We’re Number One! We’re Number One! Keep shouting it and it may come true. We were—once.
Look at the facts. In a recent study, life expectancy in most U.S. counties is well behind the world’s healthiest nations (in some cases 50 years less).
Oklahoma ranks at the top of a truly unfortunate part of this study. Since 1997, women’s life expectancy has slipped or failed to rise in more than 850 counties, including 82% of the counties in Oklahoma!
The single most alarming problem in America, though, is that of income inequality.
We rank #4 in Income Inequality. (Chili is #1, Mexico #2, and Turkey #3.) Until the difference between what the richest and the poorest is more closely aligned, we most assuredly will not reign again in any ranking that matters.
The U.S. ranks #22 in Percentage Living Below National Poverty Line—just behind Syria and Azerbaijan.
We rank #36 in Life Expectancy, right behind Cuba!
The United States ranks #33 in Infant Mortality Rate. In this area, we’re slightly behind New Caledonia, Cyprus, Brunei, Channel Islands, Cuba, and 26 others.
In Education, we rank #14 in reading (average), #16 in math (below average), and #11 in science. South Korea ranks #1 in both reading and math and #3 in science. Finland holds the #1 spot in science.
We still rank at or near the top in several categories.
The U.S. is #1 in Military Spending. No other country, including those much larger, comes close.
We also rank #1 in Prison Population, with 2.3 million behind bars. China (four times more population) is ranked at a distant second, with only 1.6 million imprisoned.
Our rank is #1 in Prisoner per Capita. We imprison 751 per capita. Russia has 627, with England, Germany, and Japan next, at 151, 88, and 63 per capita, respectively.
We rank #1 in Guns Per 100 Persons (88.8), with Yemen #2 (54.8).
Fortunately, we’re only #8 in Gun-Related Deaths Per Capita. The top seven are South Africa, Colombia, Thailand, Guatemala, Brazil, Estonia, and Mexico.
We could claim American Supremacy again, with lots of work.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
TAXED TOO MUCH?
Before you believe that the richest Americans are taxed too much, look at the facts. In 2008, the IRS reports that the average income tax rate on the 400 richest Americans was just 18.11 percent—less than the percentage (25%) paid by an individual making $32,550 annually. (The sixteen “poorest” of the 400 richest are worth $1 Billion each. The rest are worth more than $1 Billion—much more.)
One hundred of the ultra-rich (1/4 of them) paid between 10 and 15 percent in 2008, which is the rate for those making less than $32,550 (about average teacher pay in Oklahoma.) One hundred twelve (28%) paid between 15 and 20 percent in income taxes in 2008.
Thirty of the richest Americans paid an average rate of less than 10%--which is the same percentage as individuals making $8,025 or less annually. To put this in perspective, someone making $1 Million earns more ($8,052.88) in two days and 45 minutes than someone making $8,025 in a full year.
It’s not “un-American” to talk about raising income taxes on the extremely wealthy. Thomas Jefferson said it best in 1784: “Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual.”
Our country needs revenue to bring down our national debt. That’s not to say that spending can’t be cut, but that’s only part of the solution.
Income tax rates are the lowest they’ve been in sixty years, by any measure used.
It’s difficult to understand why anyone would think that lowering taxes on the extremely wealthy would help anyone except the extremely wealthy. America’s most prosperous years were ones during which the top marginal income tax rate was at its highest levels—55 years (from 1932 to 1986) when those rates ranged from 63% to 94%.
During those years, we built schools, universities, libraries, roads, bridges, a strong military, an excellent international reputation, and “safety nets” for our most vulnerable. We made commitments to the future for our children and grandchildren. We developed the American Dream.
Don’t let anyone fool you into believing that raising revenue isn’t a reasonable option.
One hundred of the ultra-rich (1/4 of them) paid between 10 and 15 percent in 2008, which is the rate for those making less than $32,550 (about average teacher pay in Oklahoma.) One hundred twelve (28%) paid between 15 and 20 percent in income taxes in 2008.
Thirty of the richest Americans paid an average rate of less than 10%--which is the same percentage as individuals making $8,025 or less annually. To put this in perspective, someone making $1 Million earns more ($8,052.88) in two days and 45 minutes than someone making $8,025 in a full year.
It’s not “un-American” to talk about raising income taxes on the extremely wealthy. Thomas Jefferson said it best in 1784: “Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual.”
Our country needs revenue to bring down our national debt. That’s not to say that spending can’t be cut, but that’s only part of the solution.
Income tax rates are the lowest they’ve been in sixty years, by any measure used.
It’s difficult to understand why anyone would think that lowering taxes on the extremely wealthy would help anyone except the extremely wealthy. America’s most prosperous years were ones during which the top marginal income tax rate was at its highest levels—55 years (from 1932 to 1986) when those rates ranged from 63% to 94%.
During those years, we built schools, universities, libraries, roads, bridges, a strong military, an excellent international reputation, and “safety nets” for our most vulnerable. We made commitments to the future for our children and grandchildren. We developed the American Dream.
Don’t let anyone fool you into believing that raising revenue isn’t a reasonable option.
A JOBS PLAN FOR JOB CREATORS?
As long as we allow politicians to slash public sector jobs, pay companies to move abroad, deny people’s rights to bargain for “frills” (like having enough firefighters or police to adequately protect us), dramatically reduce unemployment insurance, and defund programs that will cause more people to lose jobs, unemployment will continue to be high and potentially go higher. Remember, Boehner stating, “So be it” when discussing the loss of jobs?
Last year alone, 40% of total job losses were from public schools.
The GOP plans to campaign on the poor employment numbers, so we need to understand why the job losses occurred.
If they are so concerned about jobs, why would they continue to eliminate them? Perhaps we should look more closely at the “House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators.” You don’t have to go much further than their title. Read it again. Job Creators? Many of us were under the impression that the jobs problem stemmed from the number of workers without jobs!
Their subtitle is “Empowering Families, Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs.” (See if you can find anything in the plan to empower families. I couldn’t.)
Their plan addresses providing fewer regulations for companies. It proposes lowering income tax rates for the extremely wealthy and for corporations—to lower rates than families making $69,000 annually now pay. They want trade deals with other countries expanded (something Democrats supported if the dislocated workers in America were given opportunities to gain additional skills for new jobs).
They support changing patents so that the “first to file” has precedence over the “first to invent.” Although they want to deport immigrants, as a general rule, they are willing to grant exceptions to highly skilled, hand-selected individuals. One part of their recently released plan includes reauthorizing user fees for prescription drugs and medical devices—something already passed by the Senate and House Judiciary Committee. And, of course, they want to expand energy exploration and production.
Finally, they propose paying down debt and reducing government spending, eliminating even more jobs. That’s it. Their plan consists of eight ideas. Where are workers in this plan?
Last year alone, 40% of total job losses were from public schools.
The GOP plans to campaign on the poor employment numbers, so we need to understand why the job losses occurred.
If they are so concerned about jobs, why would they continue to eliminate them? Perhaps we should look more closely at the “House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators.” You don’t have to go much further than their title. Read it again. Job Creators? Many of us were under the impression that the jobs problem stemmed from the number of workers without jobs!
Their subtitle is “Empowering Families, Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs.” (See if you can find anything in the plan to empower families. I couldn’t.)
Their plan addresses providing fewer regulations for companies. It proposes lowering income tax rates for the extremely wealthy and for corporations—to lower rates than families making $69,000 annually now pay. They want trade deals with other countries expanded (something Democrats supported if the dislocated workers in America were given opportunities to gain additional skills for new jobs).
They support changing patents so that the “first to file” has precedence over the “first to invent.” Although they want to deport immigrants, as a general rule, they are willing to grant exceptions to highly skilled, hand-selected individuals. One part of their recently released plan includes reauthorizing user fees for prescription drugs and medical devices—something already passed by the Senate and House Judiciary Committee. And, of course, they want to expand energy exploration and production.
Finally, they propose paying down debt and reducing government spending, eliminating even more jobs. That’s it. Their plan consists of eight ideas. Where are workers in this plan?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A REASONABLE OPTION
Before you believe that the richest Americans are taxed too much, look at the facts. In 2008, the IRS reports that the average income tax rate on the 400 richest Americans was just 18.11 percent—less than the percentage (25%) paid by an individual making $32,550 annually. (The sixteen “poorest” of the 400 richest are worth $1 Billion each. The rest are worth more than $1 Billion—much more.)
One hundred of the ultra-rich (1/4 of them) paid between 10 and 15 percent in 2008, which is the rate for those making less than $32,550 (about average teacher pay in Oklahoma.) One hundred twelve (28%) paid between 15 and 20 percent in income taxes in 2008.
Thirty of the richest Americans paid an average rate of less than 10%--which is the same percentage as individuals making $8,025 or less annually. To put this in perspective, someone making $1 Million earns more ($8,052.88) in two days and 45 minutes than someone making $8,025 in a full year.
It’s not “un-American” to talk about raising income taxes on the extremely wealthy. Thomas Jefferson said it best in 1784: “Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual.”
Our country needs revenue to bring down our national debt. That’s not to say that spending can’t be cut, but that’s only part of the solution.
Income tax rates are the lowest they’ve been in sixty years, by any measure used.
It’s difficult to understand why anyone would think that lowering taxes on the extremely wealthy would help anyone except the extremely wealthy. America’s most prosperous years were ones during which the top marginal income tax rate was at its highest levels—55 years (from 1932 to 1986) when those rates ranged from 63% to 94%.
During those years, we built schools, universities, libraries, roads, bridges, a strong military, an excellent international reputation, and “safety nets” for our most vulnerable. We made commitments to the future for our children and grandchildren. We developed the American Dream.
Don’t let anyone fool you into believing that raising revenue isn’t a reasonable option.
One hundred of the ultra-rich (1/4 of them) paid between 10 and 15 percent in 2008, which is the rate for those making less than $32,550 (about average teacher pay in Oklahoma.) One hundred twelve (28%) paid between 15 and 20 percent in income taxes in 2008.
Thirty of the richest Americans paid an average rate of less than 10%--which is the same percentage as individuals making $8,025 or less annually. To put this in perspective, someone making $1 Million earns more ($8,052.88) in two days and 45 minutes than someone making $8,025 in a full year.
It’s not “un-American” to talk about raising income taxes on the extremely wealthy. Thomas Jefferson said it best in 1784: “Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual.”
Our country needs revenue to bring down our national debt. That’s not to say that spending can’t be cut, but that’s only part of the solution.
Income tax rates are the lowest they’ve been in sixty years, by any measure used.
It’s difficult to understand why anyone would think that lowering taxes on the extremely wealthy would help anyone except the extremely wealthy. America’s most prosperous years were ones during which the top marginal income tax rate was at its highest levels—55 years (from 1932 to 1986) when those rates ranged from 63% to 94%.
During those years, we built schools, universities, libraries, roads, bridges, a strong military, an excellent international reputation, and “safety nets” for our most vulnerable. We made commitments to the future for our children and grandchildren. We developed the American Dream.
Don’t let anyone fool you into believing that raising revenue isn’t a reasonable option.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
GOP "Jobs" Plan
They’re honest about one thing. The House Republican Plan for America’s Job Creators is exactly that—a plan that helps job creators. The plan mentions families only in passing, stating that helping businesses and the richest Americans will not raise taxes on families.
The problem is their approach has been tried and didn’t work. Stagnation for the poor and middle class, while stuffing the coffers of the extremely wealthy, is not acceptable. The nastiest part is that it’s far worse this time because they’re robbing the poor to help the rich get richer.
Republican-led programs, such as two unfunded wars and an unfunded prescription drug plan, were key factors to creating the current debt. Place blame where blame belongs.
A roller coaster cannot stop on a dime. It can only stop with safe, properly working brakes and an intricate, well-oiled mechanism that will drive it upward again. Sudden braking without regard to the consequences or a plan to begin the forward motion can result in crashes.
Their plan?
Limit regulations-- Corporations shouldn’t have to abide by pesky regulations that keep us safe.
Lower taxes for the rich and corporations-- Tax rates for the rich and corporations should be lower than what families making $69,000 annually pay now.
Expand trade deals--Democrats supported this, if dislocated workers whose companies moved overseas were provided with training assistance.
Fix patent backlog-- This plan includes drastically changing from a “first-to-invent” system to a “first-to-file” system, putting small businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors who would be at a disadvantage.
Ignore VISA requirements for highly qualified individuals—The “send all immigrants packing” party would grant exceptions for highly skilled.
Reauthorize user fees for prescription drugs & medical devices—The Senate and House Judiciary Committee have already passed this.
Expand energy exploration and production—“Drill, baby, drill!”
Pay down debt and reduce government spending—Reduce government (except for what the GOP wants to control—such as abortion, education, public broadcasting, women’s health, rapes, food and medical help for infants and children, gay rights, etc.)
Exactly how many JOBS will be gained by this “plan?”
The problem is their approach has been tried and didn’t work. Stagnation for the poor and middle class, while stuffing the coffers of the extremely wealthy, is not acceptable. The nastiest part is that it’s far worse this time because they’re robbing the poor to help the rich get richer.
Republican-led programs, such as two unfunded wars and an unfunded prescription drug plan, were key factors to creating the current debt. Place blame where blame belongs.
A roller coaster cannot stop on a dime. It can only stop with safe, properly working brakes and an intricate, well-oiled mechanism that will drive it upward again. Sudden braking without regard to the consequences or a plan to begin the forward motion can result in crashes.
Their plan?
Limit regulations-- Corporations shouldn’t have to abide by pesky regulations that keep us safe.
Lower taxes for the rich and corporations-- Tax rates for the rich and corporations should be lower than what families making $69,000 annually pay now.
Expand trade deals--Democrats supported this, if dislocated workers whose companies moved overseas were provided with training assistance.
Fix patent backlog-- This plan includes drastically changing from a “first-to-invent” system to a “first-to-file” system, putting small businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors who would be at a disadvantage.
Ignore VISA requirements for highly qualified individuals—The “send all immigrants packing” party would grant exceptions for highly skilled.
Reauthorize user fees for prescription drugs & medical devices—The Senate and House Judiciary Committee have already passed this.
Expand energy exploration and production—“Drill, baby, drill!”
Pay down debt and reduce government spending—Reduce government (except for what the GOP wants to control—such as abortion, education, public broadcasting, women’s health, rapes, food and medical help for infants and children, gay rights, etc.)
Exactly how many JOBS will be gained by this “plan?”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)