Posted on 04/07/2005 10:07:58 AM PDT by Constitutionalist Conservative
(CNSNews.com) - They're rich, they're outraged, and they're not going to take it anymore -- their tax refund, that is.
A Boston-based group that wants to close the nation's "wealth gap" announced on Wednesday that its members have agreed to turn down their share of "tax cuts for the wealthy" by signing a "Responsible Tax Pledge."
Individuals who have taken the pledge this year are due an average estimated 2004 tax break of $20,000, the group Responsible Wealth said.
Give your refund to us
Responsible Wealth (a project of United for a Fair Economy) is calling on rich Americans to "redirect their federal tax breaks -- by giving their "unwanted and unneeded 'windfall'" to grassroots organizations that are working for "fairer" taxes.
Those groups include Responsible Wealth; and the Fund for Tax Fairness at the Tides Foundation - the foundation frequently mentioned during the 2004 presidential campaign because it is supported by charitable donations from Teresa Heinz Kerry.
The "Responsible Tax Pledge" offered by Responsible Wealth states that big tax breaks are bad for America.
"It's irresponsible to put America deeper into debt to give tax cuts to millionaires," the pledge says.
"It's wrong to choose tax cuts for millionaires over health care for people who can't make ends meet. It's wrong to give tax cuts to the wealthy instead of investing in education, research, job training, affordable housing, a healthy environment, vaccines and emergency services.
"We call on Congress to reject more tax cuts for wealthy Americans, roll back the existing tax cuts for the very wealthy instead of making them permanent, and support responsible, fair and adequate taxes."
'Obscene'
Marta Drury, a liberal activist and member of Responsible Wealth, called it obscene that "Washington is handing out tax breaks to millionaires with one hand and shredding the safety net with the other.
"I want it to stop," she said in a press release, "so I'm calculating my 2004 tax cut and donating it to organizations fighting for responsible, fair and adequate taxes. I don't believe that people like me with incomes over $200,000 need $69 billion in tax cuts."
(Based on data from the Tax Policy Center, Responsible Wealth calculates that people making more than $200,000 received a total of $69 billion in tax breaks in 2004.)
Statements like Drury's produce much eye-rolling from groups and individuals who believe that Americans are over-taxed - and that "refunds" are nothing more than the government allowing Americans who earn money to keep more of it. Those who earn more, keep more.
Groups such as the National Taxpayers Union say a little spending restraint on the part of Congress would go a long way toward reducing the federal budget deficit, but spending restraint does not figure in Responsible Wealth's equation.
"The next time a politician says we can't afford to fund something you care about, ask yourself if $69 billion per year would help," said Scott Klinger, co-director of Responsible Wealth.
"When you hear that the only choices we have are to cut budgets, increase the deficit or increase your taxes, remember that $69 billion in tax breaks went to people who made more than $200,000 last year," Klinger added. (Lower spending is not one of the choices.)
To help taxpayers educate themselves about their share of the tax cuts, Responsible Wealth said it has created an automated, online calculator that individuals can use to figure their personal 2004 tax break.
Responsible Wealth describes itself as a national network of business people, investors and affluent Americans who are concerned about the deepening wealth divide in America and who advocate "widespread prosperity." It advocates preservation of the estate tax.
Its parent organization, United for a Fair Economy, says on its website that "concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart. We support and help build social movements for greater equality."
Gee, if those folks -- all the non-millionaires in that group -- want to hand out their tax refunds to total strangers who could use the extra dough, then please, forward it to me. Heck, just pick an address out of the phone book and mail it to that person.
Why does everything for liberals (i.e. Marxists, et al) require a freaking government program or its rescinding?
Wow. If it weren't so pathetic I might be amused.
Whenever you hear the words, "FAIR", "EQUALITY","TAX BREAKS FOR THE RICH","WEALTH GAP"....etc.,etc. you can BET YOUR LIFE that you have Marxist/Socialists on the other end -- who, again, from their own playbook, feel that it is unfair for those who DECIDE NOT TO WORK OR PRODUCE should not have your money....
This is probably one of the most twisted, perverted, elements of socialism that we can find. And THE ABSOLUTE IGNORANCE, SELFISHNESS AND STUPIDITY that buys into this opportunistic mantra of the radical left, is what we call DEMOCRAT VOTERS (in this country). Like ticks and fleas, they are parasites that want to feed off of your ambition, your hard work, your sucsess, and your wealth.
And Washington just keeps playing to it....
I owe $1,000 this year.
Would a rich person please pay it for me?
Thanks
G
"Why does everything for liberals (i.e. Marxists, et al) require a freaking government program or its rescinding?"
Because liberalism ultimately requires government sponsored force to implement the more extreme aspects of it.
No one volunteered to lose their farms in the Soviet Five Year plans.
No one volunteers to surrender their guns to government without the threat of prosecution and imprisonment.
Liberals are just tyrants who don't know how to dress themselves or perform personal hygiene.
Haha. The stupidity and nerve of rich liberals is hilarious. I bet the money would just line the pockets of other rich liberals who are lobbying the government in the new group. Or with that money, they could give their servants a living wage of $15 an hour or send their servants kids to college or hire more people in their business or law firm with that money. Or maybe do more cases pro bono because they dont need the money anymore. Or they could just donate it to a charity. Maybe if they had a brain they would realize there are ways to help people if you are feeling guilty that dont require the government. If they really cared about the poor they would do something more than just lobby the government. Think what all those people could do with that money instead of wasting it on some pointless advocacy.
All your money are belong to us!
How do such obviously stupid people become wealthy? And like another poster said, if you feel guilty, just write a check! No-one (in their right mind) needs legislation to be charitable.
I bet many have inherited it. And most don't even think of choosing a charity that might actually do more good. But this is great! Now a Bill Maher or Michael Moore that gets on T.V. and whines that they want to give more in taxes can be given this outfits name and address. I bet they react as if they had been handed a lit stick of dynamite. What would really be great is after they are given the groups name , they were asked how the government spends their money. I bet they can't answer.
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