Rick Steves: Sequester People like Me, Not Struggling Americans

[Faygo Kid]

The travel guy: He's pretty sharp, and others have posted his observations before; I thought this one was worth sharing - a Facebook post from just a few minutes ago:

Rick Steves (http://www.facebook.com/#!/ricksteves)
Sequester People like Me, Not Struggling Americans

In my travels, I find myself noticing the relative gap between rich and poor in various societies. The measure of a healthy society is indicated, in part, by the income gap between the top and the bottom quintile (20 percent of society). All my life, I've considered a very wide gap to be the mark of less successful, banana republic-type societies. But in the last generation, the USA has become like a banana republic itself in its creation of a tiny economic elite and a vast swath of its population mired in structural poverty.

Sure, I am one of the elites — a hardworking business owner who creates jobs. And I see the way the status quo (which protects the obscene wealth of the top one percent) is demoralizing and demeaning our society. That's why I'm a member of a group of wealthy people advocating for more progressive taxation so that we can build a society with a healthier balance.
...
I know the notion of "job creators" like me (I employ over a hundred people directly, and many more indirectly) advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy infuriates many Americans — especially those who have dropped out of what was once a healthy middle class. Part of our Cold War/Red Scare heritage is that we can't even address class issues as problems. But I think doing so is patriotic.

Before you get really mad, watch this little video that explains the situation in a way any honest person who cares about our country can get their brain around. If you like it, share it. Then let me know what you think. Thanks.

&feature=youtu.be

[ZRT2209]

1. I love Rick Steves

He is just a great guy. He has learned a lot traveling the world - a lot more than what hotels to stay at.

[forestpath]

2. Glad somebody who comes across as so likeable is really decent IRL.

[joeybee12]

3. Great guy...knr

[progressoid]

4. Rec.

[sadbear]

5. Hero.

He's living my dream.

[LibDemAlways]

6. Attended a talk given by Rick Steves a few weeks ago - a couple of

hours of travel tips laced with progressive ideology. In person he comes across as funny, warm, and witty. His message is basically that travel broadens minds and there wouldn't be nearly as many conflicts if people were more actively engaged in experiencing other cultures. Wise man and puts his public platform to good use.

[mercymechap]

7. Great presentation. Too bad

most Republican/conservatives won't be able to accept/understand this presentation, will still argue that the wealthy are already paying the bulk of US revenue and that they deserve to keep what they earn.

Apparently we don't, according to them. Sad thing, they are part of the "we", i.e. middle class that is slowly disappearing.

[Javaman]

8. Rick Steves rocks. His book allowed me and my GF and lovely trip through Italy. :) nt

[locks]

9. Thanks for the post

I have followed Rick Steves since 1995, my first trip to Europe. In 2001 I went to Spain and Portugal a few weeks after 9/ll on his tour. Couldn't have been better; he and his guides are genuine liberals who care about the world and want to make it a better place for our children. He has been supporting Bread for the World for all these years and encouraging all of us to be the kind of travelers who see the inequality and want to do something about it.

[JI7]

10. more reason to love this guy

[gauguin57]

11. I'm a big fan, and have used his guide books in my travels.

Great to hear his views.

[Raine1967]

12. Rick Steves is a good progressive.

I have liked his shows on TV since my Husband introduced me to him a few years ago. I did some research about this very very nice fellow (that was how I viewed him watching his PBS series) and I learned that he's got a great record (in my view) on civil rights and advocacy. This is from his wiki page:

Steves supports the decriminalization of marijuana among responsible adult users in the USA. According to Steves:

Like most of Europe, I believe marijuana is a soft drug (like alcohol and tobacco), not a hard drug. Like alcohol and tobacco, there is no reason why it shouldn't be taxed and regulated. Crime should only enter the equation if it is abused to the point where innocent people are harmed.

Steves is currently on the Advisory Board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He co-sponsored New Approach Washington, the initiative to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana in Washington State.[9] Steves hosted an ACLU-sponsored educational program broadcast, Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation.

Steves also supports solutions to homelessness. In 2005 he constructed a 24-unit apartment complex in Lynnwood, Washington, to serve as transitional housing for homeless mothers and their children. Trinity Way is administrated by the local YWCA. Members of the Edmonds Noontime Rotary Club help maintain the buildings and grounds, providing everything from furniture to flowers. The club also raised $30,000 to build a play structure for the children there. Steves also raises funds for the hunger advocacy group Bread for the World.

A supporter of the arts, Steves gave US$1 million in 2011 to the Edmonds Center for the Arts and Cascade Symphony Orchestra.

Steves is an Honorary Council member of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

As a lifelong traveler, Steves avows that terrorism is something Americans should get used to, a natural outgrowth of the United States' position in the global community and how it is militarily advanced. In an interview with the Seattle Times, Steves said:

I think we're 300 million people and if we lose a few hundred people a year to terrorists, that doesn't change who we are and it shouldn't change the fabric of our society. Frankly I think we should get used to losing—as long as we're taking the stance in the world of being the military superpower, you're going to have people nipping at you. And if it's hundreds or thousands—we lose 15,000 people a year to have the right to bear arms and most people think that's a good deal, year after year. We spend 15,000 people for the right to bear arms. What do we spend to be as aggressive and heavy weight on this planet? We're always going to have terrorism."

In Travel as a Political Act Steves writes that displaying the American flag on car antennas "creates a fearful, schizophrenic dynamic that may stoke today's terrorism and tomorrow's international conflicts."

This OP makes me like him even more. This is a good man.

[BuddhaGirl]

13. Awesome - I really like him!

He's a good progressive

He's also been involved in marijuana legalization for years, and is also been involved in NARAL.

[smirkymonkey]

14. I love Rick Steves!

I have gone on a few of his trips - which were great - and have used his travel books on my own independent trips. His travel advice has really broadened my understanding of cultures around the world and have done a great deal to expand my knowledge on various countries and different ways of thinking.

Thanks for your great post!

[llmart]

15. I knew there was a reason I liked him....

Always watch his shows on PBS. Now I have a new found respect for the man.

Thanks for this info!