Stephen King: "Why am I not paying 50% taxes?"

[dancingme]

Author Stephen King spoke at a political rally in Florida. "Thank a Union Guy".

http://stephenkingrocks-hallrla3.blogspot.com/

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

1. I have been thinking about Stephen King a lot lately

Some of his books have this common theme running through them, of very polarized society, with the very, very poor and the the very rich, and a sliver of middle class that look the other way, (pretending it is not happening, as long as it doesn't happen to them). With corporations in control of everything, and corrupt governments propped up just for show. Books written decades ago, that seem to predict exactly what is going on today.

I wish I could have been there, I would have loved to see him in person.

[dancingme]

2. he has always detested greed

and he seems like such a nice, down to earth man.

[PavePusher]

3. He and the rest of the rich can pay additional money to the Government...

any time they choose to.

He and Michael Moore can put their money where their mouth is at any time.

Any fucking day now, I'm sure....

[Raksha]

4. That's a favorite talking point with Repukes. Just sayin'

[PavePusher]

5. And it kinda happens to be true.

Lead by example, I say.... or maybe that's just 20+ years of military brainwashing....

[opiate69]

8. And what, are you their personal accountant?

Since you seem so cocksure about how much they do (or, more accurately don't) pay?

[PavePusher]

9. They can publish their contributions to the Federal government at any time. n/t

[Zax2me]

11. Agreed. He can pay 100% if he so chose

But I don't think that is his point.
If he chose to donate up to 50% that doesn't solve the problem, everyone in his tax bracket needs to pay 50% for things to be 'right'. That is his point.
However, I do see your point as well.
Every time someone says something like this they never jump out and volunteer their own 50%. And it hurts the message.
If this is your message you better be ready with papers showing you already pay 50% or your argument loses punch.

[PavePusher]

12. Exactly, thank you.

I'm too tired to articulate well tonight.

[Enthusiast]

24. It is. I hate to hear it repeated on DU. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

6. You need to read a book on economics

Specifically on "collective action problems". Michael Moore and Steven King could donate every cent they own to the US Treasury and it would make almost no dent whatsoever in our nation's budget woes. No one or two individuals (even Bill Gates and Warren Buffett) have the financial resources to actually fund the federal government by themselves. If we made taxation optional, the only rational thing to do would be to opt out, because nobody's individual decision to opt in or opt out would really make a significant difference in the federal budget.

The reason we have taxation is that the only way to get enough people to pay to fund the government to the point where it can actually function, is to force everybody to pay for it to function. It's also the same reason why some countries have compulsory voting. Once you realize that the odds of your one vote determining an election are astronomical, it gives people a lot less incentive to vote. But in order for democracy to function well, people need to participate, and so some countries require compulsory voting in order to make that happen.

[Zax2me]

13. But, if that is your argument -

Then go ahead and donate the money. Lead by example.
Otherwise, talk is cheap.
I think everyone here understands the argument King makes is his tax bracket needs to cough up 50%, and that King doing it alone isn't going to solve any problems.
So if he and others in his tax bracket can indeed aford it - prove it.
THEN make your speech.
It would carry a lot more weight and mean so much more.

[daleo]

14. It's like saying someone who believes in public health care

Should prove it by donating to a charity hospital.

[Enthusiast]

25. Are you here to argue the right wing position?

You are disrupting the discussion.

[Hannah Bell]

7. if one person pays extra taxes as a philanthropy it accomplishes nothing except to

put him at a disadvantage with his peers.

your comment is idiotic.

[PavePusher]

10. I refer you to the title of the O.P.

Something about "why am I not paying more"...

And here: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/03/02/moore_on_wealthy_peoples_money_thats_not_theirs_thats_a_national_resource_its_ours.html

My apologies for the link, I'm too tired to search for it elsewhere.

[upi402]

19. Moore has done a lot of good for America

I know nothing about Stephen King but this is a wonderful statement from King. Buffet acknowledges this too. We need more rich to call this crap out, not venom sprayed at those who publicly recognize it.

my .02

[JoeyT]

20. Oh goody. The libertarian argument.

The purpose of their argument isn't that they think they'd just like 50% or more of their money to go to the government.
The argument is that 50% or more of everything above a certain point for is necessary to keep the country going. A few people voluntarily giving their money to the government isn't going to do it.

Missing that point requires either willful ignorance or just plain old ignorance.

[Swede]

39. That is not his point.

All these rich liberals that say they should pay more,want the government to step in so taxation is fair.

[WinkyDink]

50. Really? Try over-paying your income taxes, and find out.

[PavePusher]

15. Stephen needs to read here:

http://www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/1412.html

and here:

http://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1120c/ar01.html#d0e94

And then follow up on his statements.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

17. no

he needs to do exactly as he is.

are you for everyone paying taxes on a voluntary basis?

[PavePusher]

18. Let me make it simple...

He claims the rich should pay more.

He can lead by example.

Or he can be a hypocrite.

[JoeyT]

21. Hypocrite? Bullshit.

He'd be a hypocrite if he demanded higher taxes then avoided paying them.
He's demanding higher taxes that he fully intends to pay. That kind of makes him...you know...not a hypocrite.

[joshcryer]

23. Stephen King said that he donates the other 23% or so to charity. I believe him.

Simply giving it to the IRS would have zero effect, it'd be a rounding error.

[bobbolink]

38. Charity keeps the poverty growing. If he would do something really constructive,

like creating low-income housing, THAT would have a big effect.

[joe_sixpack]

46. I wonder if he takes the charity deduction

that's one thing he could do, forego the charitable deduction on what he gives, and voluntarily increase his tax burden.

[Enthusiast]

26. Stephen King

is saying he feels that the wealthy should pay more in taxes. Nearly every single member of the DU agrees. But your entire purpose here is to disrupt the discussion.

[PavePusher]

32. No, I want him, or someone like him, to lead the way.

There seems to be an all-or-nothing vibe around this morning...

[Enthusiast]

35. No. You're a plant.

You are a Teabagger or some sort of right wing ideolog. Otherwise you wouldn't post this sort of garbage. Over 80% of the American people want taxes raised on the wealthy.

[PavePusher]

36. I'm not a plant. Quite mammalian, actually...

And where have I suggested that the rich shouldn't be taxed more? Christ on a crutch, I'm trying to convince everyone to encourage them to pay more, voluntarily, NOW.

Why does anyone have a problem with this?

[dionysus]

27. that's bunk.

[PavePusher]

33. Very astute... or something... n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

28. What you seem to be missing is that he and all other rich people who make this declaration

ARE leading by example. They're on the record. Others have covered the ground on why isolated wealthy people paying more to the IRS is not effective -- certainly not as effective as speaking out in favor of increased taxation for ALL of the one percenters.

[PavePusher]

34. "isolated wealthy people"...

So if no-one starts... no-one starts.

Self-defeating reasoning.

[LanternWaste]

29. It would appear simplicity often lacks relevant context

It would appear simplicity often lacks relevant context, and can be quite hard to remove from bumpers due to a very effective adhesive.

[LanternWaste]

45. You are not aware then of the critical and relevant differences

You are not aware then of the critical and relevant differences between contributions and taxation?

Might I suggest...

[Divine Discontent]

16. Thank you for posting this dancingme. It's so true. The good rich folk know they should be paying.

[joshcryer]

22. Direct link to time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpn305Y7ToA&feature=player_embedded#t=95s

[Roland99]

30. love that guy

[jtown1123]

31. Rec. Larry David said the same thing. I didn't know King was politcal...awesome!

[Obamanaut]

37. It is possible for rich people who want to pay more taxes to donate to

the IRS. There are forms and everything. They don't have to wait for the government to seize their assets/wealth, just give some of it up.

[Swede]

40. Hanna Bell said it best: if one person pays extra taxes as a philanthropy it accomplishes nothing

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=598794&mesg_id=599771

[PavePusher]

41. Only if you ignore actual... math.

Where something plus something is better than something plus nothing.

[Obamanaut]

44. Well then. The discussion is over. Now we know. nt

[Twinguard]

42. Not trying to hijack or change the subject or anything...

I'm currently deciding on the next book to read, and it's down to either It or The Talisman (co-written by Peter Straub). I've read a few King books, and enjoyed them for the most part (wasn't crazy about The Tommyknockers --can't remember why, and I haven't re-read it to find out) so I want to tackle another of his books.

I'm curious if anyone can recommend one of these books over the other, and why. Also, I'm open to other Steven King novel (or collection of shorts) suggestions or recommendations. All I ask is if you do suggest something, please comment on why.

Thanks

[Obamanaut]

43. Why is it when people say they are not trying to change the subject, they then do it? nt

[Twinguard]

48. Look, I wasn't trying to halt the discussion or anything...

I just figured that since the thread was about Steven King, I could get a quick recommend on some of his reading material.

I apologize.

[DangerousRhythm]

49. I really don't think you can go wrong with either of those.

But then again, I am a fan of King, so maybe take that with a grain of salt. I'm sure others would have their preference of one over the other.

[Twinguard]

51. Thanks.

I'm leaning towards The Talisman. A former co-worker praises it pretty highly, plus there's another book called The Black House (also co-written by Peter Straub) that supposedly picks up the story like twenty years later so my book-after-next decision might be really easy. :)

[peopleb4money]

47. I love King