I always enjoy when my readers take the time to provide a little feedback to my periodic ramblings. It’s a great pleasure to see what various random people think of me and my humble efforts.
Well, today I received the following comment on a piece I posted last week about the growing income inequality in this country and my profound disgust with the GOP’s continued and repeated refrain that increased taxes on the rich is tantamount to class warfare and punishing success. The reader was, apparently, quite perturbed by what she (and I say she because the name seems female but I’m not really sure and calling someone it is just wrong) perceived as my advocacy that everyone should be paid equally regardless of actual value and that life is supposed to be fair. Not exactly sure how she devined that out of my piece, primarily because I’m pretty certain that I pointed out examples like Kobe Bryant and Steve Jobs who more than deserve every penny of compensation they’ve received and then some.
I also pointed out that I’m getting sick of picking up the tab for corporate CEOs like Craig Debow of Gannett who presided over putting 20,000 people out of work and a $2 billion annual shrinkage in corporate revenue yet walks away with a $37 million parting gift. And believe me, I’m pretty sure there was a sizable hunk of taxpayer dollars that went to some of the 20,000 he put on the unemployment line to earn that bonus, which he’ll likely use a variety of overseas banks and investment schemes to get out of being taxed on as much as possible.
Anyway, I intend to address this commenter in full at a later point as, at the moment, I’m currently engaged in a 13 Days of Halloween marketing promotion trying to sell some copies of my short story collections. You know, engaging in some entrepreneurial free market economic activity that apparently I don’t believe in because, according to her, I’m a communist, not that there’s anything wrong with that (her words).
Anyway, here’s the comment and I’ll be back in a day or two with my thoughts.
Ellemenopee on October 19, 2011 at 2:38 pm said:
Someday, you will grow up and realize that life is not fair. Income inequality is just part of it. The saying “all men are created equal” only means that everyone has the same rights. Equal income is not a right. Will the occupy wallstreet morons next target Milan Italy where the super models hang out? It is
simply not fair how attractive some people are while others are forced to be ugly. What
about those guys and girls that can seem to eat anything they want yet never gain a pound. That is very unfair to those of us that are fat slobs.
Taxing the rich simply because you dont like how much they make and are jealous of their success is no way to live your life. The country is broke and in need of severe cuts. More taxes doesnt solve the issue it only perpetuates it.
Also, swing and a huge miss on your point about CEOs. Sorry, but the GOP is not protecting morons like the Gannet CEO. If
you dislike the compensation schedule designed for these idiot CEOs, protest the company that hired them. The board of
directors hire the CEO and they negoiate the salary. If you believe (which you might) that
governments need to regulate salaries, then you are a communist. Not that there is
anything wrong with that, I am just saying that you would need to also include the democrats in your rant. The GOP hates seeing these guys get paid for success just like you and the democrats.
When a corporation loses its CEO it spends (sadly) thousands of dollars trying to find a new
one. Once they have settled on someone, they usually find someone already working
somewhere else. In order to get them to leave, they need to provide bonuses that are
ridiculous. Instead of ranting about the evil GOP, try actually reading a book or a newspaper and educating yourself.
Here is your most ridiculous comment: “we as Americans don’t want to punish success. We have no problem with rewarding success and honoring the successful.” You just want to regulate how much success they actually have. I agree that CEOs should have responsible employment contracts but it is up to shareholders to see that this happens. I agree that bailing out Wall Street was wrong
however, it is the governments fault not theres – sadly, they committed no crimes. However, you have no facts that are correct and cant make an argument that doesnt contradict itself. So, I respectfully ask you to get off my side. You are very misinformed and quit frankly stupid for showing off your
ignorance.
Living With The Apocalypse 