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The Real problem
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 The Real problemI didn't see Zelensky show 'disrespect' towards the United States. What I saw was someone who DID show gratitude for American help, but who didn't go so far as to prostrate himself in adoration. The most common examples of 'disrespect' that I have seen over the last decade have been Trump's descriptions, nick-names and insults against anyone who speaks against him. And boy! have these been egregious! Yet Trump's base seems so quick to stir against any sign of 'disrespect' against America or the man they see as 'America Incarnate' (See 'Ich bin Deutschland!'). Why? Because suffering disrespect is a central theme in their own lives, and they resent it. They have been hyper-sensitised to it. They are typically low-status and poorly-paid. They are often casual employees or at best 'permanent' but easily dismissed. The American system of Industrial Relations has not moved far beyond Dickensian. Socially, Trump followers also tend to be low on the social scale. Poorly-educated, so they resent 'elites'. And Hilary smacked them fair in the face with her 'deplorables' comment. Even the party they traditionally looked to for support of the working class has been taken over by people who support 'boutique' issues such as gay rights, minority inclusion, etc instead of the broad-scale Social Justice programme. This is why Trumpists resent DEI programmes; because the perceive someone getting more help, more 'respect', that they are getting themselves. But don't they love it when Trump shows members of the 'elite' some disrespect! They howl with delight as Trump does for them what they dare not do themselves! We all know Trump doesn't give a coprolite for his base; but he knows how to pitch them a story and make the right gestures. The problem started when the Democrats forgot their core business. Instead of a broad-based campaign to lift ALL who were being oppressed by neo-liberal economics, they focussed on minority issues. Understandably so because these areas were where the injustice was greatest, but in doing this they lost sight of the broader picture. They started thinking tactically instead of strategically. The Establishment saw this, and reacted cleverly. See these charts:- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org It's quite shocking how corporate taxes have gone down while corporate profits have climbed. Corporate tax revenue is now around 1% of GDP. That is abysmal! At the same time, check out how workers have been 'rewarded' for increased productivity:- upload.wikimedia.org It's not hard to see why there is resentment among the unskilled and semi-skilled sectors! But these graphs tend to understate the disparity if anything; Income from capital gains is taxed much more lightly that personal exertion income (wages and salaries), and tax-free or low-tax benefits are heavily in favour of the highly-paid. So Democrats, STOP being distracted by 'elitist' distractions such as nepotism, lies, and ideologies. Instead, start working on showing some REAL respect for those you hope to represent. Start by focusing on what they really want, not what you think is a 'good thing'. Start by fixing the tax system to make it much more progressive, by introducing a threshhold before income tax is due, and by taxing the whole of non-salary income and benefits and radically reducing exemptions and concessionary rates. A comparison of raw income tax rates (NOT taking into account all the concessions and loopholes available, and remembering that tax payments also cover the majority of pharmaceutical costs, disability insurance and universal medical/hospital care is available for and additional 2%):- INCOME U.S. TAX RATE AUSTRALIAN TAX RATE up to $11k 10% NIL $11K - $18k 12% NIL $18k - $45k 12% 16% $45k - $95k 22% 30% $95k - $135k 24% 30% $135k - 182k 24% 37% It can be seen that low-income Americans pay more tax than comparable Australians, but wealthy Americans get off much more lightly. This comparison is not restricted to Australia; America has a much flatter income tax curve than other Western nations would tolerate, and this is compounded by the trivial American corporate tax system and the failure of government benefits such as health care which is an additional burden on American after-tax income. Yep; American workers have been screwed over by their successive governments, and even the Democrats have failed to address it. No wonder a populist demagogue like Trump can pretend to be their hero! |
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