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Don't like taxes? You're selfish!; (According to Obama)
Topic Started: Nov 1 2008, 08:18 AM (139 Views)
Dwayne
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Quote:
 
Obama's New Attack on Those Who Don't Want Higher Taxes: ‘Selfishness’
October 31, 2008 10:58 AM

On the stump this week, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has pushed back against Sen. John McCain's description of his tax policies.

"The reason that we want to do this, change our tax code, is not because I have anything against the rich," Obama said in Sarasota, Fla., yesterday. "I love rich people! I want all of you to be rich. Go for it. That’s the American dream, that’s the American way, that’s terrific.

"The point is, though, that -- and it’s not just charity, it’s not just that I want to help the middle class and working people who are trying to get in the middle class -- it’s that when we actually make sure that everybody’s got a shot – when young people can all go to college, when everybody’s got decent health care, when everybody’s got a little more money at the end of the month – then guess what? Everybody starts spending that money, they decide maybe I can afford a new car, maybe I can afford a computer for my child. They can buy the products and services that businesses are selling and everybody is better off. All boats rise. That’s what happened in the 1990s, that’s what we need to restore. And that’s what I’m gonna do as president of the United States of America.

"John McCain and Sarah Palin they call this socialistic," Obama continued. "You know I don’t know when, when they decided they wanted to make a virtue out of selfishness."

It's unclear if this was a nod to the Ayn Rand book "The Virtue of Selfishness," with all that the invocation of Rand implies.

It would seem to be, given the themes of Rand's work, what happens when independent achievers are demonized.

Which would fit with this description of those who want to keep their hard-earned tax dollars as "selfish."

Atlas may not be shrugging, but Obama is.

-- jpt

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/obamas-new-atta.html
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Admiralbill_gomec
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That'll go over well with taxpayers...
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ds9074
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Admiral
A desire not to pay taxes may be selfish under a strict definition of the word if you think taxes benefit others. It implies you are more concerned about your own wealth and keeping it under your control than with whether someone else might benefit from the taxes you pay.

The trouble with using the word selfish though is that it implies a strong negative. It may be that you dont think others should benefit from your hard work. Strictly selfish yes but I think something on the lines of individualistic would be more appropriate.

If however you dont want to pay taxes not because you dont want others to benefit from your money but because you believe there are better ways for them to benefit that isnt selfish.
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Dwayne
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Well, I think my money would better benefit society if it went to a charity.
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Bug
Supernatural = Hotnatural
Wait, so does Obama like to pay taxes? :huh:
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RTW
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Bug
Nov 1 2008, 05:20 PM
Wait, so does Obama like to pay taxes? :huh:
Shhh! You're not supposed to uncover anymore "I didn't mean me" moments so close to a landslide victory.

Who was that candidate 4 years ago that was telling us all about the virtues of generously paying more taxes? His own state's tax form provided a line on which tax payers who felt they hadn't paid enough could donate extra to help the general cause. He'd always left that line blank. :headscratch:

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Dwayne
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I find it remarkable how leftist politicians routinely claim politicians on the right are selfish and greedy, yet when one starts to examine charitable giving, and it's the rightist politicians who give the most money.
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Minuet
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Dwayne made that claim about charitable giving once before. I believe that when challenged to prove it there was no proof forthcoming.

Since he will not see this post I guess no proof will be forthcoming this time either. I make this post to caution people not to simply take at face value an unproven claim.
Edited by Minuet, Nov 3 2008, 09:31 AM.
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whitestar
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ds9074
Nov 1 2008, 09:55 AM
A desire not to pay taxes may be selfish under a strict definition of the word if you think taxes benefit others. It implies you are more concerned about your own wealth and keeping it under your control than with whether someone else might benefit from the taxes you pay.

The trouble with using the word selfish though is that it implies a strong negative. It may be that you dont think others should benefit from your hard work. Strictly selfish yes but I think something on the lines of individualistic would be more appropriate.

If however you dont want to pay taxes not because you dont want others to benefit from your money but because you believe there are better ways for them to benefit that isnt selfish.
I must admit a certain resentment to paying tax, especially when millionaires can work the system so they pay less than I do, but my main resentment is the waste of taxpayers money govt's are notorious for. Makes my blood boil.
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Admiralbill_gomec
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ds9074
Nov 1 2008, 09:55 AM
A desire not to pay taxes may be selfish under a strict definition of the word if you think taxes benefit others. It implies you are more concerned about your own wealth and keeping it under your control than with whether someone else might benefit from the taxes you pay.

The trouble with using the word selfish though is that it implies a strong negative. It may be that you dont think others should benefit from your hard work. Strictly selfish yes but I think something on the lines of individualistic would be more appropriate.

If however you dont want to pay taxes not because you dont want others to benefit from your money but because you believe there are better ways for them to benefit that isnt selfish.
I'm more concerned that my tax money is wasted. In most cases, the economies of scale do not work for government programs due to the layers of bureaucracy.

As an example, I'd have no problem is say, the City of Houston (where we're moving back within) managed regional welfare services. Why? Because there are two layers of bureaucracy you aren't paying for to get the same service.

This is also why I prefer to donate to church and local area ministries and banks. More of that donation goes directly to those in need.


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Minuet
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AB - I must say I agree with letting lower levels of government run most programs. I think that is one big difference between Canada and the US and may be a big reason why I believe in certain programs that many Americans are against. I believe they can work because I see them work. I see them work because they are run by lower levels of government.
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