“ The possession of power inevitably spoils the free use of reason. ”
— Immanuel Kant
Congress and the President seem to have spoiled their free use of reason. The latest example of this is their unwillingness to tax the uber-rich. They're afraid the uber-rich will stop investing. According to a Warren Buffett Article in the New York Times I read, he and his super rich friends fully expect to be taxed and are tired of Congress coddling them. But I leave that for you to read on your own except to say thank you to Warren Buffett for "coming out of the closet" so to speak on taxing the super rich. Let's blow the lid though on who some of these "super rich are." I'm not talking about the investment bankers Warren Buffett refers to, I'm talking about "celebrities" or "reality stars." Kim Kardasian just made 12.9 MILLION DOLLARS for her wedding. Not spent mind you, made. Her manager/mom sold exclusive broadcasting rights to the network where she and her family have their own reality shows (yes shows plural) and the photo rights to a magazine. That's not including the crap she got from her "friends" for wedding presents on a list that totalled more than $2million in merchandise. Meanwhile, she makes $40,000 an episode for her part on the reality show. This is more than the yearly salary of a beginning teacher! As one comedian on Chelsea Lately said "She made more in a single day then I'll ever make in my lifetime." That's true for most of us. According to a Forbes Magaize Article on Highest Paid celebrity couples Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z made $72 million over the past year. Brangelina's annual income was $50 million this past year. If Warren Buffett's estimate of the percentage he paid in income tax is true of these celebrities and others like them then they pay less than 18% in income taxes. Sadly we contribute to that income based on buying magazines with their likeness, googling them, watching entertainment programs, buying tabloids and "reputable" magazines with their likeness, going to see their movies, watching their reality shows. Is it any wonder our society knows more about Lady Gaga than who their Congressional leaders are? My advice, tell your favorite celebrities to encourage Congress to tax them more and their fans less. Then find out who you're congressional leaders are, and since you probably know the town in which at least one celebrity has a home find out who their congressional leaders are and e-mail, write, call, fax communicate with our leaders that you're "fightin' mad" and to start texting these uber rich and leave the rest of us alone!
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