I am a liberal and I'm proud

[Broncos724]

crumas2 said:

makingmusic476 said:

If I were a rich man, I'd be all about sharing some of my wealth to help out those around me.  However, I would be the one sharing my wealth.  I would be (and am) 100% against the government FORCING me to share my wealth.  If I were to give my money away, I would be doing it of my own accord.

"you give up some of your income"

No.  You are not "giv[ing] up" your income.  It is being taken away.  If you want to give it up, then by all means do so.

I would take your argument one step further and say that there are *three* ways in which the rich contribute in a free society, economically speaking.  They tend to do it via taxes (however low they may be), voluntary contributions (charity), and re-investment in the infrastructure (starting companies, investing large sums via stocks, venture capital for new startups, etc.).  But the "disenfranchised" don't seem to see it that way.  All they see is someone with a lot of money who doesn't pay as much into their own pocket as they would like.  Take away the surplus money of the rich, and the economy will suffer greatly over time.  This was explained by many of the founding fathers, but we seem to have forgotten what they taught us.

Quoted for truth, especially the last sentence.