A One Percenter Who "Gets It"

[WillyT]

One Percenter Calls For 'Enlightened Self Interest' To Avert Real Class Warfare
Arthur Delaney - HuffPo
First Posted: 12/ 2/11 11:58 AM ET Updated: 12/ 2/11 12:04 PM ET

<snip>

Some conservatives complain it's class warfare to harp on income inequality and to say the rich should pay higher taxes. Philadelphia's Dan Berger, an avowed member of the richest 1 percent of Americans, says calling attention to uneven incomes is a step toward averting class warfare. "The wealthy in this country have the biggest stake because they own the most wealth and property," said Berger, who made his millions as a trial lawyer pursuing antitrust, environmental, and civil and human rights cases. "Since they have the biggest stake, they have the biggest stake in ensuring harmonious political and social relations and conditions in society."

Berger, 64, is a major donor to liberal causes and the Democratic party, which he would like to prevail in its effort to reduce the deficit by raising taxes on millionaires such as himself. To that end, he joined a group called "Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength," which is devoted to lobbying for taxes on its own members -- the super rich.

<And...>

Berger said he sees widening income inequality as a moral wrong, but also something the well-off should worry about for more practical reasons. "In enlightened self interest you would think the wealthy would go along with ," he said. "There are a limited number of countries you can pack up and move to in the event things get totally out of control."

He said the unrest manifested as Occupy Wall Street protests across the country represents the "tip of the iceberg" in terms of what could happen if people really get angry one day. "I do see a link between the Patriotic Millionaires and Occupy Wall Street," Berger said. "They dramatized the issue. I think just dramatizing the issue is a step forward."

<snip>

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/one-percent_n_1125628.html?ref=business&ir=Business

:kick:

[CJCRANE]

1. K&R nt

[TBF]

2. He's right. K&R nt

[WillyT]

3. That's What I Thought Too

:shrug:

:hi:

[russspeakeasy]

4. Thanks...Big Rec.

[WillyT]

5. Anytime russspeakeasy... Anytime...

:hi:

[MedleyMisty]

6. He's right about the limited number of countries

I can't afford to pack up and move, but I really wish I could. I've read enough about Nazi Germany to know that the people who got out in the 30s were the smart ones. But as the years since 2001 have gone by, it's clear that there is nowhere to run, that the Fourth Reich has gone global. Thus requiring global revolution against it. And in that case, it becomes a sort of badge of honor to stay here and to fight it in its heart, to take it on at the head. Like an Egyptian said about OWS - Americans have to take on the masterminds.