In the Post article, Maryscott says at least one thing that is both true and wise, which is that her rage and her blogging are both "born of powerlessness." The problem is that Lord Acton's maxim is equally true in reverse: If power corrupts, so does powerlessness. It can lead to fatalism, apathy and irresponsibility %u2013 or to paranoia, rage and a willingness to believe evey loopy conspiracy theory that comes down the pike.
The difference, I think, between left and right is that the right has no rational justification to feel any of these things, and yet many, if not most, conservatives continue to wallow in the mindset of a besieged minority.
Liberals, much less radical progressives, really are a besieged minority in this country. So why is it suddenly considered front-page news that they're acting like one?
The answer, of course, is that if the Maryscotts of Left Blogistan are evidence of the corruption of powerlessness, the Washington Post is proof positive of Lord Acton's original argument. Given everything that's going on around us, it's hard to imagine that anyone would believe the former is more of a threat to the republic than the latter. But I guess that's what the corruption of power is all about.
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The difference between Obama and Mccain.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN
Current 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples)
McCain does not propose any change in income tax on existing home sales
OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales
How does this affect you?
If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% taxes on.your profit (Capital Gain)
If you are planning to retire and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community
28% of the money you make (CAPITAL GAIN) from your home will go to taxes.
This proposal will adversely affect retiring couples who are counting on the income (CAPITAL GAIN that is currently exempt from income tax)
from their home as part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN
15% (no change)
OBAMA
39.6%
How will this affect you?
If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds,
college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama become president.
The experts predict that 'higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN
No changes
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA
Reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts (ie. CLINTON TAX INCREASES WOULD BE REINSTATED)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama your taxes will more than double!
How does this affect you? No explanation needed.
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN
0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA
Restore the inheritance tax
How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses,
farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for
generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax.
Those willing their assets to loved ones will not only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA
* New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet
* New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)
* New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
* New taxes on retirement accounts and last but not least....
* New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!
And don¢t forget:
ACCORDING TO NANCY PELOSI we also need to increase Social Security payroll deductions so to make up for illegals who don¢t pay.
These are facts. Please do yourself a favor, and check them out for yourself.