I had a pretty intense debate this memorial day with some of my friends here in Las Vegas. I told them I had just launched a new Facebook page for Las Vegas Democrats. It spurred on a political debate that really got me thinking about the function and role of the government.  We started talking about Nevada’s huge budget short fall, and it led to a debate about taxes, the economy, and eventually education.   One of my friends used to be a teacher, another of my friend’s parents were both teachers.  I’ve dated teachers before.  If you’re not aware, Nevada is closest to the bottom of the list in terms of education. Here’s a scary list of how bad we are doing compared to the rest of the nation.  I brought up the fact that some of the cuts they are making in our state are going to severely impact lower income wage earners.   I piped up with a comment on how super rich corporations and very wealthy Americans are not pulling their weight to which my friend said, “Everyone should feel the same percentage of hurt.”  Implying that the super rich shouldn’t have to be penalized with a higher percentage of tax increases because they make more money.  If budgets cuts are 10%, then rich and poor should both get a 10% cut was where he was headed with that statement.

It really got me going.   You can bleed a turnip!   When you are talking about teacher salaries in Nevada starting at $27k, a 10% cut might be the difference between paying the electric bill or eating Top Ramon for a week.   Where as a 10% cut on a million dollars, means you might not get a two week  vacation in Tahiti.    It makes me even more mad when I hear major corporations who are making record profits this year aren’t paying ANY taxes.  NONE. ZERO. ZILCH!  How is this possible?

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Thoughts?