Sunday, June 30, 2013

GOD SAVE THE RICH: conservative Republicans come to the aid of their country's elite.


Inarguably, a vote to allow tax breaks to expire only on those earning more than $1 million a year does seem unfair - if you ignore two things: the income threshold at which freedom and independence becomes possible for the common man, and the income threshold at which tax dodges become an entitlement. Besides, it isn't against the law to subjugate those less fortunate.
Seriously, folks, did we ever really think there was a snowball's chance that those who write the laws would pass legislation permitting higher taxes only on themselves!? It doesn't take an actuarial scientist to see that that would be inconsistent with equal treatment under the law. After all, shouldn't all Americans be subject to the same rules and regulations? Shouldn't all Americans be eligible for full retirement after just two years? Shouldn't all Americans have franking privileges? Shouldn't all Americans have free health care, travel, staff, personal protection . . . hold on. I think Homeland Security is at door.
I don't know exactly how or when the term "conservative" came to be a badge of honor. Strictly speaking, to be "conservative" means to "preserve the established order". Even I can see how, having gotten one's tax ducks all in a row, one would want to preserve the status quo. But no civilization has ever progressed by staying the same. Theoretically, in service to that end, terms like "tradition" and "values", etc., conjure up an appearance of respectability. But perhaps it isn't enough to aspire to the appearance of respectability.
I'm jus' sayin'.

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