Opinion: Shrinking middle class worth worrying about
By Robert Reich
A few weeks ago I was visited in my office by the chairman of one of the country’s biggest high-tech firms who wanted to talk about the causes and consequences of widening inequality and the shrinking middle class, and what to do about it.
I asked him why he was concerned. “Because the American middle class is the core of our customer base,” he said. “If they can’t afford our products in the years ahead, we’re in deep trouble.”
Robert Reich
I’m hearing the same refrain from a growing number of business leaders.
They see an economic recovery that’s bypassing most Americans. Median hourly and weekly pay dropped over the past year, adjusted for inflation.
Since the depths of the Great Recession in 2009, median real household income has fallen 4.4 percent, according to an analysis by Sentier Research.
These business leaders know the U.S. economy can’t get out of first gear as long as wages are declining. And their own businesses can’t succeed over the long term without a buoyant and growing middle class.
They also recognize a second danger.
Job frustrations are fueling a backlash against trade and immigration. Any hope for immigration reform is now dead in Congress, and further trade-opening agreements are similarly moribund. Yet the economy would be even worse if America secedes into isolationism.
Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs, warned recently on “CBS This Morning” that income inequality is “destablilizing” the nation and is “responsible for the divisions in the country.” He went on to say that “too much of the GDP over the last generation has gone to too few of the people.”
Blankfein should know. He pulled in $23 million last year in salary and bonus, a 9.5 percent raise over the year before and his best payday since the Wall Street meltdown. This doesn’t make his point any less valid.
Several of business leaders are suggesting raising the minimum wage and increasing taxes on the wealthy.
Bill Gross, chairman of Pimco, the largest bond-trading firm in the world, said this week that America needs policies that bring labor and capital back into balance, including a higher minimum wage and higher taxes on the rich.
Gross has noted that developed economies function best when income inequality is minimal.
Several months ago Gross urged his wealthy investors, who benefit the most from a capital-gains tax rate substantially lower than the tax on ordinary income, to support higher taxes on capital gains. “The era of taxing ‘capital’ at lower rates than ‘labor’ should now end,” he stated.
Similar proposals have come from billionaires Warren Buffett and Stanley Druckenmiller, founder of Duquesne Capital Management and one of the top performing hedge fund managers of the past three decades. Buffett has suggested the wealthy pay a minimum tax of 30 percent of their incomes.
The response from the denizens of the right has been predictable: If these gentlemen want to pay more taxes, there’s nothing stopping them.
Which misses the point. These business leaders are arguing for changes in the rules of the game that would make the game fairer for everyone. They acknowledge it’s now dangerously rigged in the favor of people like them.
They know the only way to save capitalism is to make it work for the majority rather than a smaller and smaller minority at the top.
In this respect they resemble the handful of business leaders in the Gilded Age who spearheaded the progressive reforms enacted in the first decade of the twentieth century, or those who joined with Franklin D. Roosevelt to create Social Security, a minimum wage, and the 40-hour workweek during the Depression.
Unfortunately, the voices of these forward-thinking business leaders are being drowned out by backward-lobbying groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that are organized to reflect the views of their lowest common denominator.
And by billionaires like Charles and David Koch, who harbor such deep-seated hatred for government they’re blind to the real dangers capitalism now faces.
Those dangers are a sinking middle class lacking the purchasing power to keep the economy going, and an American public losing faith that the current system will deliver for them and their kids.
America’s real business leaders understand unless or until the middle class regains its footing and its faith, capitalism remains vulnerable.
Robert Reich, chancellor’s professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and senior fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies, was cecretary of Labor in the Clinton administration.
Hello McFly…
South Lake Tahoe, how’s that crooked government working for you now?
AS PREDICTED – Government and it’s progressive elitist champions like George Soros and Michael Bloomberg, Winn, Buffet, Jobs… the elitists in Silicon valley and the Wall street Bankers.
Big Government and Corporatist Cronies are what have done this to The USA. Obama, Reid and Pelosi the leaders that brought this on.
JUST AS PREDICTED!
Decades of increasing progressive government and Corporatist running the country into the ground.
The poor education system has become more of a socialist indoctrination program and has produced our nations most ignorant generations. Turning to government to solve all societies problems.
Ignoring history and the principles of freedom and free enterprise, instead creating a government led crony capitalism where people now serve government instead of government serving the people.
Same ol’ story for decades and you can not say you weren’t warned.
From here it will continue to get worse.
Look what team Obama has done to our boarders, to the financial system, the military, world peace and stability at the worst levels in generations.
The division and hate brought on this country. Now the world’s fragile stability is on the rocks. When will young Americans wake up to the sins and lies of their parents generations and their teachers.
Will it take a third world war… looking likely.
Obama said he would change America and he has done so. It is much, much worse and the decline is accelerating.
The lies of the leftists have brought us down.
You are so much on target McCoy and it is so sad that the younger generation that has been distracted with “their toys” and the empty, empty demoralizing, so called entertainment by “o’s” hollywood types in addition to the hate America indoctrination at institutions of higher learning (sic) have perpetrated.
We are on a downward spiril on roller skates now, all thanks to the through infestation of Communists, Marxists, facists running our country now shielded by the fear of being CALLED Racists!!!!
“The sky is falling…the sky is falling!!” America is just changing and the old gaurd of WASP elitist is being pushed into the tiny golf alcoves of security. Time to share the the wealth! We will all be light brown skinned in 4 generations anyway.
Time to share the the wealth! We will all be light brown skinned in 4 generations anyway.
You sound like a self entitlement TAKER.
Our entire tax code is built on a system of reward and punishment to achieve social and other goals. It is bloated, inefficient, accomplishes little good, and needs to go. It should be replaced with a simple consumption tax with exemptions for basic staples such as food, fuel and clothing, and should include other exemptions for the poor. It would be easy to collect, easy to understand, and hard to manipulate, which is why “progressives” so strongly oppose it. Tax changes would be transparent, billions of dollars would be saved on accounting and legal fees, and hundreds of thousands of bean counters could be released to the work force to actually produce goods that contribute to the national product.
Tahoebluewire, why is it that the only one who brings RACE into it is the liberal? (“we will all be light brown skinned”)
Economics and the leftist takeover doesn’t actually have anything to do with race; but your team has made it about race, because that’s the best weapon you’ve got. It’s people like Reich whose economic policies have brought about the collapse of the middle class. Immigrants USED to come here to work and make a better life for their families. Now they come here to take welfare benefits from the ever-weakening middle class that this socialistic system is destroying.
Ever wonder why the rich keep getting richer, while the middle class is disappearing? Government promotes itself and its cronies. It needs the poor to think it’s working for them, so that the poor will continue to vote for the political royalty and keep them in control.
Why do you keep falling for their lies? Because they’ve educated you in their schools! Those lies are all you’ve ever heard.
Team Obama set out to change America forever… will they succeed?
What team Obama has caused on our border is immoral.
It will cripple the country. American’s should feel betrayed by the liberals destroying what had once been man kinds greatest achievement.
Destroyed by criminal elitists in our government.
To insure success they are also systematically destroying the spirit of our armed forces.
When the real stuff hits the fan, remember it was your neighborhood liberals that helped to bring the country down.
Tahoebluewire, you do sound like a racist, what’s up with that?
CJ says we’ve become socialists. Marlene says we’ve been infested by communists, Marxists, and fascists (or in her case she called it facist).
So which is it? Which one of these four DIFERENT (maybe just slightly, but different) things is it?
Dog, perhaps you missed it in Marlene’s post where she invoked the “R” word, before Tahoebluewire.
BP do you have a reading comprehension problem? Or are you just rude and think it is right to put words in other peoples mouths ?
You should not tell other people what they say or think. That is rude.
Fascism, marxism, Nazism and communism are all forms of socialism. Many educators in the American system seem to not be aware of that.
CJ, in your fourth comment on this thread you call them “criminal government elitists”.
Again I ask, which is it?
You’re all over the place. It’s funny how you unpatriotic haters of America think by virtue of you making this stuff up it therefore is reality.
BP,
Do you really think that there is only one answer? Is that what you were taught in school?
Is that what your problem is? You can’t see multiple components to the issue?
BP,
Do you really think that there is only one answer? Is that what you were taught in school?
Is that what your problem is? You can’t see multiple components to the issue?
Cj. Off his meds again
Its been a nice reprieve but I guess its over. Time to find something else to do.
I find it terribly sad that so many angry comments completely miss the point of the article because they are focused on trying to find yet another reason to hate. I believe that Mr. Reich’s point being: that even corporate America is concerned about the loss of the middle class because they recognize that the middle class is necessary for our country’s future. It is absurd to believe that one Presidency “caused” this decline. It has been declining for decades. The constant drum-beat of complaints about America (by repeatedly blaming one President) has grown tiresome to many people who love their country. There is a bright future waiting unless you insist on concentrating on negativity and blame.
The country will succeed because that is what we do. We succeed, we find solutions and we love our country, despite the odds against us. Our founding fathers wisely created a system wherein the elected representatives change fairly regularly. Not regularly enough in the Legislature, in my humble opinion. If you don’t like the current paradigm, vote. That is how it works here. Whining doesn’t accomplish anything.
People should be angry, people should be very angry what Obama and the liberals are doing to our country.
The constitution and the law is being ignored by the president and the IRS and other agencies and so called Liberal Americans say “so what”.
That is the problem. the give-me generation and the progressives using them to under mine our future and your children’s futures.
It is not going to end well, remember who brought it on. Selfish, self entitled liberals.
Dumbfounded said “If you don’t like the current paradigm, vote. That is how it works here. Whining doesn’t accomplish anything.”
The current paradigm is for the President, the IRS, the justice department and the government at many levels is to ignore the laws and the constitution.
I say we vote, then put the law breakers and their minions in prison.
That is not whining, that is justice.
‘Dog, perhaps you missed it in Marlene’s post where she invoked the “R” word, before Tahoebluewire.’
Hahahaa typical.
CJ where is this prediction you speak of?
Your youtube channel where you plagiarize?
dumbfounded, Well written comment in regards to Robert Reich’s opinion piece. I agree with you and your take on Robert’s article.
There is a contingency here on LTN that seem to disagree with anything they see that is vaguely liberal or “leftist”(when did that term pop up?).
I’m getting close to the age where I can start collecting on my social security after paying into it all these years. Does that make me a “Socialist”?
I believe in our public school system. I’ve read here where some think public schools are indoctrinating kids into having liberal beliefs. What a bunch of nonsense!
The middle class as well as our local economy is in a downward spiral. From what Iv’e seen around this neighborhood, more people moving away than people moving in. Don’t believe me? Take a walk around your Tahoe neighborhood and count the empty houses. Drive thru town, how many vacant commercial buildings?
I’m hoping things turn around. OLS
Hello:
Back in the ’50’s, I seem to recollect that corporations were limited to 6% of a ‘total gross profit’, which, if translated to a large corporation generating enough revenue, would still be a sizable amount. . .
The bent ‘conservative’ mode now is to think that the “sky-is-the-limit’ where their monied interests are, but ‘sky-is-the-limit’ is also a parameter for how safe we’ll end up to be. . .climate change issues are sending us a message that we’re not paying attention to, while we try to accumulate even more money, which will hasten the crash mentioned as a significant worry. . .
Hey CJ, your crystal ball is broken!
Stock Market at new record high.
The US Treasury posted a Surplus last month.
Unemployment is down to 2008 levels of 6.1%.
Manufacturing jobs are increasing.
Price of gold is dropping.
Auto sales are at record levels.
America now produces more oil/gas then Saudi Arabia and will pass Russia for the #1 spot in a year.
Under Affordable Health Care (aka Obamacare) the number of uninsured Americans without health insurance dropped a record 5% since March.
Regardless of you rants, the Country is moving forward with or without you.
“The Stock Market is at an all time high”… of course it is governments and central banks have been printing money all over the world, somewhere north of $10 Trillion dollars according to my estimates, in the last five years. The Fed Balance sheet is at an all time high too. The EU currently planning another 1.4 trillion, Japan and China are all doing the same thing.
In effect that is taking income from future workers and using it to pay for the excesses of today. It is immoral intergenerational theft and as everyone knows it will not end well.
As I said before on these pages, the un employment rate is a “cooked” number. More people have been “removed” from the counting of unemployment than at any time in our history, millions just not counted.
DO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS OR JUST WHAT CNN AND MSNBC WANT YOU TO KNOW?
The only rate that counts is the labor force participation rate. THat is at a record low. Fewer percentage of American workers than at any time since Jimmy Carter. That is horrid. And you’re proud of it or just ignorant of it? Sic.
The hypocrisy of the leftists is amazing… Now it is ok to produce oil?
AND on that point… What happened to all the talk about the ONE PERCENT-ERS… THe divide is worse now then it was 5 years ago and narry a peep from the leftists. BTW – in Tahoe the 1 percenters are your government and non profit managers, like the $600 grand the hospital director makes… And city employees pulling down 6 figures with grand retirements that YOU PEOPLE Will PAY. I will pay Zero of it.
AS for the “Affordable Health Care (aka Obamacare) the number of uninsured Americans without health insurance dropped a record 5% since March.” According to WHOM?
EVERYTHING THAT Team OBAMA TELLS US ABOUT OBAMA CARE TURNS OUT TO BE A LIE. WHEN DO YOU WAKE UP TO THAT FACT?
AND SINCE YOU APPARENTLY FORGOT -OBAMA CHANGED THE rollout because it was going so bad… Remember?
AMERICA IS LIVING A LIE, an immoral life of intergenerational theft to provide for the corporatists and government employees of today. You are proud of it?
Look around. THings getting better?
America is not moving forward it is coasting on lies.
From here it gets worse.
Garry, there has never been a cap on profit. Particularly a cap based on gross because that makes no sense. It would prevent innovation because there would be no reason to innovate.
I understand that monopoly is always the end result of unregulated capitalism. But it is also true that the great strides in human development in the last century are due to a transparent corporate law system. Corporations allow thousands of people to pool resources to achieve a common goal and earn profit. Yes corporations can also do bad things but that is rare. Most complaints people have about corporations, like your fable, are products of imagination.
I hate how those on the Left express concern about the shrinking Middle Class, but have no problem sticking the Middle Class with a never ending array of tax & fee increases. Tax & Fee Increases that really add up and have hit the Middle Class, hard! All to keep a very well-paid (in both $ and benefits) bureaucracy in the lifestyle it’s become accustomed.
And if things are so great now, then the Fed can stop the money printing, which has caused gas to go up, in case you haven’t noticed, quite significantly! As well as food fairly noticeably.
And gas & food price increases hit the Middle Class pretty darn hard as well.
I hope America’s Middle Class will survive all this Govt. ‘Help’?!
“I understand that monopoly is always the end result of unregulated capitalism”
You understand wrongly. Monopoly is only possible with the support of government. In a true free market, a large corporate monopoly will always be undercut by a fresher, smaller, more innovative entrepreneur. Corporations, as they grow larger, become less innovative and nimble. They can only maintain their control of the market through protectionist government intervention on their behalf by regulation, licensing, and taxation.
Look at the biggest monopoly of all: the Federal Government!
There was a greater disparity of wealth in the 20s in America than there is now. That is.. The rich were waaay richer then, and there WAS NO middle class. look it up.
And Tahoe is at best a dream town. It was built on the backs of the Casinos, silver boom and timber industries , and cannot support its own agriculture or livestock. There is a reason the Washoe only chillaxed up here in Summer.
Tahoebluewire…
what is your point? I don’t understand what you are trying to get at.
…is it acceptable then? Is that your point?
Will it lead to another great depression?
5 years ago the leftist were occupying Wall Street. It was the chant… the one percenters…
Now disparity is worse and narry a word…
What’s up with that?
Where is the outrage for what team Obama has done to the income disparity?
Seems very hypocritical.
CJ is Alex Jones with less credibility and even less research.
‘ Monopoly is only possible with the support of government.’
It would only take one example to prove this statement wrong. I’ll let someone else take care of that.
Apparently warm sunny days make rabid conservatives frisky.
What am I wrong about?
Anything in particular?
My point is, it is normal in all societies for there to be the ruling class, and the peasant class. ALways has been, always will be. I’m apolitical by the way.
Hey CJ! Take a chill pill and put a sock in it! WE ALL KNOW YOU HATE PRESIDENT OBAMA, OK!
You have been saying “from here it gets worse” without anything to back it up for ages.
Your “chicken little/sky is falling act” is old and worn out. The proof is in the pudding.
The only people on this blog spewing lies are you and your ILK!
Hey Parker. When have you cons on the Right gotten any prediction correct? I say NONE! What tax and fee increases exactly are you blabbing about?
Oh, that’s right. You wanted to give all the tourists that trashed our town on the 4th of July weekend FREE PARKING TO BOOT!
The Obama Regime has had 5+ years to turn the tide here. There is no more blaming Bush. The Regime owns this economic mess lock, stock & barrel.
Government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem.
Hey BITTER. Still stuck in 2008 are you? Well, the “tide” has turned… without you!
Tahoebluewire
WOW…spoken like a true slave.
Where did you learn that? “All societies have a ruling class”. WOW
You may be a peasant and willing to accept that.
Real Americans don’t.
That is the essence of our Constitution and the foundation of our nation. No wonder why I have such a hard time with liberals, they think like slaves.
Oh, I get it now! CJ, Bitter, Dog & Parker are the same people sending out those hoax confidential emails about Diamonds and/or Funds stuck in Africa or Emeralds and/or funds stuck in South America, willing to make a trade, $1 Million for $10k… with the $10k cash in advance first! LOL!
HEY CJ! The US Constitution Approved Slavery in the 3/5ths clause! Remember a little thing called THE CIVIL WAR!? No wonder “Cons” are so ignorant.
Once you resort to personal insults, you have lost the debate.
“Once you resort to personal insults, you have lost the debate.”
Dog, you and CJ must be experts when it comes to your above statement because you’re obviously speaking from personal experience.
And I couldn’t agree with you more on THAT staement!
Oh Please DOG! You are the one that calls people “bird droppings” etc? Don’t go for the pity party routine now Dog. Ignorant is the appropriate word anyway; it’s not “name calling.”
R4T and now jumping two centuries ahead to the present. What in the world are you getting at? Playing the race card again are you?
BTW it was the Democrat Sen. Bird that was the KKK Wizard wasn’t it?
And everyone knows that the Republicans supported the Civil rights Act. The Dems had to be dragged kickin and screaming to the civil rights movement by Pres. Johnson. It barely past. Repubs were all on board.
And Lincoln, he was a Republican. In fact the Republican Party formed to end slavery.
No, it is the Dems have long been the party of racists, you see it in how they pander to racial minorities for votes.
You see it in how they play the race card. It is their second most popular political card.
Why is it so many Dems were racists?
Rock,
You’re making it very difficult, if not, impossible to have a rational discussion. But just one example of many: I’m glad to know you’re so wealthy you haven’t noticed the sales tax increases of recent years, including one from the last election.
But those of us of moderate income sure have felt it! And that’s just one of many.
I’d give more, but I have to go to do more hoax emails about African Diamond Mines. Yeah, you caught me.
Oh, and Rock, you keep lying.
I never called anybody “bird droppings.”
My quote was, “Arguing with a liberal is like trying to play chess with a pigeon. No matter how well you play, all they do is kick over the pieces, crap on the board, and then strut around acting victorious.”
That’s a bit different from calling you ‘bird droppings’. But if the shoe fits.
CJ the republican party of Lincoln is the same in name only.
I learned that in High School.
And you were questioning someone’s education earlier.
Plagiarism, intellectual dishonesty, blatant ignorance, cognitive dissonance, all reasons why your credibility is suffering.
CJ’s two biggest supporters are creationists.
Go figure.
Ad hominem.
I can tell you are High School learned, that is obvious. I have looked at supporting data you provided before on the global warming issue and it was – high-school-ish .
so, Cosa, tell us how the Republican Party has changed.
Enlighten us with your high school wisdom.
For those with a more honest interest and here is a question related to the head of the Democrat party.
Why is it that Harry Reid has been called a “race baiter” by Nevada News paper?
“The moment any scandal, policy failure or political defeat crashes down on him — and there have been plenty the past few years — the Senate majority leader unleashes outrageous rhetoric,” … “has become especially fond of slinging race cards just to crank up the outrage.”
The article goes on to say
“Harry Reid is the da Vinci of distraction,”
Reid is the primary reason nothing gets through Congress.
https://www.reviewjournal.com/opinion/editorial-colorblind-harry-reid-continues-divide
Dog. What do you think “pigeon crap” is? LOL!
Parker. You don’t have “rational” anything… come on. Are you talking about the .0025 sales tax increase the Voters approved of for 2013 as Prop 30? Thats it? LOL!
r4t
Dog is right, she did not call you anything.
Did you read the quote? I did not see your name anywhere. It is what would be called a generalization.
A darn good one.
Rock, your level of comprehension is abysmal.
Have a good Sunday.
Hey CJ! Want some cheese with that whine?
The “race card!?” What are you smokin’ CJ? Oh. I forgot you don’t believe in History before January 2009. Well, that’s your problem.
You said, “Now it is ok to produce oil?” Gosh, it means we don’t have to use Foreign Oil dude! We are using less oil and conserving more and CAFE standards are rising. ONLY YOU CJ, would say that is bad just because a Democratic President is in Office.
Yeah Dog, crawl away fast.
CJ. You are still ignorant.
Don’t put words in peoples mouths that is rude.
“ONLY YOU CJ, would say that is bad just because a Democratic President is in Office.”
That is a juveniles logic. People are against Obama because of his policies and the damage being done to the country as a result.
For instance, as far as I am concerned Americans should be outraged for what team Obama has created on our border. And canceling the missile defense system over Europe. That was one of the biggest blunders in modern history.
Team Obama has not only damaged America he’s damaged our standing and respect in the world.
Harry Reid is a serial Race-Baiter.
He uses race to gin up the argument and attack people. A horrible, hate filled person and he’s the leader of the Democratic party.
Kae, You must enjoy publishing something like the Reich column
A. because his reasoning is correct and
B. because it gives us all a chance to read the ridiculous comments made by the uninformed and fearful tea party/fox News types. Hope you can keep us amused like this next time there is a big blizzard and we are stuck at home!
Rock,
Read what I state. I said one of many! They all add up! For starters, after questioning if there were any, you now at least admit otherwise. To add to the list: City also raised it. The Feds also raised the Payroll Tax on working Americans last year.
And typical bureaucratic mindset! That .25 adds up over the course of the year when you’re working poor, have a family, and ever nickel matters! Stop looking out for the interests of the bureaucratic elite, and care about those Americans just scraping by. Hence this article about America’s shrinking Middle Class!
‘what team Obama has created on our border’
Lack of detail. Problem not defined, no specifics, did not establish link between A and B.
‘ That was one of the biggest blunders in modern history. ‘
Opinion, that lacks any substance.
‘Ad hominem.’
Not at all. Belief in creationism is a solid indicator of lower intelligence and lack of education. And it is really easy to take advantage of those types of people. Which is what CJ is doing.
As further proof, your poor reading comprehension helped derail this discussion. Marlene brought up racism. You were the first person to mention that one of your opponents brought up race. They did not. You are wrong. You were called out on it earlier, and continue to be wrong.
Re: the Republican Party and the history of political parties in America.
Do your own homework. Like you should have in 10th grade.
The Republican Party of today is only the same in name, as the Republican party of Lincoln. Ideologically and politically they are 2 very different parties. That is common knowledge.
Both you and Dawg have been corrected on this, and continue to remain ignorant.
Cosa,
Re your response to the Republican Party
That is an empty response… a ZERO in any analysis.
And then to consider that in the same post you make this statement.
“Lack of detail. Problem not defined, no specifics, did not establish link between A and B.”
Regarding the current events at America’s Border which you are unaware of, you should probably pay more attention to the news. At least then you would be better informed on the new situation at the southern border.
I suggest Fox, they cover news in depth and make an attempt at being fair and balanced as compared to CNN and the hate filled MSNBC.
Time to qoute Strother Martin in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
“Morons, I’m surrounded by morons.”
What a bunch of blathering idiots. The humor is incredible but the logic is abysmal. Please folks, try and think things out a little more before touching a keyboard.
The point of this article is that even some of the brighter “elite class” realizes that for them to be able to “fleece the sheep”, the sheep need to have wool. The way the system is going right now the sheep with wool are diminishing in number. These people are smart enough to realize that this type of canabilistic behavior is a dead end. They believe that the rules that are currently in place favor the “shearers” so much that the “sheep” will run out of wool. They would like to see that change so that there will always be wool.
Hope that clears this up for some of you.
Others of you just want the little voices in your heads to go away.
PS, check out Seth Macfarlane “Sheep shearing” on YouTube.
I don’t want you to take my word for it. You should go educate yourself on this important matter that is part of a solid understanding of political parties in the US.
I am aware of the new border situation, and know enough to realize that blaming it all on Obama is a partisan simplification.
We can’t take your word for anything because you don’t have a good reputation. For one, YOU PLAGIARIZE. That is a major offense that destroys intellectual integrity.
Gosh CJ…your description of Harry Reid sounds surprisingly like….YOU!
The posts by CJ, Bitter, Moral, Dog, Parker on this comment section make it look and sound like a Circlejerk for the teabaggers…No wonder CJ’s Crystal Ball(s) broke! ugghhh….rightwing schploogie everywhere-! Smells weird too. I’m out.
I love it when people can’t disagree the points made, so they label and name call.
CJ is actually a plagiarist though.
Parker. It was the CONGRESS that let the Payroll Tax Cuts Expire (the GOP never liked them to begin with) and everyone on the planet (even Forbes and Norquist) knows this except you!
If you need to blame somebody about the .0025 sale tax increase, blame your favorite target… THE VOTERS! It passed 56 to 44 percent in 2012 with over 7 million Votes and the Voter turnout was 72%.
Again, we aren’t buying your snake oil anymore.
Rock, the Payroll tax cut was never meant to be permanent. It was not an actual tax cut, it was a “tax holiday”. How ya gonna pay for Gramps’ social security if nobody is paying IN?
The reason these things always get so ridiculous is because of political gamesmanship in DC. The politicians always tack other, completely unrelated legislation onto the bills. It’s all games. None of it is straightforward, they are ALL lying to the public about what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. They do not CARE about YOU. And you’re foolish to think they do.
CJ’s useless rants include: “Corporatist, leftists, liberals, Fascism, marxism, nazism, communism, socialism, cooked, government employees, true slave, real Americans, Dems were racists, serial Race-Baiter… blah, blah, blah”
The only “damage” in our Country is your brain damaged pointless ignorant blog-vomit.
Rock,
Get the concept! So the Payroll Tax went up! Working Class Americans are paying more in payroll tax than before! Get it? I didn’t mention parties to blame one way or the other. Did I?!
What I stated was that in response to this story, that with all these various fees & taxes going up, they are putting a squeeze on the Middle Class.
Yes, the voters of CA passed the sales tax increase. Just like the voters of So. Lake Tahoe voted overwhelmingly to eliminate Paid Parking.
Didn’t say the sales tax increase was illegal. No, the voters passed it because they were scared into believing that with all the people on the State of CA payroll (numbers that did not go down by the way since ’08), and with so many of them making over 100k, plus benefits, and some over 200, 300, and 400k, and more, plus generous benefits, the world would end if the bureaucracy was asked to scale a bit.
So in response to this story, the Middle Class pays more, (and they already were paying a lot!) so the bureaucratic fat cats can maintain the lifestyle to which they are accustomed. Fact!
Dog. Tell that to Parker, he is the one in need of your post about the “tax holiday.”
And You are the fool to believe in an Atheist Fantasy World of Ayn Rand. Example. Why did we have to have “socialist volunteers” clean up after the 4th of July Weekend? Answer. Because the folks that left the garbage DID NOT CARE! A lot of the garbage was left by children too.
Keep bad mouthing our Government Dog, but let me know when you find your Libertarian Utopian Nation on this Planet ‘eh. Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath while you look.
Time for cj dog parker and their ilk to take their meds again so they can continue with their bla bla bla dribble. Maybe they can find their rocks and crawl back into their holes. The repetition got old about 20 comments ago. Their rhetoric is the same as it was months ago, their knowledge is the same as it was months ago, fast forward 10 years and they will still be doing the same thing. Bla bla bla, whine and point fingers at all the horrible terrible people who arent perfect like them. Bla bla bla, YAWN……
Parker. You said “Feds also raised the Payroll Tax” not me. So don’t back peddle now.
The vote to give the Garbage throwing tourists free parking was based on a 26% turnout! NOT 72%! I would bet that after the fiasco on the 4th of July beaches, most people would gladly make the tourist pay for parking and beach cleanup too.
Keep blaming the Unions just like Joe McCarthy did in the 50’s if you want to Parker, but that dog doesn’t hunt much anymore.
Back Peddle? What are you talking about? The Feds raised the Payroll
Tax. Period! We pay more now, Working Class Americans, than we did 2012. Fact! The Payroll Tax is a Federal Tax, and it went up.
But you’re right, I’m just like Joe McCarthy? What? Yes, bureaucrats should make 100, 200, 300k and more!! And to question that is to go on an anti-communist witch hunt?!
But unlike you, I accept the results when the people speak. That’s life in a democracy!
And to others, you should come up with facts instead of name calling!
There is a great interview with the actor Jon Voight on The Huckabee show on Fox.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jon-voight-lashes-obama-lengthy-718203
Voight talks about all the changes in America. He’s informed and a brave man to stand up and talk about these import issues. He risks more than just his career.
If you have children and grandchildren and want them to have the opportunities you had in a free America, if you want to bring back small business opportunities and return America to the land of opportunity check it out.
And speak up, shout down the leftists destroying your children’s opportunities and freedom.
Unless free people rise up and tell the leftists NO MORE then it will get very bad in America. Very Bad.
Parker. Let me know when you actually find these bureaucrats making 400k, in the meantime:
Jerry Brown salary $174k
Chief Justice Cantil salary $229k
Average State worker salary $68k
(remember, if you opt into CALPERS, you don’t get Social Security)
Want to fix the income inequality in America? Like my Dust Bowl relatives said, “tax the rich, they can afford it.”
Check out State Controller John Chiang’s website. Over 500 make over 240k, and 9 make over 500k! More specifically check out what the Chancellor of Cal Berkeley and the Pres. of the UC system makes.
And they opt out of social security and into CalPers because it’s more generous, with the taxpayer subsidizing it!
Parker….
Well done!
This bearded, bumbling armchair-liberal bureaucrat landed in the perfect place for him, Berserkeley. Other than pontificating in government and subsequently academia, he is virtually unemployable in any legitimate pursuit.
Good point, Steve. Very few of the people running the country right now have every had a real job where they actually had to PRODUCE anything. Everything they’ve done has been purely theoretical.
Hasn’t been working out so well for those of us who live in the real world.
Parker, exceptions and outliers don’t define the rule or the mean/median.
Basic statistics.
And you operate on the premise that no one deserves over a certain amount. Which is irrational.
CJ won’t even admit to plagiarism. Coward.
Cosa,
First off I was responding to someone that implied there were no such high paid people working for the State. I was making it clear what the facts are. Irrational? Stating the facts?
Last time I’m going to comment on this story and hope everyone can get the point. This story is about the Middle Class getting squeezed. The author, Robert Reich, did not mention how the Middle Class is getting nailed by high taxes & fees, that are always increasing. A lot of people on the Left say, tax the rich! But it’s never to ease the burden on the Middle Class.
It’s always to feed the bureaucracy. It’s stated that the average state employee makes 68k? If true, that’s pretty darn good when retirement and benefits are thrown in.
But the exorbitant pay of many is worth pointing out when people claim taxes & fees need to be increased. Because it comes at the expense of some people, the Middle Class, barely getting by.
So if Professor Reich is so concerned about Americans of Middle Income, he should work to lower its tax burden! And to any that say the Middle Class’ taxes can’t be lowered because govt. needs the money, Professor Reich should first look to his bosses in the UC system to sacrifice a bit! It would at least be a start!
And so for the record, I never said what people should be capped off at when working for the State. I wouldn’t care if over a hundred people working for the State made over a million $ a year. As long as they didn’t cry broke all the time, and constantly try to squeeze more money out of people who are barely getting by, aka The Middle Class. You know the people Professor Reich claims to be caring about.
And the next time I hear the State needs more money, I can always point out the exorbitant pay many are getting at the public trough!
“Very few of the PEOPLE running the country right now have every had a real job where they actually had to PRODUCE anything.”
Dog, that statement has a VERY red tinge!
Very hammer and sickle.
“This bearded, bumbling armchair-liberal bureaucrat landed in the perfect place for him, Berserkeley”…..hahahaha! Sounds like Steve has a mouthful of sour grapes.
You forgot to mention he has also taught at Harvard and Brandeis Universities, and that he attended Dartmouth, Oxford and Yale(Yale is not exactly KNOWN for it’s liberal stamp.)
Parker. So you are talking about 9 people that make over $300k per year, that’s what your main complaint is about? Those 9 people are the cause of all the income inequality? Um… not buying it.
BTW. Employees contribute to CALPERS as well.
Does the “public trough” include Oil/Gas/Coal/Mining/Farm and Timber subsidies? Because those costs are in the Tens of Billions each year; not Thousands.
Rock,
Read! Read! I said I was done commenting but to see you misquote me, I have to respond to that! According to Democratic State Controller’s webisite, over 500 make over 240k!! Got it? 9 make over 500k! Got it! You asked me where they were, and I pointed out. Accept that were incorrect!
This story is about the Middle Class suffering! I pointed out ways the wallets of the Middle Class get depleted. All to pay for the fact the State never reduced its number of employees, that average 68k/yr. according to you, plus benefits & generous retirement, the Middle Class subsidizes.
There’s Billions there. It all adds up.
As far as tax breaks for corporations? I admire the constant attempt to change the subject! That’s not with this story was about! When there is a story on corporate tax breaks, that’s when you comment. Unless, you’re saying the Middle Class tax burden should be reduced by increasing taxes on companies?
But that’s never what’s proposed! It’s just a way to keep feeding bureaucratic trough.
Plain & simple though. You asked me to produce the over 400k salaries, and I did. Stop justifying them, and work on helping our Middle Class that continues to struggle in these times.
Parker. First. You changed the subject by blaming Government as you always do; not me. Professor Reich made it clear that he was talking about rich people SUPPORTING a rise in Capital Gains Tax to offset the income inequality. And he closes with solutions put forward by FDR.
Lets do some simple math: If we force all 509 of your “so called” bureaucrats to work for Jerry Browns salary, we save about $40 million per year (not Billions.) Ok not bad.
HOWEVER. BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Shell make a record $118 Billion AND STILL TAKE HOME $2.4 BILLION IN DIRECT TAX PAYER SUBSIDES/GIFTS/CHARITY! WHILE PAYING THEIR CEO’S AN AVERAGE OF $30 MILLION PER YEAR! AND THIS IS ONLY THE OIL BUSINESS CHARITY!
I say this Oil Company Bureaucratic Pig Trough does NOTHING for the Middle Class except line their collective pockets.
$2.4 Billion dollars would fix a lot of roads, bridges, housing or schools. You know, stuff the Middle Class uses every day.
yes rock that 2.4 billion would go a long way to lowering the 680 billion dollar deficit(2013), lets not borrow money we dont have, and no plan on how to pay it back, and deficits will increase when the fed starts to increase interest rates and ghe federal goverments interest expenses increase.
Rock,
This story is about the struggle of the MC, and I commented that they struggle with high & increasing taxes & fees. Didn’t change the subject, commented on the story at hand from the start! (You really need to read more thoroughly as you previously again butchered the facts!)
You now say, you’re comment about taxing the Big Corps. is about helping the MC. Now, but before it had no pertinent point.
And I guess I need to elaborate in that you skeptically questioned State employees making exorbitant salaries. Yet I proved it true. Instead of conceding the point, you tried to say well there’s not that many and change the subject with corporations are getting away with a lot…
But those exorbitant salaries are not the only place where savings could be found to alleviate the MC tax burden. I’ll say it again: 68k for an average salary with pay & benefits, same # of employees as pre ’08, and in addition-3.7B, that’s Billion, to subsidize State Pension obligations (State Employees are not covering the costs!), and in the prison system alone-11,000 make over 100k, per annum, 900 make over 200k per annum!
There’s plenty of money to be cut to ease the Middle Class tax burden! That’s the point!!
Arguing with Rock and Fish would be an excellent study for a professor of Logic. The number of fallacies they both employ regularly is spectacular.
Even though Logic falls under the heading of philosophy, I was able to take the course in college to satisfy a math requirement.
More people ought to think about such a course. It would take a lot of the frustration out of these online comment boards.
Dog, so let me see if I understand you.
You’re insinuating your right 100% of the time and your logic skills are through the roof by virtue of ONE college course?
Huh.
Never said I was right 100% of the time. OR that my skills are “through the roof”. Don’t be silly.
Your attack is basically the ‘strawman’ fallacy. You are arguing against a claim I never made. Fish resorts to it all the time.
Attack? I merely asked a question.
I find it interesting how everyone that calls you and your”logic” out is guilty of an attack, and yet when you call people names (although you don’t consider it calling someone a name when you compare them to a pigeon playing chess) or belittle them you are NOT attacking?
Huh.
No point even talking to you. Can’t stay on topic, can you?
One last point Dog.
You’ve pretty much said that there is no use talking to anyone that disagrees with you, yet you continue to do just that.
You seem to be huge on the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality.
I keep hoping one of you will stay on the issue. Do you even remember that this was about Reich’s silly ideas about what’s causing the erosion of the middle class? Do you even care?
Dogula,
Your analogy of ‘arguing with liberals is like arguing with pigeons” is very clever.
… and so relevant.
‘The number of fallacies they both employ regularly is spectacular.’
Name one.
‘ I was able to take the course in college to satisfy a math requirement.’
And it really shows ~
I did name one. I’ve named several in recent days. But as usual, you attack me, because you are unable to prove me wrong.
Ad hominem.
“I keep hoping one of you will stay on the issue.”
“I did name one. I’ve named several in recent days. But as usual, you attack me, because you are unable to prove me wrong.
Ad hominem.”
And what does that last comment of your’s have to do with this articles “issue”?
Dog logic is like keeping peace by making nuclera war heads. Illogical. She is only a legend in her own mind. The exact same responses to every topic. Nothing but finger pointing. And the use of CAPITAL letters when rausing her voice. As if we are really listening, NOT.
Wow! This is entertainment! Satisfied a math requirement with a logic class? Was that in obedience school Dog? ROFLMAO!!!
Parker. When exactly did I mention “taxing the Big Corps?” I am pointing out the $Billions$ GIVEN, NOT TAXED, to the Oil/Extraction Industry. I thought you were AGAINST Bureaucratic Pigs at the Trough of Government. Clearly, subsidies to Oil/Gas/Timber/Farming (including Tobacco) that are already making huge profits fits the description. Well, unless you are Parker it seems.
Clearly, we cannot just fire every person that works for the State of California; that is impossible. Well, keep blaming the wage/salaried workers Parker and I will always be here to challenge you.
Dog. We have been around the block with your lack of debate skills. Slavery in the US Constitution ring a bell? Oh, that’s right. You NEVER answer a question, you just keep asking rhetorical questions.
You call Professor Reich “silly?” Are you a “Professor” at anything beside useless keystrokes on a blog? Oh, I will answer that one… LOL!
And CJ comes out of his stupor.
Is there a missing comment?
Dawg your MO is the straw man. How about some specifics of my logical fallacies.
Me saying ‘you are a YEC, thus your understanding of science is highly questionable’ isn’t one.
Dawg, post that link to the Islamophobic hate propaganda that got you banned from the other website. You coward.
People who fall for that type of media are dangerously stupid.
So what math class did you choose not to take?
Intro to Calculus was too hard?
Rock,
Challenge me? Maybe if you got your facts accurate. (Yes, I said we need to fire every state employee?God forbid you actually read what I say, and God forbid we even discuss controlling the costs of govt! Cause if you discuss it, that means you’re for eliminating all govt. employees? What?)
And you’ll know my opinion on tax breaks to corporations when there’s the appropriate story to comment on them!
But we just differ Rock in that I want to ease the tax burden on struggling Middle Class Americans, and you want to make sure bureaucrats keep their 200, 300, 400k and more salaries. Which you questioned if they existed, and I proved otherwise!
Fish, no video got me banned. You lie. Constantly.
Dog logic…I stepped in some of that once or twice.
Parker. My facts and math are sound. Interesting that you did not mention the Athletic Coaches or Computer Programmers making more money then Prison Guards… Anyway. It sounds like you have salary envy or a jealousy issue to me.
What were you banned for? Or asked to leave.
Rock,
Again, changing the subject! You questioned the existence of the high paid bureaucrats, and I proved it! You then wouldn’t repeat the numbers accurately!
But Coaches? Programmers? Envy? Again the changing subject! Have you ever been in a store line behind a family that’s counting out its pennies? Good to know that it’s ok with you when they have to return some items because of all the taxes necessary to keep the bureaucracy in the lifestyle to which it feels it’s entitled!
And AGAIN Parker. Who died and put you in charge of this blog?
You started changing the subject with your first post on this thread that made no mention of Professor Reichs’ points or comments; only your useless hate, left, government bash commentary.
Professor Reich is from that “bureaucratic” bastion of Scranton Pennsylvania and was the son of a small business lower middle class family… Just the sort of people you like pretend to embrace. How cute.
Rock,
You don’t know me, so to question my integrity? From someone who got his facts wrong? I actually don’t question your integrity. And maybe Professor Reich is from Mars, so what?!
I’ve always on this post commented on matters that have affected the Middle Class. That’s what it’s about. To say I pretend when you don’t know me? To say hate? Hate is involved in caring about all the taxes & fees that put a strain on Middle Income Americans? I proved to you there were people making exorbitant salaries on the State payroll, and then you wrongly say I want to get of all State employees?
I illustrated to you I have seen, Yes seen first hand, working families not being able to cover the cost of sales tax at the cash register, and you say I’m filled with hate?
A little tip for you. If you want to justify excessive govt. spending (note, I didn’t say all govt. spending!) come up with facts, don’t put words in people’s mouths, don’t change the subject (who cares where Robert Reich was born?) and don’t name call. Again, just calmy and factually make your case!
So Parker. I addition to the envious and jealous issues you have against government workers you are going for narcissistic and controlling behavior as well. Ok.
I will point out that Professor Reich wrote the article; not you. He never mentioned Government worker salaries; that was you.
And yes, I went to the State Controllers web site and found that: the highest state employee was the Chief Financial Officer for The State Retirement System at $785k per year, the highest paid person was the Athletic Director for UCLA at $2.6m per year and the highest tech person was the Professor for Human-Computer Interface at $2.3m per year.
Unlike you, I know that you could not fill these positions with $10 an hour workers; same goes for Prison Guards too. But, knock yourself out and keep trying to control what people make in wages or what people post on this blog Parker.
Parker,
Thanks for the details and the facts, it’s appreciated. I think most people realize that the government is out of whack with the real world. The vicious attacks are an indication of how bad the situation is and how spot on your points are.
As Hannity would say… You are a great American.
Hey CJ. Cute. Going for the “victim/sympathy” angle are you. “Vicious attacks?!” LOL! I will take that as a compliment since you post the most foul blog vomit on this venue.
And Hannity?! LOL! What would that propaganda peddling college dropout blowhard know about being “a great American?”
CJ is a paid shill (troll).
Rock,
Read this: (And this what I’ve always said.) If the govt. didn’t always come back to the citizens, and its Middle Class, for more & more money, I wouldn’t care what bureaucrats made! But that every couple to a few years, there’s always the need for money, illustrates people are getting overpaid! Doesn’t it?
And it’s not my blog, so I’m not trying to control it! Just suggesting it’s more constructive when people stay on topic.
Parker. Clearly I agree with Professor Reich in his article while your tangential arguments about Government spending indicates otherwise.
‘ But that every couple to a few years, there’s always the need for money, illustrates people are getting overpaid! Doesn’t it?’
Anyone want to go back 10 years and get some numbers on the increase in salary budget in California?
10 yrs. ago, 355k employees now v. 313k then. Now, 9.2 per 100k in population v. 8.8 then. Total State expenditure just over 4k per capita now v. just over 3k then.
Official state budget site did not break out specific salary expenditure, but more employees and I can’t believe there’s any questions raises have been handed out.
Interesting.
link?
I read one that shows the California is in the bottom 5 of state employees per capita.
dof.ca.gov. (Actually Cosa, I’ve gotten better and remembering the source thanks to you! Trying to be more positive & civil in this blog’s back & forth.)
And CA may have a relatively low per capita # of State employees because it has so many large metropolitan areas that also provide services to the population. For instance with LA, SD, SF, SJ, OAK, etc. police & fired depts., they don’t need as many state police & fire per capita as say a North or South Dakota.
When all govt. employees are added up: City, County & State within CA, I know CA is near the top.
Parker is still whipping this dead horse? We have 39 million people in Californa, the Dakotas have 1.5 million combined. We have several if not dozens of college coaches making 7 figures yet he still goes after Police, Fire and Prison Guards. Again, this has no reference in the article.
Rock,
I’ll say it again: Read what I am saying!! If it shows CA has a low # of State Employees per capita, PER CAPITA, that’s because CA has large metropolitan areas that also have govt. functions! Get it?
Smaller states typically don’t have large metropolitan areas, and thus have small or non-existent city & county govts. So small, that even if they exist, it is found to be more efficient to contract out to their state govt. Thus, state’s without large metro. areas have a higher per capita # of state employees! Get it?
CA has large metro areas. Thus, to compare apples to apples, you need to compare the total # of state, county & city employees of each state per capita, not just state employees per capita. Get it?
And as far the coaches and AD’s working for the State, again changing the subject, but Athletic Depts. at State schools are by law, required to be self-sufficient. Any salaries are to be covered by revenues generated, NOT tax dollars, like the others positions.
So if the salaries of all state employees were covered by something other than my tax dollars, like the salaries of the coaches and AD’s are, then I could care less what they make! But see the difference?
I went off topic so as to broaden your understanding of how it all functions!
Parker. Coaches salaries are covered by revenues generated, can’t they work for minimum wage too without the perks and pay the rest forward?
Anyway. Getting back to the topic. Professor Reich says to raise the Capital Gains tax on the rich, raise the minimum wage, protect our social safety nets and as he stated, “Billionaires like Charles and David Koch, who harbor such deep-seated hatred for government they’re blind to the real dangers capitalism now faces.”
TTFN
Parker, why are you continuing to put forth facts and figures, some people will never look at them if it does not meet their world view, no matter how many numbers are put forward.
reloman,
I’ve disagreed previously with you, but this time you are absolutely correct!!
However, one last, last! attempt to explain things because just maybe reality will finally sink thru?
It’s my choice, and others choice, if they want to go purchase a ticket, food, drinks, souvenirs or donate to or watch on tv a UC Davis, Berkeley or LA football game. Those schools spend money on coaches and the like in an effort to generate the revenue to make their athletic programs sustainable. If I don’t like what’s going on, it’s my choice to not support the program.
The schools are making free market decisions, like a business, to generate a profit. They may be State Employees, but they need to produce in order to at least cover their costs!
I, and others, don’t have a choice when it comes to paying our taxes! Thus, those living off our tax dollars need to be held to at least the minimum standard of not always coming back to us taxpayers for ever more & more $!!
I’m done! Keep living in your own world if you want?!
Only one way to settle this.
Whip em out guys!