of law. They fail to thrive because their enviroment sucks.

    What does class warfare or envy have to do with anything?



    The argument was made that Phil owes something to the country for the opportunities it provides. Those same opportunities are available to all citizens regardless of their level of success (or failure). Should we penalize those who succeed (rewarding those that don't)? Why should he owe any more than the next guy that may or may not have taken advantage of the [u">same[u] opportunities?[/u">[/u]Your analogy with grass holds no water and is irrelevant...people can make choices that affect their lives. The "sun may not shine" in the "ghetto", but no one is mandated to remain...it is a free country (at least it was, who knows a few years from now). Now if you can get Tall Fescue to relocate, you've got something there.



  11. James Schmid
    James Schmid avatar
    1 posts
    1/29/2013 8:01 AM
    Keith Fellenstein said:

    The argument was made that Phil owes something to the country for the opportunities it provides. Those same opportunities are available to all citizens regardless of their level of success (or failure). Should we penalize those who succeed (rewarding those that don't)? Why should he owe any more than the next guy that may or may not have taken advantage of the [u">same[u] opportunities?[/u">[/u]Your analogy with grass holds no water and is irrelevant...people can make choices that affect their lives. The "sun may not shine" in the "ghetto", but no one is mandated to remain...it is a free country (at least it was, who knows a few years from now). Now if you can get Tall Fescue to relocate, you've got something there.


    I didn't suggest that we should penalize anyone, nor reward anyone else, nor that he owes anyone anything. What I am saying is that when the kid of a rich couple is exposed to many things by his parents at a young age and mentored and nurtured, his odds of success are much higher. When a poor kid in the inner city has no idea who his father is, and his mother is a drug addicted prostitute, his odds of success decline significantly.

    So since the 7 year old kid who is the son of the drug addicted prostitute is not "mandated to remain" in the ghetto, its plausible to assume that if he wanted to be a pro golfer when he grows up he could just pick up, leave the ghetto take up residence at a private country club and start playing golf? Last I checked that would cost a pretty significant chunk of change, which he would probably be lacking.



  12. Stephen Okula
    Stephen Okula avatar
    3 posts
    2/1/2013 3:02 PM
    Besides access to first rate golf courses, equipment, and instruction growing up, Mickelson had a practice green in his backyard, how he got such a hot short game that contributed to his many millions. The man has talent and a work ethic and by all accounts is a decent human being, and I wouldn't take anything away from him, but to suggest that every kid growing up int he country has had the same opportunity as Phil is as stupid a statement as I have ever heard.

    Bar none.



  13. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    2/2/2013 10:02 AM
    I know what I'm going to say is stupid, but that has never stopped me before......

    Is Phil playing better this week because Arizona doesn't have a state income tax, he will take home more of his winnings?

    Or if they do they don't tax non residents for income they made while in the state?

    All I know is I'm kicking myself for not picking for my fantasy team this week.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  14. Clay Putnam
    Clay Putnam avatar
    33 posts
    2/2/2013 2:02 PM
    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said: I know what I'm going to say is stupid, but that has never stopped me before......

    Is Phil playing better this week because Arizona doesn't have a state income tax, he will take home more of his winnings?

    Or if they do they don't tax non residents for income they made while in the state?

    All I know is I'm kicking myself for not picking for my fantasy team this week.

    Mel


    No, he's playing better because I wore my lucky socks while vacuuming the living room.



  15. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    2/2/2013 3:02 PM
    Clay Putnam, CGCS said:
    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said: I know what I'm going to say is stupid, but that has never stopped me before......

    Is Phil playing better this week because Arizona doesn't have a state income tax, he will take home more of his winnings?

    Or if they do they don't tax non residents for income they made while in the state?

    All I know is I'm kicking myself for not picking for my fantasy team this week.

    Mel


    No, he's playing better because I wore my lucky socks while vacuuming the living room.


    That reminded me of a roommate in school who used to stripe the carpet when vacuuming.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  16. Clay Putnam
    Clay Putnam avatar
    33 posts
    2/2/2013 3:02 PM
    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said:
    Clay Putnam, CGCS said:
    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said: I know what I'm going to say is stupid, but that has never stopped me before......

    Is Phil playing better this week because Arizona doesn't have a state income tax, he will take home more of his winnings?

    Or if they do they don't tax non residents for income they made while in the state?

    All I know is I'm kicking myself for not picking for my fantasy team this week.

    Mel


    No, he's playing better because I wore my lucky socks while vacuuming the living room.


    That reminded me of a roommate in school who used to stripe the carpet when vacuuming.

    Mel


    Did he do a cleanup pass?



  17. Wahlin Scott B
    Wahlin Scott B avatar
    2/2/2013 4:02 PM
    Doesn't Phil realize that if he wins the Phoenix he is going have to pay more in taxes? I mean really, what possible motivation can he have?



  18. Sandy Clark
    Sandy Clark avatar
    0 posts
    2/8/2013 11:02 AM
    It is called ambition and trying to excel at your craft! Isn't that what we all try to do everyday we work? Phil just happened to make a larger amount of money than we do because he achieved excellence in his job performance! And why again should he be punished? Is it because someone thinks he makes too much or maybe some are envious of his success or worse yet, think because he makes more, they make less? It isn't the governments money. They didn't earn it!



  19. Keith Fellenstein
    Keith Fellenstein avatar
    0 posts
    2/12/2013 11:02 AM
    Stephen Okula, CGCS said: Besides access to first rate golf courses, equipment, and instruction growing up, Mickelson had a practice green in his backyard, how he got such a hot short game that contributed to his many millions. The man has talent and a work ethic and by all accounts is a decent human being, and I wouldn't take anything away from him, but to suggest that every kid growing up int he country has had the same opportunity as Phil is as stupid a statement as I have ever heard.

    Bar none.


    Thanks Stephen, very professional...clearly you missed my point, as did James. Let me try one last time...they ("from the ghetto") may start behind others ("priveleged Phil"), but nothing in the system holds them back from achieving great things...yes it may be more difficult, yes they may have to overcome obstacles, but it is not a systemic issue. Please tell me why Phil should pay such a high tax rate (let's get back to the original post) because he started ahead of others? Why does Phil owe more to the country (or state) than any other citizen living under the same rules of law?



  20. James Schmid
    James Schmid avatar
    1 posts
    2/12/2013 3:02 PM
    Keith Fellenstein said:

    Thanks Stephen, very professional...clearly you missed my point, as did James. Let me try one last time...they ("from the ghetto") may start behind others ("priveleged Phil"), but nothing in the system holds them back from achieving great things...yes it may be more difficult, yes they may have to overcome obstacles, but it is not a systemic issue. Please tell me why Phil should pay such a high tax rate (let's get back to the original post) because he started ahead of others? Why does Phil owe more to the country (or state) than any other citizen living under the same rules of law?


    Keith-

    I agreed with you that there was nothing statutorily that was holding anyone back, I get what you are saying, the laws state that all men are created equal, blah, blah,blah. I didn't miss your point, what I said is that in the real world the application of these theories and ideals do not equate to reality.

    Why does green on the roulette table pay more than red? The ball can land on green, theres no legislation preventing it from landing there. It's physically possible. Its not banned. Its not excluded from the realm of possible outcomes. It pays more because nobody would bet on it if it didnt. Because we know that the odds of that outcome are lower.

    It does not matter what the laws state. We know that there is nothing prohibiting the ball from landing on green, we also know that it aint gonna happen very often, that the odds are low, that the chances are low. Chance/odds/opportunity are the same thing - the likelihood of a specific outcome.

    I never argued that Phil should pay more taxes. I argued that its foolish to believe that everyone in this country has the same opportunities. Most wildly successful people would agree that luck came into play as a part of that success, in addition to the obvious hard work and everything else.



  21. Michael McNamara
    Michael McNamara avatar
    0 posts
    2/17/2013 8:02 AM
    You people make me sick. Why should Phil pay 60%+ in taxes when almost half of all Americans don't pay any income tax at all. Aren't we all American ? We should all pay a equal percent(Flat Tax) instead of looking for hand outs. I forgot, Nancy Pelosi said the US doesn't have a spending problem. There are over 40 Million people on food stamps and Obama has spent more in the last four years than all other American presidents combined.



  22. James Schmid
    James Schmid avatar
    1 posts
    2/17/2013 11:02 AM
    Michael McNamara said: You people make me sick. Why should Phil pay 60%+ in taxes when almost half of all Americans don't pay any income tax at all. Aren't we all American ? We should all pay a equal percent(Flat Tax) instead of looking for hand outs. I forgot, Nancy Pelosi said the US doesn't have a spending problem. There are over 40 Million people on food stamps and Obama has spent more in the last four years than all other American presidents combined.



    Why should we all pay a different amount? Why shouldn't we each pay the same amount? like a thousand bucks per person? If we all pay the same percentage, the rich get screwed because they will have to pay much more than the poor.

    What is the basis for saying that a flat percentage tax is fair?



  23. Stephen Okula
    Stephen Okula avatar
    3 posts
    2/17/2013 1:02 PM
    Michael McNamara said: You people make me sick. Why should Phil pay 60%+ in taxes when almost half of all Americans don't pay any income tax at all. Aren't we all American ? We should all pay a equal percent(Flat Tax) instead of looking for hand outs. I forgot, Nancy Pelosi said the US doesn't have a spending problem. There are over 40 Million people on food stamps and Obama has spent more in the last four years than all other American presidents combined.


    Where do you get this nonsense?

    http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-05 ... ken-sailor

    WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Of all the falsehoods told about President Barack Obama, the biggest whopper is the one about his reckless spending spree.

    As would-be president Mitt Romney tells it: "I will lead us out of this debt and spending inferno."

    Almost everyone believes that Obama has presided over a massive increase in federal spending, an "inferno" of spending that threatens our jobs, our businesses and our children's future. Even Democrats seem to think it's true.

    But it didn't happen. Although there was a big stimulus bill under Obama, federal spending is rising at the slowest pace since Dwight Eisenhower brought the Korean War to an end in the 1950s.

    Even hapless Herbert Hoover managed to increase spending more than Obama has.

    Here are the facts, according to the official government statistics:

    • In the 2009 fiscal year — the last of George W. Bush's presidency — federal spending rose by 17.9% from $2.98 trillion to $3.52 trillion. Check the official numbers at the Office of Management and Budget.

    • In fiscal 2010 — the first budget under Obama — spending fell 1.8% to $3.46 trillion.

    • In fiscal 2011, spending rose 4.3% to $3.60 trillion.

    • In fiscal 2012, spending is set to rise 0.7% to $3.63 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office's estimate of the budget that was agreed to last August.

    • Finally in fiscal 2013 — the final budget of Obama's term — spending is scheduled to fall 1.3% to $3.58 trillion. Read the CBO's latest budget outlook.

    Over Obama's four budget years, federal spending is on track to rise from $3.52 trillion to $3.58 trillion, an annualized increase of just 0.4%.

    There has been no huge increase in spending under the current president, despite what you hear.

    Why do people think Obama has spent like a drunken sailor? It's in part because of a fundamental misunderstanding of the federal budget.



  24. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    2/17/2013 3:02 PM
    To bring it back about taxes, just heard watching the golf tournament, I think it was Webb Simpson is staying at a family condo for the west coast swing.....anyone know if he has to pay state income taxes on all of his earnings? How about just during the time he is living there? Does he avoid any state income taxes to California because he hasn't declared resident status, just because he is staying there? If he isn't paying state income tax, is that not fair to Phil (as in Phil's state income tax is helping pay for roads and infrastructure, police and fire protection)?

    When I first moved to Missouri, I had to pay income taxes to both Indiana and Missouri for the last 45 days of 2003. I also if I remember (will need to check with the family account otherwise known as my wife to be sure), I paid both income tax for Missouri and Indiana until our Indiana house was sold? Might have even had to pay an income tax to my Indiana county, (no matter where we worked in state if I remember we paid a small income tax to our home county, last jobs I had in Indiana where outside of my county)...

    I don't think a flat tax is the answer, but I could see maybe the same percentage say 20% or even 10% (what ever rate makes the numbers work) and take away all the deductions (or very very limited), income earned off of investment returns should be taxed the same as regular income....maybe there is a deduction for money invested or risked. I know it sounds simple, probably why it won't happen.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  25. Ronald Conard
    Ronald Conard avatar
    4 posts
    2/17/2013 6:02 PM
    Michael McNamara said: You people make me sick.


    Has it really come to that? Is it that bad? I'm glad I live under my rock...



  26. Keith Lamb
    Keith Lamb avatar
    3 posts
    2/17/2013 6:02 PM
    Ronald Conard, CGCS said:
    Michael McNamara said: You people make me sick.


    Has it really come to that? Is it that bad? I'm glad I live under my rock...


    Sounds like he has "Cat Scratch Fever."



  27. Michael McNamara
    Michael McNamara avatar
    0 posts
    2/24/2013 9:02 AM
    Keep drinking the cool aid. As far as name calling, how old are you? What percent of GDP are we currently spending? When was the last time Obama passed a budget? He didn't even get one vote from members of his own party. Keynesian economics doesn't work. Taxing the rich will not get us out from behind our massive debt. Redistribution of wealth is a socialistic tactic that deters economic growth. America has been conditioned now to be an entitlement society.



  28. Ronald Conard
    Ronald Conard avatar
    4 posts
    2/24/2013 10:02 AM
    Michael McNamara said: Keep drinking the cool aid. As far as name calling, how old are you? What percent of GDP are we currently spending? When was the last time Obama passed a budget? He didn't even get one vote from members of his own party. Keynesian economics doesn't work. Taxing the rich will not get us out from behind our massive debt. Redistribution of wealth is a socialistic tactic that deters economic growth. America has been conditioned now to be an entitlement society.


    Name calling? You mean the "you people make me sick" comment?

    Speaking of the debt, how would we be sitting now if Bush hadn't cratered the economy through his misguided war in Iraq?



  29. Michael McNamara
    Michael McNamara avatar
    0 posts
    2/24/2013 11:02 AM
    Since when was saying" people make me sick" name calling. I just don't understand how people in our business could pick on Phil Mickelson who has done so much for the game.The housing bubble led to the downturn in the economy. Giving a million dollar house to a person that makes $40,000 caused this mess. Not everybody can afford or should own a house Barney Frank. The people that could not afford a home should have rented instead of causing the housing market to crash and causing our country to lose trillions of dollars in equity.

    "The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.

    Under the plan, disclosed at a Congressional hearing today, a new agency would be created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored companies that are the two largest players in the mortgage lending industry.

    The new agency would have the authority, which now rests with Congress, to set one of the two capital-reserve requirements for the companies. It would exercise authority over any new lines of business. And it would determine whether the two are adequately managing the risks of their ballooning portfolios.

    The plan is an acknowledgment by the administration that oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- which together have issued more than $1.5 trillion in outstanding debt -- is broken. A report by outside investigators in July concluded that Freddie Mac manipulated its accounting to mislead investors, and critics have said Fannie Mae does not adequately hedge against rising interest rates.

    ~~ snip ~~

    ''These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis,'' said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ''The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.''



  30. League Michael
    League Michael avatar
    2/28/2013 11:02 AM
    Some of you honestly think the lower and middle class income has as much of a chance to become successful as those that start off wealthy?? People can and do succeed rather well starting out with very little, but this is very difficult. Do you all realize that when rich people put their money into a bank or fund that draws interest that the interest is paid for by the middle and lower classes who take out loans and credit card debt just to get by. The best time in American history for quality of life was the 1950s when the top 1% of earners made up only 10% of all income, now that figure is closer to 25%. Can you guess which other time it has been this high? 1928

    In the 1950s a middle class family could live off of one salary, usually the husbands and support their kids without taking on much debt at all because wages were good and distributed well. As the distribution has changed, first we had both parents start working in the 70s and 80s to supplement the family income and meet the needs. As wages continued to rise lower than inflation and the distribution of wealth kept changing, middle class families began taking on debt to be able to support their families and now much of the middle class is drowning in debt as this has been encouraged by the wealthy bankers.

    Our economy is now stimulated by lowering interest rates so that the middle class can continue to borrow, because if we stop borrowing money our whole monetary Bernie Madoff system will collapse.



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