Distribution of Wealth

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Passing free trade agreements, NAFTA for us here in the United States, opened the door for large companies such as Levi’s, etc., to move the manufacturing part of their business to countries with cheap labor (that giant sucking sound that one of the politicians talked about several years ago). Using Levi’s as the example, their CEO and stock holders were happy to see a rise in profits for the company, not from increased sales, but decreased manufacturing costs when they sent their factories to a different country. The CEO from Levi might say that they cannot stay competitive in the market unless the manufacturing costs are reduced, which means a downsizing of the workforce, cheaper labor, or cheaper materials for production. Profits are the bottom line. For the consumer, spending the least amount of money for the product desired is the bottom line. Of course the old adage “you get what you pay for” applies to a certain extent. If someone really wants a Cadillac they probably won’t be happy with a Chevy, and they will probably pay a little more to get what they want. Anyway, back to jeans. Since the free trade agreements let companies that manufacture outside the U.S.complete with Companies that do manufacture their product inside the U.S., with no import tariffs and few regulations, the companies manufacturing inside the U.S. really have a hard time competing. I’m all for buying only U.S. made products, but I don’t believe that the majority of Americans would truely stick with that policy, when they can get things that are made elsewhere a lot cheaper. I guess what i’m getting at is the redistribution of wealth does not just apply to the people inside the U.S. and the only control mechanism that the average working person in the U.S. has, is to become educated on how import/export taxation works and to urge the politicians to stop allowing U.S manufactures to take a beating from foreign companies. Personally, I feel that it may be to late and that the wheels are already in motion for a true Global economy,where big business and their leaders are actually running things and not the governments…And remember wahat the Bible says, “the love of money is the root of all evil”.

Blessings
Well said! Don’t forget the massive Tax cuts, and new Subsidizing by Public of our Biggest, most Profitable corporations. That is called Globalization: enrich the Richest at Public expense. Tax Money subsidizing Big Money, instead the Needed parts of Our economy, people, research, Infrastructure maintenance, development. Even our Bridges are collapsing.
 
:rotfl:
Either back up your statements or don’t make them.

There’s no need to try to paint my personal life in such a negative light. You make me sound like a loser. I enjoy video games when I’m not working on calculus III, digital design, teaching my brothers about ancient governments, or helping out with the RCIA class. :cool:

Before you declare my posts to be “outlandish, paraphrased, libertarian, statements”, It might be wise to consider that I’m describing conservative values which roughly half of Americans hold to some extent.

Go on, use your time more effectively elsewhere.
I believe your statement was due to your inexperience in life. I feel sure you have never been in a situation where you had nothing to eat or were homeless through no fault of your own. I have known many in my lifetime who through no fault of their own became homeless. We should always have government agencies to help.

Many in this country are in this situation today and many of those that have so much don’t even realize or maybe they don’t really care. Even if your situation is not your fault, it feels shameful to ask for handouts or to even share your sorrows with others.

Right now I know many who work for less than $10 an hour and even if they are lucky enough to have insurance can’t afford the deductables, so they don’t get medical care. I believe all would be well or atleast better in this country if all elected had to live on minimum wage for a year before they could run for office.
 
I believe your statement was due to your inexperience in life. I feel sure you have never been in a situation where you had nothing to eat or were homeless through no fault of your own. I have known many in my lifetime who through no fault of their own became homeless. We should always have government agencies to help.

Many in this country are in this situation today and many of those that have so much don’t even realize or maybe they don’t really care. Even if your situation is not your fault, it feels shameful to ask for handouts or to even share your sorrows with others.

Right now I know many who work for less than $10 an hour and even if they are lucky enough to have insurance can’t afford the deductables, so they don’t get medical care. I believe all would be well or atleast better in this country if all elected had to live on minimum wage for a year before they could run for office.
I havebeen in dire straights where I had no money for food. I also have slept in my car on more than one occasion. But I was fortunate in one respect that those around me never said I should just depend on the government, or things were beyond my control. I was told that finding a job was a full time job and I was shamed into spending every waking moment looking for work. When I found work that I couldn’t live on I kept on working and looking for a better job at the same time. Potential employers saw that I had the work ethic they desired in an employee and I managed to never have to get on unemployment, let alone welfare.

What I see in so many underemployed is a sense of defeatism. To many feel they are victims and are unwilling to nurture that spark of hope in their lives. Instead they put in a minimal amount of time at their job and then enjoy their time off. Now some are perfectly happy with that life. But those who feel they aren’t making enough to get by need a good kick in the pants.

Not to put any of the regulars here in shock but here is a government program we do need.:eek:
Get volunteer mentors for those on extended assistance (Not a few months between jobs.) Like a big brother/ parole officer / Case worker program. (no cost to tax payers) The mentor can check in on the person in dire straights, give them job searching advice, help them prepare for interviews, give them honnest feed back with out fear of discrimination, and also let the welfare offices know if the person is willing to work.

Employers are so paranoid about lawsuits they won’t tell an employee why they were not hired, friends and family may be in the same situation or may be unwilling to be confrontational. A third party mentor who can be supportive yet brutally honnest if required may be what some of these people need.
 
I havebeen in dire straights where I had no money for food. I also have slept in my car on more than one occasion. But I was fortunate in one respect that those around me never said I should just depend on the government, or things were beyond my control. I was told that finding a job was a full time job and I was shamed into spending every waking moment looking for work. When I found work that I couldn’t live on I kept on working and looking for a better job at the same time. Potential employers saw that I had the work ethic they desired in an employee and I managed to never have to get on unemployment, let alone welfare.

What I see in so many underemployed is a sense of defeatism. To many feel they are victims and are unwilling to nurture that spark of hope in their lives. Instead they put in a minimal amount of time at their job and then enjoy their time off. Now some are perfectly happy with that life. But those who feel they aren’t making enough to get by need a good kick in the pants.

Not to put any of the regulars here in shock but here is a government program we do need.:eek:
Get volunteer mentors for those on extended assistance (Not a few months between jobs.) Like a big brother/ parole officer / Case worker program. (no cost to tax payers) The mentor can check in on the person in dire straights, give them job searching advice, help them prepare for interviews, give them honnest feed back with out fear of discrimination, and also let the welfare offices know if the person is willing to work.

Employers are so paranoid about lawsuits they won’t tell an employee why they were not hired, friends and family may be in the same situation or may be unwilling to be confrontational. A third party mentor who can be supportive yet brutally honnest if required may be what some of these people need.
Sounds nice. I may have been there to.

But this is not 20-40 years ago. There are Millions Fewer jobs available, and about 8 million more poor people, and take home earnings of poor, middle class have been Reduced last several years, because of Major Transfer of Public Wealth to the Richest 1%, 5% in the USA during last 8 years, by current administration, All these Before the Credit/Financial Collapse of last few months.

The jobs are not available, anymore.
 
Sounds nice. I may have been there to.

But this is not 20-40 years ago. There are Millions Fewer jobs available, and about 8 million more poor people, and take home earnings of poor, middle class have been Reduced last several years, because of Major Transfer of Public Wealth to the Richest 1%, 5% in the USA during last 8 years, by current administration, All these Before the Credit/Financial Collapse of last few months.

The jobs are not available, anymore.
That is the defeatest attitude I am talking about. If you go to an employer with that attitude, it will be hard to get a job. If on the other hand you show innitiative and a willingness to work hard, someone will find you a job.
 
Regret to inform you that christcnection1 is 100% Correct, philosophically and morally, and is with Church thinking:thumbsup:

You are in fact wrong, in Many ways, Appleby, especially in mindset and attitude: (1) one does not go around “Name-calling” to avoid answering the issues at hand. Namely your “guilt by association” is the Signature of not being able to address the issues at hand, by Name-calling: "people who want to extort money (from the rich); "grandly decide for us…how much undepanties…food we need…, entertainment we NEED…,…And convince themselves that the rest of OUR money belongs to their friends, cronies and aparatchiks…; and politicians like the Abomination demand we peons fork over our money…

Appleby, the Facts of Life reality acceptable to you? Have you heard What Caused the total collapse of our, then the World financial structure? 1920’s hoover era, 1980’s Reagan era, 200’0’s W Bush era Deregulation of Financial. Former economics professor **** Armey (No military experience by “choice”) was involved in the last 2 deregulations, not having learned any lessons from the 10/87 Grave collapse, S & L collapse.

Haven’t heard the evil socialist crony Obama will Only increase Taxes some to the over $250,000 crowd of peons ?

Of you are in the under $250,000 crowd, Appleby, you might think of following our Lord’s teachings, and give a few coins to “Street Beggars”. Remember what God told someone in your shoes, who Said he followed all the requirements to be saved? “Begone from me!” ‘But when did I not follow your (requirements)’? ‘Anytime you gave food, water, clothing to these, the least of My brethren, you gave to Me’.

Do you support the Transfer of the Nations Federal income to the wealthiest 5% of Corporations to Big Oil, Big Drugs? Why Federal Subsidy, Big tax cuts, in view of USA now technically bankrupt (May 08 GAO report), to the world record Biggest Profits corporations?

Realize that our grandchildren, and future Generations of the USA can never repay the MultiTrillion National Debt that selling all worth in the USA, Including your watch and the Capitol Building can’t repay?

Don’t believe the U S Government should pay its bills? Or do you support us subsidizing Red China and Richest with borrowed interest payments?
Haven’t heard that 'Obamanation" is Trying, impossible now, to return us to the major federal and corporation surpluses of the 1990’s? Or do you support our foreign Creditors foreclosing on our Nation? We can’t pay basic bills anymore. :tsktsk: :whistle:
Not that it means anything anymore, but the $250,000 was just something that Obama pulled out of the air. Unlikely he will riase taxes until 2011, unless the economy turns. If he does, the way the rates are structured now, it would hit anyone on the 25% bracket, which, might be as low as $125,000 depending on the sources of income.

Goping back to the fear of maldistribution, has anyone noticed that much of that excessive wealth has evaporated with the stockmarket and with the housing bust?
 
Not that it means anything anymore, but the $250,000 was just something that Obama pulled out of the air. Unlikely he will riase taxes until 2011, unless the economy turns. If he does, the way the rates are structured now, it would hit anyone on the 25% bracket, which, might be as low as $125,000 depending on the sources of income.

Goping back to the fear of maldistribution, has anyone noticed that much of that excessive wealth has evaporated with the stockmarket and with the housing bust?
I am not so sure the “Wealth” has disapeared. I believe that investers are aware of how they will be treated under an Obama administration and have moved their wealth to safer areas. You may notice the big plunge happened around the time Obama surged ahead in the poles. I think investers are wondering if Obama will be another Carter or another Clinton. With the exception of a few social issues (ok several social issues) Clinton policies were nearly as conservative as Bush one and two. If Obama proves his presidency will be as benign as Clinton’s was we should see the stock market come back and all of this preemptive belt tightening will start to relax and the ecconomy will recover. If on the otherhand Obama digs in and pushes his leftist agenda that he ran on, expect to see things getting worse.
 
I havebeen in dire straights where I had no money for food. I also have slept in my car on more than one occasion. But I was fortunate in one respect that those around me never said I should just depend on the government, or things were beyond my control. I was told that finding a job was a full time job and I was shamed into spending every waking moment looking for work. When I found work that I couldn’t live on I kept on working and looking for a better job at the same time. Potential employers saw that I had the work ethic they desired in an employee and I managed to never have to get on unemployment, let alone welfare.

What I see in so many underemployed is a sense of defeatism. To many feel they are victims and are unwilling to nurture that spark of hope in their lives. Instead they put in a minimal amount of time at their job and then enjoy their time off. Now some are perfectly happy with that life. But those who feel they aren’t making enough to get by need a good kick in the pants.
👍

It’s true that I’ve never had to go hungry and don’t have as much experience in life as many here. I have, however, heard stories like this from many people. It seems to me that those who have the drive and the willpower to never quit or give up almost always pull through.

My grandfather (on my father’s side) was about as poor as someone can get at the time of his marriage. He and his wife are the embodiment of perseverance and upward mobility. They are now retired and live a comfortable life. My father started a little better than his father did. My parents worked off large amounts of debt by themselves several times when they were young. Now my father owns a small business and we are better off than my grandfather could have ever imagined. I don’t believe any of them ever used government assistance and none of them support it.

Through statistics, I have also seen the dependency that government programs create. Through history, I have seen the effects of various attitudes towards the role of and size of government.

Does that make up for my inexperience, janw? 😉
 
I’ve never in my life heard anyone using ‘fiat wealth’ for food stamps, and survival programs. And I’ve got age superiority on you. How do you get “Wealth” out of survival programs? :confused: And the Amounts Nationally are smaller than the actual ‘fiat wealth’ being transferred to Biggest profits Businesses, Biggest Wealth Individuals since 2001. The quick $700 Billion is going to Bigest Corporations, and routine CEO bonuses, corporate Dividends. Isn’t that vast Public Wealth, Our tax dollars, being transferred to the Wealthiest, Who Caused the Crash?
Well, if you can eat that paper, you’ve proved me wrong. And that paper is going to corporations that don’t know how to circulate it properly.

Public wealth? What is that? YOUR tax dollars? I have news for you. Whatever it is, paper, scissors, or rock, it’s not yours anymore.
 
Well the problem is, the new administration ( to come) has promised to tax the heck out companies because they make “too much”. I’ll tell you right now if I owned a business I would either sell it to the Chinese or move out of the country. You got to put your self in their situation. Money doesn’t come out of nowhere. You can’t just increase the taxes companies pay and then demand that they pay their workers more money. If you do, then they will raise the cost of product or sell the company or just take it out of the country like I said earlier. Very true, we need more business here, but I promise right now with the new administration (to come) that is not going to happen.
You should know better than that. The Federal Reserve instructs the Treasury to print as much money as it sees fit. Taxes don’t cover all of it. That’s why we have a climbing deficit, which is becoming more and more financed by foreign governments. If they don’t finance us, the interest rates in this country skyrocket, which is great for savers, not so great for those in debt.
 
Ever realized that we didn’t want (Unjust) taxation, without representation, to correct same? The Tea Tax was unjustified, on the wrong colonialists segments. And Britain had some form of Parliament since an 1100’s popular uprising authorized it by Royal Signature. The House of Commons initiated in the 1400’s, but the House of Lord’s was more powerful until recent times.

Isn’t Our government controlled by Big Money elitists at the Executive level, until the 2008 election, to try to “Change” that?

And Big Government nowadays, Properly Oriented to the Public Good, is essential for Big modern problems, like regulating to prevent excesses (Big Financials), financially back Reasearch and Funding of advanced Energy, Transportation, Technology, etc, Etc. Ever thought how failing Our High tech Transportation, Industries are? We had to buy Overseas, now more and more. The newest Amtrack Enginers are high tech Swedish, our next Air Force Tanker is likelly an Airbus Industry plane, as is the next Medium Range Coast Guard search aircraft.

Most Europeans didn’t abandon Royalty, only Transferring Authority to elected Parliaments. Spain thoughtfully Returned Royalty, after Decades of Elitist Power Dictatotrship. The newly installed figurative King of Spain was who brought Parliamentary democracy back to Spain a few decades ago, in Very historic move.

I was born to 900 years Austrian Count, German Barons Nobility. I Learned from the Elder member of Father’s side the 3 Callings Of Nobility: Service to God, In The Church, or Country, Military Or Civilian. Dad’s Sister was Pour Claire Mother Superior in Graz Austria decades ago.

Government has always been nominally to do that which individuals can not do alone, for the Public Good, ideally.
Know why our primary Education, Health systems rank Far Higher Cost percapita, and far poorer Results? Because Other Nations have National systems, trying for the greatest good for average people also. Know Our Educational system id Locally, State based with vastly higher Beaurocracies controlling agendas, like Driver Ed, etc, etc? Heard that even Mexico, the Only advanced country with higher Infant mortality than the USA is initiating National Health system also?

Know Counties are unique to the USA? How much do You know about Your County Educational, Zoning, taxing policies. And County Business, zoning regulations? Ever heard of those?
The British systemagainst which we rebelled was a disguised oligarchy, technically the king-in Parliament. The English Revolution of 1689 ended a long struggle between Parliament --eg. the people who owned England–with king looking to establish an absolute monarchy like that of France–actually a monarchy who ruled without the “advise” of nobles and gentry.
Thereafter, power rested in Parliament, where the Cabinet exercised the powers of the throne.

The king retained much personal power through his ability to influence Parliament by his control of patronage and his knowledge of affairs, and of course by the dignity of his office. George III was very skilled in politics and it was he who allowed his Government to push America into Rebellion.

The real cause of our rebellion was the demand of the English elites that they control the development of their North American Empire, to the detriment of local elites. These elites were far closer to the people and because of the availibility of land, the disparity in wealth in America was far less than that in England. Nonetheless, both local elites and the people were divided between supporters of the Crown–Tories-- and the Patriots --the revolutionaries. After the Patriots won the war, many of the Tories were dispossesed and as Britain was persuaded to abandon the region to the west of the Mountains to the United States, huge potential wealth fell into the hands of Americans of all classes.

No class of Americans was able to control the West. The class that initially came closest were slave owners, but it was an ever growing class in which the seaboard aristocrats found themsleves a minority. Even in the South, freeholders found a niche, and in the north they dominated.
 
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Does that make up for my inexperience, janw? 😉
Not completely, but I grew up like you hearing the stories as my mother was the baby of eleven and her father died suddenly a few years before the depression. They literally almost starved to death. They were farmers in a rural area and there were no programs to help. I don’t think my grandmother was a very strong woman, the older sons had to do the best they could.

Not everyone is born with the strong will and determination that some have. God gives different gifts to each. Maybe his reason is so the strong can help the ones that aren’t.

God’s word says we should give to the poor. He said it many times. Our government waste enough money to feed all the poor in the world I would guess. That makes me angry. CEO’s asking for handouts for their companies while getting millions in bonuses and millions in salary makes me angry.

Those on government assistance do not live well. They get just enough to get by. I am glad Clinton put a limit as to how much they can get in a lifetime. I believe knowing that it will run out is a good incentive to try harder. We must help for the sake of the children. No child should ever need food, clothing or a home in a country like ours. That I’m sure would not please God.

Do you know a poor family. If not find one and get to know them. I’m sure once you got to know them personally you would want them to get as much help as possible. They most likely will not let you know how bad things are as most try to hide that, as they feel ashamed.

As for you, this world would be a much better place if we had more like you as not many your age are interested in serious matters or the will of God these days. I’m sure your parents are very proud of you. Wishing you the best in life.🙂
 
You should know better than that. The Federal Reserve instructs the Treasury to print as much money as it sees fit. Taxes don’t cover all of it. That’s why we have a climbing deficit, which is becoming more and more financed by foreign governments. If they don’t finance us, the interest rates in this country skyrocket, which is great for savers, not so great for those in debt.
I don’t think so. They print it based on the statistics of money being destroyed both by the fed and the common wealth. The gov constantly takes money in and destroys the notes that are warned out. Granted there is room for error, but it is very small. They don’t just print it to print it.
 
God’s word says we should give to the poor. He said it many times. Our government waste enough money to feed all the poor in the world I would guess. That makes me angry. CEO’s asking for handouts for their companies while getting millions in bonuses and millions in salary makes me angry.
I’m with you here.
We must help for the sake of the children. No child should ever need food, clothing or a home in a country like ours. That I’m sure would not please God.
I agree with you here as well, I just disagree about the way to fix it.
Do you know a poor family. If not find one and get to know them. I’m sure once you got to know them personally you would want them to get as much help as possible. They most likely will not let you know how bad things are as most try to hide that, as they feel ashamed.
Yes, I know a few poor families in our homeschooling support group (not starving poor, but poor nonetheless). They are very strong people and wouldn’t accept a handout. They are also some of the best people that I know.
As for you, this world would be a much better place if we had more like you as not many your age are interested in serious matters or the will of God these days. I’m sure your parents are very proud of you. Wishing you the best in life.🙂
Thank you, my friend. 🙂
 
There are a few things about the FairTax system that I don’t know enough about. The “prebate” thing for instance. :confused:
Don’t know if anyone’s addressed this… I’ve read the two Fair Tax books and I really like what I’ve read. This idea’s time has come. I think enough people are fed up with our current tax system.

amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=fair+tax+neal+boortz&x=15&y=14

In a nutshell the Fair Tax is a national sales tax. Everyone pays tax on all purchases of new goods and services. Retailers are required to collect taxes. No other taxes at all. No income tax. No payroll taxes. No capital gains tax. No inheritance tax. No IRS!

Now, to prevent this tax from being a burden on the poor the proposal includes a “prebate”. Every taxpayer receives a monthly check. (Something like $1,000–proportianately more for married and families.) Basically it is the cost of the tax on basic expenses for that taxpayer for that month. So the tax is applied to all purchases by everyone, but if you only make 15K and all you can afford is food, lodging and gas for your used car, the prebate returns all taxes that you’ve paid and then some. If you make 150K and you eat out every night and buy lots of toys and electronics and cars and new homes, you also receive the prebate, but it doesn’t come close to covering the taxes you’ve paid.

So, the tax rate is set by the government budget. (The bottom line of the budget would read something like: "We will spend $ x billion and this equates to x % tax rate on x taxpayers who will receive $ x prebate each month.) The prebate is set by calculating the taxes on basic necessities for the taxpayer–whether they’re single, married, with or without dependents, etc.

The only tax filing is to declare yourself single or married, and the number of dependents you have. No more deductions, no more loopholes, no more congressional lobbying for favoritism for certain groups. No more government social engineering by taxing “undesired actions” or providing breaks for those who toe the line.

States prove that the sales tax is doable. They would just piggyback their tax onto the national tax.

I like the fair tax because we would know exactly how much we are paying in taxes with every purchase we make. Also, if we don’t want to pay taxes, we don’t have to. Keep spending at or below subsistance, and you pay zero taxes. If you buy used cars, per-owned homes, goodwill clothing, you can continue to pay zero tax indefinitely.

I could say a lot more, but it is off topic. However, this whole topic is nothing but partisan politics. Money is not evil. People who have it are not evil. People who do not have it are not evil. Good people can differ on how they see the plight of the poor and the best way to address it. Big government is one way–although in my opinion very inefficient. More efficient are small, community based programs funded locally–like, oh, I don’t know, the neighborhood church? My two cents–which reveal my politics.
 
Don’t know if anyone’s addressed this…
Thanks for explaining that. 🙂

There’s one last thing I’m not sure about: would this require the states to change the way they collect state taxes? I’m concerned about an infringement upon state’s rights.
 
I havebeen in dire straights where I had no money for food. I also have slept in my car on more than one occasion. But I was fortunate in one respect that those around me never said I should just depend on the government, or things were beyond my control. I was told that finding a job was a full time job and I was shamed into spending every waking moment looking for work. When I found work that I couldn’t live on I kept on working and looking for a better job at the same time. Potential employers saw that I had the work ethic they desired in an employee and I managed to never have to get on unemployment, let alone welfare.
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And if there weren’t a minimum wage at the time, you would have been getting far less, and wouldn’t have had the energy or time to look for a better job.
What I see in so many underemployed is a sense of defeatism. To many feel they are victims and are unwilling to nurture that spark of hope in their lives. Instead they put in a minimal amount of time at their job and then enjoy their time off. Now some are perfectly happy with that life. But those who feel they aren’t making enough to get by need a good kick in the pants.
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This is good advice for anyone who wants to better themselves. But why should someone doing anything full time (40 hours +) not be able to afford health insurance, at least for themselves, enough to eat, and rent on a 1 bedroom flat?

“Kick in the pants” reasoning can be used to justify very low wages and conditions, all the things employers would like to see, if it weren’t for these pesky socialist labour laws… er tell me, do you employ people?
 
I am not so sure the “Wealth” has disapeared. I believe that investers are aware of how they will be treated under an Obama administration and have moved their wealth to safer areas. You may notice the big plunge happened around the time Obama surged ahead in the poles. I think investers are wondering if Obama will be another Carter or another Clinton. With the exception of a few social issues (ok several social issues) Clinton policies were nearly as conservative as Bush one and two. If Obama proves his presidency will be as benign as Clinton’s was we should see the stock market come back and all of this preemptive belt tightening will start to relax and the ecconomy will recover. If on the otherhand Obama digs in and pushes his leftist agenda that he ran on, expect to see things getting worse.
“Investors” is a category, and while as a group I am sure they have “moved” their wealth to safe harbour, but many, many individuals have lost personal wealth, at least as measured in assets, as the prices of houses in California and Flordia have deflated. Better argue that it was paper wealth, but as people flipping houses were abloe to turn this into income, that source of income has diisappeared. Ditto stocks in financial institutions.
 
And we are called to be good stewards of what we are given. but like the master that gave one less abled servent one talent and a more able servent 5 talents, we are given different resources to do with according to our abilities, it is not faithful to the master that the person entrusted with the one talent get some soldiers and take two talents away from the man who received 5.
So maybe we should talk about what it means to be a good steward?
Does this mean that we need a McMansion? That each of our children need their own room? Their own tv, computer, ipod etc?
Does this mean our child is entitled to a car when they turn 16?
Does this mean its ok to drive a Porsche rather than a Ford?
Does this mean we are good stewards when we buy an $80 perfume/cologn instead of a $10 one?
What about eating out at very fancy and expensive restaurants–is that being a good stewart and using what God has given us in a worthy manner?
Is that $1,200 suit really that much better than the $400 suit Is it a wise use of our money? Will God be pleased with that choice?

Just what does it mean to use our money well? To be good stewards of it? When we save it and hoard it - is that trusting God to provide for us? Or are we trusting ourselves?
This is probably for a different thread --but the idea of it’s ok to make a lot as long as we are good stewards comes up a lot – so I am currious as to what people out there consider “being a good steward”. This is a question that plagues me and I’d be interested in seeing what others think.
Thank you
 
Don’t know if anyone’s addressed this… I’ve read the two Fair Tax books and I really like what I’ve read. This idea’s time has come. I think enough people are fed up with our current tax system.

amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=fair+tax+neal+boortz&x=15&y=14

In a nutshell the Fair Tax is a national sales tax. Everyone pays tax on all purchases of new goods and services. Retailers are required to collect taxes. No other taxes at all. No income tax. No payroll taxes. No capital gains tax. No inheritance tax. No IRS!

Now, to prevent this tax from being a burden on the poor the proposal includes a “prebate”. Every taxpayer receives a monthly check. (Something like $1,000–proportianately more for married and families.) Basically it is the cost of the tax on basic expenses for that taxpayer for that month. So the tax is applied to all purchases by everyone, but if you only make 15K and all you can afford is food, lodging and gas for your used car, the prebate returns all taxes that you’ve paid and then some. If you make 150K and you eat out every night and buy lots of toys and electronics and cars and new homes, you also receive the prebate, but it doesn’t come close to covering the taxes you’ve paid.

So, the tax rate is set by the government budget. (The bottom line of the budget would read something like: "We will spend $ x billion and this equates to x % tax rate on x taxpayers who will receive $ x prebate each month.) The prebate is set by calculating the taxes on basic necessities for the taxpayer–whether they’re single, married, with or without dependents, etc.

The only tax filing is to declare yourself single or married, and the number of dependents you have. No more deductions, no more loopholes, no more congressional lobbying for favoritism for certain groups. No more government social engineering by taxing “undesired actions” or providing breaks for those who toe the line.

States prove that the sales tax is doable. They would just piggyback their tax onto the national tax.

I like the fair tax because we would know exactly how much we are paying in taxes with every purchase we make. Also, if we don’t want to pay taxes, we don’t have to. Keep spending at or below subsistance, and you pay zero taxes. If you buy used cars, per-owned homes, goodwill clothing, you can continue to pay zero tax indefinitely.

I could say a lot more, but it is off topic. However, this whole topic is nothing but partisan politics. Money is not evil. People who have it are not evil. People who do not have it are not evil. Good people can differ on how they see the plight of the poor and the best way to address it. Big government is one way–although in my opinion very inefficient. More efficient are small, community based programs funded locally–like, oh, I don’t know, the neighborhood church? My two cents–which reveal my politics.
You didn’t mention the rate of this sales tax. Do you know what it would be? What do your books say? All the rates I have seen are very high and thats why the idea has never gotten much traction–is my understanding.
 
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