France's unrest exposes the consequences of failing to tax the wealthy. California's billionaire-tax fight raises the same fundamental question about who should pay to make a nation succeed...
Newsom's mistake will cost him his presidential ambitions. Meanwhile, I expect that the majority of the billionaires will have a hard time replicating all of the aesthetic, cultural and climate advantages--not to mention that Cal Tech, Berkeley and the other (state-supported) universities shower them with brainiac grads..There is simply no other place like it. I think that's true even when you look at the international scene. Gimme a break. Those Wah Wah Wah big baby billionaires will still. have plenty of money even after the tax that helps support the state's citizens, and they damn well know it. Their threat to move away comes perilous close to extortion, which is a crime they can add to the other crimes they commit without paying the price for.
Further? Most people just don’t grok the impact of scrimping on — or improving! — public health. Covid taught us that even the rich get sick and die. While the poor died, in proportionally higher numbers, the rich couldn’t totally escape Covid even after the “aha” moment in April 2020 revealed that Black and poor people were dying in higher numbers/percentages and the administration pulled back on mask distribution. The entire population is not protected if we’re not all protected.
👉🏽We’re only as strong as the least protected among us.👈🏽
Hope this makes sense.
Point is that Newsom is pissing on the health of the entire State of California by sacrificing the health and wellbeing of millions to ensure the happiness of a few. A few who have benefitted greatly by being in a state where they likely have a richer, deeper pool of well-educated employees (an investment made by all of us to have an educated population); and an infrastructure supporting their commerce.
Politicians are afraid to tax the wealthy, because they are their source of campaign funding, and attack ads, and then there is the financial benefits and perks they get while in office and especially after they leave.
I have a Democratic Governor, Ferguson of Washington State. following the lead of Christopher Armitage, I contact him via his contact page frequently, To no avail. Today, I contacted him about a state bank. Mr Armitage published, today, that South Dakota''s state bank made $238 million dolars, and gave a list of Democratic states and how much they would make if they had state banks, California would be 85 Billion., from Fergie I expect Crickets.Iwonder what they are afraid of and who?
Gavin Newsome just lost any chance he had to be president! with his opposition to taxing the rich - once democrats are in power in congress we need a nationwide minimum tax on billionaires - similar to what is proposed in California
Not surprised that billionaires are scouting real estate on the moon and Mars, in order to keep governments' hands off their stash. They are a pox on society. Any people who fully expect us to pick through their manure and drink their trickle-down for survival have no place in this world.
This is not the same fight. Newsom doesn't want CA to be deprived of the income taxes of its billionaires, because a wealth tax would cause them to move to another state. The national scene might be different (unless billionaires would leave to U.S. in response to a wealth tax). Would they leave the U.S. if there were a national wealth tax?
I often hear from the well-off that it is unfair to tax the rich more than everybody else. After all, they pay a lot more in taxes than the average citizen, and they provide incomes to the community. Of course, if you look at taxes as paying for services provided free by the government, the foot is on the other shoe. Here are some examples.
Average taxpayers often seem surprised when I rattle off why the rich should pay more. Take streets and highways. Not only are they essential for moving manufactured products to markets, but they are often a key way employees get to work, and raw materials get to the factory. Oh yes, do not forget shipping. Like highways, they are a two-way conduit for delivery of raw materials and the return of finished products to markets foreign and domestic. The ships also get to their destinations safely because the US provides a global Navy to protect them from piracy.
Then therer are schools. K-12 is still tuition-free, but not college. However, all schools, free or tuition-based, provide a workforce ready to produce competitive goods and services to the market that employers did not have to pay for. How about electricity? While employers and employees both pay by the watt, the government pays to maintain the infrastructure that generates and delivers the juice - way more of it to corporations. Like the Navy, the government provides domestic law and order services essential to the retail and other markets. Until goods or services are delivered, the rich benefit from the cops more because they have more goods to protect. Of course, transportation generally, be it rail, air, water, and road, benefits the rich far more too. So, why shouldn't Musk, whose wealth is derived mostly from government contracts, pay way more than you and me?
Appeasing the morbidly rich is demonstrably counterproductive, a characteristic of appeasement. Newsom has effectively removed any lingering doubts about his potential candidacy while fueling that of any true progressive. Perhaps we should thank him.
As a native California I know who Newsom is and despise what he has done to garner support from the oligarchs/billionaires. No one I know in CA will vote for him for President, nor will we stay silent should he decide to run. During his first term and two recall efforts Newsom needed the grassroots activists support. He was dubbed the "climate czar" as he signed into law green protections for solar, alternative energy sources, land protection. That all changed in term two when he worked to undo our rooftop and solar support, when we saw him veto bills the billionaires were against, when he is willing to let our health care system disintegrate because the billionaires are against Prop 40. FFS...these billionaires could be funding healthcare with the hundreds of thousands of dollars they are spending to defeat Prop 40.
My hope is that the hell we are going through right now will prove that voting for someone who is "handsome" and presents a strong, independent vision isn't enough. What we see isn't always what we get. We have to vet all the candidates - yes, it's a daunting job. People need to Follow The Money because if a candidate an afford to run hundreds of ads across the spectrum someone is paying for him/her to do so. We must demand transparency and honesty from those running for office. And, once elected, we must hold their feet to the fire and demand they work for the people and not the oligarchs/billionaires.
Further? Most people just don’t grok the impact of scrimping on — or improving! — public health. Using funds generated from this tax would protect all; help prevent public health challenges.
Covid taught us that even the rich get sick and die. While the poor died, in proportionally higher numbers, the rich couldn’t totally escape Covid even after the “aha” moment in April 2020 revealed that Black and poor people were dying in higher numbers/percentages and the administration pulled back on mask distribution. The entire population is not protected if we’re not all protected.
👉🏽We’re only as strong as the least protected among us.👈🏽
Hope this makes sense.
Point is that Newsom is pissing on the health of the entire State of California by sacrificing the health and wellbeing of millions to ensure the happiness of a few. A few who have benefitted greatly by being in a state where they likely have a richer, deeper pool of well-educated employees (an investment made by all of us to have an educated population); and an infrastructure supporting their commerce.
The fact that we didn't, and still don't have the brains to fund our elections by ''We The People'' instead of warmongers and tax bandits is the root cause of just about all our problems, bad wars, bad trade deals, bad tax laws, starving our accounts receivable dept., have nobody watching our backs in all three branches of government, charging our kids to get an education, legalizing gambling that ''no good'' could come out of, destroyed our unions, etc.
We lived through this once and now we're living through it again. Newsom was married to Kimberly Guifoile. What more do you need to know? He is acting for whatever audience will pay for his tickets, slicked back hair and all.
Perhaps instead of taxing a fixed percentage of wealth, billionaires should pay a tax equal to the amount they willingly contribute to politicians, PACs, and dark money funds to avoid paying taxes in the first place.
It’s not about the money, it’s about power and control. It should not be a wonder that monarchical ambitions is the elixir they imbibe leaving the rest of us to drink flat, piss-warm beer!
Suggestions for the Democratic messaging/slogan: Fair Play Plan; Back to Democracy; Balance & Equality for Prosperity. How about a contest for the most catchy and descriptive idea?
Newsom's mistake will cost him his presidential ambitions. Meanwhile, I expect that the majority of the billionaires will have a hard time replicating all of the aesthetic, cultural and climate advantages--not to mention that Cal Tech, Berkeley and the other (state-supported) universities shower them with brainiac grads..There is simply no other place like it. I think that's true even when you look at the international scene. Gimme a break. Those Wah Wah Wah big baby billionaires will still. have plenty of money even after the tax that helps support the state's citizens, and they damn well know it. Their threat to move away comes perilous close to extortion, which is a crime they can add to the other crimes they commit without paying the price for.
Further? Most people just don’t grok the impact of scrimping on — or improving! — public health. Covid taught us that even the rich get sick and die. While the poor died, in proportionally higher numbers, the rich couldn’t totally escape Covid even after the “aha” moment in April 2020 revealed that Black and poor people were dying in higher numbers/percentages and the administration pulled back on mask distribution. The entire population is not protected if we’re not all protected.
👉🏽We’re only as strong as the least protected among us.👈🏽
Hope this makes sense.
Point is that Newsom is pissing on the health of the entire State of California by sacrificing the health and wellbeing of millions to ensure the happiness of a few. A few who have benefitted greatly by being in a state where they likely have a richer, deeper pool of well-educated employees (an investment made by all of us to have an educated population); and an infrastructure supporting their commerce.
Politicians are afraid to tax the wealthy, because they are their source of campaign funding, and attack ads, and then there is the financial benefits and perks they get while in office and especially after they leave.
I have a Democratic Governor, Ferguson of Washington State. following the lead of Christopher Armitage, I contact him via his contact page frequently, To no avail. Today, I contacted him about a state bank. Mr Armitage published, today, that South Dakota''s state bank made $238 million dolars, and gave a list of Democratic states and how much they would make if they had state banks, California would be 85 Billion., from Fergie I expect Crickets.Iwonder what they are afraid of and who?
Here's the site, check it and see how much your state would make if it had a state bank https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/north-dakotas-bank-earned-the-state
Gavin Newsome just lost any chance he had to be president! with his opposition to taxing the rich - once democrats are in power in congress we need a nationwide minimum tax on billionaires - similar to what is proposed in California
Thom, I truly appreciate your continuing writing regarding the essence of history and the present we are experiencing.......
Mitch Williams
Brightwood, Oregon
Not surprised that billionaires are scouting real estate on the moon and Mars, in order to keep governments' hands off their stash. They are a pox on society. Any people who fully expect us to pick through their manure and drink their trickle-down for survival have no place in this world.
This is not the same fight. Newsom doesn't want CA to be deprived of the income taxes of its billionaires, because a wealth tax would cause them to move to another state. The national scene might be different (unless billionaires would leave to U.S. in response to a wealth tax). Would they leave the U.S. if there were a national wealth tax?
Studies have shown the wealthy don’t leave states where there are significant wealth taxes.
I often hear from the well-off that it is unfair to tax the rich more than everybody else. After all, they pay a lot more in taxes than the average citizen, and they provide incomes to the community. Of course, if you look at taxes as paying for services provided free by the government, the foot is on the other shoe. Here are some examples.
Average taxpayers often seem surprised when I rattle off why the rich should pay more. Take streets and highways. Not only are they essential for moving manufactured products to markets, but they are often a key way employees get to work, and raw materials get to the factory. Oh yes, do not forget shipping. Like highways, they are a two-way conduit for delivery of raw materials and the return of finished products to markets foreign and domestic. The ships also get to their destinations safely because the US provides a global Navy to protect them from piracy.
Then therer are schools. K-12 is still tuition-free, but not college. However, all schools, free or tuition-based, provide a workforce ready to produce competitive goods and services to the market that employers did not have to pay for. How about electricity? While employers and employees both pay by the watt, the government pays to maintain the infrastructure that generates and delivers the juice - way more of it to corporations. Like the Navy, the government provides domestic law and order services essential to the retail and other markets. Until goods or services are delivered, the rich benefit from the cops more because they have more goods to protect. Of course, transportation generally, be it rail, air, water, and road, benefits the rich far more too. So, why shouldn't Musk, whose wealth is derived mostly from government contracts, pay way more than you and me?
Appeasing the morbidly rich is demonstrably counterproductive, a characteristic of appeasement. Newsom has effectively removed any lingering doubts about his potential candidacy while fueling that of any true progressive. Perhaps we should thank him.
As a native California I know who Newsom is and despise what he has done to garner support from the oligarchs/billionaires. No one I know in CA will vote for him for President, nor will we stay silent should he decide to run. During his first term and two recall efforts Newsom needed the grassroots activists support. He was dubbed the "climate czar" as he signed into law green protections for solar, alternative energy sources, land protection. That all changed in term two when he worked to undo our rooftop and solar support, when we saw him veto bills the billionaires were against, when he is willing to let our health care system disintegrate because the billionaires are against Prop 40. FFS...these billionaires could be funding healthcare with the hundreds of thousands of dollars they are spending to defeat Prop 40.
My hope is that the hell we are going through right now will prove that voting for someone who is "handsome" and presents a strong, independent vision isn't enough. What we see isn't always what we get. We have to vet all the candidates - yes, it's a daunting job. People need to Follow The Money because if a candidate an afford to run hundreds of ads across the spectrum someone is paying for him/her to do so. We must demand transparency and honesty from those running for office. And, once elected, we must hold their feet to the fire and demand they work for the people and not the oligarchs/billionaires.
Further? Most people just don’t grok the impact of scrimping on — or improving! — public health. Using funds generated from this tax would protect all; help prevent public health challenges.
Covid taught us that even the rich get sick and die. While the poor died, in proportionally higher numbers, the rich couldn’t totally escape Covid even after the “aha” moment in April 2020 revealed that Black and poor people were dying in higher numbers/percentages and the administration pulled back on mask distribution. The entire population is not protected if we’re not all protected.
👉🏽We’re only as strong as the least protected among us.👈🏽
Hope this makes sense.
Point is that Newsom is pissing on the health of the entire State of California by sacrificing the health and wellbeing of millions to ensure the happiness of a few. A few who have benefitted greatly by being in a state where they likely have a richer, deeper pool of well-educated employees (an investment made by all of us to have an educated population); and an infrastructure supporting their commerce.
The fact that we didn't, and still don't have the brains to fund our elections by ''We The People'' instead of warmongers and tax bandits is the root cause of just about all our problems, bad wars, bad trade deals, bad tax laws, starving our accounts receivable dept., have nobody watching our backs in all three branches of government, charging our kids to get an education, legalizing gambling that ''no good'' could come out of, destroyed our unions, etc.
We lived through this once and now we're living through it again. Newsom was married to Kimberly Guifoile. What more do you need to know? He is acting for whatever audience will pay for his tickets, slicked back hair and all.
I sure miss Jerry Brown.
Perhaps instead of taxing a fixed percentage of wealth, billionaires should pay a tax equal to the amount they willingly contribute to politicians, PACs, and dark money funds to avoid paying taxes in the first place.
It’s not about the money, it’s about power and control. It should not be a wonder that monarchical ambitions is the elixir they imbibe leaving the rest of us to drink flat, piss-warm beer!
Suggestions for the Democratic messaging/slogan: Fair Play Plan; Back to Democracy; Balance & Equality for Prosperity. How about a contest for the most catchy and descriptive idea?