Comments on: Paying Higher Taxes Can Be Very Profitable

By: JB

JB — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:26:16 +0000

“…rather, their skill is in manipulating language, in constructing verbal formulations along the approved patterns, and their activity is primarily about the transferring and absorption of wealth. ”

Bullseye! The IRS will be knocking on your door shortly.

By: Michael Kennedy

Michael Kennedy — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:17:27 +0000

Fortunately, the rent seekers are still a minority in this country. Obama may learn this this year, assuming it is still true. California is the canary in the coal mine. If they can keep the voters turning out for them, they may be OK. In my little city, there is a recall election next month for a particularly obnoxious local politician. There isn't much money in local politics but I am seeing quite professionally produced ads opposing his recall on my cable TV channel. It is interesting to see as I wonder who is putting up this money. It will be a small test of the concept that people are fed up with the professional politician, even on a local basis. MIssion Viejo was named one of the top ten politically active cities in the US by US News a coupe of months ago. A lot of that is because we seem to have had more than our share of ambitious politicians. Of course, we are not a pimple of the a** of Chicago in corruption.

By: Carl from Chicago

Carl from Chicago — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:59:30 +0000

Not only did you mention the fact that their salaries are rising, the value of their gold-plated benefits is rising, too. And also their pensions, which rise in lock step with their salaries and can be up to 70% to 80% of their final salary, forever, with cost of living adjustments, too.

This needs to be significantly reduced. It will be very difficult to do, though.