PS 401(k) yup … I didn’t even bother looking. Mine is not a company matching 401(k), we have have an ESOP.

The poor do pay taxes – I’ve been poor, so I can vouch for that one – but not as much as the rich do. That’s progressive taxation and it’s how most of the Western world is taxed. Obama and McCain espouse it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNke6ad0t6g)…and the big JC does as well “If men do not give according to their means they must answer for it to God.” (II Corinthians) (The Quran and Torah say the same thing.)

I searched for that piece of 401K news, and it appears House Democrats heard a proposal to eliminate some of the tax breaks 401K’s receive in exchange for making some retirement savings mandatory (and possibly charging users lower retail fees). http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/83/58.php As much as I would like to take a look back at the past month and say “WHAT 401K?!” I do think it sounds like more gov’t intervention in my life and I believe in less of that. Luckily, it seems most of the Dems who heard the proposal were pretty lukewarm on it.

At any rate, we could no doubt argue politics indefinitely (and, let’s face it, never change each others mind?). Thank you for your suggestion to learn more about Parti Socialiste-era France, I will do just that.

Regardless of who wins this election, I really hope Americans can wake up on Nov 5, put the mud-slinging and lies away, and do our best to make a positive impact in our lives and in the world. Best of luck to you, Jo.

The poor don’t pay taxes already … so this tax the wealthy at higher rates IS socialism, “spreading the wealth”. Now there is word the democrats want to take over our 401(k)’s. That’s your hard earned money, not theirs – but they are going to take it away from you and manage it because YOU can’t do it yourself. That my deary is the slippery slope to communism.

What the McCain campaign calls “socialism” is more accurately known as “progressive taxation” (taxing the wealthy at higher rates than the poor). It’s modus operandi for US tax policy, and something most Republicans – including McCain – espouse.

Just because someone’s opinion overlaps with another person’s opinion doesn’t “make” them anything; I believe in a strong military but that doesn’t “make” me a Nazi, and I believe Jesus died for our sins but that doesn’t “make” me Catholic. I’d love to see less of bashing people’s agendas and more intelligent conversation about how to fix things, and that goes for both major parties…and maybe your blog?