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09/14/2004: "Let’s Kill The Wealthiest One Percent"
Another Rant in a Continuing Series Aimed at Kicking Off a Class War
In 1980, the average newly constructed home in the US occupied 1,600 square
feet. By 2001, the average newly constructed home in the US occupied 2,100
square feet. Why should you give a shit? Well, if you're one of the
wealthiest 1% of all Americans, you really shouldn't. So go play polo while
I explain the problem to everybody else.
Thanks to the tax breaks that have been handed to the wealthiest 1% of all
Americans, that group earned three times more in 2,000 than they did in
1979. Now, the prevailing theory behind giving tax cuts to the wealthy is
that they'll go out and spend their extra cash, which will trickle down to
the rest of us. Part of that theory is correct. The wealthy are
spending that money, unfortunately that spending is causing problems for
the rest of us. OK, I see some more explanation is called for.
Let's say a group of Millionaires gets a tax break and they decide to have
some mansions built. Those mansions are going to be pretty large. Let's
say 60,000 square feet. How does this affect you? It doesn't, yet. Now, the
folks on the rung just below the Millionaires, living in 30,000 square foot
homes now feel like indigent Hillbillies, because their homes are half the
size of their nearest economic competitors. In order to keep up with the
Jones, they need to purchase 50,000 square foot homes. And that's why, by
the time this home buying trickles down to the average middle class person,
they're forced to either go into debt buying a 2,100 square foot house, or
to buy a 1,200 square foot house that they can afford, but is located in a
shitty neighborhood.
This, of course, also applies to cars, clothes, etc.
None of this would be a problem if income levels would've grown at the same
rate as the price of goods and services, but they haven't. During the
period in which the size of those houses grew, the average family's real
income grew by less than 15%. Not even close enough to finance one of these
new McMansions.
The solution? Kill the wealthiest 1% of all Americans. OK, OK, I'm just
kidding. You can stop breaking down my door now. No the real solution is
for enough people to get so angry about the growing gap in income, that the
wealthiest 1% of all Americans become afraid that someone might seriously
start suggesting that we kill them. Frightened rich people are unlikely to
stand in the way of progressive tax reform. Hey, it worked in the era of
the Robber Barons.
But how do we stir up enough anger towards the wealthy to really spook the
bejusuz outt of 'em? OK, let's say that your neighbor starts complaining to
you about the price of a new car. Ask him whom he thinks is to blame for
that high sticker price. Chances are that he'll respond with something like
"The Unions" or "Those damn Mexicans." Now, explain to him what I've
explained to you, above. Be sure to cap it all off by pointing out that,
under new tax legislation, $700 million will be dropped into the pockets of
the wealthiest 1% over the next decade. Step back and watch it all sink in.
Behold, another class warrior is born.
