Some of America's Richest Say 'No, Thanks' to Bush Tax Cuts

[G_j]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0408-06.htm

Published on Friday, April 8, 2005 by OneWorld.net

Some of America's Richest Say 'No, Thanks' to Bush Tax Cuts
by Abid Aslam

WASHINGTON -- Some of America's wealthiest individuals have declined billions of dollars in tax cuts bestowed upon them by President George W. Bush's administration and have urged others among the country's richest and most famous to donate their federal tax cuts to campaigns against the Bush package, often described as ''tax breaks for the rich.''

''It's obscene that Washington is handing out tax breaks to millionaires with one hand and shredding the safety net with the other,'' said Marta Drury, a member of Responsible Wealth, a national network of affluent Americans advocating what they term ''widespread prosperity'' and concerned that a deepening wealth divide in America is undermining the country's social and democratic fabric.

''So I'm calculating my 2004 tax cut and donating it to organizations fighting for responsible, fair, and adequate taxes. I don't believe that people like me with incomes over $200,000 need $69 billion in tax cuts,'' Drury added, referring to the total estimated value of 2004 tax cuts granted Americans in her income bracket.

Responsible Wealth, founded in 1997 and claiming 1,000-plus members, has stood at the forefront of what Time magazine termed the ''billionaire backlash'' against elite tax cuts and Bush's proposal to repeal the estate tax. On Wednesday, members urged others in the ranks of America's rich and famous to join the ''Responsible Tax Pledge'' initiative.

..more..

[caligirl]

1. Wal mart in a scandal, union informants paid/ Link to thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3449720#3450349

[mikita]

2. a small breath of fresh air in the cesspool of greed ...n/t

[denverbill]

3. Buffett, Soros, Bill Gates Sr...

There's a pretty nice list of people who do care as much about their country and average Americans than they do about seeing how enormous a pile of cash they can accumulate in their lifetime and pass on to their children/grandchildren/etc.

It's always nice to hear them speak out. Sometimes you tend to lump all billionaires into the Dick Cheney/Steve Forbes enormously wealthy tidwad brigade.

[applegrove]

5. The cabal in the WH is filled with the greedy - power-hungry sociopaths.

Rich people are the same as everyone else. If they are brought up well - with good values they are as cool as anyone else. It helps to have some touchstones in 'real people'. I am glad these eggs are speaking out. I am glad they are standing up for themselves and the America they want to see in the future.

The problem is not the rich. The problem is this current leadership that represents the worst of mankind.. no matter where they came from.. cold is still cold and inability to empathize with others still makes you either an asshole, a sociopath or both.

[BlueIris]

6. Respectfully, I think you mean psychopaths.

But ITA with the rest of your post.

[applegrove]

8. Oh - a mixture of sociopaths & psychopaths in that particular cabal.

When fascism starts.. there usually are a mixture of the heartless.

[hector459]

4. Bush's tax cuts are really lowering out standard of living as a nation

and merely increasing the gap between the rich and not-rich. The poor are so far down that there is no gap...it's a chasm.

[BlueIris]

7. Not even the richest people I know (1M+ net intake anually)

think Bush's tax cuts are a good idea. That really says something to me.

[googly]

9. I wish I was rich enough to say no to tax cuts. But damn it, I hate

to admit it, but the taxcuts have helped my family a lot.

[bufffbison]

10. sure the tax cuts really put more money into your pockets?

I live in darke county, ohio, and since bush's tax cuts, state, and local taxes have increased. where we used to pay 6%, now paying 8.5%, and 9% in some remote areas. Automotive taxes, licenses, and other fees have increased, taxes for gas have increased, incomes have decreased since then....and the list goes on and on..... so whenever you recieve that rebate, think to youself if it REALLY helps, and adds MORE money into your pocket..... at this point, i think it may have hurt you, just like everyone else, including me.

[googly]

11. Here in Clark county Wash state, taxes have not changed much

if at all. Governot Gregoire has proposed a sales tax increase.
But that will not offset the taxcut, not even close.