Thom Hartmann: South America woke up - Europe is waking up - America?

[thomhartmann]

Antonis Samaras with the pro-austerity New Democracy party edged out the anti-austerity SYRIZA party and Alexis Tsipras in Sunday’s Greek Parliamentary elections. The New Democracy Party got 29.7% of the vote - SYRIZA only got 26.9% of the vote. BUT- New Democracy didn’t pick up enough seats to a have a majority in government, and thus must cobble together a coalition government with other parties. But the SYRIZA party - which came in second and is staunchly opposed to more austerity, has rejected calls from New Democracy to form a coalition government. As part of the bailout agreement earlier this year - Greece must raise more than 15 billion euros by selling off its commons, cutting budgets, and laying off about 150,000 government workers. But in order to form a coalition government - the New Democracy Party may be forced to reach out to other parties who oppose the bailout deal in its current form - meaning Greece and Germany will likely have to renegotiate these terms. But here's the big picture behind everything happening in Europe today...

The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann on RT TV & FSTV "live" 9pm and 11pm check www.thomhartmann.com/tv for local listings

[RKP5637]

1. America ever wake up? LOL Not in USA, Inc.

[Iggy]

2. Does Thom Talk About

The fact Greece has a massive tax evasion problem, on both the private and
public sector sides, and how they lose 30 Billion per year as a result?

I doubt they'd have to "sell of the commons" and fire thousands of state workers
if they'd simply collect the tax revenue the government is due.

Did/do South American nations have this level of tax evasion?

[HopeHoops]

3. We have a massive tax evasion problem too - it's called "loopholes".

[Iggy]

5. Agreed

It's also called trusts, write offs, deferrments, off shoring, hiding profits outside
of the U.S., etc.

That's the joke regarding all of the clownservative whining about "high
corporate taxes"; many corporations don't pay at the full rate due to
all of the loopholes. GE paid _zero_ taxes in 2010.

[HopeHoops]

7. That's the point. The cut-off for SS tax is just over $100K. It's regressive.

I wasn't in favor of a flat tax in the past, mostly because the loopholes would still exist. I'd be in favor of it now because if everyone paid the same rate ON EVERYTHING, it would actually be fair. The 1% don't even come close to paying what the lower end does. Keep the deductions for family, but drop all of the tax shelters and payment limits. The system is fucked.

[Iggy]

8. Congress = FAIL

Agreed again.

I would be OK with a flat tax, IF all of the bullcrap loopholes, corporate welfare were
eliminated.

But thanks to congress, that's not going to happen. Congress is addicted to giving
tax breaks to their wealthy masters-- and keep in mind almost half of the House of
Lords (senate) is made up of millionaires. They are simply looking out for their
own interests here.

FAIL.

[HopeHoops]

9. That's why Forbes didnn't have a realistic plan. Don't expect one to come along.

[Iggy]

10. Correct

I already know Forbes is a phony.

I do however, expect a PLAN to get people back to work from Congress.

Right now they are stupidly sitting on the transportation bill, causing at least
one million jobs to be unfilled.

They are also preparing to pass the typically bloated, full of corporate welfare
ten year Farm Bill, and another bloated defense budget-- ignoring Obama's
recommendation for reasonable cuts.

This is absurd and unacceptable.

Congress = FAIL.

[MNBrewer]

4. Do they have a massive tax evasion problem?

[Iggy]

6. Greece?

yes, they do. Google it for details.