1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Where are the American Centrist?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by Rocket River, May 27, 2022.

  1. FranchiseBlade

    FranchiseBlade Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2002
    Messages:
    48,919
    Likes Received:
    17,520
    That being said, aren't rich people the ones in control and making the decisions that determine the way the world is working?
     
    No Worries, DaDakota and mdrowe00 like this.
  2. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2000
    Messages:
    21,655
    Likes Received:
    10,573
    I think the rich and powerful are often the ones that fix things, or maybe its the ones that fix things that become rich and powerful. I have no problems with people getting rich. I just don't want them playing by different rules and I don't dumb people gaining power through inheritance. Multi-generational wealth is more of an issue than some guy like Musk and Bezos gaining power. The Houston Texans is a small proof point on why dumb rich kids shouldn't be put in position of power.

    Here is one extreme position I have. I think the inheritance tax should be 80-90 percent over a few million bucks. No one should be able to inherit billions of assets.
     
  3. tinman

    tinman Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 1999
    Messages:
    98,096
    Likes Received:
    40,699
    99ers > centralists
     
    Space Ghost likes this.
  4. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    124,134
    Likes Received:
    33,020
    There is nothing wrong with being rich, but pay your taxes, stop trying to lobby government to let you off the hook - being in this SAFE society allowed you to become rich - now you owe it to pay it forward.

    The problem is the wealth disparity, whereas CEOs salaries have outstripped inflation, the average workers have not, and now our middle class is getting crushed....

    Unions need to impact this and flip it....

    I mean why do you think Starbucks is paying MILLIONS to union busters????? Or Amazon the same?????? They gained an advantage by not having to pay taxes and pay off the politicians instead.

    Gotta stop that before the poor people revolt and start chopping off heads which has happened throughout history when the disparity has reached this level.

    DD
     
  5. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2002
    Messages:
    34,728
    Likes Received:
    33,794
    damn, ease up. I know their messaging is ass, but LOL.
     
  6. Ottomaton

    Ottomaton Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2000
    Messages:
    18,286
    Likes Received:
    13,565
    Everything is a matter of perspective.

    If you live in Maine, the entire country stretches out to the west. From California, it looks like the entire country is to the East.

    I think there's no middle anymore because compromise is no longer a viable option. It's hard to seek out common ground when being accused of compromise anmounts to a hanging offense during primary season.
     
    #46 Ottomaton, May 28, 2022
    Last edited: May 28, 2022
  7. MosKeemYao

    MosKeemYao Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2009
    Messages:
    610
    Likes Received:
    41
    I like the idea, and I also think it fails it some circumstances. One is the lottery winner or a breakthrough case. As this is a basketball board it might be easier to think of LeBron.

    Single mother raised and he now has money to change multiple generations. I think it is easy for the middle class to view the transfer of the wealth by the wealthy in disdain since they are in a cycle of mediocrity, but what about when the poor skips the middle class? Should LeBron's kids receive 10 - 20 cents on the dollar? Why can't they get an opportunity to set their family up for 5+ generations just like others have done in America. Is all wealth transfer the same?

    Second thought is this would be a nightmare since not all wealth is liquid. Family owned business transferred in death would be taxable to the recipients. If there is a family owned business like Walmart the Walton kids would be unable to pay the value of the company they inherited in cash to the IRS (or would have to leverage their stake to pay the IRS). While Walmart is extreme what would be the answer in that situation, it would impact more than just the kids.
     
  8. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2000
    Messages:
    21,655
    Likes Received:
    10,573

    That's my whole point, I don't believe in the lucky sperm club. I don't want multi-generational wealth. If little Lebron can't make it with a few million bucks from his dad, then F him especially when he could get into any school he wants to and his dad could help him start a business pretty easily.
     
    FranchiseBlade likes this.
  9. Sweet Lou 4 2

    Sweet Lou 4 2 Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2007
    Messages:
    37,717
    Likes Received:
    18,918
    While there are people on the left that annoy me, they aren't representative of the Democratic Party which is fairly centrist in most regards. The extreme positions that people try to paint it with are largely false and exaggerated.
     
    subtomic likes this.
  10. MosKeemYao

    MosKeemYao Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2009
    Messages:
    610
    Likes Received:
    41
    Then I am probably more moderate on my take. From your view point there is no difference amongst the rich?
     
  11. AleksandarN

    AleksandarN Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2001
    Messages:
    4,452
    Likes Received:
    5,866
    If there was a centrists party these would be the two I would want in it

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    FranchiseBlade likes this.
  12. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2000
    Messages:
    21,655
    Likes Received:
    10,573
    I want a meritocracy that rewards people that work hard or have talent, and not for who their ancestors are.
     
  13. rocketsjudoka

    rocketsjudoka Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
    Messages:
    54,206
    Likes Received:
    42,210
    My business partner who is very active in the MN Republican part once told me something very telling. Candidates alway worry about the next election. So that means having to get through the primaries and / or convention endorsements. For the most part only the most politically active and partisan vote in those so not only are most candidates going to appeal to them they also come from that pool of politically active. Given gerrymandering there is less interest in trying to develop a broad based appeal to when your district is already leaning mostly one way.
     
  14. Nook

    Nook Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    54,297
    Likes Received:
    113,107
    Ehh the Communists were arguably as bad as the Nazi’s…. German Communists were especially bad.
     
    fchowd0311 likes this.
  15. Nook

    Nook Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    54,297
    Likes Received:
    113,107
    Men, and in particular white men have to much power in government politics.
     
  16. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2006
    Messages:
    4,689
    Likes Received:
    3,832
    IMO, the more politics, issues and govt is treated like teams and tribes, the worst it has gotten for the public. Instead of working to find the most efficient or effective solutions, it becomes a battle of ideology between two different opposing sides.

    Worst of all, a lot of these politicians whether Dem or Reb are simply grifters, incompetent or not great choices.
     
    snowconeman22 likes this.
  17. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2002
    Messages:
    56,814
    Likes Received:
    39,126
    Here's a couple, not that I give a damn about the Washington Times. I'm far more interested in why you go to great lengths to attack Democrats and media coverage, no matter how mundane, pertaining to the Democratic Party, Democratic politicians, and Democratic leadership, while posting little at all, much less criticism, of the constant stream of lies pumped out by outlets like Fox claiming the 2020 election was "stolen" and the assault on the Capital on January 6th was either a "hoax" or simply some "innocent" Americans caught up in an "AntiFa" conspiracy. You don't seem at all concerned about the blatant assault on our system of government by the Republican Party, or else you don't believe such an assault is going on which, if that is the case, I find truly incredible.


     
    subtomic likes this.
  18. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    72,935
    Likes Received:
    111,124
    dude, a 2018 post that doesn't quote anything and a City Journal piece that mentions the Washington Times?

    c'mon man!
     
  19. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2002
    Messages:
    56,814
    Likes Received:
    39,126
    Keep ignoring what I'm interested in.
    c'mon man!
     
  20. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    72,935
    Likes Received:
    111,124
    well the good news is that I'm not here to please you
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now