The America I grew up in, that I want back

[Scorpio]

Study. Work hard. Make something of yourself. That used to mean something. We are being robbed of that. The harder I work, the less I get for it and I'm getting tired.

I agree with you. But before you blame high tax rates for taking home less money, take a look at this:

THE HISTORY OF TAXES: Here's How High Today's Rates Really Are - Business Insider

Our tax rates are very low compared to "the good old days."

Who is robbing you?

Fun fact: Middle class wages are stagnant, while productivity is up and corporate profits are through the roof.

 

[doublesharp]

Thats not entirely true. I am only 27 and I grew up riding my bike with the neighborhood kids, playing outside until the street lights came on, going down to the corner store to buy candy with money we got from recycling cans and bottles. I might have had more modern things than back in Reds day, but I grew up watching his reruns with my family, and whistling Andy Griffith's theme song. Hell, my first car was a '55 Dodge Dart 270 with a slant 6 engine.
Not all of us "Young" folks are ignorant to the "Old" America. In fact, I was showing my 4 year old this video today and I was tearing up watching it for the 1000th time.

Nice sentiment but I got to question the 55 Dodge Dart......Are you sure it was a 1955 or did you mean 1965?

 

[Sullivan_pbr]

Nice sentiment but I got to question the 55 Dodge Dart......Are you sure it was a 1955 or did you mean 1965?

Haha I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed that.

 

[Liberty1911]

It's funny to me that people nowadays regard the pledge as a litmus test for patriotism.

It was designed as, and is nothing more than, an instrument to create allegiance to a socialist/totalitarian state.

Read about the person who wrote the pledge here: Francis Bellamy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An then, next time you recite it, why don't you perform the original salute that was used from 1892 to 1942 which you can find here: Bellamy salute - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Cookie Monster]

It's funny to me that people nowadays regard the pledge as a litmus test for patriotism.

It was designed as, and is nothing more than, an instrument to create allegiance to a socialist/totalitarian state.

Read about the person who wrote the pledge here: Francis Bellamy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An then, next time you recite it, why don't you perform the original salute that was used from 1892 to 1942 which you can find here: Bellamy salute - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well, this is certainly uncomfortable.....

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

 

[Jludo]

It's funny to me that people nowadays regard the pledge as a litmus test for patriotism.

It was designed as, and is nothing more than, an instrument to create allegiance to a socialist/totalitarian state.

Read about the person who wrote the pledge here: Francis Bellamy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An then, next time you recite it, why don't you perform the original salute that was used from 1892 to 1942 which you can find here: Bellamy salute - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's really good, can't believe I'd never seen that before.

 

[Boiled Owl]

From the WIKI link on Bellamy

Interestingly ironic in bold:

To raise the stature of the organizations, bring in funds, and educate the public about Christian Socialism, Bellamy offered public education classes; for a fee participants joined courses with topics such as "looking Backward," Jesus the socialist," "What is Christian Socialism?" "The Subject of Labor in Light of the Bible," and "Socialism versus anarchy." This last lecture became particularly popular and Bellamy in 1891 was asked to turn it into a written piece for the Nationalist Club's newspaper, the Arena. Bellamy's essay distinguished anarchy from nationalism and socialism, and it declared the need for a strong government to protect the weak masses from the powerful corporations. He argued that the only socialist economy could produce work environments where both the worker and the owner could practice the golden rule (ibid). Through these experiences, Bellamy gained increasing experience with the media and with public relations. He used these tools to coordinate a massive Columbus Day campaign.[8]

Ironic in that the masses are pushing for more government to "protect us". (From the very corporations buying our government thru regulation and political contribution!)

Thanks for the link and the enlightenment.

 

[IndyDave1776]

I agree with you. But before you blame high tax rates for taking home less money, take a look at this:

THE HISTORY OF TAXES: Here's How High Today's Rates Really Are - Business Insider

Our tax rates are very low compared to "the good old days."

Who is robbing you?

Fun fact: Middle class wages are stagnant, while productivity is up and corporate profits are through the roof.

There is a huge problem with the claim that taxes are lower now than in decades past. While it is true that the top marginal tax rates were around 90%, it is also true that deductions were far more generous then lowering the effective tax rate dramatically. It is analogous with going from a 55mph speed limit with tickets being written for 80+ to a 65 mph speed limit with tickets written at 70. In the end, real taxes are higher now. The problem is that at least half of federal spending lacks any constitutional authority and should be stopped immediately.

As for the middle-class wage issue, my solution would be the removal of government-sponsored obstacles which prevent anyone who can't afford an in-house compliance department from competing in the marketplace.

 

[Scorpio]

There is a huge problem with the claim that taxes are lower now than in decades past. While it is true that the top marginal tax rates were around 90%, it is also true that deductions were far more generous then lowering the effective tax rate dramatically. It is analogous with going from a 55mph speed limit with tickets being written for 80+ to a 65 mph speed limit with tickets written at 70. In the end, real taxes are higher now. The problem is that at least half of federal spending lacks any constitutional authority and should be stopped immediately.

As for the middle-class wage issue, my solution would be the removal of government-sponsored obstacles which prevent anyone who can't afford an in-house compliance department from competing in the marketplace.

I'd have to see proof of deductions so generous that they lowered the top rate from 90% to around 35%, where it stands today. Plus, tax rates and government policies are not the only cause of shrinking paychecks. Off-shoring, automation, an increasing service economy vs. a manufacturing economy and the use of illegal immigrant labor is some fields all contribute to reduced wages compared to the cost of living. However, it is not all doom and gloom. The cost of consumer goods is much better today than it was decades ago, compared to income. Even gas prices, when adjusted for inflation, are not all that bad. And of course, the field that you are in and its relevance in today's market will largely dictate your income. It's much more complicated than just the a-holes in Washington.