Dave Ramsey: Butt Scratchin' & Bass Fishin'
My post on June 12, was highlighting Dave Ramsey as a part of a four person panel on Larry King, discussing the state of our economy. If you happened to watch that particular show, and stuck with it through the panel discussions, you would have then seen Ben Stein in a discussion with a Harvard instructor (I forget who exactly) continuing the discussion of our current economy.
Now, I enjoyed Ben Stein's take in his documentary Expelled, but I am not a fan on his view of taxing the rich. If I recall correctly, he essentially argued that "the rich" should be taxed more in order to give to those who are less fortunate. I agree that the rich have an obligation to give, but only from the basis of my own views of Christianity. I don't think they should be obligated by government influence. I would be interested in hearing more about Stein's thoughts on this subject considering he is Jewish, because when it comes to giving to the poor or stimulating the economy, I wonder if the difference of opinion lies as a result of our religious background. Any Jewish readers care to comment? I sincerely would like to know. It may just be a personal opinion of Stein which is interesting considering he is wealthy too. If he think we should give more simply from a numbers game based on a flat percentage, then I can agree with him, but if the rich get a bigger percentage, I don't think it is right. For example, If everyone pays taxes at 10% then it makes sense that the rich give more money. That's how the numbers work, but I didn't get the impression that was what Stein was arguing.
Anyway, I say all of this because Dave Ramsey went on a rant during his radio show the other day addressing this issue of taxing the rich. I for one agree with Dave's take - don't! I am not wealthy compared to other Americans, namely Dave or Ben, but I don't think it is the government's job to determine who gives more or less depending on how much they make. Having said all of that, here is the transcript of a story Dave wrote that addresses this issue. He read it on the show. I liked it. What are your thoughts?
"Butt Scratching and Bass Fishing"
You can also read a good thread about people's reactions at MyTotalMoneyMakeover.com*
* Full disclosure: I work for Dave.
10 comments:
One disclaimer: I am not saying one way or another is right when it comes to a flat tax. I'm just saying, that I like the thinking behind what Dave said. I'm not interested in debating but feel free to express your view.
From my perspective income taxes are membership dues on a sliding scale according to ability to pay. I'd prefer they not be wasted but otherwise I don't mind paying them.
So when is Dave going to do a rant celebrating those in the great middle?
The people that for some reason just don't have the "genetic code" to be the Henry's of the world, but certainly aren't butt scratchin bass fishin guys. Really the backbone that allows the Henry's to do what the Henry's do best.
It seems Dave sees those folks, who often toil from before dawn until after dusk, as benchwarmers in life.
I caught that rant and loved it. Dave is hilarious.
I'm jewish and I would never presume to speak for all jewish people but I will say that I myself and my friends do not agree with ben on this tax issue. - No, I am not one of the high net worth people - I can only hope that one day I will be. But right now even as I move along trying to get there I am astonished at the already high taxes I have to pay. It's unbelievable really. When I filed taxes this year I had to PAY.
Really this thing about Ben bothers me...he was on Cavuto a few weeks ago on Fox and I didn't agree with him then. Ben is a conservative man, not just morally/religiously but also fiscally conservative so really this "high tax on the wealthy" thing of his sticks out like a sore thumb and it baffles me.
(Just my 2 cents worth about the subject)
jewish girl,
sarah
Sarah:
I watched a Youtube version of Stein's tax the rich thesis. His major concern seems to center around our military ability to contain Iran and it's kooky leader.
His contention is we're not militarily strong enough to stave of Iran, continue the war in Iraq, the war on terror and fight on other multiple fronts if necessary. Instead, he believes the tax cuts have gutted the military in favor of creating a false prosperity.
It appears that a lot of Jews and especially the State of Israel are having a lot of heartburn over Iran's sabre rattling about Israel.
I can't get a real feeling on how real the Iranian threat is. I can't tell whether they would simply allow terrorism to ferment on their soil and Israel would suffer their own 9/11 or if the State of Iraq would launch an attack. Or if it's nothing more than to spook Israel into doing something stupid and thus stoking the fervor jihad.
It appears the more powerful Iranain religious leaders don't have much to do with Iraq's current political leader and even some within the political elite let Ahmadinejad act like a petulant child.
I believe Stein sees it not productive to further squeeze the less highly compensated classes and that possibly enough money could be obtained by taxing the more wealthy to pay for the extra military might.
What we need is to determine what our priorities are with regard to taxation, what programs we need to finance to ensure the general welfare of the nation and stop the petty class envy that flows from both directions.
The argument between the left and the right, the wealthy and the less wealthy has gotten us to the point where all that can be done is finger pointing instead of resolving the problem of what's necessary to keep our country prosperous and how much that's going to cost.
I agree with Ben on all those things and even more. I mean that what I don't understand is why he wants to take more money from the rich? Why don't we stop giving subsidies or why doesn't congress spend the money differently that they are already getting?
I totally agree with Ben about the military needing more money. And there is no question Iran is evil evil evil! I'm usually a peaceful girl but they have made their intentions quite clear.
i just think that congress should be responsible with the money they already have. there is no excuse for the way they spend. If they tightened the money belt during hard times instead of going into debt we would be better off (we=U.S.A.).
I totally agree the military deserves more money, lots of more funding as well as making sure those serving have better pay. Ben is and has always been an advocate for the military. He is always correct when he points out the young men that get paid practically nothing yet we walk around enjoying a capitalist country because of their service and protection.
So when I say that I don't understand Ben on this, I am referring to the increasing of taxes rather than the cleaning up of their budget and using the money wisely. Then (and only then) should we see about raising taxes.
I have to watch my money and if I'm running short I miss a new movie or make some other adjustment. When they are short they just go into debt or ask for more money. When I want a new pair of pumps I can't just go to work and say "oh by the way, i saw some new shoes that I want so you have to give me an extra $150 on this week's paycheck".
sorry for not being clear about what baffles me about ben. Ben is always also an advocate for personal finance, people saving for retirement (like his association he is involved with for retirement) and for non-retirement savings. (like when he talks about his plumber in florida).
i hope that explains that in no uncertain terms do I disagree with ben regarding our military nor do i disagree with him about the situation with iran. I just disagree about the tax issue and that is what I thought Ben was discussing, his views of how to tax americans.
respectfully,
sarah
P.S. - i just read my post, i meant to end with I thought that Ben 4rest (our blogger) was just discussing the tax issue (not ben stein).
I thought Ben 4rest the blogger was discussing the tax issue and raising taxes on the wealthy (I didn't mean to sound that I was saying that I didn't agree and understand what Ben Stein was wanting to do with the money.)
I"ll stop now, I just thought my last paragraph wasnt' clear.
LOL - lots of Bens. I think I had it figured out who you were referring too.
ben there, done that.
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