Why does congress have a hard time raising taxes on the wealthy?

[sad sally]

Could it be because it's THEM? It's certainly in their personal (which includes family) interest to keep the wealthy's tax rates low. Can't see changes ever happening with their numbers growing.

Here's the list:

http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th.html?du

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Yes, it's because they are wealthy...

And because the powers that be are also wealthy.

The wealthy call the shots.

[Maccagirl]

2. Money=Power

Always has, always will.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. They are wealthy and the people who own them are even wealthier.

[Obamanaut]

4. Well, yes, considering close to 50% of the members of congress are

millionaires (some of them multi-), why would they want to offend their country club buddies.

But we reelect them in droves. And if a name comes up, we see posts "That's my congresswoman (or man), and I'm really proud of her/him." It's always one of the 'other' ones that's the bad one.

[defendandprotect]

5. We're basically begging the lapdogs for corporations/elites to raise their taxes!!

[Lasher]

6. They're not having a hard time. They don't want to do it.

Rich folks own them and they serve their masters.

[liberal N proud]

7. It is them and their biggest doners

[WhiteTara]

8. If they're not wealthy, they believe they are on the fast

track to getting there and the truly rich ones are their mentors.

[Canuckistanian]

9. And that's also why talking heads on TV are for tax breaks

Most of them are making $300k or more.

[Kat45]

17. Absolutely. n/t

[AndyTiedye]

10. The Democrats DID Vote to Do That. The Repiglickins Filibustered

So please stop ratfucking us with this "they're all equally corrupt" nonsense.

[Ikonoklast]

16. Lots of that from the third-party contingent here.

Democrats = Republicans, vote for Nader! Or Matt Damon!

[era veteran]

11. We could use campaign finance reform.

They will just keep on buying politicians.

[slipslidingaway]

12. knr Stewart last night - World of Class Warfare - The Poor's Free Ride Is Over

Edit to add link to part one

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-august-18-2011/world-of-class-warfare---warren-buffett-vs--wealthy-conservatives

"Warren Buffett's op-ed is a thoughtful treatise on the advantages the super-wealthy currently enjoy at the hands of the tax code, or to put it another way, "class warfare."


http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-august-18-2011/world-of-class-warfare---the-poor-s-free-ride-is-over

"The government could raise $700 billion by either taking half of everything earned by the bottom 50% or by raising the marginal tax rate on the top two percent."

[shanti]

13. exactamundo

they ARE the wealthy, that's why they won't raise taxes ON THEMSELVES and their friends! seems like a no-brainer to me!

[GiveMeFreedom]

14. Funny explanation of wealth, but true.

I read this somewhere, so from my mind, that is infected with CRS . . .

Shaquille O'Neal, who played pro basketball and announced his retirement in 2011, is pretty damn rich, well off, I'd say. The guy who signed his check and all his fellow team mate's checks, every month, all payable at the same time? is fucking wealthy, beyond anything I can comprehend. That's who our congress critters work for, the guy who signs Shaq's check. I know, there are a few good reps, but the boat is sinking because those good reps can't bail the bullshit fast enough.

[AlabamaLibrul]

18. A Chris Rock bit

I ain't talkin' about rich, I'm talkin' about WEALTH.

[GiveMeFreedom]

23. Thanks n/t

[Retrograde]

15. It's called not biting the hand that feeds you

Aside from being on the average well-off themselves, our so-called representatives depend on donations from even more wealthy donors, and since Citizens United, wealthy corporations. They know if they're not nice and cooperative the money stream gets cut off.

IMHO, a lot of the so-called tea party revolution last election was a voter reaction against incumbent candidates. Now, I don't know how informed the reaction was, but I think it was more of a kick the bastards out than a whole-hearted tea party endorsement.

ETA: Fox "personalities" are also highly paid, and have a vested interest in keeping a lot of it.

[Riftaxe]

19. Because they are wealthy,

they take money from other wealthy people. No one else can keep them in power, so why give a crap about them?

Something is endemic in American politics and practiced by both parties.

[Motown_Johnny]

20. Wealthy people pour money into politicians campaigns to keep their taxes low

it is simply a kick back system

[Amonester]

21. K&R

Because it is the Root of all other problems.

[upi402]

22. owned! :) n/t

[lame54]

24. the same reason they have NO problem voting themselves pay raises