Axelrod: Obama Won't Rule Out Middle-Class Tax Hike

Originally posted by King Kandy
I'm saying we can't expect politicians to follow all of their campaign promises, nor should they since the promises are usually tilted to appeal to the less educated side of America. Fact is nobody could ever get elected on the basis of offering more taxes. Every candidate has to say they'll reduce taxes on some level because Americans are stupid that way. Is this a good thing? No, it's a very destructive path.

so, it wold have been ok, to you, if Obama ran on ending the Iraq war, then escalated it instead?

Or, if tomorrow, instead of diplomacy, Obama invaded Iran?

Or, instead of nuclear non-proliferation, he gave nuclear materials to a third world warlord?

or, instead of being an American born patriot Christian, he was really a militant Muslim from Sudan with dreams of suicide bombing the white house.

Not to sound overly cynical, but methinks you are being a little forgiving because you are getting your way.

Originally posted by Darth Jello
He should just buy PSA airtime and start a huge campaign of honesty that says, "I know I messed up, but guess what? Paying higher taxes is only bad for serfs, slaves, and rich people."

lol, fair enough, can't be critical of Democrats when they "play the game"

its more important to win than be righteous!

Originally posted by inimalist
so, it wold have been ok, to you, if Obama ran on ending the Iraq war, then escalated it instead?

Or, if tomorrow, instead of diplomacy, Obama invaded Iran?

Or, instead of nuclear non-proliferation, he gave nuclear materials to a third world warlord?

or, instead of being an American born patriot Christian, he was really a militant Muslim from Sudan with dreams of suicide bombing the white house.

Not to sound overly cynical, but methinks you are being a little forgiving because you are getting your way.

Call me crazy but I don't think it is a good idea to make choices that could destroy america just because it sets a good precedent for keeping your promises.

He should take a page out of the conservative play book and create a red scare centering around corporatism and fascism and completely demonizing the right just like they've always demonized the left. Reform HUAC and have them go after the right wing and discover some genuine threats to America. I really do fear that if something doesn't change radially and soon, it'll get so bad that we'll have a repeat of the first red scare, which really did lead to begrudging reforms in labor etc.

Originally posted by King Kandy
I'm not "getting my way", it is highly unlikely that this would EVER be considered seriously because it seems like the american brain shuts down whenever anyone mentions increased taxes.

Call me crazy but I don't think it is a good idea to make choices that could destroy america just because it sets a good precedent for keeping your promises.

well then, why not just expect honesty out of your politicians in the first place?

stop electing people who think they need to lie and talk down to you

Originally posted by inimalist
well then, why not just expect honesty out of your politicians in the first place?

stop electing people who think they need to lie and talk down to you

Originally posted by Darth Jello
He should take a page out of the conservative play book and create a red scare centering around corporatism and fascism and completely demonizing the right just like they've always demonized the left. Reform HUAC and have them go after the right wing and discover some genuine threats to America. I really do fear that if something doesn't change radially and soon, it'll get so bad that we'll have a repeat of the first red scare, which really did lead to begrudging reforms in labor etc.

lol, run with it!

Burn Cato to the ground!

Originally posted by King Kandy
Nobody can get elected in America who doesn't talk down to people. Nobody.

so your solution is to just say that this isn't a problem?

Originally posted by inimalist
so your solution is to just say that this isn't a problem?

and because the establishment doesn't want it. That's why they took civics, home economics, and comparative politics out of high school in the 80's and defined teaching them as socialism and communism

I think of it less as an establishment and more of ignorance breeding ignorance.

Originally posted by King Kandy
It's a big problem and there is no way to solve it. To solve it you would have to educate everyone better, which people would never support because it costs money.

Originally posted by Darth Jello
and because the establishment doesn't want it. That's why they took civics, home economics, and comparative politics out of high school in the 80's and defined teaching them as socialism and communism

Then how does accepting this behaviour from another president, one who specifically said they were going to change the status quo in Washington, help solve the problem.

Like, I agree, rich Americans should be paying more to fund better social programs, but a political system based on lies and deceit, lobbying and money interests is never going to produce those things. The end can't justify the means, or else the endemic corruption will just flow over into the new policies. Any tax reform will be just as corrupt as the policies and programs that came before it if there are no leaders who are honest.

Honesty won't get you anywhere in American politics.

because people don't vote for the honest guy, they vote for the guy who tells them what they want to hear 🙂

Originally posted by inimalist
because people don't vote for the honest guy, they vote for the guy who tells them what they want to hear 🙂

indeed, I've been saying it is problematic, you appear to be saying we shouldn't worry about it

Originally posted by inimalist
because people don't vote for the honest guy, they vote for the guy who tells them what they want to hear 🙂

I uh...

Wrote a 27 page paper on this. It does have flaws, but would you be interested in reading it?

sure?

Originally posted by inimalist
because people don't vote for the honest guy, they vote for the guy who tells them what they want to hear 🙂

Originally posted by chomperx9
✅

I mean you do as well