Two likely contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination have taken opposite sides on California’s proposed wealth tax. One of them is dead wrong.
I’m a big believer in taxing the church, especially the mega (or MAGA) churches. And since christofascism is being foisted upon us, let’s tax the Bejesus out of them.
Good point if they get involved in politics and violate the terms of their 403-c exemptions. Telling partitioners to vote in elections is one thing but who to "vote for" or "party to choose to avoid Hell /damnation" violates not only the spirit of the law, but also the letter of the law for religious nonprofits.
Agree. But why stop with the Church? There were no income taxes before Teddy Roosevelt. Income taxes now have much less relevance because wealth can be accumulated without taxation, if it's not claimed as income.
Piketty is correct, 21st Century Capitalism REQUIRES a wealth tax, and I agree with Reich that Newsom has been very disappointing - indeed his unforced error should be disqualifying for his likely bid to be a presidential candidate for the Democrats.
Thomas Piketty points out that when one has savings, one can develop wealth over time, even adjusted for inflation. Middle class folks can advantage themselves of this opportunity by contributing to tax deferred retirement accounts, avoiding credit card debt, and spending less than after tax income. One key to wealth is developing a marketable skill.
Hefe's a basic fact of life: you cannot make something out of nothing, but if you have something you can build upon it. This is why poverty is so hard to get out of. Should we be surprised that those who are trapped in poverty develop defeatist mentalities that make things only worse?
Let us contemplate the Mormons. Book "From Housewife to Heretic" relates how the Mormons were commanded to put up the last ditch front against the Equal Rights Amendment. Later, there was a massive phone campaign from Salt Lake to California to support "Prop 8," the gay marriage ban. Good luck with 403-C counting for shit.
I agree with you but anticipate that the RC hierarchy will strenuously fight it. Look at the resistance to paying court-ordered settlements in CSA cases. The Jesuit periodical America Magazine believes 47 courted white Roman Catholics and that they helped him win. It raises questions. At least to me. https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/11/06/catholic-vote-trump-reaction-249204/
Not so Roman: many American Catholics denounced Pope Francis for his warnings about climate change, defense of the poor, and blessings of gays. He rightly called them "hypocrites." JD Vance is a prime example.
Many churches are serving their neighborhoods, not just their congregations, as humanitarian NGOs.
I think a better policy would be to revoke the tax exemption for churches that participate in partisan politics.
The Southern Baptist Convention, our Nation's largest Protestant Evangelical denomination, does not represent all American Baptists or even all of their members at the local church level, has become at its denomination's leadership level more of a Republican PAC than an authentic religious institution. It is also hemorrhaging many of its pew-level members, especially the women.
Let's all join the Minneapolis moment for a National Strike. As Trump/Miller continue their Nazi brownshirt tactics, a broad based national strike is coming to cities all across America. This is how the Anti Vietnam War protests and the Civil Rights movement went national. The country's ready. We know what to do!!
My late husband was a Viet Nam War veteran. He said he knew we were going to lose the war when a young shoe shine boy, who was a familiar figure on a US army base, came strapped with explosives and blew away several of our soldiers. Bob said that the Viet Namese were willing to sacrifice their children so that their grandchildren would still have the land, while most of our troops only wanted to survive their compulsive time in service and return home in one piece.
That's why Britain, Russia and then the US were not able to defeat the Afghanistani tribes. Every sports fan knows that the "home team" has all the advantage. Wars of conquest rarely end well for the aggressor.
Britain was the most successful colonizer, because they built a middle class of civil servants out of the most talented from the lower classes whose new socioeconomic status depended on British rule.
Wish I could "like." It has been on my mind that Trump couldn't touch the Bible at swearing-in. Last time he did touch it, was upside-down. I once read the Book of John 5 times over joining the 4 Square Gospel, seemed good-hearted; wonder where they are at now? But there is nothing about Jesus that has anything to do with the bizarre Trump worship. To tax them would be just. But how shall they be reconciled with god?
I am not religious., I believe in the miracles of Life, but I have read most religious books and I admired much about the teachings of Jesus and I agree there is nothing in his teachings to support the ideas of the “Christian Nationalist “ movement, in fact his teachings oppose everything they stand for, One constant theme of all religions, is some form of the “golden rule” that we should do unto others as we would have done unto us, They are all reflections of what we inherently know that we need to do as a species if we want to survive - we have to care about each other.
As for Jesus I admired his kindness, commitment to truth, and his righteous anger.
In all instances, Jesus' anger was directed at injustice or spiritual blindness, rather than for personal gain or insult.
Key Instances of Jesus' Anger
Healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5): Jesus was explicitly described as looking at religious leaders with anger because they were more concerned about legalistic rules than a man with a shriveled hand who needed healing.
Rebuking the Disciples (Mark 10:13–16): When his disciples tried to stop people from bringing children to him, Jesus became indignant. The Greek word used here, aganakteō, suggests he was greatly pained or vexed.
At the Tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33–38): Before raising Lazarus, Jesus was described as being "deeply moved in spirit." Scholars note the original Greek text implies a sense of indignant rage or anger at the power of death and the sorrow it causes.
The Seven Woes (Matthew 23): Jesus delivered a fiery, passionate rebuke to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, calling them "hypocrites," "blind guides," and "snakes" for their corruption and exploitation of the poor.
Healing a Leper (Mark 1:41): In some ancient manuscripts, Jesus is described as being moved by anger (rather than compassion) when a leper approached him, possibly directed at the devastating nature of the disease itself.
Why was he angry?
In these stories, Jesus' anger—often termed "righteous indignation"—is typically triggered by:
Hard-heartedness: Leaders prioritizing rituals over human suffering.
Exploitation: Religious institutions taking advantage of the poor or vulnerable.
Obstruction: People getting in the way of others (like children or Gentiles) seeking God.
I am happy to see so many now seeing the truth of trumo and his supporters, They are predators, the kind of people Jesus and other fighters fòr equality throughout history have rightfully called out as the enemies of the people, Now if the people can choose our next representatives carefully , choose peole of good character , we can get democracy back,
Before the early 1920's there was no concept regarding illegal immigration. Our country was open to anyone who wanted to come here for the purpose of bettering their lives. A push by Southern conservatives slammed the doors of our country in the faces of individuals and groups who just wanted to escape the insanity found in Europe and Asia. The fence they constructed around this country has been a source of heated debate ever since. Our country was built upon the strength and determination of immigrants, for their dreams became the life's blood of our Democracy. The close mindedness of today's Republican party is an insult to who we are and where we came from. The people who are already here should have the right to stay. Screw ICE, and those to blind to see the need to fill this country with the hearts and minds of a people who just want to be free. Trump's warped viewpoint, that every immigrant who entered this country on foot, is a rapist or a murderer, is as sick as he is. Every healthy society desires the removal of its criminal elements, and we are no different. However, the vast majority of the individuals who came here by crossing our Southern border are good people and we should welcome them as we have done throughout our 250 year history, for they are us.
I know your hearts in the right place but your factual history is a bit shaky. The Chinese were targeted beginning way back in 1882. Just part of the racist undertow of American society.
T--The Chinese provided the muscle that completed the first transcontinental railroad which was finished on May 10th 1869. Without them the golden spike would have been driven years later.
Chinese women were forbidden to enter the country. Only Chinese men on temporary work visas -- managed by the railroads. This ensured they went back to China.
While there is no single definitive percentage for how many Chinese transcontinental railroad workers stayed in the United States, historical data suggests a significant majority remained in North America.
And before the Civil War, the America-First party of its time, the "Know-Nothings," helped get legislation passed that limited immigration from many countries in Europe. They increased the waiting time to become a citizen from 4-5 years to over 10.
As for the southern border, the people crossing there came to work the fields and orchards, make money and live like kings through the winter back in Mexico or wherever. Because they KNEW they could cross the border again the following year with no hassles, they felt FREE to leave. oops... "self-deport."
Sounds like MAGA and the Tea Party before it are just a reincarnation other Know Nothings. The best thing about the KNs is they didn't stick around very long.
No official anti-immigrant legislation perhaps, but America has a tradition of not welcoming one group after another. Irish Catholics, Eastern Europeans, Mexicans and Chinese, for instance, were not welcomed into a majority WASP America in the 19th century. Germans and Scotch-Irish were looked down upon in the 18th century. But the country was wide open and all you had to do was drive out the Indigenous population. Hurray for America! Land of Opportunity! Yay!
Trump personally recruits white European immigrants in the hundreds every year with special visas to work on his properties claiming there are no workers to hire. He is fine with immigrants who are white.
Not only are most immigrants good people but many do the labor that Americans who have been here for a time won’t do; many have fled persecution and it is beyond horror for our country to continue the persecution; almost all pay taxes, which adds to our economy and many pay in to Social Security; many have done research that has enriched our bloated billionaires.
This is a moral imperative and the first order of business, imho. We’re the richest nation in the history of the planet. Our infrastructure, housing, education, nutrition, healthcare, and civil rights should be the envy of the world. Instead, half a million US households lack indoor plumbing and our maternal survival rates are the lowest in the developed world. Once the wealthy pay their fair share, we can begin the meet the needs of the people. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/27/water-almost-half-million-us-households-lack-indoor-plumbing
In California, that does not give preferential privileges to Capital Gains income, the wealthy pays far more than someone making $100,00.00. They pay up to 11% of their income after the special addons for million-dollar earners put on by the voters. for special programs. What we have is a taxation sharing problem of Federal income taxes received from our state. California is the dynamic economic engine of our country and pays more federal income taxes than any other state but get back far less than we deserve for that contribution. The California Republic is being shafted by this administration as well as previous administrations dating back to the 1950s.
Can you not see what a paltry thing is the 11% tax you speak of?
My best income year ever of less than $400K, bc of a corporate buyout and the disruption it caused, another case of the stupidity of buyouts, I paid 53% in taxes.
Don't the billionaires have lots of tax loopholes? I remember Buffet saying he paid less tax than his secretary. The CA billionaires likely support the Republicans in Congress who make sure the bills they pass benefit their masters. Does Bezos pay his fair share of taxes? Newsom may be persuadeable....
That is exactly correct. A personal loan against the value of the portfolio costs a little interest, which is far less than the tax on sold capital assets. At the death of the portfolio owner, portfolio assets pass to a surviving spouse tax-free under the stepped-up basis rules, then at spouse’s death another step-up occurs. A wealth tax during lifetime could do much good, and it sounds like CA’s proposal is pretty brilliantly designed.
Many pay far more than you know in our graduated income tax system. California has one of the highest income taxes in the nation for those making over $400,000.00 per year. It is the Federal Capital Gains special lower tax rate that hurts the treasury and that leads to less Federal money, from states workers, coming back to them as shared revenue. Once you have a wealth tax, the politicians will lower the threshold, and everybody will be forced to sell their homes to pay the taxes. This is why we voted for prop 13 because we saw parents losing their homes to the tax man as the old family home became more valuable. Never trust a politician to cut their revenue when they can cut yours instead. Remember the 1983 revised Social Security Tax law that based a new tax on Social Security taxation based on total income. The 1983 $25,000.00 test was reasonably high back then, but inflation has made it poverty level and now anybody with a pension now pays tax on it. The politicians of both parties never indexed the income test to inflation. Presidents have promised reforming it but always backed out so the wealthy earners would not have to contribute more to keep is soluble. California collected taxes on the contributions going into Social Security, so they chose not to tax the benefits since it was already taxed once. The Feds now tax the contributions and the benefits taxing them twice. Donald Trump ran on both keeping the 2017 tax cuts and eliminating the second taxation of social security benefits and won the Senior baby boomer Vote on that promise. If Governor Newsom wants to get the Senior baby boomer vote in 2028, he better not vote for a wealth tax in California because the GOP will use it to gain their votes instead along with MAGA and independents as well.
Edward. I agree. A wealth tax is a bad idea for the reasons you mention. A wealth tax on unrealized capital gains mirrors a property tax on unrealized home value gains, blocked by Proposition 13. On a federal level, the tax on realized capital gains should be the same as the rate on ordinary income. California must learn to live within its means. To reduce the cost of medical care, including Medi-Cal, we must find solutions. We already pay 18% of GDP for medical care, which is about 50% more than the next highest developed country pays.
I did some rough calculations on the cost/value to the top 1% of the Republican tax cuts in the 21st century. If we combine the tax savings, the investment value of those savings based on the annual increase of the NYSE, and the annual
interest costs to the federal treasury of having to borrow the money lost to those tax cuts, the total is $10 trillion.
The wealth of the top 1% is about $50 trillion.
Proposal: clawback that $10 trillion with a 2% wealth tax per year for the next ten years.
Professor Reich: gavin newsom is AGAINST the state's proposed wealth tax? did he ever state reasons for this absurd position? why would newsom think the wealthy should NOT pay their fair share in taxes when they hoover up almost all of the wealth and assets for their own pleasures?
Any wealth tax must be nationwide, or the wealthy will just leave the state taking the income taxed they now pay with them. like the story of the "Golden Goose" the farmer was not happy with the one golden egg he retrieved every day and killed the goose to get more all at once but nothing but blood and guts and lost the engine that made the eggs. If California was a country in itself, it would have the fourth highest GDP in the world, and the USA would drop to #3 instead of being #1. California is the economic engine because the worlds wealth congregates here. Force them to leave through a "wealth tax", there goes the golden eggs.
It is ONE TIME! They are not going to the poor house. Newsom screwed up. The obscenely rich took $2Trillion from middle class taxpayers and without one second’s thought they saw Trump steal from all the programs helping the poor, the elderly, kids, veterans and cheered him on. Cry me a river.
You have to figure that he thinks it sounds bad as an easy talking-point attack if he runs for president. So many still wet themselves reflexively at the whisper of "communist!"
He's afraid that Billionaires will leave and Silicon Valley will be no more. It's BS but he and a lot of folks have bought into MAGA talking points. Switzerland has a workable wealth tax although their voters recently rejected a proposed inheritance tax. Here's a link to the Petersen which discusses the pros and cons of a wealth tax. https://www.pgpf.org/article/what-is-a-wealth-tax-and-should-the-united-states-have-one/
Tax the rich sounds like a reactive rallying cry of the masses, bound to set off alarms in the owning class with armies of propaganda to squash it. But your design is elegant. A one time wealth tax based on 2025, together with an army of financial sleuths to find the hidden billions, stikes the perfect balance between radical and sensible. I live in Washington. We have no income tax. That's now on the table. A one time wealth tax and then progressive income tax that most who make under 250k won't even feel. Maybe even to make urban transit systems free!
Hi Vicki. I disagree. A wealth tax on unrealized capital gains is a bad idea. It is an unfair tax, in the same way as a tax on unrealized gains on one's home, blocked in California by proposition 13. On the other hand, federal tax on realized capital gains should be taxed as ordinary income, as California does. We cannot sustain a federal deficit that rises faster than the GDP. We must learn to live within our means.
Even billionaires themselves have have asked to be taxed; my question is who ever decided that only the poor and middle class should pay taxes? How does that even make sense??
Well, dammit, if only the noblesse would oblige! What the heck is the poison that eats the soul of anybody who gets ahead by whatever getting ahead is figured? And BTW, who the heck worships those that got like they got because they were better humans and the rest of us were crap who deserved to just die if we got sick etc. etc. anyhow? (Lots of shorthand here, sorry.) Because it takes a "social contract" to assume a fantasy that "anybody can make it" and so anybody who doesn't just isn't the right sort but there is always the comforting excuse that some other (choose from the list) lesser human somehow kept you from being the winner: the eternal scapegoat Jew, anybody not Northern European; (except for Irish, or Italian; pick your decade) or skin tone in general currently in fashion. My observation of history is, there have always been born predators, born soulless, and they have always won. Especially as a female, I am humble at the brief shining moment in history that i have lived from the 1970's, when my professional career Mom had to get my Dad's (lesser-earner) signature for my first PG&E bill to Dobbs. It was a tiny glitch in history. This horror show is "return to the mean."
There are meanwhile a litany of problems with healthcare abd hcare insurance. United Health and Kaiser make a fortune off premiums. Still difficult to find md and get appointments. Seems to me that billionaires whose wealth increases simply because value of stock goes up, can afford anything. Plus they depend upon healthy workforce to do the actual work!
The Governor is courageous at times but only selectively courageous. He doesn’t like to take on potential and actual sources of campaign funds. For example, he vetoed a school solar bill that was opposed by PG&E. Ro Khanna doesn’t shy away from making himself the target of challenges in his own District from his wealthy constituents. It’s likely that Ro also has a firmer understanding of Silicon Valley economics.
I agree that Newsom is only sometimes courageous. He has caved on trans issues, apparently ignoring that trans people are humans with rights. That was strike one.
Now he’s against a wealth tax? Strike two.
Perhaps he’s waiting for a federal wealth tax. Good luck. This proposed tax is a tiny step in the right direction (only for one year??!?), but it IS a step.
Citizens United held that monetary flows were forms of communication, which they are, but ignored that they are payment for goods and services, which is power— which they are in spades.
Poor, poor billionaires— funds that *aren’t* flowing are silent! Let them say, “I, a billionaire, invest in the wellbeing, capacity, and future of society!”
I’m a big believer in taxing the church, especially the mega (or MAGA) churches. And since christofascism is being foisted upon us, let’s tax the Bejesus out of them.
Good point if they get involved in politics and violate the terms of their 403-c exemptions. Telling partitioners to vote in elections is one thing but who to "vote for" or "party to choose to avoid Hell /damnation" violates not only the spirit of the law, but also the letter of the law for religious nonprofits.
Agree. But why stop with the Church? There were no income taxes before Teddy Roosevelt. Income taxes now have much less relevance because wealth can be accumulated without taxation, if it's not claimed as income.
Piketty is correct, 21st Century Capitalism REQUIRES a wealth tax, and I agree with Reich that Newsom has been very disappointing - indeed his unforced error should be disqualifying for his likely bid to be a presidential candidate for the Democrats.
All hail Thomas Piketty!
Thomas Piketty points out that when one has savings, one can develop wealth over time, even adjusted for inflation. Middle class folks can advantage themselves of this opportunity by contributing to tax deferred retirement accounts, avoiding credit card debt, and spending less than after tax income. One key to wealth is developing a marketable skill.
Hefe's a basic fact of life: you cannot make something out of nothing, but if you have something you can build upon it. This is why poverty is so hard to get out of. Should we be surprised that those who are trapped in poverty develop defeatist mentalities that make things only worse?
Let us contemplate the Mormons. Book "From Housewife to Heretic" relates how the Mormons were commanded to put up the last ditch front against the Equal Rights Amendment. Later, there was a massive phone campaign from Salt Lake to California to support "Prop 8," the gay marriage ban. Good luck with 403-C counting for shit.
I agree with you but anticipate that the RC hierarchy will strenuously fight it. Look at the resistance to paying court-ordered settlements in CSA cases. The Jesuit periodical America Magazine believes 47 courted white Roman Catholics and that they helped him win. It raises questions. At least to me. https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/11/06/catholic-vote-trump-reaction-249204/
Not so Roman: many American Catholics denounced Pope Francis for his warnings about climate change, defense of the poor, and blessings of gays. He rightly called them "hypocrites." JD Vance is a prime example.
Amen
I think they should be IMPRISONED, not for worshipping a demon who is antithetical to Christ, but for trying to OVERTHROW A NATION.
503c exemption
Many churches are serving their neighborhoods, not just their congregations, as humanitarian NGOs.
I think a better policy would be to revoke the tax exemption for churches that participate in partisan politics.
The Southern Baptist Convention, our Nation's largest Protestant Evangelical denomination, does not represent all American Baptists or even all of their members at the local church level, has become at its denomination's leadership level more of a Republican PAC than an authentic religious institution. It is also hemorrhaging many of its pew-level members, especially the women.
Let's all join the Minneapolis moment for a National Strike. As Trump/Miller continue their Nazi brownshirt tactics, a broad based national strike is coming to cities all across America. This is how the Anti Vietnam War protests and the Civil Rights movement went national. The country's ready. We know what to do!!
It took the death of a Kent State University to turn popular opinion against the Viet Nam War. ( https://www.history.com/articles/kent-state-shooting )
My late husband was a Viet Nam War veteran. He said he knew we were going to lose the war when a young shoe shine boy, who was a familiar figure on a US army base, came strapped with explosives and blew away several of our soldiers. Bob said that the Viet Namese were willing to sacrifice their children so that their grandchildren would still have the land, while most of our troops only wanted to survive their compulsive time in service and return home in one piece.
That's why Britain, Russia and then the US were not able to defeat the Afghanistani tribes. Every sports fan knows that the "home team" has all the advantage. Wars of conquest rarely end well for the aggressor.
Britain was the most successful colonizer, because they built a middle class of civil servants out of the most talented from the lower classes whose new socioeconomic status depended on British rule.
Yes, Carol, and it is imperative for us to show how Trump is delivering "the home team" to the plutocrats backing Project 2025.
Yes, indeed. I note also that the Minnesota General Strike was strongly supported by many of the churches and their clergymen (and clergy women).
They should be rewarded on earth and in heaven..
The Unitarian church I attend in Colorado Springs has representatives in Minneapolis. What’s happening there sickens me.
Good.
Wish I could "like." It has been on my mind that Trump couldn't touch the Bible at swearing-in. Last time he did touch it, was upside-down. I once read the Book of John 5 times over joining the 4 Square Gospel, seemed good-hearted; wonder where they are at now? But there is nothing about Jesus that has anything to do with the bizarre Trump worship. To tax them would be just. But how shall they be reconciled with god?
"... reconciled with god?" -- it's called the Prosperity Gospel.
Gosh, what a stunner! I didn't associate Schuller with a bunch of hate and politics! Please elaborate?
I thought it was obvious but maybe I did not understand your comment.
I am not religious., I believe in the miracles of Life, but I have read most religious books and I admired much about the teachings of Jesus and I agree there is nothing in his teachings to support the ideas of the “Christian Nationalist “ movement, in fact his teachings oppose everything they stand for, One constant theme of all religions, is some form of the “golden rule” that we should do unto others as we would have done unto us, They are all reflections of what we inherently know that we need to do as a species if we want to survive - we have to care about each other.
As for Jesus I admired his kindness, commitment to truth, and his righteous anger.
In all instances, Jesus' anger was directed at injustice or spiritual blindness, rather than for personal gain or insult.
Key Instances of Jesus' Anger
Healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5): Jesus was explicitly described as looking at religious leaders with anger because they were more concerned about legalistic rules than a man with a shriveled hand who needed healing.
Rebuking the Disciples (Mark 10:13–16): When his disciples tried to stop people from bringing children to him, Jesus became indignant. The Greek word used here, aganakteō, suggests he was greatly pained or vexed.
At the Tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33–38): Before raising Lazarus, Jesus was described as being "deeply moved in spirit." Scholars note the original Greek text implies a sense of indignant rage or anger at the power of death and the sorrow it causes.
The Seven Woes (Matthew 23): Jesus delivered a fiery, passionate rebuke to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, calling them "hypocrites," "blind guides," and "snakes" for their corruption and exploitation of the poor.
Healing a Leper (Mark 1:41): In some ancient manuscripts, Jesus is described as being moved by anger (rather than compassion) when a leper approached him, possibly directed at the devastating nature of the disease itself.
Why was he angry?
In these stories, Jesus' anger—often termed "righteous indignation"—is typically triggered by:
Hard-heartedness: Leaders prioritizing rituals over human suffering.
Exploitation: Religious institutions taking advantage of the poor or vulnerable.
Obstruction: People getting in the way of others (like children or Gentiles) seeking God.
I am happy to see so many now seeing the truth of trumo and his supporters, They are predators, the kind of people Jesus and other fighters fòr equality throughout history have rightfully called out as the enemies of the people, Now if the people can choose our next representatives carefully , choose peole of good character , we can get democracy back,
Good question
Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.
Now that those churches no longer speak the word of Jesus. Now it's the church of almighty MONEY.
*Almighty godking Bunkerboy.
Mike.....I agree!!!
Amen Mike!
We only used ICE to skate on--
Before the early 1920's there was no concept regarding illegal immigration. Our country was open to anyone who wanted to come here for the purpose of bettering their lives. A push by Southern conservatives slammed the doors of our country in the faces of individuals and groups who just wanted to escape the insanity found in Europe and Asia. The fence they constructed around this country has been a source of heated debate ever since. Our country was built upon the strength and determination of immigrants, for their dreams became the life's blood of our Democracy. The close mindedness of today's Republican party is an insult to who we are and where we came from. The people who are already here should have the right to stay. Screw ICE, and those to blind to see the need to fill this country with the hearts and minds of a people who just want to be free. Trump's warped viewpoint, that every immigrant who entered this country on foot, is a rapist or a murderer, is as sick as he is. Every healthy society desires the removal of its criminal elements, and we are no different. However, the vast majority of the individuals who came here by crossing our Southern border are good people and we should welcome them as we have done throughout our 250 year history, for they are us.
I know your hearts in the right place but your factual history is a bit shaky. The Chinese were targeted beginning way back in 1882. Just part of the racist undertow of American society.
T--The Chinese provided the muscle that completed the first transcontinental railroad which was finished on May 10th 1869. Without them the golden spike would have been driven years later.
Chinese women were forbidden to enter the country. Only Chinese men on temporary work visas -- managed by the railroads. This ensured they went back to China.
Thomas--
While there is no single definitive percentage for how many Chinese transcontinental railroad workers stayed in the United States, historical data suggests a significant majority remained in North America.
Yes, and Donaldina Cameron helped those imported as prostitutes ro get free.
and immigrants are feeding ICE agents.
And before the Civil War, the America-First party of its time, the "Know-Nothings," helped get legislation passed that limited immigration from many countries in Europe. They increased the waiting time to become a citizen from 4-5 years to over 10.
As for the southern border, the people crossing there came to work the fields and orchards, make money and live like kings through the winter back in Mexico or wherever. Because they KNEW they could cross the border again the following year with no hassles, they felt FREE to leave. oops... "self-deport."
I doubt they lived like Kings. They had money to buy food and cloth their families.
Sounds like MAGA and the Tea Party before it are just a reincarnation other Know Nothings. The best thing about the KNs is they didn't stick around very long.
And shame on Gov Gav.
No official anti-immigrant legislation perhaps, but America has a tradition of not welcoming one group after another. Irish Catholics, Eastern Europeans, Mexicans and Chinese, for instance, were not welcomed into a majority WASP America in the 19th century. Germans and Scotch-Irish were looked down upon in the 18th century. But the country was wide open and all you had to do was drive out the Indigenous population. Hurray for America! Land of Opportunity! Yay!
My husband was Polish, My father's mother called him a Polock which I did not like. He was born here just like she was.
Trump personally recruits white European immigrants in the hundreds every year with special visas to work on his properties claiming there are no workers to hire. He is fine with immigrants who are white.
Not only are most immigrants good people but many do the labor that Americans who have been here for a time won’t do; many have fled persecution and it is beyond horror for our country to continue the persecution; almost all pay taxes, which adds to our economy and many pay in to Social Security; many have done research that has enriched our bloated billionaires.
Tax the wealthy at the same percentage as a person who makes $100,000 per year with no loopholes.
This is a moral imperative and the first order of business, imho. We’re the richest nation in the history of the planet. Our infrastructure, housing, education, nutrition, healthcare, and civil rights should be the envy of the world. Instead, half a million US households lack indoor plumbing and our maternal survival rates are the lowest in the developed world. Once the wealthy pay their fair share, we can begin the meet the needs of the people. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/27/water-almost-half-million-us-households-lack-indoor-plumbing
Seriously, how hard would this be? Cut the loopholes and perhaps equality could come back!
In California, that does not give preferential privileges to Capital Gains income, the wealthy pays far more than someone making $100,00.00. They pay up to 11% of their income after the special addons for million-dollar earners put on by the voters. for special programs. What we have is a taxation sharing problem of Federal income taxes received from our state. California is the dynamic economic engine of our country and pays more federal income taxes than any other state but get back far less than we deserve for that contribution. The California Republic is being shafted by this administration as well as previous administrations dating back to the 1950s.
Can you not see what a paltry thing is the 11% tax you speak of?
My best income year ever of less than $400K, bc of a corporate buyout and the disruption it caused, another case of the stupidity of buyouts, I paid 53% in taxes.
Bullshit on your argument. It's obscene
Don't the billionaires have lots of tax loopholes? I remember Buffet saying he paid less tax than his secretary. The CA billionaires likely support the Republicans in Congress who make sure the bills they pass benefit their masters. Does Bezos pay his fair share of taxes? Newsom may be persuadeable....
How do you establish a "fair share?" Shouldn't taxation be based on rational, objective principles?
I think the wealthy live on credit from their assets
That is exactly correct. A personal loan against the value of the portfolio costs a little interest, which is far less than the tax on sold capital assets. At the death of the portfolio owner, portfolio assets pass to a surviving spouse tax-free under the stepped-up basis rules, then at spouse’s death another step-up occurs. A wealth tax during lifetime could do much good, and it sounds like CA’s proposal is pretty brilliantly designed.
That would even things out in a hurry,
The wealth tax is a must because the wealthy are not paying their share.
Many pay far more than you know in our graduated income tax system. California has one of the highest income taxes in the nation for those making over $400,000.00 per year. It is the Federal Capital Gains special lower tax rate that hurts the treasury and that leads to less Federal money, from states workers, coming back to them as shared revenue. Once you have a wealth tax, the politicians will lower the threshold, and everybody will be forced to sell their homes to pay the taxes. This is why we voted for prop 13 because we saw parents losing their homes to the tax man as the old family home became more valuable. Never trust a politician to cut their revenue when they can cut yours instead. Remember the 1983 revised Social Security Tax law that based a new tax on Social Security taxation based on total income. The 1983 $25,000.00 test was reasonably high back then, but inflation has made it poverty level and now anybody with a pension now pays tax on it. The politicians of both parties never indexed the income test to inflation. Presidents have promised reforming it but always backed out so the wealthy earners would not have to contribute more to keep is soluble. California collected taxes on the contributions going into Social Security, so they chose not to tax the benefits since it was already taxed once. The Feds now tax the contributions and the benefits taxing them twice. Donald Trump ran on both keeping the 2017 tax cuts and eliminating the second taxation of social security benefits and won the Senior baby boomer Vote on that promise. If Governor Newsom wants to get the Senior baby boomer vote in 2028, he better not vote for a wealth tax in California because the GOP will use it to gain their votes instead along with MAGA and independents as well.
Edward. I agree. A wealth tax is a bad idea for the reasons you mention. A wealth tax on unrealized capital gains mirrors a property tax on unrealized home value gains, blocked by Proposition 13. On a federal level, the tax on realized capital gains should be the same as the rate on ordinary income. California must learn to live within its means. To reduce the cost of medical care, including Medi-Cal, we must find solutions. We already pay 18% of GDP for medical care, which is about 50% more than the next highest developed country pays.
I did some rough calculations on the cost/value to the top 1% of the Republican tax cuts in the 21st century. If we combine the tax savings, the investment value of those savings based on the annual increase of the NYSE, and the annual
interest costs to the federal treasury of having to borrow the money lost to those tax cuts, the total is $10 trillion.
The wealth of the top 1% is about $50 trillion.
Proposal: clawback that $10 trillion with a 2% wealth tax per year for the next ten years.
Professor Reich: gavin newsom is AGAINST the state's proposed wealth tax? did he ever state reasons for this absurd position? why would newsom think the wealthy should NOT pay their fair share in taxes when they hoover up almost all of the wealth and assets for their own pleasures?
Gov. Newsom just lost my vote in the 2028 presidential primary.
Any wealth tax must be nationwide, or the wealthy will just leave the state taking the income taxed they now pay with them. like the story of the "Golden Goose" the farmer was not happy with the one golden egg he retrieved every day and killed the goose to get more all at once but nothing but blood and guts and lost the engine that made the eggs. If California was a country in itself, it would have the fourth highest GDP in the world, and the USA would drop to #3 instead of being #1. California is the economic engine because the worlds wealth congregates here. Force them to leave through a "wealth tax", there goes the golden eggs.
It is ONE TIME! They are not going to the poor house. Newsom screwed up. The obscenely rich took $2Trillion from middle class taxpayers and without one second’s thought they saw Trump steal from all the programs helping the poor, the elderly, kids, veterans and cheered him on. Cry me a river.
Oh, kill the fucking goose!
Good!
You have to figure that he thinks it sounds bad as an easy talking-point attack if he runs for president. So many still wet themselves reflexively at the whisper of "communist!"
Perhaps he wants the billionaires to fund his presidential campaign.
Mostly its the Boomers wetting themselves.
yes, witness the recent ugly bill that robbed the working, poor and middle classes.
He's afraid that Billionaires will leave and Silicon Valley will be no more. It's BS but he and a lot of folks have bought into MAGA talking points. Switzerland has a workable wealth tax although their voters recently rejected a proposed inheritance tax. Here's a link to the Petersen which discusses the pros and cons of a wealth tax. https://www.pgpf.org/article/what-is-a-wealth-tax-and-should-the-united-states-have-one/
Read Edward F Dijeau's response, please!
I appreciate what Newsom has been doing recently, but my nerve endings tell me he is not to be trusted.
All heritage rich might not be all bad, but here you go, might make sense to figure what these folks would figure in their best interests: https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-pol-ca-gavin-newsom-san-francisco-money/
Tax the rich sounds like a reactive rallying cry of the masses, bound to set off alarms in the owning class with armies of propaganda to squash it. But your design is elegant. A one time wealth tax based on 2025, together with an army of financial sleuths to find the hidden billions, stikes the perfect balance between radical and sensible. I live in Washington. We have no income tax. That's now on the table. A one time wealth tax and then progressive income tax that most who make under 250k won't even feel. Maybe even to make urban transit systems free!
And free child care. New Mexico’s tax on gas and oil companies funds free child care.
Hi Vicki. I disagree. A wealth tax on unrealized capital gains is a bad idea. It is an unfair tax, in the same way as a tax on unrealized gains on one's home, blocked in California by proposition 13. On the other hand, federal tax on realized capital gains should be taxed as ordinary income, as California does. We cannot sustain a federal deficit that rises faster than the GDP. We must learn to live within our means.
Anyone who opposes wealth taxes without a valid reason opens themself to suspicion about their motives. Newsom is a huge disappointment.
https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-pol-ca-gavin-newsom-san-francisco-money/
I wanted to say something about this as a San F. native, and here it is.
......and there it is! The motive. Thank you!
What is described seems rationally measured to retrieve some contribution from the fantastically rich back to the society that fostered their wealth.
I oppose a wealth tax.
I have to agree, Newsom not being for the wealth tax is disappointing. It's the very least that should be enacted.
I agree with Governor Newsom
Even billionaires themselves have have asked to be taxed; my question is who ever decided that only the poor and middle class should pay taxes? How does that even make sense??
Reagan decided. That’s why the GOP made him a god.
Well, dammit, if only the noblesse would oblige! What the heck is the poison that eats the soul of anybody who gets ahead by whatever getting ahead is figured? And BTW, who the heck worships those that got like they got because they were better humans and the rest of us were crap who deserved to just die if we got sick etc. etc. anyhow? (Lots of shorthand here, sorry.) Because it takes a "social contract" to assume a fantasy that "anybody can make it" and so anybody who doesn't just isn't the right sort but there is always the comforting excuse that some other (choose from the list) lesser human somehow kept you from being the winner: the eternal scapegoat Jew, anybody not Northern European; (except for Irish, or Italian; pick your decade) or skin tone in general currently in fashion. My observation of history is, there have always been born predators, born soulless, and they have always won. Especially as a female, I am humble at the brief shining moment in history that i have lived from the 1970's, when my professional career Mom had to get my Dad's (lesser-earner) signature for my first PG&E bill to Dobbs. It was a tiny glitch in history. This horror show is "return to the mean."
There are meanwhile a litany of problems with healthcare abd hcare insurance. United Health and Kaiser make a fortune off premiums. Still difficult to find md and get appointments. Seems to me that billionaires whose wealth increases simply because value of stock goes up, can afford anything. Plus they depend upon healthy workforce to do the actual work!
I agree.
The Governor is courageous at times but only selectively courageous. He doesn’t like to take on potential and actual sources of campaign funds. For example, he vetoed a school solar bill that was opposed by PG&E. Ro Khanna doesn’t shy away from making himself the target of challenges in his own District from his wealthy constituents. It’s likely that Ro also has a firmer understanding of Silicon Valley economics.
I agree that Newsom is only sometimes courageous. He has caved on trans issues, apparently ignoring that trans people are humans with rights. That was strike one.
Now he’s against a wealth tax? Strike two.
Perhaps he’s waiting for a federal wealth tax. Good luck. This proposed tax is a tiny step in the right direction (only for one year??!?), but it IS a step.
I mean.
Citizens United held that monetary flows were forms of communication, which they are, but ignored that they are payment for goods and services, which is power— which they are in spades.
Poor, poor billionaires— funds that *aren’t* flowing are silent! Let them say, “I, a billionaire, invest in the wellbeing, capacity, and future of society!”
If money is speech, then the billionaires have more speech which is power and self-evidently the reason to publicly fund political campaigns.
Imagine if the people who qualify for MediCal could each sign the wealth tax petition a billion times.