Let me get this on the record.
My dad was a waiter. My mom was a secretary. Neither attended college. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and Lowell, Massachusetts. I attended public schools. My parents – in their best year – earned $31,000 combined. My dad worked for tips – often received in change – as he worked a counter for breakfast and lunch at a diner. My dad, too, once lost his job. I remember the angst in our household.
I attended Georgetown University which at the time wasn’t a need blind school via college loans. I paid them all back five years after I graduated.
I have great empathy for middle class or lower middle class America. My horizons as a young adult were not expansive. I was programmed to be a produce department manager at a grocery store in my neighborhood. That was my dad’s aspiration for me. I would have been proud to work hard to become a leader in a grocery store and I bet I would have been good at it, too. By luck and hard work, my career took a different path.
I say this as I read all of the rhetoric about Class Warfare, the rift that is being created between economic middle and lower class and as the President said “those millionaires and billionaires.”
The real rift in philosophy though is do you want the Government to create jobs and stimulate the economy or do you want America’s small business to be the engine of growth?
Economic Success has somehow become the new boogie man; some in the Democratic party are now casting about for enemies and business leaders and anyone who has achieved success in terms of rank or fiscal success is being cast as a bad guy in a black hat. This is counter to the American Dream and is really turning off so many people that love American and basically carry our country on their back by paying taxes and by employing people and creating GDP.
This is a bad move all designed by some pollster who said this is the way to get votes during the re-election. It should be stopped. We should be healing and creating teams NOT dividing and pitting people against one another.
I know the President isn’t speaking to me specifically when he talks but many times I hear stuff and I cringe personally. As a friend told me the other day who lives in China, “Every time your President talks of late, it costs us billions in market cap and in confidence in your country and your economy.” Why do we devalue success in the US when the rest of the world is trying to emulate what we have created as an economic system?
So for fun: I take the Acela train to Philly and NYC all of the time. Alone – no traveling companions to prep me. I have never seen our President on the train, have you? I own 50 hours on NetJets for the rare occasion I do travel by private plane. Does Air Force One charter out? Stop making private planes an issue. This is a tiny issue for us to deal with for our country.
I do have a nice home with a house keeper. I have only one home. I bet there is more staff at the White House though? And Camp David. What kind of real estate tax is the White House paying? Nice jewelry here. Click away. Stop it. Upgrade the discourse.
With my investments and board seats and companies that I own, I am at a leadership position in concerns that employ more than 200,000 people. We do our best to be good corporate citizens. I know in the companies that I own personally or am the largest shareholder that we support now more than 500 charities. We care. Pick some business leaders that you work with and make them heroes. Don’t demonize them. Showcase them as great Americans that care and hire and employ people. Employment is the biggest issue you will face when re-election comes. If people aren’t working, they will blame you and your administration. And since you have never worked before in a real job for a real company, you need help from people who have been there. Don’t push them away!
I pay taxes. I am willing to pay even more taxes but I would want accountability that the money was being spent wisely on infrastructure investments; education and retraining; and anything that makes us more competitive and gets people working again. That seems fair doesn’t it?
I voted for our President. I have maxed out on personal donations to his re-election campaign. I forgot his campaign wants to raise $1 billion. THAT is a lot of money–money–money–money! Money still talks. It blows my mind when I am asked for money as a donation at the same time I am getting blasted as being a bad guy!
Someone needs to talk our President down off of this rhetoric about good vs. evil; about two classes and math.
Our country was founded on the premise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Is anyone happy right now with all of this?
Hit a reset button ASAP.
Rethink how to talk to businesses and sell business leaders on your plan to make America great!
Many of us want to be a part of the solution. We aren’t the problem.
Fantastic post Ted! Frankly I’m surprised at the negative reaction from some of your readers, I thought your post was very thoughtful and true.
Hey Ted,
Is it “class warfare” to charge people $45 to $100 and up to see your team that always chokes in the playoffs?
P.S. Obama is only trying to bring tax rates to pre-George Bush levels.
Ted- During my 15 years in Washington that ended last year I really respected what you did in the business community and, as an NHL fan, what you did to turn around the Caps and make the team a success. I have not doubt you will have the same impact on the Wizards.
I think you make a lot of great points but I have to ask you…how could you not think it was going to turn out this way? The writing was on the wall with this President well before the 2008 election. I’m not remotely surprised by the policy positions taken by the President, the narcissism he displays and the inexperience in governing that he shows. And yet you continue to feed the beast! It’s never going to end unless people like you take a stand and cut them off. If you don’t all that will continue to happen in the end is that they will take your money to the bank and laugh all the way there.
Ted:
My own background is very similar — dad was an auto mechanic and mom was a secretary. Lack of money was always a topic of discussion. When my shoes had holes in them I wore them a little longer. Mac n cheese was a treat. Add to that their drug and alcohol addiction and multiple divorces and it wasn’t a pretty picture. It took way too many years to “get over it” and get on with the business of living. But by the grace of God this I did. And I will say this: dad always said, and I can hear him now, “be the best damn (fill in the blank) you can be” and mom always said “don’t let your life be full of woulda coulda shouldas”. So, four years ago at almost 40 with three kids I (in a measured, counseled and studied way) quit a $55K a year job, changed careers and hung out my shingle. In three years and two more kids later I grossed over 2.5X that, and I’m on track to repeat that this year. Recession? Oh yeah. No, great clients, hard work and sacrifice. I don’t begrudge anyone any kind of success because, aside from lottery winners, it takes work and that is to be respected. Legislate THAT Washington!
B
Ted – respectfully, you are part of the problem.
If your rhetoric does not match your actions, then you are no better than the politicians who are damaging our country.
I challenge you to back it up with action. Cease donations to the liars and looters, put your dollars behind those who have the track record, aptitude, and fortitude to lead us in the right directions, announce that you have done so and encourage others to follow.
The political middle was duped into supporting a man who claimed he would do great things for America, even though he had no practical experience and his track record did not support these claims. Your dollars are enabling the weakest, most divided nation in our history.
Demand accountability from our elected officials and yourself.
Tony
Like many others, I really think you are (mostly) missing the point. Or rather, misinterpreting the POTUS’ remarks. He is railing against the people who scream bloody murder at raising taxes on those of us who can afford it; the remarks are NOT directed at those of us who can afford to pay higher taxes. It is a subtle difference.
Furthermore, you clearly are willing to pay more, and you are NOT screaming bloody murder at the prospect of higher taxes. You are a good man, and you give back. Relax, you have no need to defend yourself.
Ted,
As an employer of 7 people I want to thank you for your perspective on class warfare. You are a voice for many of us.
You exemplify what class is.
I have not been a follower of your teams but wow, im truly impressed and inspired by your heart and energy.
You have a new fan. Thank you again.
Joe Pfau
Ted, just saw your comments on the opening part of Bill O’Reilly (Fox News) and just have to complement you for them. Hope you remember me from back of our GOLDEN Days @ AOL Inc.
Listening to O’Reilly talk about you, made me proud to say I know you from way back then.
Keep up the great work and who knows, maybe I’d even vote for you if you decide to run (please don’t do it as a Democrat though)
Luis
Ted,
If you don’t like what the President is saying, it’s kind of dumb to have given as much as you could to re-elect him. Maybe you should have waited to see what his positions were and what the positions of his future opponent are.
Just saying.
Your post makes me so sad. I am a huge Caps fan and am so proud of what you have done to help turn this city around. You are clearly a smart guy, but swallowing the “class warfare” Republican diatribe hook, line and sinker seems beneath your intelligence. I hope you see by the extremist Hater comments from the Republicans above that you are only feeding into THEIR us-versus-them mentality, not Obama’s. It’s not “class warfare.” It’s “class fair share.” The rich are not the enemy and the president has never said that. That’s just Republican propoganda and you’re falling for it.
I was particularly taken aback by your comment “This is counter to the American Dream and is really turning off so many people that love American and basically carry our country on their back.” Overlooking the incorrect grammar, it implies you have strayed far from your roots. Those of us who are not rich and work hard every day also “love AmericaN and carry the country on our backs.” It’s our American Dream that’s dying — not yours. Just because the majority of Americans don’t believe in the Republicans’ core agenda to redistribute the wealth to the wealthy or in their belief that the middle class and poor should bear the brunt of this Great Recession caused by the Bush Administration doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate and value small business and entrepreneurs. This post is not one of your prouder moments and I can’t imagine your parents would approve.
Ted,
This is why I am so proud to be a partial season ticket holder to the Caps. We may not alwys agree but you are right here
Doug
Ted,
“Does Air Force One charter out?” “I do have a nice home with a house keeper. I have only one home. I bet there is more staff at the White House though? And Camp David. What kind of real estate tax is the White House paying? Nice jewelry here. Click away. Stop it. Upgrade the discourse.”
This is the most childish statement I have ever heard. And when you say one nice home, i would hope that a $20,000,000 house is more than nice. And congrats, you take the Acela, which means you are willing to spend a ton more money to get somewhere half an hour earlier. Stop sounding so bitter. All he is asking is you pay a little more, since you’ve been paying a lot less lately. And since you brought them into the dialogue for the “I’m just like you” appeal, I wonder what your parents would be saying…
Love when the guy with a stadium, $20M house, flies a a private jet “only occasionally” tells everyone else whats fair.
All he’s saying is that maybe the guy making $33k a year should be taxed the same as the guy making $30M a year, not more.
Ted, much as I like the way you run your sports teams, you are downright wrong about class warfare. You have it backwards – the rich have won the war: it is clear that the rich are richer than ever and the poor are poorer than ever, with less chance for the “American Dream!” See http://bit.ly/o8xTfV
Mr. Leonsis:
I enjoyed reading your comments and couldn’t agree with you more. I, too, have lived the American Dream. My father was a policeman and my mother stayed at home to raise 4 children, each of whom earned Masters degrees. We aren’t rich, but we live well. When have we strayed from the principle “The business of America is business.” It’s not government.
Ted: Great post. But I am with Colin above. Maybe you can explain why you “maxed out” your contributions for Obama, or tell us that you made a mistake making them.
You know that when our President talks about millionaires and billionaires (to qualify: single gross income $200,000; married $250,000), he is not only talking about people like you, but about a significant number of your customers of the Capitals and Bullets (never say Wizards).
RNF
Well said.
The bad news, however, is not how BO talks, but how he thinks. It is his philosophy, specifically about politics and economics that’s the problem.
Given where he is “coming from” as the expression goes, it could only be a matter of time before he demonizes, and worse yet, outright dispossesses the wealthier citizens. He has already started gnawing away at your, and my, ability to make and hold on to money … money that isn’t worthless.
It is unfortunate for all of us that you didn’t discover any of this before you voted for him.
Please don’t do it again.
Ted, i have one thing to say,,,,you get what you vote for. I cant for the life of me, understand why anyone that’s a small business owner votes Democrat. The Democrats are nothing but tax, tax, tax. And who has the $$$ to tax their ass off? the business owner. They keep picking at them, its NO wonder there are no jobs. Nothing but Modern Day Robin Hoods. Dems ENABLE the poor to stay poor. If the poor get freebies, why in Hell would they get a job and Work? They Dont Need To, Everything Is Handed To Them, They’ve Become the Entitled. A bunch of Moochers. Get Real, Get Off your Asses, Take off Your Slippers and Get a Job. I heard that somewhere the other day,,,somewhere?!
Great post, I’m constantly frustrated by the rhetoric as well and wish someone with the president’s ear would do something to stop it. He’s playing politics now and trying to win an election when he is truly in the position to improve the country and win the election on the merits of his performance.
You are upset with the class warfare rhetoric coming from the WH but have maxed out your contribution to Obama’s re-election?
Can’t have it both ways Ted. Either put your money where your mouth is and work to get this guy out of office or shut the heck up.
Ted, if you voted for him, you’re getting exactly what you deserve. Obozo made no secret of his hatred of free market capitalism before he became president, and nothing has changed since. Add to this the fact that he is always the most stupid person in any room he occupies, and you have a bad combination. Why is it taking so long for you to wake up to these facts?
Ted, I’m glad you’ve finally woken up and smelled the coffee, but *dude!* There were plenty of signs before the last election that Obama was a class warrior. But nevertheless you put Obama in office. And you want to keep him there. And you paid your own hard-earned money to make sure that happens. Including this year. So forgive me if I’m having trouble understanding you; a person doesn’t enunciate clearly when he speaks out of both sides of his mouth.
Ted:
Very well said, Ted. I grew up in similar financial circumstances, also went to Georgetown, and today own a nice upper middle class house in the suburbs. Yes, I was blessed with intelligence, but I worked hard and lived fairly frugally. I am not rich, except in family, but comfortably well off. This class warfare affects my attitude also, and it makes me want to vote Republican, not Democratic. (I voted for Obama in 2008 but won’t again because of his horrible foreign policy and his continuation of the military/national security b.s. that started under Bush.) The best thing for Obama to do on the economy is, as has been said, to get out of the way. I really wish he’d decide to get out after one term. Oh, and Go Caps!
Excellent post. Nice that I can be proud of the owner of my longtime favorite NBA team. It’s been 12 years since the Democrats, the party I grew up in and worked in two presidential campaigns for, has been anything but hostile to business and businessmen. Those commenters who said, “what did you expect?” by wasting your vote in 2008 are unfortunately correct. Like too many Americans, you got what you voted for. Here’s hoping none of us makes that mistake again.
Welcome to the party Ted. Took you long enough.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/09/27/obama-backer-enough-with-the-class-warfare-rhetoric/
Dude, come over from the dark side. Obama IS talking to you and about you, while he happily takes your donations. Your party left you. Maybe its not too late to stop payment on those checks.
Ted, you absolutely nailed it. You are a rare breed – someone who truly lives up to our best aspirations. Thank you for sharing your excellent ideas and analysis, and for having the courage to say what clearly needed to be said. I hope that your elegant words ring true in the hearts and minds of all who hear it.
Ted:
You are obviously a smart guy.
Why did it take you so long to figure out that the Democrats DON’T like the free market?
You’re contributing to your own downfall.
Yeah, Ted?
Why are you still supporting Democrats?
It may be worthwhile for you to take a few hours from your daily activities and see where your party has gone!
Why do you think Reagan and Perry, among other politicians, left the party? Why do you think Zell Miller wrote his book “A National Party No More”?
I suggest you read Senator Miller’s book. It will open your eyes.
I have always loved Ted as an owner of the Caps… And I do appreciate his sentiments here (but after the whole diatribe I am a little baffled to learn he is still supporting Obama for re-election…).
And to @nyp… you say it’s not class warfare to return to Clinton era tax schedules. You’re wrong. They are not Clinton era tax schedules for everyone. They are Clinton era tax schedules on the “rich” (certainly not defined as Leonsis rich…) while leaving the current tax schedules for everyone else. Don’t forgot that the “Bush” tax cuts affected everyone and lowered taxes on the poor, the middle class and the rich however you define that.
Nice post Ted and congrats on your success. I am not as successful as you (as measured monetarily), but did work my way thru college and used college loans. Paid them off and now am a controller for a small business concern. My problem is that you seem, as said above, your feelings are hurt. Two very specific examples: he told Joe the Plumber he wanted to redistribute wealth. Obama told Charlie Gibson, commenting on Gibson’s remark that during Kennedy and Reagen that lowering capital gains taxes actually brought in more revenue, Obama’s reply was: It doesn’t matter. It’s about fairness.
Now think about that for a minute. It doesn’t matter if it brings in more revenue, it’s about fairness? I’m sorry. I congratulate you on your wealth, but to now come across as “surprised” when the handwriting was on the wall the whole time. . I have very little sympathy for your feelings now.
BTW, if you want to pay more in taxes, cut a check today or stop whining.
The author is part of the problem. He doesn’t respect the way the President does things, but has already maxed out on contributions. Gotta feed that Democrat machine – which loves to tax and spend, and really doesn’t care whether the money is spent productively for the country, as long as it helps out a corporate and mutually giving friend.
This administration has wasted more money than any other. There is crony capitalism. The President is trying to divide the nation. He pits races against each other and workers against their companies. He favors unions over everyone. He uses a different dialect with different groups he speaks to. This President is not genuine. He seems to be making it up as he goes along. His administration will try a tactic and when that doesn’t work, they try something else.
Why would you want to support this with your hard-earned money. Yet, the author does.
How about we donate to someone who has a vision that is more than words, and more than “pay back?” How about we find someone with guiding principles and support that person? How about we abandon the person who wants donations from businesses even while he trashes them?
The author is encouraging- with his donations – the very thing he is complaining about. It just doesn’t make sense. I hope other businessmen are more consistent in their thinking.
As a member of the middle class (lower end of that class)I nevertheless echo Ted’s thoughts.
As a matter of demonstrable fact the wealthy of this country pay most of the income taxes, both in actual dollars and as a percentage of income.
As a matter of law the “Bush tax cuts” will end in little more than a year and those who want to be taxed at the Clinton rates will have their wish.
As a matter of law Obamacare involves a tax increase for the wealthiest Americans.
Now the President asks for still more taxes from the wealthy as their “fair share,” and economists of various persuasions agree that the additional taxes generated will not make a significant dent in either the deficit or the debt.
So what is this really about?
At my income level, and my tax bracket, most of the above makes little difference to me personally, though my taxes will go up under the Clinton rates. But I can recognize “class warfare” when I see it. Ted is right, that’s what this is about.
In my opinion it is beneath the dignity of the office of President, regardless of who that person is, to play with this language and these dollars in a way to set people against one another in our democracy.
Many posters here seem genuine.
Genuinely confused.
A productive person keeping that which she’s produced, herself, so that she may invest in her ability to produce yet more, is no “break”. It’s the business engine that actually produces jobs. It’s her own money. Her best (even patriotic) use of that money is investment. Every dollar stolen from that mill (cap gains tax) is a dollar not reinvested in the job machine and a dollar never seen again.
A common denominator of the self-professed “middle-class warrior” (er, BO) is the belief that there is a finite amount of pie, and “fairness” means what little pie there is must be divided by the government and redistributed (see: Michelle O). Real job creators understand that the private sector is in the pie production business. We make pie. If you want more pie, bake some; or get with someone who can and is. Government stealing the critical ingredients and ovens of the productive class only guarantees less for everyone.
What could possibly be a greater waste of time and resource than the POTUS actually flying around the country trying to rustle up senseless emotion and envy. It’s quite embarrassing, really.
Ted,
Well said. I love how people confuse income tax with capital gains tax. I am sure that while your were employed, you paid the same taxes rate, as do all Millionaires/Billionaires do, as everyone else. Now that you, and others, have made your income earnings, your are now taking risks with that money to help other companies prosper. If they do, you earn a reward in capital gains. If you don’t, will the government, or anyone else for that matter, give you back that money you lost? I don’t think so! With out you and others in your position, the lower income earners would have to rely on the Government for income. The last time I checked, the government, federal and all others, do not create a single product. Any money the use for programs is stolen from the people it governs.
I as this question to anyone who brings this up in conversations, When was the last time you, or any one that you know or heard of, have bee employed by a poor person? I don’t know of a single one!!!
Thanks for all that you do, Ted, and Let’s Go CAPS!!! Oct 8. is taking forever to get here!
I am still trying to figure out why advocating a return to the Bill Clinton tax schedules of the 1990s constitutes class warfare.
It is also telling that Mr. Leonsis doesn’t provide any quotes from anything the President has actually said that Mr. Leonsis considers so objectionable and hurtful.
And the short answer on what we want is for the government to STOP SPENDING MONEY IT DOESN’T HAVE. Start cutting back and that includes Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, The Dept of Education which has quadrupled our spending in 20 years and made school performance worse over the same period, and the constant ratcheting up of costs on business and commodities, like gasoline, electricity, food that really adds to the cost of being poor! Thanks EPA!
Subsunk.
Ted, I don’t know what’s more depressing–your core message or the comments that follow. It appears that contingent happiness in America is now the pursuit of those who wish to inhibit the producers.
You voted for and continue to support a President who promised that he would redistribute America’s wealth. Sorry Ted, but he never planned on taking it from the 50% that pay no taxes. What is it that Instapundit says….. oh yeah, “another rube self-indentifies”.
Thank you Mr Leonsis for your brave words and your good works. It seems as if some of the commenters are missing your point and get their talking points and misinformation from left wing media.
My only quibble with what you wrote concerns education. There is only one other country in the world that spends more per student than the USA. Spending on education has gone up dramatically over the last two decades while student scores continue to go down. Money is not the problem; teacher’s unions that resist accountability standards and money that goes toward extra layers of bureaucracy and fancy equipment instead of the basics is the problem. Lack of funding is a liberal shibboleth that needs to be retired.
Again, thank you.
Sorry Ted, but I have no sympathy for you. Maxing out donations to a guy who thinks that you are greedy and part of the problem? You deserve whatever Obama dishes out.
Ted, you get what you vote for. Here you are saddened by the class warfare rhetoric that you are hearing and the bashing of the successful. And look at the comments. More of the same class warfare talk. It will not stop but will only get worse. The left only knows this road. They have nothing else. So sad.
Ted:
Very well said and very perceptive.
The president should encourage wealth creation, not bickering about how to divide up what has been achieved by others.
I appreciate your frustration, but you sound as if you think everyone has equal ability to pull himself up by his bootstraps and become a success. You happen to be good at making money, but many of us aren’t. If there were a dramatic shift and the skillset we value most stops being the ability to make a lot of money and becomes, say, the ability to fight hostile space monsters, wouldn’t you want those best equipped in that capacity to pitch in a little extra and help YOU out?
Ted, this piece makes it sound like your biggest problem is that your feelings are hurt and you aren’t getting enough love for all the wonderful things you have done. Please. No one in America begrudges financial success: what middle class and working class people begrudge is explosive growth in the wealth of the top 1% (guys like you) while the middle class sinks behind. What they begrudge are tax subsidies for the most profitable businesses (like oil) and most expensive luxury items (accelerated depreciation for private jets) while the middle class pays income and payroll taxes at a higher rate than guys like you. When right-wing waterboys like Ryan, Cantor, Boehner, etc say “America is broke” and the middle class needs to pay to fix it, they are the ones worthy of your scorn.
You worked bloody hard for what you have and I, for one, would never stoop to criticise your ethics. Those who do are speaking without knowledge or thought. I do resent those in top positions who draw obscenely high salaries and perks. No one needs that much money to live. It seems to me that there is something terribly wrong with a presidential candidate who requests such an incredible amount of money for RE-election. What has happened to common sense? There appears to be an over abundance of common and no sense to go with it.
Amen brother. Well said.
Great post Ted. As I listen to many things our President says and does I ask myself, who are his advisors? As a small business owner I wonder why am I the bad guy? Why do we encourage people to NOT work? When will the job of a politician no longer be how to get re-elected? And when will everything stop being portrayed in such a negative light? We are on the verge of creating a psychological recession.
With all of the inefficiencies within our government shouldn’t we be looking toward our businesses to help instead of punishing their successes?
Come on Ted.
Do you really think you’re “getting blasted as a bad guy!”?
All Obama is saying is, in desperate times and serious deficit imbalances, “isn’t it reasonable for the wealthiest to contribute more, or receive less tax breaks in order to get the fiscal imbalance in better order?” Even if it is a token gesture in terms of raising much revenue.
As far as the recent jobs stimulus goes, I’d agree that Obama’s asking for a disproportionate amount of revenue increases to spending cuts. The Bowles Simpson 3:1 ratio is certainly more reasonable and probably most appropriate.
But in an environment where the GOP says no to every Dem proposal, purely, in a partisan political effort to quash any potential positive economic trends before next November, it only makes sense, strategically, to begin at an unreasonable starting point to negotiate an equitable deal. Or just an attempt to demagogue to his unsatisfied base.
The private jet tax loophole issue is a red herring, it polls well with the masses and so the Dems run with it. Why the GOP doesn’t give it up s beyond me. But I suppose if you’ve signed the Grover Norquist pledge and that lot is your main source of campaign finance, you better tow the company line… or else, you too will be looking for work in fourteen months!
You’re a smart guy and you’d do the same when negotiating any business deal. Start at place that’s lopsided in your favor in order to end up with a deal that’s right for both parties… you know, meet in the middle somewhere.
This polarization strategy is no different than how the present GOP is starting the debate, on any issue. Both parties are obviously acting like children at the minute… but what would you expect, it’s campaign season!
Look through all the rhetoric from both sides and you’ll probably find a solution somewhere in the middle.
Politics is power, and in this day and age, nobody wants to be pragmatic or reasonable because the power end-game is all that matters… to them.
Pretty sad really.
I don’t think any rich guy is getting blasted as being a bad guy.
I think Congress is getting blasted for extending a $4T tax break to the wealthy at the same time they’re claiming that Social Security and Medicare benefits for the middle class have to be cut.
Ted,
I don’t think you appreciate how exceptional you are. You are not the “rich” that Obama is talking about nor the rich that the Republicans are defending. Those rich…
1) Do no want taxes raised,
2) Would not have money invested in infrastructure or education,
3) Own more then one home,
4) Do not max out their charitable contributions, and
5) Would NEVER have voted for Obama.
Keep up your good work! Wish there were more like you.
Hal Pierson
C’mon, Ted. While I appreciate your critique on the President’s rhetoric, has it escaped you that he only wants to return some tax rates to pre-GWB rates’s (tax receipts as a %age of GDP, incl corporate taxes, are at a 60 year low) and that most folks (like your parents) incomes have flat-lined while wealth has massively accrued to the already extremely wealthy?
The GOP has proposed NOTHING; they’ve signed Norquist’s no increase tax pledge; THEY have accused the POTUS of class warfare, not the other way around. A little more balanced approach was needed in this post.
from another business owner ( who did not vote for him), that was very well said!!!!