Federal Vote Reform? You vote according to taxes...

[dialamah]

His complaint is backwards in this case. After all, aren't we complaining that the current system encourages that sort of voting on behalf of the poorer? The poorer elements of society have no incentive to vote what is best for the country as a whole. Their primary incentive is simply to vote for whomever promises them the most loot. When 50% of the population is responsible for only 4% of income taxes while the other 50% pays 96% that's produces a horribly lopsided electorate as far as what they're looking for in a government.

Many people would say that the 50s & 60s were the best time in US history in terms of the "American Dream", including upward mobility for the lower class. During that time, top bracket income earners paid over 90% effective tax rate, and the American economy boomed. As higher-income-earners tax rates have dropped, the economy has gone through boom times, but also longer and more severe crashes and increasing income inequality.

Democracy needs to provide good government. When it stops doing that because the electorate are stupid and lazy, or because the system has been designed to make selfishness pay off, then democracy fails and society fails.

Did you watch the documentary? That is exactly what Noam Chomsky is saying is happening in America.

[Argus]

Right, but the people who DO care often make just as bad of political decisions, if not worse. Just look at all the social justice folks who clearly spend a lot of time thinking about society and politics and yet come up with a perverted destructive ideology.

Most of the people I knew at work were on the left side of the political fence, and had very strong feelings on social justice issues, and hated Harper. None ever read newspapers, though, and politics bored them, so they definitely didn't want to talk about it. They didn't really know what was going on in Ottawa or Toronto and didn't care.

[Argus]

Many people would say that the 50s & 60s were the best time in US history in terms of the "American Dream", including upward mobility for the lower class. During that time, top bracket income earners paid over 90% effective tax rate, and the American economy boomed.

Almost no one paid that rate. The highest effective tax bracket was more like 50-60%, and the lowest tax bracket was higher than it is today too. So were corporate taxes. But we didn't have the huge social service budgets then we had now either. There was employment insurance but it hadn't been turned into a job subsidizing welfare program.

[overthere]

I didn't say that. Someone claimed they get GST checks. That certainly doesn't cover all the GST, excise taxes, and government fees people pay. You're also concerned with government benefits, but what about government employees like Argus? He has made hundreds of thousands a year in taxpauers' money.

Argus got paid hundreds of thousands a year?

Stephen, is that you?

[Argus]

Argus got paid hundreds of thousands a year?

Stephen, is that you?

Ignore him. I don't work for the government.

[dialamah]

Almost no one paid that rate. The highest effective tax bracket was more like 50-60%, and the lowest tax bracket was higher than it is today too. So were corporate taxes. But we didn't have the huge social service budgets then we had now either. There was employment insurance but it hadn't been turned into a job subsidizing welfare program.

I provided a cite, perhaps you should as well. Otherwise, I'll have to assume you are talking out of your ass again.

Ignore him. I don't work for the government.

Yeah, but you did didn't you? With Rev Canada?

[Argus]

I provided a cite, perhaps you should as well. Otherwise, I'll have to assume you are talking out of your ass again.

I don't believe you have EVER caught me being unable to support anything I've ever posted, which contrasts with the emotionally overwrought drivel you post on a daily basis.

Yeah, but you did didn't you? With Rev Canada?

Irrelevant.

Edited September 9, 2016 by Argus

[The_Squid]

Irrelevant.

You were on the government dole... As much as anyone on a Disability pension. Should you have had your voting rights taken away?

[dialamah]

You were on the government dole... As much as anyone on a Disability pension. Should you have had your voting rights taken away?

He's on a federal pension, too - so he's still on government dole. Not a (financially) contributing member of society at all. No vote for him.

[Argus]

You were on the government dole... As much as anyone on a Disability pension. Should you have had your voting rights taken away?

Irrelevant and stupid.

He's on a federal pension, too - so he's still on government dole. Not a (financially) contributing member of society at all. No vote for him.

I'm not on any kind of pension and I paid more in income tax last year than you'll ever make.

[jacee]

I don't believe you have EVER caught me being unable to support anything I've ever posted ...

You have never supported anything you've ever said, Argus.