THE ETERNAL TUG OF WAR

In trying times like this money causes the age old tug of war between those that have and those that have less, WAY less!

When we rail at the wealthy for not paying their fair share of taxes are WE being fair?

When they use every possible loophole their high-priced accountants and lawyers can find to get out of paying taxes should it bother us?

What we must realize is that inmost cases the wealthy did not get their wealth by giving it away, at least not willingly.

Their hoard mentality is a form of sickness and fear that they too could end up like the rest of humanity, begging for a raise or healthcare or eventually even some food! “Please sir, I want some more.”

Not every needy child will end up as lucky as Oliver Twist so without twisting reality what should we expect?

When Republican President Eisenhower ruled with a top tax rate of 91% the country thrived!  The wealthy may have grumbled but they sure did not go hungry!

And what of the wealthiest who not only do not pay taxes but hide what they do pay and lie when asked for the facts? I think we all know of whom I speak, uh, write!

This rant is being fed by an article I noticed in my local newspaper, Newsday.

The current Covid-19 pandemic, which has been made even worse by the incredibly inept resident of the White House and his Republican choir boys, has caused tremendous pain on Long Island and elsewhere around the country.

Layoffs, firings, business closings or bankruptcy have made it necessary for limited and immediate special aid for those who no longer have paychecks. Many of these former workers live paycheck to paycheck with very little in their rainy-day savings accounts.

As it turns out the aid can amount to a bit more than the workers were earning when they worked which is angering their former employers. They fear the recipients will not want to come back to work at their reduced salaries since they are getting the “handout.”

What these greedy unfeeling, uncaring dolts refuse to mention is that the aid is temporary and meant as a life-line to get them through this unprecedented period.

And if they really cared about the workers they laid off perhaps they would prove it by extending them a fair wage once things returned to normal.

And when I say normal I mean the new normal, since there is no way we will return to the way they were before Covid-19.

There is a push to make the minimum wage on Long Island $15 per hour but many have been paid less with waiters and others who rely on tips to get them through the week getting even less. Naturally it is always a fight between worker and employer as to what is a fair and reasonable price to pay for services rendered. And just as naturally the employer holds most of the cards if not all the money.

As an aside how many know that many employers feel it to be a crime for employees to discuss their salaries? That person could be fired for ‘cause.’ Most employers are not too fond of unions for similar reasons.  “Wait, you want safe and comfortable working conditions as well as a raise?”

Government worries that mandates forcing employers to pay higher wages would hurt our overall economy.

This could be true in the short term but if more citizens were paid enough to be able to save for a rainy day when clouds appeared, they wouldn’t drown in debt. And with more cash in the bank, banks would prosper and be able to loan money to help others and themselves.

Taxes are an obligation and the Nation’s life blood.

A healthy economy needs all citizens to be fair and play by the rules.

Because we are all in this together, and it takes money to run a country.

When the wealthy hoard the rest can’t afford.