I just re-read Fareed Zakaria's article Raise My Taxes, Mr. President and after some thought had to agree with his analysis; see http://www.fareedzakaria.com/...
At this time when many of our citizens, regardless of their wealth or status, are crying for a balanced budget and yet cry more loudly for tax cuts, Zakaria's analysis is necessary reading. Likewise, for all those of us who look to repeal the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy and continue our own middle class boon, I suggest that the middle-class also put our money where our values are.
Over the last 20 years, there is no doubt that the wealthy have made out far better than the rest of us and, while the middle-class has taken some serious hits, the working poor and poor have had far more grievous wounds.
Up until 18 months ago when President Obama put our two wars in the budget, the cost of these ill-conceived adventures had been hidden. A vampire drinking the life blood of our citizens and the economic vitality of our society.
It is now time to pay.
It is immoral to pay for our wars by starving the poor, eliminating health care for the old, sick, mentally troubled, and the families of the soldiers that we send into harms way. It is immoral to destroy our educational system, denying all but the most privileged the opportunity for a good education. It is immoral to deny everyone a public education that stresses the real values of America - fair-mindedness, critical thinking, and tolerance.
The time has come to stand up and do what is right.
Shame on those who would buy their security at the expense of poor, sick, young, old, and vulnerable.