Reply #12: When are people going to realize

[cmutt]

.. that a balance must exist between corporate entities and the middle class? The fact is that there is too little of the higher class society to consume a sufficient quantity of goods/services to affect the economy. The lower class simply doesn't have enough to do so. When you place too much of a burden (i.e. taxes, higher gas, higher food prices, etc) of the middle class, the economy stagnates. Businesses need to make a 'healthy' profit. And consumers need to make a wage that allows them to purchase. You restore the middle class's ability to purchase and the economy soars. It's simple: investments don't drive the economy (sorry trickle-down economic enthusiasts). Consumerism drives the economy. Didn't the low unemployment (& the corresponding rising wages) of the Clinton years illustrate that enough? Why is it that Republicans are for 'personal responsibility': meaning that nothing is to be handed out to anyone (i.e. no welfare, no soc. security, etc). Every man for themselves. But when it comes to businesses, then we'll bend over backwards handing out subsidies. Why don't we let businesses stand for themselves. The public will choose the goods and services they desire. The good businesses will prosper. The bad ones will fail. Why do businesses get treated different from ordinary citizens?