Here's an excellent cartoon contributed to BuzzFlash by Al Franken and Don Simpson, an excerpt from Franken's book about Lying Liars. What if Jesus were a supply sider? It offers some good perspective on the recent Alabama tax vote and the whole "What Would Jesus Do?" mentality vs what religious conservatives *really* do. It's pretty harsh satire, but if the shoe fits...
Posted by Observer at September 17, 2003 09:01 AMComments on entries can only be made in pop-up windows while those entries are still on the main index page. Sorry for the inconvenience this causes, but this blocks about 99.99% of the spam the blog receives.
While I admit that it's pretty funny, I disagree with the basic tenet that it's bad to try to get ahead in this world.
Posted by: Humbaba on September 17, 2003 10:15 AMOh how annoying, screen 10 and 11 wouldn't load for me. bah. I got the idea though anyway.
I am tempted to read Franken's book myself. I don't "do" political books as you know, but I'm almost curious about this one. Almost... *wink*
Posted by: Felicity on September 17, 2003 12:36 PMHuh? The basic tenet is that it's bad to try to get ahead? Who is saying that?
I think the basic tenet is don't be so fucking greedy. From a religious standpoint, helping out "the least of these" and so on is one of the few *very* consistent messages in the scriptures. The whole idea of a system favoring the rich so heavily like ours would have been anathema to that philosophy. That's why it is sad and funny to see religious conservatives try to weasel their way through the logic of regressive taxes and other such bullshit.
From a non-religious standpoint, it is also very easy to make the case that society is better off when everyone contributes to the safety net. This idea of "self-made millionaires" is, most of the time, bullshit. I remember Cheney during the debates that his success sure as hell didn't come because of the government. What Lieberman didn't say at the time (too bad) is that Cheney's company, Halliburton, has succeeded almost completely because of the government (and that has of course gotten much more so today with the no-bid contracts in Iraq).
There are many, many ways that thoughtful government programs help spur economic development and also keep our society stable so that America is a great place to live. That's the foundation from which fortunes are made, but so many rich people act like they don't owe this country a fucking dime and how dare they be taxed!
Capitalism is great and is undoubtedly a big part of why this is a great place, but there should be room in the American heart for charity as well. Not 50% average tax rates like Sweden, but at least enough to keep a basic level of services for the poor and the elderly, etc.
At some point, I'll have to construct a post about what a reasonable tax rate should be in my opinion, compared to what it is. I think one of the stupid conservative myths will give me a window to do that.
Posted by: Observer on September 17, 2003 01:24 PM