Caleb Hammer educated his guest on why America’s income tax system is more progressive than Europe’s national sales taxes.
Caleb Hammer: Question, what percent does the top 1% pay in federal income taxes?
Guest(Female): None.
(Brief silence)
Caleb Hammer: Think it's about 40 to 50 percent? No, I think it's about... I believe it's about 35%. Then the top 10% pays 50 to 60%. Top 50% pays 99%. The bottom 50% of earners only pay 1%. Did you know we actually have the most progressive income tax system in the entire Western world? Did you know that?
Guest(Female): I did not.
Caleb Hammer: Oh, we do. Of course you didn't know that. Why know anything before having an opinion? What the fuck is wrong with you?
Caleb Hammer: You're probably a raise taxes person, aren't you? But you didn't even know that we have the most progressive income tax in the entire Western world?
I simply cannot believe that I had NEVER learned this in a textbook or anywhere else. You're watching me hear it from @TimDavidBarton for the first time.
This seems like a pretty big deal.
Like many others, I have been alarmed by the success of certain politicians in our country who identify as extreme socialists or communists.
This is not a matter of classical liberals triumphing over standard-issue conservatives; this is the victory of people who stand athwart the fundamental principles that undergird our country.
There are many reasons why I detest Communism, but I want to draw attention to just one issue of supreme importance.
Karl Marx said that the first critique is the critique of religion. He meant that, before a complete re-working of the politics and economics of a society can take place, religion has to be taken down.
This is because religion, as he saw it, is the “opium of the masses,” a drug taken to dull our sensitivity to the suffering caused by economic exploitation. As long as the suffering populace is lured into complacency by fantasies about God's providence and the promise of eternal life, they will never rise up and throw off their chains.
But there is a second reason why the elimination of religion is of paramount significance for Marx.
Communism aspires to be a totalizing system, involving the government's control over education, entertainment, communication, politics, and especially economics.
What stands resolutely athwart this ambition is religion, which declares that all of these societal expressions are finally under the judgment of God. So, if you want Communism to succeed, religion has to be stamped out.
If you doubt me on any of this, I would encourage you to read the recent histories of China, Russia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Venezuela. Revisit those histories and tell me I'm wrong about the attack on religion.
Might I encourage my fellow believers in God not to be complacent in the face of this very troubling development in the American body politic?
> calls for the murder of US senators
> wants streets to “run red” in “capitalist blood”
> says America “deserved 9/11”
> doesn’t want to be called a terrorist
🇩🇪 Germany won a World Cup when we had a German Pope.
(Pope Benedict)
🇦🇷 Argentina won a World Cup when we had an Argentine Pope.
(Pope Francis)
🇺🇸 The United States will win a World Cup with an American Pope.
(Pope Leo)
@LuffyvsWaluigi You don’t have to live this way you know. You can be a normal person, unless you’re a bot. Trust me life is so much better as a not crazy person.
@LuffyvsWaluigi Elon created a company that’s bringing humanity into space, which in turn has created 100s of thousands of jobs, and does more charitable giving than I think you realize. Nothing to mention starlink supporting peoples around the world. No way you’re this dense, you just hate him.
@LuffyvsWaluigi His wealth isn’t entirely liquid. Even if he gave it all away you would in turn crash markets and the millionaires you’re trying to create would cease to be millionaires… he earned his wealth, you don’t deserve a penny. Neither do I for that matter. It’s in no way a problem.
@Obliqua184 The statement that capitalism is only for the betterment of the few is factually untrue. Unique to capitalism is the opposite is true. Capitalism resounds to the benefit of all, even the bum on the side of the road. Capitalism has enriched ALL American lives beyond belief.
Elon minted 4,400 millionaires comprised of welders, machinists, and cafeteria workers; blue collar folks. The exact opposite is true. This is pure jealousy and envy.
@BurnerVonBot@hasanthehun "has its issues" yeah bcs being a trillionaire with factories full of overworked and underpaid workers and multiple instances of fatal accidents where multiple people died isnt as bad as a homeless Guy robing you to be able to eat
@13thMonkey2024 I’m not using 1% to account for everybody. First off because 20% of the company became millionaires not 1% , second, SpaceX pays at market or above market in about every field. Their employees are compensated very well.