For the 8 years that I have been a member of the Patriotic Millionaires, my wealthy friends (almost all of whom are conservative Republicans) have asked me the same question over and over again: “So are you saying that because you believe that we wealthy people should be paying more taxes and I don’t agree, you think that makes you more patriotic than me?” My … Continue reading The Patriotic Millionaires Deserve Our Name
It’s clear that Trump isn’t just going to go away. He’s going to continue to fuel the fires of conspiracy theories and white supremacy once he’s finally removed from office.
Often times, as I look back over the past 40 or so years of my life and what has happened to tax policies across our large and wonderful country, I’m struck by the similarities between taxes for adults and homework for kids. I know, it’s a leap, but then the more you noodle on it the more the likeness becomes clear. From the first day … Continue reading Homework Is A Lot Like Taxes
During the lame duck session in Wisconsin’s state legislature, a coup of sorts has taken place. Robin Vos, the current Republican Speaker of the State Assembly, has overseen the passage of legislation that will empower the State Legislature at the expense of the incoming Governor, Tony Evers, simply because Evers is a Democrat. Their ability to even attempt this is due to gerrymandering, the manipulation … Continue reading Wisconsin Republicans are Following in North Carolina’s Footsteps
When he was running for the Republican nomination, and eventually the presidency, Trump made a number of campaign promises that have fallen to the wayside. The most disregarded of these being to “hire the best people” when asked how he would navigate domestic and international policy with no experience. Sure enough, he is elected and does hire a ton of people. How smart they are … Continue reading Trump’s Track Record So Far with Hiring “the Best People”
Capitalism, for better or worse, is a race to the top where the starting gun only goes off once. As much as we may like to think that our economic circumstances are determined by our talent and hard work alone, there are hundreds of years of history that play a role in influencing the path our professional lives take. There’s a reason white guys like … Continue reading Becoming a Millionaire Just Got a Million Times Harder
We all know the moral arguments for a fairer, less cruel immigration system. But while the merits of not putting immigrant children in cages should be obvious, they don’t seem to be as persuasive as they should for a certain segment of the population. To those who are unconvinced by the moral argument, I would offer up the economic argument for a better immigration system, … Continue reading Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Policies Will Hurt the American Economy
Dear kids, My generation, the Baby Boomers, have succeeded during my/our adulthood in totally screwing this country up. Sorry! The deficit is only getting larger, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed, and healthcare for all– despite being a human rights issue– still eludes us. Our military has a presence across the globe but peace has still not been reached. I vote, and I urge … Continue reading A Letter to My Children From Your Loving Papa
I’m an employer who pays my workers a living wage– no one in my plant makes less than $15/hr. Normally in our capitalist system, paying higher wages would make my business less competitive, simply because a higher median wage costs more. But one thing that has been lost in this whole minimum wage debate is the value that raising incomes for the working classes brings … Continue reading Stop Requiring Me to Subsidize Bad Business Practices
By 2023, 40% of student loan borrowers are expected to be in default according to the Brookings Institute. With billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy passed last year, and murmurs of a second round of similar legislation to be expected this fall, it’s time we address the biggest economic issue of our generation. Student loan debt is crippling millions of Americans, and it … Continue reading The Insane Student Debt Crisis: Why are Corporations Treated Better than the Students?
The 16th Amendment, which was ratified in 1913, granted Congress the power to collect income taxes. About a year later, Congress named March 1st “Tax Day.” This became the deadline to file and pay personal income taxes, as well as make any IRA contributions to be attributed to the following year. By 1918, Tax Day was moved to March 15th, then eventually April 15th in … Continue reading What is Tax Day?
Our country and all subsequent American generations are sitting on a massive time bomb that will ultimately explode and take the United States of America, as we know it, with it. This time bomb is our National Debt! For some reason, the “fiscally responsible” party, the Republicans, only seem concerned with the debt when a Democrat is in the White House or in control of … Continue reading A Ticking Time Bomb that Boomers are Leaving Behind…..
My last post lamented the messaging woes of progressives in combating the right’s attacks on Big Government and all that entails for the middle and working class who depends on it. Here, I will attempt to provide a solution in order to begin making headway in the midterms. First, we must take responsibility for our struggles with messaging. Rather than rolling over, we should … Continue reading The Rich Kid’s Tax… Let’s Call it What it is
While it is important that we always speak clearly, concisely, and accurately, it is far more important that we be heard. That we are listened to and that people pay attention, and maybe, just maybe, they see and agree to our points. This might rub some the wrong way, but if a message does not have an audience, then what is the value in delivering … Continue reading Big Government is NOT bad, Big Government is Essential!
Two weeks ago, I checked my phone and believed I had just moments left on this earth. As many of you may have read or heard by now, those of us in Hawaii on January 13 received the following message: BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. At the time, I was surrounded by my family, including our … Continue reading Why Was an Impending Missile Strike Even Believable?
A few years back, I travelled to India with a friend from the country but who had become a US citizen. It was a wonderful experience, full of new scenery and exciting tastes, but there was something a little off. No matter where I went, it felt like all eyes were always on me. I caught glances from every person I passed. It was unnerving … Continue reading We are ALL Racially Aware, But We Don’t Have to be Racially Prejudiced
We’re approaching the eighth anniversary of the Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (FEC) ruling. On January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, changed the nature of money in politics, and absolutely none of it for the good. At least the good of 90% of American citizens. Let’s look back on what exactly happened. Citizens United, a conservative non-profit, wanted to air … Continue reading What Citizens United has Wrought on US Elections
As a business owner with over 60 employees, who I have provided health care for since starting the company almost 25 years ago, I am perplexed, baffled, and bewildered as to what is behind this health care madness coming out of the House and Senate.
Exclusionary policies that disproportionately affect minorities, women, or people of the LGBTQ community, only further detract from the American economic potential.
As a whole, our country will be a more balanced one when we have more women representatives. And to help the bigger problem of lackluster sitting politicians, let’s vote out those not doing their jobs.