Good Lord

[MAKAVELI]

I have nothing against the rich. I think everyone dreams of becoming rich someday , including me. But honestly right now I would be happy just being able to make ends meet and be rewarded for my hard work instead being told the company is not profiting enough for the stockholders so we need to cut your benefits and pay. Oh and by the way we need you to bust your ass even more. And one more thing, be happy you have a job. It's this culture of **** on the bottom to get to the top that has to stop. Of course the rich pay most of the taxes that's simple math. But the percentage of their total income is less than the average middle class family because of all the loopholes they take advantage of . I say if a company threatens to go overseas with their operation that is the most un American thing they can do. And I don't buy the notion that they can't do here. Apple the richest company in the world is that rich because their products are made overseas using cheap labor and then marked up exuberantly for the US market. So no, I don't feel one bit sorry for the wealthy.

 

[Mr. 7]

^^ Well said.

 

[DontThrowPackages]

I have nothing against the rich. I think everyone dreams of becoming rich someday , including me. But honestly right now I would be happy just being able to make ends meet and be rewarded for my hard work instead being told the company is not profiting enough for the stockholders so we need to cut your benefits and pay. Oh and by the way we need you to bust your ass even more. And one more thing, be happy you have a job. It's this culture of **** on the bottom to get to the top that has to stop. Of course the rich pay most of the taxes that's simple math. But the percentage of their total income is less than the average middle class family because of all the loopholes they take advantage of . I say if a company threatens to go overseas with their operation that is the most un American thing they can do. And I don't buy the notion that they can't do here. Apple the richest company in the world is that rich because their products are made overseas using cheap labor and then marked up exuberantly for the US market. So no, I don't feel one bit sorry for the wealthy.

God forbid someone like Romney has to pay over 14% in taxes..

 

[TUT]

I think 59 Dano addressed that issue well. But at some point Obama has to take responsibility.

If both side agree to disagree with a mixed congress. It won't even matter what Obomber does, he'll never get to veto it or not. And to me right now the Repubs holding one of 2 positions, means they need to get along or it's on them. At least to me, if they controlled both house and senate then I would say Obomber would have had to been the one to compromise.

 

[vantexan]

God forbid someone like Romney has to pay over 14% in taxes..

Except Romney is paying 14% in capital gains, not income tax. He made serious money that he paid income tax on, then took that money and invested it. The money he makes from those investments he pays capital gains on. Y'all say you want to be rich, but refuse to learn even the basics of what it takes to get there. That's why, at least where the economy is concerned, Romney would have made an excellent President. He understands the nuts and bolts of how it all works. And before you repeat the standard demonization, he got himself elected governor of a state that's 87% Democrat and proved he could work with them. These arguments that someone that wealthy can't possibly know what the middle class goes through, or that he's only in it for the wealthy, etc, were just smear tactics against a decent fellow with an excellent track record. If that's all you've got you should really learn a few things beyond the standard knee jerk liberal responses. It's just too simplistic. Surely you know something else that would make a credible argument?

 

[vantexan]

If both side agree to disagree with a mixed congress. It won't even matter what Obomber does, he'll never get to veto it or not. And to me right now the Repubs holding one of 2 positions, means they need to get along or it's on them. At least to me, if they controlled both house and senate then I would say Obomber would have had to been the one to compromise.

The House of Representatives controls the purse strings. If Obama and Harry Reid want to discuss legitimate cuts in spending I'm sure compromises will be reached. Anything that will further run up the debt I'm sure will be stopped. It's called "checks and balances".

 

[TUT]

The House of Representatives controls the purse strings. If Obama and Harry Reid want to discuss legitimate cuts in spending I'm sure compromises will be reached. Anything that will further run up the debt I'm sure will be stopped. It's called "checks and balances".

Like I've said, gridlock sucks. You can blame one side if you like, I blame them all and the voters for putting us through lost progress, while other nations lap us. Golf clap mixed voters, golf clap.

 

[UPS Team Leader]

Shouldn't all you Fedex people be against taxing the rich?Aren't most of your customers wealthy?Tax them and they will stop using Fedex.They already are paying the most.Lets tax them some more!!!! That will get the economy going!! Tax them,they will just fire people to make up the difference.

 

[vantexan]

I have nothing against the rich. I think everyone dreams of becoming rich someday , including me. But honestly right now I would be happy just being able to make ends meet and be rewarded for my hard work instead being told the company is not profiting enough for the stockholders so we need to cut your benefits and pay. Oh and by the way we need you to bust your ass even more. And one more thing, be happy you have a job. It's this culture of **** on the bottom to get to the top that has to stop. Of course the rich pay most of the taxes that's simple math. But the percentage of their total income is less than the average middle class family because of all the loopholes they take advantage of . I say if a company threatens to go overseas with their operation that is the most un American thing they can do. And I don't buy the notion that they can't do here. Apple the richest company in the world is that rich because their products are made overseas using cheap labor and then marked up exuberantly for the US market. So no, I don't feel one bit sorry for the wealthy.

You have nothing against the rich but don't feel one bit sorry for them. How do you feel about the middle class who'll suffer if they can't find a job? I agree that people should be rewarded for their efforts. But I don't believe I'm owed high pay and fantastic benefits. Decent pay and decent benefits sure. But the push for high pay, gold plated benefits, resulting in the collapse of many industries, has harmed the middle class. The rich are often greedy, but so too often is labor. Get the decent pay, and if you want more go into management, or get training in something that pays, or start your own business. You want people to start businesses, work long hours for years, risking their life savings, and then when they are successful enough to hire employees they should pay the employee like he was the one who took all the risk and did all the sacrifice. You shouldn't be exploited, but you aren't owed a great living either. This is why socialism is taking hold in this country. Too many people want a great life without effort, and they resent the wealth of those who made the effort. I could care less how wealthy a guy is as long as he's paying me decently. What's decent at FedEx? For me it's the same deal as topped out employees are getting, after a reasonable amount of time. I'd be willing to say after 10 years, even 12. But I'm not going to demand $31hr and UPS benefits.

 

[vantexan]

Like I've said, gridlock sucks. You can blame one side if you like, I blame them all and the voters for putting us through lost progress, while other nations lap us. Golf clap mixed voters, golf clap.

Where are all these nations that are lapping us?

 

[I Am Jacks Damaged Box]

Warren Buffett got wealthy being very clever. He's playing both ends against the middle. Romney brought up in the debates that the wealthy will be just fine, it's the middle class that's getting slammed. It appears what matters to you is getting back at those evil rich people. You keep bringing them up. You do know that the top 5% in income earners pay 60% of income taxes? It's not to defend them, or a judgement on how nice or not nice they are. But the fact is if you are going to hike taxes on everyone over $200k or $250k you are ultimately going to hurt working people too. But that really doesn't matter because we are going to make those evil rich guys pay, aren't we? That's what it's all about. No matter that the country goes into the toilet if we can just take the rich down with it. Cutting off our nose to spite our face.

That's all well and good if you consider $200k-$250k earners the "nose on our collective faces".

I don't however, bigger picture and all.

 

[vantexan]

That's all well and good if you consider $200k-$250k earners the "nose on our collective faces".

I don't however, bigger picture and all.

Aw, Babu!!

 

[MAKAVELI]

I don't expect UPS pay either. I would be content with top out pay at 10 years and no later. And I don't expect gold benefits just stop cutting them every ****ing year. I have worked a lot of different Jobs and from my perspective we earn every penny and more. Exactly what risks are Fred S and the executives of this company taking? Maybe slipping off the stairs of their company jets. Lol. They have been well compensated over the years and its time they take care of their people. It's us on the bottom who put our health and bodies on the line not to mention sacrificing every Christmas with our families so Johnny can get his iPhone. I think that deserves respect and decent compensation which anyone under 15 years doesn't get in my opinion. With the little raises , increase in ins premiums ,and cut in benefits our wages are actually going down while the cost of living goes up and our work loads go up. So you tell me I'm being greedy. No I just don't like being treated like a 2nd class citizen just because I don't go to work in a suit and tie.

 

[I Am Jacks Damaged Box]

No disrespect intended vantexan...I should've iterated that previously. However I did not and that's on me.

But in regard to your first post in this thread, quoting PT Barnum is genius because that's all politics is nowadays. Nothing but a freakshow filled circus.

My entire adult life has been filled with people not being worth the skin they're printed on...let alone worth voting for. That being said, I'd take Obama over Romney every day until the day I die. Same with McCain. And I can say that with the utmost confidence of someone who did not vote for Obama even once.

Wow, come to think of it, I haven't cast a serious vote in my entire life. What a country we live in where one of our most cherished rights, lots of citizens see as an utter joke. Especially coming from those of us who served our country.

Something to think about.

 

[vantexan]

I don't expect UPS pay either. I would be content with top out pay at 10 years and no later. And I don't expect gold benefits just stop cutting them every ****ing year. I have worked a lot of different Jobs and from my perspective we earn every penny and more. Exactly what risks are Fred S and the executives of this company taking? Maybe slipping off the stairs of their company jets. Lol. They have been well compensated over the years and its time they take care of their people. It's us on the bottom who put our health and bodies on the line not to mention sacrificing every Christmas with our families so Johnny can get his iPhone. I think that deserves respect and decent compensation which anyone under 15 years doesn't get in my opinion. With the little raises , increase in ins premiums ,and cut in benefits our wages are actually going down while the cost of living goes up and our work loads go up. So you tell me I'm being greedy. No I just don't like being treated like a 2nd class citizen just because I don't go to work in a suit and tie.

I'm talking in generalities, but in general I'm referring to people who start businesses and with some success are making $250k or better a year before taxes. At the point a corporation is a publicly traded entity on the stock market it's a whole different animal. I don't want to be dehumanized into a number either. Or exploited. Or lied to. And unfortunately there's too much of that going on at FedEx. But I'm not going to lump all the rich together and say we must get as much as possible out of them in taxes. They do all the hiring, pay the salaries. I've never worked for a poor man so I'm not about to make it more difficult for the wealthy guy to afford paying me. Hiking taxes on the wealthy will guarantee that the poor somewhere will lose their jobs. Like it or not, we really are all in this together.

 

[MAKAVELI]

It's not just here in the US. I just read an article that American companies such as Google, Amazon, and Starbucks are being investigated in the UK for not paying their fair share of taxes in their country. My point is the greed of these corporations and their philosophy has reached a tipping point.

 

[vantexan]

No disrespect intended vantexan...I should've iterated that previously. However I did not and that's on me.

But in regard to your first post in this thread, quoting PT Barnum is genius because that's all politics is nowadays. Nothing but a freakshow filled circus.

My entire adult life has been filled with people not being worth the skin they're printed on...let alone worth voting for. That being said, I'd take Obama over Romney every day until the day I die. Same with McCain. And I can say that with the utmost confidence of someone who did not vote for Obama even once.

Wow, come to think of it, I haven't cast a serious vote in my entire life. What a country we live in where one of our most cherished rights, lots of citizens see as an utter joke. Especially coming from those of us who served our country.

Something to think about.

I think McCain once had a lot more energy, but I do respect the guy. 6 years in a Vietnamese prison, nearly died, 2 years in solitary, was given the chance to leave early because his dad was an admiral but refused because he wasn't the next in line, and for refusing he was repeatedly severely beaten. And has had a scarred and mangled body since then. Can't even raise his arms above his head. I really don't know why you'd take Obama over them and I mean that. He can give a great speech. He can say what people want to hear. But until his policies translate into low unemployment and middle class prosperity with opportunities for upward mobility no matter who you are then I'm afraid he's, as they say in Texas, all hat and no cattle.

 

[newgirl]

I don't expect UPS pay either. I would be content with top out pay at 10 years and no later. And I don't expect gold benefits just stop cutting them every ****ing year. I have worked a lot of different Jobs and from my perspective we earn every penny and more. Exactly what risks are Fred S and the executives of this company taking? Maybe slipping off the stairs of their company jets. Lol. They have been well compensated over the years and its time they take care of their people. It's us on the bottom who put our health and bodies on the line not to mention sacrificing every Christmas with our families so Johnny can get his iPhone. I think that deserves respect and decent compensation which anyone under 15 years doesn't get in my opinion. With the little raises , increase in ins premiums ,and cut in benefits our wages are actually going down while the cost of living goes up and our work loads go up. So you tell me I'm being greedy. No I just don't like being treated like a 2nd class citizen just because I don't go to work in a suit and tie.

Explain to me how taxing the wealthy helps. That tax money isn't going to end up in your pocket. The government can't force Fred to pay us more, a union can but that's not going to happen--that's how UPS gets paid what UPS gets paid. And I am not even sure all of the UPS guys make UPS money.

 

[MAKAVELI]

The same reasoning as the republicans have for taking from the middle class and poor. To help pay down the national debt. The only way to get the debt down is a combination of cuts and taxes. I know it's the popular thing these days to come down on the poor for accepting public assistance but who are you to judge if you haven't been in their shoes. Sure there are people that take advantage of the system but there are a lot that truly need the help just to survive. Not everyone lives in a perfect lilly white town with white picket fences where opportunity is abound. There are a lot of urban parts of the country where the crime and violence is the normal everyday life. Non of these people are living " the good life" off the government. My mother was on section 8 when I was a kid not because she was lazy and didn't want to work but because she was a single parent raising 2 children and working full time and needed the help so we could have a roof over our head and food to eat. And the apartments that accepted sec 8 were definitely not the nicest places to live putting it mildly. When she got a good job she got off of sec 8 and moved into a nicer part of town. The truth is anyone of us hardworking folk could be in that position and as proud as anyone is they would accept the help if it meant to eat or not to eat or have a place to live or stay in a shelter. Do you really think giving more tax breaks to the rich that they will turn around and be so generous to invest that money into the economy and " create jobs"? I think we have been down that road before and it doesn't work.

 

[vantexan]

The same reasoning as the republicans have for taking from the middle class and poor. To help pay down the national debt. The only way to get the debt down is a combination of cuts and taxes. I know it's the popular thing these days to come down on the poor for accepting public assistance but who are you to judge if you haven't been in their shoes. Sure there are people that take advantage of the system but there are a lot that truly need the help just to survive. Not everyone lives in a perfect lilly white town with white picket fences where opportunity is abound. There are a lot of urban parts of the country where the crime and violence is the normal everyday life. Non of these people are living " the good life" off the government. My mother was on section 8 when I was a kid not because she was lazy and didn't want to work but because she was a single parent raising 2 children and working full time and needed the help so we could have a roof over our head and food to eat. And the apartments that accepted sec 8 were definitely not the nicest places to live putting it mildly. When she got a good job she got off of sec 8 and moved into a nicer part of town. The truth is anyone of us hardworking folk could be in that position and as proud as anyone is they would accept the help if it meant to eat or not to eat or have a place to live or stay in a shelter. Do you really think giving more tax breaks to the rich that they will turn around and be so generous to invest that money into the economy and " create jobs"? I think we have been down that road before and it doesn't work.

There should be a safety net for those who need it. And there should be an expanding economy so that those who want work can get a job so that only those who need aid receive it. If the wealthy see opportunity to make money they will invest. And hire as needed to make that money. Where do you think jobs come from? Government? Does government produce goods and services we desire? Doesn't mean it's a perfect system. Capitalism can be brutal. And some do better than others. That is what seems to be at the core of the problem for many.