12 Myths About Taxing the Rich | Robert Reich

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  • Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
  • Robert Reich debunks 12 misconceptions about tax policy in America.
    Watch More: Do Corporate Tax Cuts Actually Help Americans? ►► • Does Trickle-Down Econ...
    Citations: bit.ly/12mythscitations

КОМЕНТАРІ • 7 тис.

  • @RBReich
    @RBReich  5 років тому +1387

    If you found this video informative, be sure to also watch our video on the failure of trickle-down economics. ua-cam.com/video/cABuFmA3nhY/v-deo.html

    • @commie563
      @commie563 5 років тому +14

      Please sir, join with Birnie

    • @sluttymctits4496
      @sluttymctits4496 5 років тому +20

      Thank you, Mr. Reich. My boss (with whom I thankfully have a great relationship despite being opposites in nearly every way) is an intelligent, kind man, but is totally misguided about the myth of "trickle-down economics." I go crazy every time I hear about the "job creators." I'll definitely be trying to work some of this information into our periodic political discussions/arguments.
      Of course, I've tripped him up several times by rephrasing some points so it applies directly to him, but to no avail. Can't win them all, I guess.

    • @tylerdavidson9700
      @tylerdavidson9700 5 років тому +13

      @@sluttymctits4496 burst his bubble this way; all him how long his business and the jobs 'he' created would last without customers. After all, customers are the REAL job creators and always have been.

    • @sluttymctits4496
      @sluttymctits4496 5 років тому +14

      @@tylerdavidson9700 I've used that exact argument with him. He had a few moments of silence, clearly in deep thought, but then returned to "I don't care, I've got to get to work."
      Edit: I work in a higher-end dental office, my boss is the doctor, himself. What if he got $5 million tax kickback? Great! Would he reinvest in the business? Yes, if there was an increase in patients. What constitutes an appropriate increase -- three wealthy people who want a couple of crowns/implants/superficial veneers, or hundreds of middle-income families who want comprehensive care? That's what stumped him.

    • @tylerdavidson9700
      @tylerdavidson9700 5 років тому +8

      @@sluttymctits4496 that's because he knew you were right but couldn't admit it. Assume the sale and move on.

  • @ticnatz
    @ticnatz 5 років тому +4625

    It's amazing how people making $25,000 a year, buy the argument that rich people need tax relief.

    • @jujuria13
      @jujuria13 5 років тому +185

      propaganda?
      it made Germans think jews are vermins.

    • @JanisFroehlig
      @JanisFroehlig 5 років тому +44

      @@jujuria13 Maybe, but I think it's more critical for us all to suss out who's gonna be propagandizing, and why. Even "rich people" are doing "everything their supposed to" and can't figure out why "poor people" aren't happy.

    • @revspikejonez
      @revspikejonez 5 років тому +10

      @artie lusk is a dumb piece of shit.

    • @cyaman24
      @cyaman24 5 років тому +9

      @artie lusk Dammmmmnnnnnn Artie is mad mad😂😂😂😂

    • @petert1692
      @petert1692 5 років тому +56

      artie lusk When you lower taxes on the rich, Dubai loves it. You are misinformed and have bought into the baloney. It was not that long ago that incomes that exceeded $1 million were taxed at 90%. There was little debt. Like I’ve stated, you drank the kook aid.

  • @ericspencer8093
    @ericspencer8093 4 роки тому +1979

    Perfect example of this video in real life: my employer (a mid-sized company of 5,000 employees) boasted last year of crossing the 1 billion mark in revenue. They celebrated this milestone by issuing silver-embossed coffee mugs with the company logo to every employee, and for managerial staff, this was accompanied by a mini crystal trophy with 1 billion engraved on it. There was also a party with a ballroom, catering, lots of fanfare, and where execs lined up at the podium to give congratulatory speeches. Less than a month later, they issued a wage-freeze, cancelled bonuses, and did away with sick-leave. Three months after that, they fired 800 employees, and announced a slew of early retirements. The explanation: we're "restructuring" to position us for an even brighter future. Company stock went through the roof. Moral of the story: all the hard work, dedication, and success of our employees in earning record profits resulted in cuts, not rewards. The rewards go to the top, there's nothing but sacrifice for everybody else. And they think we don't see this!

    • @Sadowsky46
      @Sadowsky46 4 роки тому +73

      Sebastien Sade that‘s it: they even insult us additionally by thinking we don’t see it 🤮

    • @kristietamato
      @kristietamato 3 роки тому +77

      What a shit company. It’s sad but there are other companies like that. It seems to be the rule not the exception. Companies will do whatever for their bottom line.

    • @bobbycarter1293
      @bobbycarter1293 3 роки тому +26

      It’s sad but things like that is happening all over the country

    • @CJZM7777
      @CJZM7777 3 роки тому +64

      Corporate structure and GOP economics favor the wealthy. I started with a small company which became a huge company after several mergers and acquisitions. My experience is the same. The bigger we became the more wealth was centralized at the top. The company did everything it could to reduce labor cost such as out sourcing and frequent layoffs. In many years, there would be layoffs while the CEO and senior management got record bonuses and stock options. I shouldn't complain too much because I did reasonably well but it certainly could have been better.

    • @ericspencer8093
      @ericspencer8093 3 роки тому +50

      @@CJZM7777 And this is not lost on the "essential workers," who have less and less incentive to perform for somebody else's benefit.

  • @dag_of_the_west5416
    @dag_of_the_west5416 Рік тому +182

    I worked as an engineer for a small company supplying equipment to Samsung. Year on Year growth was up 60% yet the employer decided to make employees pay for healthcare (that had been provided) and freeze wage increases so we all had basically -$5000 raise a few months after the growth announcement. Meanwhile it was said that all of management got secret bonuses. In the parking lot literally every one of them stopped coming to work in a $35000 car and started showing up in a $75K plus car the next month. For context this was 15 years ago.

    • @karlabritfeld7104
      @karlabritfeld7104 Рік тому +21

      Not surprising. This is depressing.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 Рік тому

      And a lie won't say what corperation doing this

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 Рік тому

      Secret bonus for executives in a corperation is illegal do your homework before believeing democrat lies who will make up any story tell any lie to steal someone's else money corperations have to disclose top executive pay

    • @dag_of_the_west5416
      @dag_of_the_west5416 Рік тому +16

      @@fritzforsthoefel8031 It's not a lie Fritz. I do question your motives however because I've seen you spam pro corporate rhetoric in other threads and can't decide if you are a troll, bot or just incapable of being a decent human being.

    • @dag_of_the_west5416
      @dag_of_the_west5416 11 місяців тому +2

      @@fritzforsthoefel8031 Really? Publicly held corporations with shareholders probably must but this was a privately held LLC.

  • @clstanton11able
    @clstanton11able Рік тому +392

    Man, the biggest threat to our country is ignorance. So thankful for this channel.

  • @linwoodnymph6113
    @linwoodnymph6113 5 років тому +162

    Boss, "I worked hard for my money!"
    Employee, "B*llsh*t! I worked hard for your money!"

    • @lydiabell6218
      @lydiabell6218 4 роки тому +1

      This is excellent. Wonder if it is YOUR creation or a quote from someone else. I gotta remember that one.

    • @linwoodnymph6113
      @linwoodnymph6113 4 роки тому +6

      @@lydiabell6218 I heard it or something like it before, but I liked it, too! :-)

    • @sten260
      @sten260 3 роки тому +3

      well thats what you get for being a bitch and not being a boss

    • @boldizsarbajnoczi7586
      @boldizsarbajnoczi7586 3 роки тому

      welcome to marxism

    • @johnsimons8775
      @johnsimons8775 3 роки тому +2

      According to research,favorite saying of the jealous

  • @D4NCINGLL4M4
    @D4NCINGLL4M4 5 років тому +684

    Myth 12 - "It's their money, they earned it!" And we didn't?! 😂

    • @zacnieprawisz9171
      @zacnieprawisz9171 4 роки тому +8

      Marco Are you trolling?

    • @TokyoBlue587
      @TokyoBlue587 4 роки тому +86

      Earned it by exploiting the workers, giving low pay, low raises or no raises, no benefits like decent health insurance, etc

    • @jilliansmith7123
      @jilliansmith7123 4 роки тому +12

      Marco: You really think the rich don't get "more" when they earn more? Of course they do. And if they don't, they have lawyers and tax accountants and people who will help make damn sure they keep more of their own money. Average and poor people have to rely on Turbo Tax and their more disproportionately heavy burdens to wonder why getting ahead is o incredibly hard.

    • @elitewolverine
      @elitewolverine 4 роки тому +3

      No you didn't earn it.

    • @bennettd1209
      @bennettd1209 4 роки тому +7

      The right despises big government, and the left despises big business. Can we just agree that big is bad? Power corrupts.
      Also, the biggest issue I see is that big business has the money to find the loopholes. Several of the newer Republicans have been pushing to simplify regulations so that there are less loopholes and simpler forms.
      Finally, if you have read this far into my comment, I ask that you take the same step that I took to check out the opposition. There is a good video that is pretty short by PragerU called the Tale of the Three Brothers. There are definitely points to be made on either side, but this video addresses some of the biggest reasons why tax brackets are thought to be unfair.

  • @pete4693
    @pete4693 Рік тому +123

    I helped someone who worked in a collection agency and what I learned was that the rich are some of the worst at paying their debts.

    • @saulm1962
      @saulm1962 Рік тому +24

      Trump is a prime example.

    • @BenvolioCapulet9
      @BenvolioCapulet9 11 місяців тому +4

      Absolutely true.

    • @saulm1962
      @saulm1962 9 місяців тому +2

      @fritzforsthoefel8031 Elon musk not paying his rent on Twitter offices

    • @saulm1962
      @saulm1962 9 місяців тому

      @@fritzforsthoefel8031 stop licking the rich peoples boots

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 9 місяців тому

      And trump not paying his attorney fees still don't change the fact that the top five percent pay over half the federal taxes

  • @RansomeStoddard
    @RansomeStoddard Рік тому +32

    An economics professor once explained it like this: Suppose you give an extra $1 million per year to someone who already has $200 million. Will they increase spending? They probably already own all the cars, houses, and Lego sets they want. But, if you take that $1million and give 100 regular people each $10,000, they will likely buy cars, furniture, pay off debt, go on vacation, or find some other way to spend that money, that spending fuels the economy like rocket fuel.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 Рік тому

      Elon musk lives frugally and reinvests most of his money into the corperations he runs and paid 12 billion dollars in taxes what did the government do with Elon musk's money paid 750000 to Harvard to blow lizards off trees with leaf blowers mabey musk should get a tax cut so he can create more environmentally friendly products and employee more people he employees nearly 100000 jobs so who helps the economy more musk or lizard blowing government

    • @matslunde6238
      @matslunde6238 Рік тому +1

      Then he or she should not be a economics professor.. If you get 1 mill and have everyting you need, then what do you do with the money?? You invest them. Thats what you do

    • @RansomeStoddard
      @RansomeStoddard Рік тому +5

      @@matslunde6238 Right, you buy stocks or you put it in a tax shelter. You don’t go to Walmart and spend that money. You are doing nothing for the economy. If you give a poor person more money, they will spend it. That is money directly into the economy.

    • @nieselregen420
      @nieselregen420 9 місяців тому +5

      ​@@matslunde6238Exactly. You invest them, the money grows even more and there is even less money in the economy. Rich people don't return as much money into the economy like the ordinary.
      They literally take and never give back. Thanks for proving the point.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 6 місяців тому

      So you think we should steal someone's money if they don't spend like you think they should

  • @donsample1002
    @donsample1002 5 років тому +563

    "They won't be able to create jobs if you tax their money away!"
    Pretty much every dime spent creating a job is tax deductible. They only get taxed on money that they don't spend creating jobs.

    • @markfoster1520
      @markfoster1520 5 років тому +18

      "But I don't want to be more richer!"....not said very often.

    • @kerriwilson7732
      @kerriwilson7732 5 років тому +49

      Mostly true. Money spent on any consumer goods is taxed. Money circulated creates employment. If I'm stinking rich & pay $1000 for a meal, chefs, dishwashers, farmers, & truck drivers all get a slice. But the working class still creates the wealth, even though they don't control it. And creating wealth (working) out of necessity while the wealthy control inequitable division of said wealth, is exploitation. Society restraining exploitation through government is just. More equitable distribution of wealth to creators of wealth (workers) through the tax system empowers the creators of wealth, not punishes the controllers of wealth.

    • @schlangenbiss1
      @schlangenbiss1 5 років тому +14

      Those business tax deductions are paid by everyone. Sounds like socialism for businesses.

    • @AllyMonsters
      @AllyMonsters 5 років тому +25

      Really odd how Americas boon from 1951 to 1964 the top 1% were being taxed a whopping 91% top rate. From 1932 to 1986 the taxes of the 1% were at least over 50%. Since 2012 it's been at 43ish% top rate and 23% after taking advantage of the many loopholes in the tax code, leaving the rest of us pick up the tab.
      look for yourself its publick infromation.
      www.ctj.org/pdf/regcg.pdf

    • @schlangenbiss1
      @schlangenbiss1 5 років тому +17

      @@AllyMonsters The rich would rather be rich in a poor country than be rich in a rich country. One day the people will have enough and roll out the guillotines and then what will the greedy have to say about tax rates etc.

  • @mandiexxi4522
    @mandiexxi4522 3 роки тому +136

    I worked for GE, the Healthcare branch, many years ago. When our department met its financial target (which makes stockholders happy) by small, periodic layoffs to avoid notice by the media, cutting benefits, cutting corners on worker safety - basically all the unethical yet legal options available - the VP got a porche as a bonus. Everyone else, I mean EVERYONE ELSE, got a cheap t-shirt. The VP even called it that when he gave his stupid speech. He thought it was funny. But trust me, nobody laughed when he drove away in his porche. I took a magic marker and wrote "MY VP GOT A PORCHE AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY T-SHIRT." Everyone wanted me to make them one. Even the VP's assistant. She put one on his chair so he would see it when he came to work. He thought it was hilarious. He wasn't even pretending to care about the unfairness of it. All those people who worked their asses off to get HIM a frickin porche. No shame. Not even the pretense of humility or appreciation. Where is the humanity?

    • @chuckkottke
      @chuckkottke 3 роки тому +15

      Time for worker owned companies. All we have today is a more sophisticated form of economic feudalism, or plantation capitalism, where shares of plantations are traded amongst the owners with the Porsches that just laugh at us.

    • @Carl_Jr
      @Carl_Jr Рік тому +1

      Was that new front porche or back porche?
      Oh! You meant Porsche? LoL
      Here's an idea. Why don't YOU go back to school, get a business degree so you can work your way up the corporate ladder and get a Porsche, too, instead of letting your envy of others make you miserable?

    • @c.a.savage5689
      @c.a.savage5689 Рік тому

      Elsewhere. The humanity is Elsewhere. America is driven by Darwin-inspired capitalism and puritanism. Expect no less.

    • @d.e.b.b5788
      @d.e.b.b5788 Рік тому +6

      Executives reward other executives, for ideas which increase profits. They don't give a crap about the rank and file workers.

    • @manlyman2624
      @manlyman2624 Рік тому

      There is no humanity, it’s my belief that the Capitalist and Federal systems have failed America, rich corporations get richer and destroy not only peoples lives but the environment too, all the while the corrupt weak federal government which is mostly made up of ex business men with ties to big corporations let them run rampant while delivering a skewed stream of propaganda to the public and sweeping all the facts under the rug, for democracy to continue to exist, hell for the planet to continue to be habitable capitalism must be done away with or at least severely regulated and hampered

  • @geraldallocca6858
    @geraldallocca6858 Рік тому +36

    Thank you Robert! I often wonder what shape this country would be in if we had just left the tax rates as they were before the 1980s!!! What a crime!!! Literally!!!!!

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 9 місяців тому

      The top five percent pay over half the federal taxes and the average person draws out three dollars for every dollar paid in medicare taxes and the poor get subsidized housing food assistance cash assistance and free healthcare the rich pay almost all the federal taxes and get next to nothing in return

  • @lapislazarus8899
    @lapislazarus8899 3 роки тому +106

    What I love is how people that are nowhere NEAR rich parrot off these scary-sounding proposals for making this government work for all of us.

    • @lambchop6278
      @lambchop6278 Рік тому +15

      A lot were Fox News Anchors! 😏
      ...they may have been trying to keep their job and/or get promoted.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 Рік тому

      Skilled workers are paid good in private business what workers do you refer to

    • @Dead-Not-Sleeping
      @Dead-Not-Sleeping Рік тому +5

      ​@@fritzforsthoefel8031 "skilled workers are paid good [sic] in private business"
      If that were the case the middle class would not be evaporating.
      I'm guessing here but I assume "unskilled" workers get what they deserve because, I don't know, they are 16 or lazy?

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 Рік тому +1

      Do you think a fast food worker should make what a nurse or teacher or engineer does should there not be a wage gap

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 Рік тому

      If you look at the debt clock you will see that skilled labor is a minority of workers mabey that explains out declining liveing standards takes two instead of one to feed a family of four before big government it took one now two struggle to do it

  • @user-hl7bw8yw7n
    @user-hl7bw8yw7n 5 років тому +833

    America : higher taxes on the rich will kill the economy
    Northern and Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada : You sure 'bout that?

    • @brucemckay6615
      @brucemckay6615 5 років тому +3

      Константин Георгиев well one difference is that these countries don’t have state taxes, whereas in the US they do... so... that might be important at the margin...

    • @user-hl7bw8yw7n
      @user-hl7bw8yw7n 5 років тому +37

      @@brucemckay6615 Whatever the states do in the US is done by the government in other countries. The taxes are basically the same, the receiver is different

    • @yolamontalvan9502
      @yolamontalvan9502 5 років тому +23

      Константин Георгиев - It’s Official, the Republican Socialism, aka Capitalism IS DEAD IN AMERICA.
      Capitalism was great in the 1900 when you could hire 10 children to work for you, when there were no Social Programs like Social Security, Vets, Public Schools, Child Care, Women Voters, Housing, EPA, etc.
      Not even Canada wants it. Without Canadian Style Socialism, there would have been thousands of people freezing to death every winter. It’s a country of 30 million people and 36 billionaires.
      Our U.S. Style Socialism needs to be fixed (Social Security, Public Schools, Vets, Defence, Billionaires, Housing, etc).
      Don’t confuse it with Communism or North Korea, Cuban and Chinese Socialism, I love my freedom, we love our freedom.

    • @JohnJ469
      @JohnJ469 5 років тому +8

      As an Australian, yes, the Americans are right.

    • @SilortheBlade
      @SilortheBlade 4 роки тому +31

      @@brucemckay6615 "s that these countries don’t have state taxes, whereas in the US they do.." Wrong, in Canada at least. We pay federal and provincial taxes. I suspect that is the same in the other countries, but ultimately the names make no difference. Better to look at total % and amounts that people pay.

  • @veganeric
    @veganeric 4 роки тому +1342

    When Bernie first said “ billionaires shouldn’t exist” I thought that was a bit extreme. Some people do come up with great inventions or start businesses that benefit us and they should be rewarded. However, it’s hard to comprehend what a billion actually is, so I did a little calculation to put it in context. If a person made $25,000 per day, every day, starting on the day they were born how long would it take them to have $1 billion? Answer: 109 years and 188 days! Suddenly, I agreed with Bernie. No one “earns” that kind of money. Averaging out Jeff Bezos’ wealth this way, considering his age and $116.4b net worth (according to google), he had made over $5.67 million every day of his life. How can anyone defend that?

    • @larrynix4977
      @larrynix4977 4 роки тому +19

      But they should pay their fare share

    • @lydiabell6218
      @lydiabell6218 4 роки тому +286

      You forgot one thing - It is NOT BEZOS filling all the orders, but thousands of workers. HE COULDN'T DO IT BY HIMSELF. The only fair thing is either high taxation or PROFIT SHARING WITH EMPLOYEES WHO DO THE WORK, and WITHOUT WHOM he could not get rich. Any "entrepreneur" who needs a workforce NEEDS to SHARE HIS PROFITS wit those WHO DO THE WORK.

    • @lydiabell6218
      @lydiabell6218 4 роки тому +145

      BERNIE IS RIGHT!!!! Unfortunately, the American public loves guys like Bezos, who grow rich on other people's LABOR.

    • @shawnr771
      @shawnr771 3 роки тому +124

      @@lydiabell6218 Jeff Bezos is sitting on his ranch in west Texas, while his workers are taking a risk to go to work, and are being fired for speaking out about unsafe workplace practices during the pandemic.
      Jeff Bezos has made approx 23 billion during the pandemic.

    • @timothyn4699
      @timothyn4699 3 роки тому +35

      So, the invention of personal computers, and how it revolutionalized the world, isn't worth a billion dollars? How about the people who invented cars?
      So It'd be better if personal computers and cars didn't exist so that no one person can't have a billion dollars?
      It's like if you wrote a book for $1 and sold a million copies. You become a millionaire. Or 10mil people were willing to pay $100 for a computer (and we know many more ppl want computers and pay more than $100 for it) to become a billionaire. Are you evil or bad, or is Microsoft bad, bc a lot of ppl liked your product and were willing to pay money for it?

  • @engineeringartist4801
    @engineeringartist4801 Рік тому +12

    I worked for a company where the greedy owner hatched this plan: He reluctantly agreed to allow the employees off on holidays with pay, but in return they now "owed back" those hours without pay, at the time of his choosing, which was always overtime hours where they should have gotten time and a half anyway. After learning of this in my new management position I hatched my own plan. Without telling the owner I scheduled for the workers to come in on several Saturdays to pay back those hours. However, I let them bring their kids and all they had to do after clocking in, was just watch TV and enjoy all the pizza and ice cream I provided. No work. After a couple of those "special work days", no one owed back to the owner their swapped time.

    • @liam3284
      @liam3284 Місяць тому

      Nice one! ironically, you likely created more "value" than the owners stupid scheme did.

  • @rhodenaros
    @rhodenaros Рік тому +37

    So good to see this sane exposure. Over 20 years I've been shouting this and it's so sad to see that so many of my peers still think the system works because they are OK with their situation. Lately many of them have been shown their value to the rich and are starting to come around. The poor are dried up so they will extract the middle money. Just hoping they start pushing back and don't bend over like we've always been expected to do and complied.

  • @Gunman610
    @Gunman610 4 роки тому +759

    I love how so many pundits say, "That tax is unconstitutional, probably" or "I'm pretty sure it's unconstitutional."

    • @DamianOchramowicz
      @DamianOchramowicz 4 роки тому +56

      Me: high taxes are good, here are scientific evidences that support that claim
      my boomer uncle: lets imagine a strawman reality...

    • @channtastic
      @channtastic 4 роки тому +4

      I don’t care about the constitution taxation is extortion.

    • @jeffjames4064
      @jeffjames4064 4 роки тому +51

      Living in a country without paying taxes is much like renting a house and not paying the rent.
      It's pretty Damn simple.

    • @channtastic
      @channtastic 4 роки тому +2

      jeff James Not really. If the government would give up its monopoly on the market we wouldn’t have to pay taxes.

    • @guitarsANDcars39
      @guitarsANDcars39 4 роки тому +4

      High taxes effect everyone. Taxing the rich who own the stores will increase prices on everything. Everything will cost more. Small businesses will close down. Lots of people will lose their job and lots of people will be begging to the government to give them something.

  • @leeames9063
    @leeames9063 4 роки тому +723

    Pay me a million a year, and I would be happy to pay 70% in taxes. That still leaves me $300k a year. And after living off of less than $40k a year, living off of $300K a year would be a breeze!

    • @FriedrichHerschel
      @FriedrichHerschel 4 роки тому +96

      I wouldn't even know how to burn through so much money a year.

    • @ryarod
      @ryarod 4 роки тому +11

      I for one agree with this.

    • @channtastic
      @channtastic 4 роки тому +16

      Yeah because you’re really stupid. At the rate of inflation because of money manipulation a million a year is not enough. Especially because you think you can still live the lifestyle you live now but you won’t. You will move up in the social hierarchy of life and require a better lifestyle. You’ll buy a nicer house, a Porsche, etc. You will consistently take on liabilities.

    • @YourMajesty143
      @YourMajesty143 4 роки тому +105

      @@channtastic - Not necessarily. I would invest in a business or invest in experiences. The happiest people live in the income range of $75K to $90K. Anything below that typically acquires debt and/or relies on financing, anything above that forces you to move into more competitive social circles that force you to keep up with the Joneses. Both lifestyle aspects lead to misery. Knowing this, I'd live off of $90K and with the rest, invest it into ethical businesses & startups, donate to charity, donate to well meaning politicians, take up pet projects & activist programs, pay for kids colleges, travel, etc. And if I still have money left, I'd sponsor a child's education, an ex-convict's rehabilitation, or an inner city community, or just further invest extra dollars into activist programs.

    • @jaxxonthehealer6607
      @jaxxonthehealer6607 4 роки тому +14

      YourMajesty143 you need at least $200k a year to live comfortably in places like Los Angeles and even more in San Francisco. Cost of living is astronomical!

  • @TRUTHorSTFU
    @TRUTHorSTFU Рік тому +4

    This is one of the top 100 most informative and level headed videos on all of UA-cam.

  • @owennovenski4794
    @owennovenski4794 Рік тому +8

    You’re a treasure. Please continue to keep us informed. Love your clarity.

  • @SebastianTheGreat
    @SebastianTheGreat 4 роки тому +219

    How to know if you will be affected by the estate tax:
    If you can unironically call the piece of crap that you live in an “Estate.”

    • @matthewbrown5228
      @matthewbrown5228 4 роки тому +4

      An estate is money or property owned by one person...
      That's why when you want to buy a piece of property, you call a real "estate" agent...

    • @maryanneslater9675
      @maryanneslater9675 3 роки тому +16

      @@matthewbrown5228 -- Sebastian's point is that no one looks at their 6-room bungalow and calls it "an estate." Even if that's the legalese in wills and buying and selling.

    • @wimbledoncheese7467
      @wimbledoncheese7467 3 роки тому

      Im England an estate is where the poorest people live

    • @Theo-bb6pn
      @Theo-bb6pn 3 роки тому +1

      @@wimbledoncheese7467 the poorest people don’t own those places tho, the landlord and/or council own the land, and the poorest people rent

    • @lapislazarus8899
      @lapislazarus8899 3 роки тому

      An estate also concerns retirement accounts, life insurance, etc. I made $30k /yr working for the municipal animal shelter. I have a public employees retirement fund (piddling though it is) and I still had to name a beneficiary, and upon my death they would inherit that estate.

  • @spencerjames9417
    @spencerjames9417 5 років тому +329

    Too bad that the people who need to hear this the most have decided to shut out all dissenting voices

    • @starspaceschool587
      @starspaceschool587 5 років тому +6

      And the side listening to this are hiding in safe spaces and trying to have dissenting voices sent to jail.

    • @spencerjames9417
      @spencerjames9417 5 років тому +33

      @@starspaceschool587 i can't imagine missing the point of a simple comment as bad as you just did. Fucking idiot

    • @zacnieprawisz9171
      @zacnieprawisz9171 4 роки тому +14

      Kody Wilson Thank you for proving Jack James' point 😜

    • @starspaceschool587
      @starspaceschool587 4 роки тому

      @@spencerjames9417 I can't imagine missing the point of a simple response as bad as you did. Then again you made the comment so I shouldn't expect much of you.

    • @spencerjames9417
      @spencerjames9417 4 роки тому +10

      @@starspaceschool587 we've listened to the prevailing narrative constantly for decades-that the rich are untouchable

  • @evelynwald9132
    @evelynwald9132 Рік тому +5

    Thank you for providing the additional context around each of the myths instead of harping on bullet points that can scare people.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 10 місяців тому

      The top five percent pay over half the federal taxes and the top ten pay over seventy percent forty four percent pay no federal income tax

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 10 місяців тому

      The middle class draw more ss and medicare than they pay in taxes the poor get subsidized housing food assistance cash assistance and free healthcare the rich pay almost all the federal taxes and get next to nothing in return

  • @seattledanr5363
    @seattledanr5363 11 місяців тому +8

    Keep making these! These videos need to be shared broadly. Good job keeping to the facts and explaining observation. Citations of source data help quash naysayers.

  • @tshepomasiea3985
    @tshepomasiea3985 4 роки тому +451

    When you live in a society where you have two or three jobs and still struggle to pay for basics, the society is not a meritocracy. The economy is doing great, but for whom? Call your local hedge fund manager and ask how many blue collar workers own shares in the stock market?

    • @cyber151
      @cyber151 4 роки тому +28

      80% of stock owned by 1%.
      97% all new wealth generated goes to the top 0.01%

    • @vincentfalsitta5332
      @vincentfalsitta5332 4 роки тому +10

      this is so true. especially in today's economy. back in 1970s my father had worked as a dairy route driver
      and owned stocks in Cablevision
      and was supporting a family of 5 children. in today's economy most FAMILY'S Are small with 2 children
      and can't afford to buy stocks .let alone paying for there children's health care. buy the wealthy pushing everything onto the working FAMILY'S. less FAMILY'S have any wealth. but the wealthy experts everyone else to go off and fight for a country that doesn't care for them or there FAMILY'S.
      Bernie Sanders for president .its
      the choice of majority of the votes.
      making America great again and less GREEDY. to all those Republicans you caused this to happen. our country has always been great .

    • @MichaelRosmer
      @MichaelRosmer 4 роки тому +2

      This might be so but taxing the rich isn't going to solve that issue. Lowering costs for normal people and helping to increase their incomes is.

    • @MichaelRosmer
      @MichaelRosmer 4 роки тому +1

      @Scooters Videos what's a fair share and how do you determine it?

    • @evilnick2885
      @evilnick2885 4 роки тому +3

      if you are struggling to get by with 2 or 3 jobs then you probably have 2 or 3 kids and no actual skills. Maybe you should have produced some profitable skills before producing unprofitable children. As for the stock market, there are plenty of BC workers who have their own accounts set up with money managers for retirement and no one is stopping anyone from entering the market in one way or another.

  • @patrickegan8866
    @patrickegan8866 5 років тому +412

    We've seen a lot of these arguments in Australia over the past 10 or so years as well. Not a surprise that it's always off the back of Murdoch's media corporations

    • @TimBradleyFromOz
      @TimBradleyFromOz 5 років тому +12

      I just wrote the same thing!
      When will we wake up?
      We're a nation of trusting idiots.

    • @duncanyourmate2433
      @duncanyourmate2433 5 років тому +5

      Rupert has seen himself as ('kingmaker in chief since 1966),i am happy the UK took him , he took them to Wapping , now he has done the same in USA , Donny better do as his influenced , or he will be turned against ,by the very ,media that put him there , Watch , Rupert Has Form , in 3+ Continents ,

    • @uilium
      @uilium 5 років тому +2

      What is Murdich's Media in Australia? Is it a local access channel that plays the Lawrence Welke of Australia? idk...

    • @korisx
      @korisx 5 років тому +8

      I've never despised a man more in my life than that Sith Lord.

    • @fkrkf
      @fkrkf 5 років тому +12

      Sith Lord makes him sound too cool. Murdoch is nothing more then an entitled Machiavellian
      Lordling that was able to weaponize the western world's innate bigotry against commons sense pro working and middle-class policies.

  • @gregnixon1296
    @gregnixon1296 2 роки тому +68

    My wife got a bonus of $500, but received only $205 after taxes. I got a $3k raise last year that was a net of $143/mo. In middle America, it’s tough to get ahead when the government confiscates your efforts. Super wealthy have ways to shield their income from taxes. The middle class and lower income spend all their money just to get by.

    • @palladin331
      @palladin331 Рік тому +7

      Correct. Profits trickle up. And you and I paid for it. Those who have the money can afford to pay taxes. The rest of us can only pay out our salaries so that it can trickle up as profits to those who then find ways to avoid taxation.

    • @therighthandmann
      @therighthandmann Рік тому

      Be interesting to see the math on the $500 bonus with net of $205. Exactly what were those deductions?

    • @patsymoore-ff2gz
      @patsymoore-ff2gz Рік тому +8

      @@palladin331 we can thank Ole Reagan for that

    • @karlabritfeld7104
      @karlabritfeld7104 Рік тому +3

      And we are good citizens doing our part. The rich don't do their part.

    • @palladin331
      @palladin331 Рік тому +4

      @@karlabritfeld7104 We must spread the word that the wealth of the rich trickled up to them from everyone else. THAT is the true source of tax revenue, and that is why the wealthy own the Republican Party: to make sure that they pay the lowest possible tax. Social Security taxation should also be progressive just like other payroll taxes, with low wage earners paying a lower percentage and high wage earners paying a higher percentage; and it should be levied against ALL income. Minimum benefits should be set at a living income level. High incomes consisting of dividends, interest, and capital gains should be taxed as ordinary income. The threshold for inheritance taxation must be drastically lowered. And so on.

  • @kimz6855
    @kimz6855 Рік тому +3

    Like your videos Robert, and you have some strong points. As a Northern European it can be a little strange to see Americans beeing very patriotic and quoting "Ask not what your country can do for you..." and on the other hand act very "Every man for them self". But, I am also a citizen of the highest taxed country in the world Denmark, and see the other side of the coin. Public administration of money is usually very inefficient. An example is that public building projects NEVER EVER meets budgets or deadlines (at least in DK). The attitude seems to be: "Doesn't really matter, it is not MY money and we'll just get more funds". I think the core of it is a more caring for your fellow man, and a sense of understanding that when you protect the tribe, the tribe protects you. Was probably easiere to see in the stoneage :) Keep up the good videos. Don't always agree, but you don't get smarter only listening to people saying what you want to hear.

  • @samtunn
    @samtunn 5 років тому +92

    Anyone else notice the Ouija board spelling out “B E R N” at the end?

    • @DisketteDreams
      @DisketteDreams 5 років тому +5

      Yep, glad to see I'm not the only one

    • @FatNebraskaMom
      @FatNebraskaMom 4 роки тому +9

      I went back but yes ur right! CoMpletely! BERNIE FOREVER

    • @mediumstudio
      @mediumstudio 4 роки тому +2

      Yes!!!!!!! Bernie!!!!!!

  • @swift9415
    @swift9415 5 років тому +31

    Re: #12 there was something I heard once, but I can't remember exactly how it goes. But it was something along the lines of "Everything you are, you owe to Athens." It was basically an argument for the existence of taxation in the first place and the responsibility of those who had made their fortunes in a cultural environment to give back to the system that allowed them to succeed. Couldn't agree more.

    • @EmmaDilemma039
      @EmmaDilemma039 4 роки тому

      I'm rooting for Republicans to actually succeed in removing all taxes and government regulations. If they want to destroy America, then so be it.

  • @onethdasanayake3689
    @onethdasanayake3689 3 роки тому +113

    This guy did something in 8 minutes what our crappy education system couldn't do in 15 years

    • @ronald1111
      @ronald1111 Рік тому

      Math is always right always

    • @LordPadriac
      @LordPadriac Рік тому +4

      @@ronald1111 the problem is economics is not really math. Economics is sociology and policy and fear and hope and masses of people moving as one based on emotion as much as anything tangible. Only in college does anyone think economics is cold and predictable calculations.

    • @jeyruff429
      @jeyruff429 Рік тому

      @@ronald1111 (🍔 I'll take a Big Mac, large fries.... 😁 just kidding)
      Correction: *Correctly done* Mathematics is always CORRECT. Verily, Math careth naught for what is right and wrong, but doth only for the technical specialty, speciality, and proficiency of the logical functioning of the numeric acrobat.
      ....i think, i ain't gonna know a damn thing 'bout that stuff, I suck at math. 😆 kidding again 😉 --J

    • @jeyruff429
      @jeyruff429 Рік тому +3

      @@LordPadriac (Well, "Padriaise" the lord! 😆)
      You may be more correct than you know! Although, math certainly CAN track what's already _happened,_ and that can actually make pretty accurate predictions based on logic, reason, and most of all, WISDOM; but that isn't really a problem. Like you said: it's sociology, and a big part of that is people AGREEING and getting along with each other. So, a bigger problem is the actions of people in power don't always agree with what has _been agreed_ to be best for most people *by* most of those people..... Agreed? 🙂 --J

    • @brianwall9592
      @brianwall9592 Рік тому +1

      @@jeyruff429 indeed. >;]

  • @brinistaco1970
    @brinistaco1970 Рік тому +2

    watch out for rich people. If everyone knew this... wait, almost everyone I know does and still nothing is being done about it. I am thankful that you made this video. Maybe someday... Vote people, vote.

  • @sethseth9059
    @sethseth9059 5 років тому +475

    Also in Myth 12; the rich would be nowhere without their workers. At most a very successful mom and pop operation that pays the bills. To be wealthier requires the cooperation of others.

    • @RicardoLuna
      @RicardoLuna 5 років тому +5

      I think I don't get your point.

    • @WindFireAllThatKindOfThing
      @WindFireAllThatKindOfThing 5 років тому +39

      @@RicardoLuna That it would be easy to topple the rich who treat their meal tickets (employees) like serfs by simply embargoing any labor on their behalf.
      You know this as a labor union strike. And they were key to ending the grip of Robber Barons owning this country, as well as being the catalyst for the mid 20th century golden era of the middle class, and the most powerful economy the world had ever known at the time.
      Decades of successful propaganda demonizing unions by _one specific party_ have left a lingering, and false, sense that Unions are somehow the bad guy and you should trust your boss and his shareholders

    • @thomasr7129
      @thomasr7129 5 років тому +13

      Yup. And workers have to be educated, have access to a health plan of sorts and so forth.
      Also - infrastructure to create your product is needed. Roads, water, electricity...
      It is much harder to create wealth in a vacuum. If no regulation was so good for business, why not move to some failed states around the world with little or no gov't? They do exist.

    • @CarFreeSegnitz
      @CarFreeSegnitz 5 років тому +15

      Thomas Remme "...why not moved to some failed state...?". I constantly encourage taxes-are-theft people to move to Somalia. No taxes or gov't. Also no infrastructure, hospitals, or order. I'd strongly encourage anarchists to shut their own power and water off. They'd last 5 minutes before they become acutely aware of how nice it is to have electricity and running water that comes from a well-run society.

    • @dasikakn
      @dasikakn 5 років тому +13

      Right on! The workers should be rewarded for their work, and founders *should* be rewarded for their work _and _ their idea. But the idea is not worth THAT much more because where would it be without the work of others?

  • @broodypie2216
    @broodypie2216 5 років тому +150

    1/6 of my pay is taken every paycheck, I only made 7,000 last year, the logistics problem of working and eating was harder to solve than any job trump has ever had

    • @heyheyhey0220
      @heyheyhey0220 5 років тому +2

      Bullshit.

    • @xjarheadjohnson
      @xjarheadjohnson 4 роки тому +19

      American tax rates of the Mid-20th Century.
      teachinghistory.org/history-content/ask-a-historian/24489
      _"In 1944-45, 'the most progressive tax years in U.S. history,' the _*_94%rate_*_ applied to any income above $200,000 ($2.4 million in 2009 dollars, given inflation)."_
      Those federal income tax’s top rates coming out of World War II, which Eisenhower left in place into the 1960s resulted in, arguably, the most prosperous time in U.S. history. Often referred to as, "The Greatest Generation."

    • @jveebklyn1644
      @jveebklyn1644 4 роки тому +13

      @gayboyzig The standard deduction for a single person under age 65 was $13600 for 2018. No federal income tax owed. FICA and Medicare withholding would be approximately 7%, not 17%(1/6). At $7000 in income the taxpayer might be eligible for the Earned Income Credit. The EIC is a refundable credit, meaning you could get money back even if you didn't put any in.
      In conclusion, I wouldn't call bullshit, but I would say ignorance. Not Trump's fault.
      Advise taxpayer to adjust withholding with employer and spend less time trolling the internet to complain and more time using it to learn.
      Contact IRS and inquire about VITA for free assistance preparing your federal income tax return.

    • @Stygia96
      @Stygia96 4 роки тому

      @@jveebklyn1644 damn dude. Well spoken

    • @jveebklyn1644
      @jveebklyn1644 4 роки тому +3

      @@sapphireriddles6692 I don't believe I was ever able to convince anyone to take the advanced EIC. People tend to like big refunds.
      There probably should be some kind of education provided as part of the high school curriculum. Just some basic guidance on employment and taxation.

  • @joeyjojo84
    @joeyjojo84 Рік тому +3

    I think there’s some truth to the one about tax avoidance. From what I understand, a lot of super rich people have offshore accounts and holding companies etc. you could triple their tax rate and still not see a cent if they’re holding it offshore.
    Plus increasing the tax rate will probably make people who weren’t previously using tax havens decide to start doing it.
    I’m not saying don’t tax the rich, but put laws in place to stop them hiding their earnings and assets first.

  • @eponymousIme
    @eponymousIme Рік тому +6

    Great job. Love Robert Reich. Will always listen to any presentation he makes.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 9 місяців тому

      He said sixty percent of wealth is inherited misleading only nine percent of the rich inherited there wealth

  • @zacnieprawisz9171
    @zacnieprawisz9171 4 роки тому +514

    Your channel is a perfect medicine to cure PragerU's diesease.
    Thank you for your work.

    • @carlmannhard8051
      @carlmannhard8051 4 роки тому +18

      PragerU is so scary.

    • @theminuteman6211
      @theminuteman6211 3 роки тому +2

      @@carlmannhard8051 How so?

    • @metalDCM8
      @metalDCM8 3 роки тому +3

      @@theminuteman6211 I could give you a couple reasons but this guy has actually spent the time doing the research
      m.ua-cam.com/video/EM7BgrddY18/v-deo.html

    • @theminuteman6211
      @theminuteman6211 3 роки тому +1

      @@metalDCM8 What research? 12 minutes in and it seems reliant on guilt by association and equivocation. Regardless, no source of information or opinion should be regarded as "scary" or "cancerous".

    • @metalDCM8
      @metalDCM8 3 роки тому +5

      @@theminuteman6211 actually you’re right, it isn’t research, it’s personal opinion, I should’ve said he put the effort in.

  • @alexb8433
    @alexb8433 3 роки тому +83

    I need a glowing eyes edit of Reich saying “R U B B I S H”

  • @Grumpyoldman037
    @Grumpyoldman037 9 місяців тому +1

    I have always had the greatest respect for you, Robert, and I am glad that I have found your UA-cam channel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, See you next video!

  • @ramanb
    @ramanb 11 місяців тому +2

    Thank you Robert! Please keep educating!

  • @hlgarrett3
    @hlgarrett3 5 років тому +40

    I don't even think you would have to necessarily raise taxes on the rich. Just cut out all of the loopholes. If I have a regular old income tax and we add in social security, medicare and state. I'm taxed around 28% of my income. Period. Point blank. Across the board. Year after year after year. Even after paying in and claiming 0, most times I still owe at filing. While if Amazon had to play by the same set of rules they'd be looking at about a $650 million dollar tax bill year after year after year. And that's just one giant. Just imagine how wealthy the whole country would be. There would be no deficit. There would be surpluses every year. But, as long as the rich remain drunk on greed and power, and we continue to let them remain in power, then things will never change.

    • @SherrifOfNottingham
      @SherrifOfNottingham 5 років тому +7

      Activision Blizzard got a tax refund of 4.3 billion dollars, a supposed negative 51% tax rate imposed, giving them money.
      Yeah, closing loopholes should happen, cause right now a homeless person is paying not only a higher percentage of their income, but a larger number of dollar bills as these mega million dollar corporations.

    • @jochentram9301
      @jochentram9301 5 років тому +4

      Problem is, especially with corporations, much of the shenanigans happen *before* the final profit-loss statement. And some of those are actually legit, or at least can be. Expenses for materials used in production, for wages, licensing fees, etc. all result in a lower profit margin. Of course, large, and especially multinational corporations can play games with that, e. g., a very high licensing fee for the right of US company to use a certain corporate logo, owned by a Company located in some tax haven. Like certain Channel Islands, Ireland, or some US states.
      And flat tax rates are regressive, anyway.
      By the by, that's the beauty of Warren's proposal: it keys off the profit reported to *shareholders*. Which would leave companies having to choose between reporting high profits, and paying taxes, or avoiding high profits using shenanigans, not paying taxes, and losing shareholder confidence. Elegant. I love it.

  • @lorigilbert6811
    @lorigilbert6811 5 років тому +358

    Well if the rich should get to keep their $ because they earned it...why do I as someone who is not well off & has to actually work for a living have to give up any of my $ to taxes?! Using their logic-- since I earned it, I should get to keep it all. I shouldn't have any taxes taken out of my paychecks etc. What the rich need to realize is if it weren't for us lowly middle/poor classes holding them up they wouldn't have any $ to be worried about in the first place. This was a very informative video!

    • @Ceyx000
      @Ceyx000 5 років тому +3

      Do you receive a "tax refund"? If Yes, stfu.
      You didn't pay any taxes. Pay your fair share.

    • @Shwwoomm
      @Shwwoomm 5 років тому +34

      @@Ceyx000 it's not like you get all your taxes back tho...

    • @UserName-us1nm
      @UserName-us1nm 5 років тому +32

      @@Ceyx000 Spoken like somebody who doesn't understand taxes and how they work.

    • @Ceyx000
      @Ceyx000 5 років тому +1

      @@UserName-us1nm lol, because you say so? OK bud.
      Taxation is Theft. The U.S. Constitution states what may be taxed/tariffed and for what reason.
      The above comment claims "but ya don't get all your taxes back" only if you live in a State that applies State Income Taxes. You're free to move to another State, there's 50 of them, and quite a few with 0% State income tax.
      The "Rich" pay over 70% of the taxes taken in as revenue by the Fed Gov.
      There is no such thing as "limited supply of wealth" in the U.S. economy. That "Supply" is limited by personal ambition.

    • @g2trashtxd781
      @g2trashtxd781 4 роки тому

      @Adam George What's your view on a 1.5 percent transaction tax?

  • @joshuamoreland4841
    @joshuamoreland4841 3 роки тому +2

    The fact is there are three types of incomes: Earned income. Passive income, and portfolio income. The only income that is taxed is the Earned income. The earned income needs to stop being taxed because our long hours of labor, sacrifices, and time away from our families should be enough!

  • @blackmage471
    @blackmage471 Рік тому +11

    For the last myth, "they earned their wealth," it's also worth noting the rich never would have gotten rich in the first place if it wasn't for their employees and their customers.

    • @shadowmancer99
      @shadowmancer99 6 місяців тому

      Not true. Look at any professional athlete, like Mike or James. Look to those visionaries who brought forth who news dimensions to media, entertainment, communication. They came up with the ideas and shouldered the risks to getting them out. Yes, employees are important, but not all people are created equally, though all should be treated equally under law. Some are simply smarter, more valuable than others. A doctor is worth more than a janitor in the absolute value sense. Hurts some to realize that and nearly any functioning adult is worth heaps more than an addict. The never ending envy of the masses is why few succeed and most fail, cause most of you dont worry about running your own lives, and merely wish to dream about the lives of others.

    • @monkeybusinesspictures1971
      @monkeybusinesspictures1971 4 місяці тому +1

      Earned every dime of my wealth…

    • @kylewatson5133
      @kylewatson5133 28 днів тому

      Wrong. They would have never gotten rich if the government couldn't take money from the middle class to pay enforcers to protect their monopolies and to create legislation that fortifies their positions. This dude is a government shill, you're being conned.

  • @Stuart68505
    @Stuart68505 3 роки тому +72

    This was quite informative. You didn’t mention all the loopholes which the very rich have created for themselves in our government structure. No mention of large corporations which manage to avoid paying taxes at all.
    They utilize our roads, internet, airports and every form of popular communication to advertise, process orders and ship them.

    • @patsymoore-ff2gz
      @patsymoore-ff2gz Рік тому

      I call that watering down the antitrust laws . They were put in place for that very reason, to stop the monopoly from getting bigger, you get To much of the economy monopolized, you don't have a capitalist system any more . The knowledge given by God, in automation and technology, if held in grander, to create monopoly and chain instead liberty , the knowledge is like a double edge sword, for all the good you get just as much bad

  • @grmpEqweer
    @grmpEqweer 5 років тому +143

    Buy American-purchase a congressmember today!

    • @markfoster1520
      @markfoster1520 5 років тому +2

      ooooh!...so good!

    • @stevet7522
      @stevet7522 5 років тому +1

      Nah congrasmembers cost too much and there isn't a generic branded option to get.

    • @antonf.9278
      @antonf.9278 5 років тому +2

      @w b but most of them are owned by one of two companies totally monopolized

    • @swinde
      @swinde 5 років тому +4

      Too late ... for the most part all are currently bought and paid for.

    • @diceman199
      @diceman199 5 років тому +2

      There is a scene is a TV series called Leverage. The guy is saying 60-100k well spent will get somebody into congress and because the incumbency rate is so high you can get years of use out of them. ua-cam.com/video/CbE3q4oO2JQ/v-deo.html

  • @traymuse
    @traymuse 9 днів тому

    Thank you for attempting to educate us.

  • @david5544g
    @david5544g 10 місяців тому +1

    Did anyone notice that the people who are taxed the least, if anything, yet use the most of the total taxes also complain about it the most?

  • @sciencewizard8805
    @sciencewizard8805 4 роки тому +93

    I remember when I was a young adult, me and my gf both thought if you were in a higher tax bracket, that it affected all your income. This myth is way too common; school didnt help me here, but the internet eventually did. Although the internet is a complicated tool too; went down all kinds of rabbit holes for a while.

    • @sten260
      @sten260 3 роки тому

      rich actually use their money productively, obviously you tax investment gains less than income or consumption... because it's beneficial to the country and the economy (everybody). how else are you gonna motivate people to invest their money or starting businesses?? if you only work 9 - 5 you are useless, you deserve to pay most taxes

    • @ashs4080
      @ashs4080 3 роки тому +8

      @@sten260 “useless” 🤣🤣🤣 bruh you not realize that over 60% of wealth is fucking inherited? most of us don’t come from privileged ass backgrounds where we can free-ride on mommy and daddy’s $$$. the 9-5 workers are the ones putting in the labor and time necessary to make the corporations functioning. Meanwhile, the ultra rich have all sorts of resources they can utilize to evade/avoid paying taxes (starting bullshit foundations/nonprofits, corporate tax havens in random ass islands w/that money never being used to actually invest in the economy, lobbying for subsidies and other regulatory concessions from the gvt, etc). This is exactly what unfettered laissez-faire capitalism, neoliberalism, and other similar capitalistic policies result in.
      you also do understand that the small businesses/other entities are provided grants and other sources of funding from the gvt right? we’re targeting the bullshit behavior that multinational corporations have engaged in and trying to hold them accountable for the numerous costs they’ve chosen to simply externalize. and as for your notion that the rich “earned” their money, that’s absolute horseshit. if you paid attention to the video, you’d realize that the ceos and major shareholders simply inflated the stock market prices, as this is an extremely easy way to make more $$ quickly without doing anything productive to actually help bolster the economy. continue enjoying the indoctrination from the corporate rich, whether it’s the dems or the Republicans screwing you over 👊👊👊

    • @sten260
      @sten260 3 роки тому

      @@ashs4080 dude the guy who owns most shares of Coca Cola or Mcdonalds are wayyy more important than any worker there, it doesn't matter at all if they got it inherited or not. The point is that they have the money so that money is more useful than your life, so shut the fuck up

    • @anthonytom-duyquang3558
      @anthonytom-duyquang3558 3 роки тому +6

      @@sten260 How tf is money more important than a human life?

    • @sten260
      @sten260 3 роки тому

      @@anthonytom-duyquang3558 how the fuck it isn't? with money u can build cities, 1 useless person doesn't do shit for anybody

  • @Stuart68505
    @Stuart68505 3 роки тому +47

    We should hear this side of the story more often. It was very informative.
    Thank you Robert Reich

  • @theclimateClub
    @theclimateClub 3 дні тому

    Brilliant video

  • @thomascleveland3401
    @thomascleveland3401 Рік тому +2

    Thank you for stating all of this in an easy to understand format!

  • @cosimoto8700
    @cosimoto8700 5 років тому +44

    I like how only the rich are torn up about this. Time to feel what us middle class folk feel everyday.

    • @Nerdsammich
      @Nerdsammich 4 роки тому +3

      Except they won't, even with ludicrously high tax rates. Know how hard it hits Jeff Bezos's standard of living if you take away 99.9% of all his assets? Not one bit because he'd sell be left with over a hundred million dollars. Enough money to paper over the planet and it's still not enough.

    • @kylewatson5133
      @kylewatson5133 28 днів тому

      Yes, they are torn up, please don't throw them in the briar patch!

  • @00through99
    @00through99 5 років тому +95

    I wish all the sources were in the description.

    • @shmuels1383
      @shmuels1383 5 років тому +34

      They are in the top left corner of the video, though putting them in the description would be nice

  • @Dachvidful
    @Dachvidful Рік тому

    "trickled on economics" is the true phrase I beleive.

  • @mrjmorovis
    @mrjmorovis 2 роки тому

    Accurate analogies for "trickle down" economics.
    You can die of thirst with a trickle of water.
    If you only water your garden and sprinkle your lawn the garden will thrive.
    You can die of hunger if you get fewer and fewer calories over time.

  • @richardmccombs617
    @richardmccombs617 5 років тому +147

    Thank you. Good to hear the truth. A dollar given to the rich is unnoticed but a dollar given to a poor person is spent at a local store and boosts the economy.

    • @alkukayen4150
      @alkukayen4150 5 років тому

      Richard McCombs We aren’t giving money to the rich... what

    • @richardmccombs617
      @richardmccombs617 5 років тому +12

      Yes we are with no benefit to society. I highly believe in “we the people” which our government should be all inclusive. I might , and often am opposed to some policies that are first stated but always come around if it’s for everyone. As far as the rich getting richer there is historically bad things that happen when the devision of wealth becomes to great. It does not benefit anyone. Look at Italy in 60s and 70s rich we’re getting kidnaped and we’re prisoners in their own homes. Hitler came to power as a people’s person to take back wealth that he thought was stolen from the common man. Russian rebellion where a false communism was put in place. All bad things with one thing in common , wealth growing disproportionate to the society at whole.

    • @alkukayen4150
      @alkukayen4150 5 років тому +2

      Italy had a crime problem in general. Hitler came to power by manipulating the common German who’s economy was ranked by an unfair treaty by the allies, the rich was uninvolved. Russia’s rebellion was anarchists versus monarchy, we don’t have a monarchy. None of those examples had to do with a class divide.
      You gave zero evidence to support us giving money to the rich.
      There is very little evidence to support that tax money would go to the impoverished anyway.

    • @richardmccombs617
      @richardmccombs617 5 років тому +4

      Not my idea to debate you here , some of your comments are partially true (as well as mine) . Think I’m understanding why you name is super monkey though. Lol.

    • @alkukayen4150
      @alkukayen4150 5 років тому

      was that a race joke?

  • @satevo462
    @satevo462 5 років тому +226

    It's pretty simple. When you pay the people more they have more money to spend on goods and services. Keep wages low and the economy stagnates.

    • @markfoster1520
      @markfoster1520 5 років тому +7

      Isn't that what caused the Great Depression? People bringing in the wealth...had no money for the wealth! Just saying.....

    • @bkolumban
      @bkolumban 5 років тому +8

      @@markfoster1520 It's not that hard to remedy ones ignorance, but nearly impossible to remedy ones image of being ignorant.
      www.history.com/topics/great-depression/great-depression-history#section_1

    • @NUCLEARARMAMENT
      @NUCLEARARMAMENT 5 років тому +6

      @@bkolumban The Great Depression was initiated and then prolonged for more than a decade by FDR's and the Federal Reserve's ignorant policies.

    • @ExPwner
      @ExPwner 5 років тому +16

      No, that's completely wrong. The actual wage level is irrelevant. What matters is what it can buy. The notion of just having more zeroes on your paycheck can be found in Zimbabwe. Do you think it was great for them just spending more on goods and services?

    • @eddgrs9193
      @eddgrs9193 5 років тому +10

      Congratulations, you just posted the definition for inflation.

  • @howardzochlinski43
    @howardzochlinski43 Рік тому +1

    Brilliant. You deserve many more views. A pity honesty is ignored and lies are praised.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 10 місяців тому

      He lies by withholding information you are aware that the top five percent pay over half the federal taxes

  • @shannonbaker7314
    @shannonbaker7314 Місяць тому

    Keep up the good work! You are great at making these things understandable. I wish you had a column in the New York Times where you could help them tell the public what we need to know.

  • @peterpalov5157
    @peterpalov5157 5 років тому +117

    Thank you Robert, thank you for educating the world without teachers we would all be doomed!

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 10 місяців тому

      He lies by withholding information he never tells you that the top five percent pay over half the federal taxes and he never tells you that the the middle class draw more ss and medicare than they pay in taxes the rich pay almost all the federal taxes and get next to nothing in return

  • @byron2521
    @byron2521 5 років тому +5

    I like what Warren Buffett said once about taxes on corporations. he said "when I go into a meeting about the costs of a new business, taxes never even enter into the conversation."

    • @michasosnowski5918
      @michasosnowski5918 5 років тому

      Maybe becouse he can afford them? Or afford army of accountants to mitigate their burden? Usual person or small enterpreneur cant.

  • @palladin331
    @palladin331 Рік тому +2

    Robert, please include in your talks that all wealth, including inherited wealth, was produced by our economic system. It was produced by everyone's labor and everyone's consumption. Every bit of profit consists of our money. The more wealth one has, the less everyone else has. It must be taxed accordingly. After all, those who have little money can hardly pay any tax at all - because their earnings trickled up through profits to others.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 9 місяців тому

      Not true in order for musk to expand telsa he has to sell more electric cars hire more people pay more taxes jealousy is bad for the economy

  • @jbdelphiaiii7637
    @jbdelphiaiii7637 Рік тому +2

    The drop from 90% in 1963, oddly enough, was a President Kennedy action.
    I was a little shocked to learn the billionaires that emerged in the late 60s, early 70s really were made possible from that slipppery slope start by one of my heroes.

  • @fadechicobuarque1989
    @fadechicobuarque1989 5 років тому +24

    7:07
    Ok. I am in love with this channel now.

  • @EnlightenedSavage
    @EnlightenedSavage 5 років тому +106

    Chomsky taught us this a long time ago.

    • @JacktheRah
      @JacktheRah 5 років тому +5

      Daddy Chomsky 🖤❤️

    • @truehare
      @truehare 5 років тому +5

      Yeah, and it seems we didn't learn anything from him. 😕

    • @FJoeB1998
      @FJoeB1998 5 років тому +3

      Oh wow, the guy who defended the Khmer Rouge said it so it must be right. Fuck Chomsky.

    • @andriboda1944
      @andriboda1944 5 років тому +1

      Isaak Mercado can you link to him saying or writing this please?

    • @swikaharra
      @swikaharra 5 років тому

      Yep but none yet succeded to thaught us to to effeciently fight this...how we as the poor& middle class can fight back ...what would be the best plan? A revised french revolution? A reboot? What can we do to tell both the 1% & the politicians enough is enough

  • @MarcelLWalker
    @MarcelLWalker 9 місяців тому +1

    This was the best 8+ minutes I spent this weekend. Thank you!

  • @taohuang359
    @taohuang359 4 роки тому +118

    I found this “Myth Busters” episode both informative and very entertaining. You and your channel should be nominated for a Streamy award. Keep up the great work. I just wish more people knew the facts as well as you do.

    • @larrynix4977
      @larrynix4977 4 роки тому +2

      i posted it on facebook

    • @spencer3
      @spencer3 3 роки тому

      The only problem is that a lot of the 'facts' don't have sources. Sure he cited the graphs, the data, but not how well established the conclusions are. I found the video informative but he presented info almost the same way as the news anchor, in the end only leaving me with ideas and not facts that dispel the myths.

    • @elizabethsohler6516
      @elizabethsohler6516 3 роки тому +1

      He should. He was Secretary of Labor.

    • @beverly719
      @beverly719 2 роки тому +1

      @@spencer3 you could look into it, but his facts are accurate

    • @shonbratton1906
      @shonbratton1906 Рік тому

      Here in the rich part of the south, if I posted the truth as you did. It would ruin my social life. My job growth in my company

  • @saoirsemurray1310
    @saoirsemurray1310 5 років тому +22

    4:00 I'd reframe this differently. If the top 1% holds 90% of the wealth, then tax revenue should be NO LESS than 90% from these individuals.

    • @starspaceschool587
      @starspaceschool587 5 років тому +2

      Majority of tax comes from income, not wealth.

    • @fionaanderson5796
      @fionaanderson5796 4 роки тому +1

      @@starspaceschool587 Just because that's what's currently happening does not mean that's how it SHOULD be.
      That which does not circulate is only making the rich richer and doing nothing for the economy. Money has to be spent to create gdp.

    • @starspaceschool587
      @starspaceschool587 4 роки тому

      @@fionaanderson5796 Ok lets do it at a local scale. How would you like to pay 5% of your house's worth to the government every year?
      Why should I work and accumulate wealth to leave to my children if the government takes all of it before I can?

    • @RyMuEntertainment
      @RyMuEntertainment 4 роки тому +1

      @@fionaanderson5796 and how is that any of your business? Why penalize ambition? Why punish someone because they figured how to work to get their money as opposed to settling in mediocrity? You people are disgusting... It's a pity all the rich folk just won't stop working all together shut down all their businesses amd see how well your government will provide when they have gone. Smh

    • @fionaanderson5796
      @fionaanderson5796 4 роки тому

      @@starspaceschool587 i have a small vacant block of land out of town. The plan was to build a house and stop paying rent on someone else's mortgage, which i can't now afford to do. The rates (local government taxes) on that ARE over 2% every year.

  • @gyrogearloose1345
    @gyrogearloose1345 11 місяців тому +1

    Well said Robert Reich! Thank you Sir for your clear and concise points about this very important topic. If only more Americans - and people of the "rich" countries the world over - could hear and understand this analysis. People wake up! Please, if you don't get it, replay the video. There's gotta be at least a few points that ring true for you.

  • @Burtsbuddy
    @Burtsbuddy Рік тому

    Born an raised in NL, Canada,blessed.

  • @haydenwayne3710
    @haydenwayne3710 4 роки тому +39

    Keep on telling it, Robert. You are a breath of much needed fresh air! Thank you.

  • @josephfigliuolo7286
    @josephfigliuolo7286 4 роки тому +52

    "Trickle down mentalities" ? Urinate on people who pay income taxes.

  • @seankelly3774
    @seankelly3774 Місяць тому

    Quite brilliantly explained!

  • @arc5040
    @arc5040 Рік тому

    Love the margined 'sources' THANKS

  • @NothingYouHaventReadBefore
    @NothingYouHaventReadBefore 3 роки тому +10

    Amazing how many people study economics for years and years and years and NEVER get to the conclusion that capitalism is at the very least a bit exploitative.

    • @fritzforsthoefel8031
      @fritzforsthoefel8031 9 місяців тому

      Name one nation where communism worked

    • @fray3dendsofsanity
      @fray3dendsofsanity 7 місяців тому

      Almost like all the curriculum criticizing capitalism has been gutted by schools. How convenient

  • @sonnyjones109
    @sonnyjones109 5 років тому +63

    We need to “ save democracy from oligarchy”

    • @KingoftheJuice18
      @KingoftheJuice18 5 років тому +7

      And from plutocracy.

    • @wickedsteve
      @wickedsteve 5 років тому +3

      is it too late?

    • @markfoster1520
      @markfoster1520 5 років тому +2

      "Is it too late?" People......?

    • @555Trout
      @555Trout 5 років тому

      We're a Republic dwarf.

    • @wickedsteve
      @wickedsteve 5 років тому +4

      @@555Trout we are a democratic republic if you want to get technical and btw insults dont shore up a weak opinion

  • @robertderamo8943
    @robertderamo8943 Рік тому +2

    In parallel of trying to reform tax code, can we find ways to limit where or how these fortunes can be spent? For example limiting how much can he donated to politics or even just enforcing monopoly laws. Some of those seem easier than getting into the tax code. While working on that, maybe smaller gains can be made on other areas at the same time. Just a thought

  • @Praetor_Fenix420
    @Praetor_Fenix420 Рік тому +1

    Trickle-down economics is polite way to say the rich pissing on you.

  • @seraphjohanson3402
    @seraphjohanson3402 3 роки тому +37

    Anyone in the comments love guillotines? I *love* guillotines.

    • @yeetboiboid751
      @yeetboiboid751 3 роки тому +1

      In a videogame obviously, because violence is bad

    • @jupiterjam9776
      @jupiterjam9776 3 роки тому

      @@yeetboiboid751 false needless violence is useless

  • @henryv.3272
    @henryv.3272 5 років тому +25

    This is such a hotly debated topic and everyone has their own OPINIONS of what is right and wrong. While I hate to see the bite that Uncle Sam takes out of my paycheck it is still my privilege to pay taxes and enjoy all of the freedoms that I have. Avoiding this responsibility just makes you selfish, you want to get all of the benefits of our modern society while not contributing to it.
    Don't get me wrong, I don't want to give away any more money than I have to, but I sure am happy to see a firefighter, police officer, a standing bridge, or even a school where kids can learn to read.
    A 100% pure capitalist economy would have zero public programs, and zero anti-trust laws, and zero regulations on labor.
    That results in 70hr work weeks, no over-time, and no paid time-off, predatory lending, and monopolies this list goes on. All of the rules we complain about today are a counter to a long forgotten real life situation where the government said a business had gone too far against the public. No do some of these rules need to be updated to make them relevant to today's modern society, yeah. Should we toss out the baby with the bath water, no.
    The government's job is to establish the rules of the game, to be a referee, and if called for, punish the ones who violate the rules. The government also has the responsibility to nudge industries toward the future. Without emissions and fuel economy standards cars would not have evolved much from the gas guzzlers of the 1970s. All that being said a global/national economy is a very complicated thing to manage, there is no simple solution, like 35% tax across the board. I hope people will understand that most of the people you see on cable news are trying to sell you an agenda.

    • @Adamantium9001
      @Adamantium9001 5 років тому +1

      Point of order: the video game industry already hits 100-hour workweeks sometimes.

    • @Poppa_Capinyoaz
      @Poppa_Capinyoaz 5 років тому +2

      Hotly debated. Anyone who is a shill for the rich doesn’t want it, anyone with a brain does.

    • @stuartd9741
      @stuartd9741 4 роки тому

      I believe the the argument is the rules seem different, between rich and poor (er) in society.
      It appears the rich gain preferential treatment - namely loopholes.
      Which poor (er) in society are not able to access.
      If the rules were the same , I guess, most wouldn't care if certain people earnt $millons - if they were taxed the same.

  • @ninatrabona4629
    @ninatrabona4629 8 місяців тому +1

    I knew a married couple, a mechanic and a public school teacher, who found out from the lawyer doing their wills that they were in line to pay federal and state estate taxes. The dollar amount excluded from the estate tax is changed infrequently. The amount is not indexed to inflation. Perhaps it is one of those contentious political issues that no one dares to touch?

  • @calliope6623
    @calliope6623 Рік тому +1

    Rich people mainly gain wealth through inheritance, the value produced by other people's labor, and returns from having invested the large amounts of money gained from those sources. I don't understand why we are so overly sentimental about this topic. People talk about the allegedly sacred relationship between a billionaire and his money the same way they would talk about the relationship between a little girl and her dog.

  • @harystore6691
    @harystore6691 5 років тому +37

    An eye opening information,keep up good work

  • @raywates5274
    @raywates5274 3 роки тому +30

    Excellent. Love Robert Reich’s clear & concise explanation of Economic issues. Debunks the Right’s lies!

  • @kylehart6893
    @kylehart6893 Рік тому +1

    incredible work Robert

  • @stevensica89
    @stevensica89 Рік тому

    Guys, they invest and create jobs in the PRC, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mexico, Indonesia and other similar places like that. As well as shipping your existing job out to those places.

  • @jeremiahbennett3004
    @jeremiahbennett3004 3 роки тому +22

    The way he says "baloney" is so powerful

  • @commie563
    @commie563 5 років тому +22

    We should donate to Mr Reich and ask him to use ads to boost his channel, more conservatives should see this, I hope they can change their mind.

    • @WindFireAllThatKindOfThing
      @WindFireAllThatKindOfThing 5 років тому +6

      You can lead a conservative to knowledge, but you can't make him think

    • @akbarallardfreichmann2938
      @akbarallardfreichmann2938 5 років тому

      We should work together better and stop shitting each other.

    • @CadetGriffin
      @CadetGriffin 5 років тому

      @@akbarallardfreichmann2938 And we also need to stop swearing too. Captain America and other Christian Minecraft admins don't like it.

    • @ExPwner
      @ExPwner 5 років тому +2

      Conservatives know economics better than this, and that's saying something. Reich is a political hack and not an economics expert to be trusted.

    • @200499
      @200499 5 років тому +2

      James Adams I don't think I could have said it better myself.

  • @llapmsp
    @llapmsp Рік тому

    This should be mandatory for all politicians to see.

  • @saucerocreamify
    @saucerocreamify 8 місяців тому

    Like my dad always said "well somebody's has to take out the trash".

  • @nicholasdean3467
    @nicholasdean3467 3 роки тому +102

    Remember when Regan choose to pay 90% of his income? Instead of going through loopholes. Wow the republican party changed a lot.

    • @PROPAROXITONO
      @PROPAROXITONO 3 роки тому +16

      was not Regan that cut the tax to the richs, that was 70% and he made 28%?

    • @Brickwinds
      @Brickwinds 3 роки тому +2

      @@PROPAROXITONO although reagan cut tax rates, tax revenue increased every year while he was president. Total tax revenue income is more important than tax rates.

    • @PROPAROXITONO
      @PROPAROXITONO 3 роки тому +2

      @@Brickwinds well, that didnt change the fact that the reagan didn't "choose" pay 90% income tax, or if he choose, the rest of the rich in the country had a big tax cuts.
      BUT the increase revenue occour becouse of the tax increase of 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987. the cuts decrease the revenue, so they increase other taxes to increase again.
      you can read here: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2017-12-15/the-mostly-forgotten-tax-increases-of-1982-1993

    • @yoyu8641
      @yoyu8641 3 роки тому

      @@PROPAROXITONO And then you saw the amount of money the government recived be almost the same

    • @PROPAROXITONO
      @PROPAROXITONO 3 роки тому +2

      @@yoyu8641 yes, with rich people paying less and poor people paying more. didn't you see anything wrong with this?

  • @shadygirlxoxo
    @shadygirlxoxo 4 роки тому +17

    I just recently found your videos, they are so informative & truthful! I love that you call a spade a spade & speak the truth that many misled conservatives refuse to acknowledge

    • @larrynix4977
      @larrynix4977 4 роки тому

      What i dont understand is why a person who only make 35 to 40 grand a year vote for republicans

  • @kepler186f4
    @kepler186f4 Рік тому

    "The tax rate leveled at about 52 to 53 percent through most of the 1950s and 1960s, then fell in steps to 35 percent." - Thomas L. Hungerford • June 4, 2013
    The trickle down theory requires a catheter.

  • @lucyk2371
    @lucyk2371 Рік тому

    Yes my colleages used to say the more my boss makes the more i will make. We only got a 2% and 0% based on projections Our CEO has a party complex, a massive mansion, and several vacation homes....the company also couldnt afford a 401K match.

  • @SidewaysN
    @SidewaysN 5 років тому +27

    I love watching major media blast the ideas.
    Wealthy millionaires who were born in to being above laws, afraid of laws our recent ancestors had to endure while actually *creating something*. Speaking on behalf of their even wealthier and obvious influencers. If we do not recover from this there will likrly be something far worse than the great depression over our horizon

  • @jobaecker9752
    @jobaecker9752 4 роки тому +3

    I think it's also important to note some other related items. The whole issue discussed here is usually framed as "raising taxes on the rich," when it could also be framed as "lowering taxes for the poor." With that in mind, you also have the well-known economic concept of MPC - marginal propensity to consume - which is much higher for those earning less. The bottom line is, if someone making very little money suddenly receives more cash, they are far more likely to spend it; it goes right back into the economy and actually trickles UP. And to whom does this trickle up? The wealthy.

  • @thanhnguyen-ht2zv
    @thanhnguyen-ht2zv 5 років тому +30

    dam he hammers Fox news to the bottom :))
    very informative yet basic knowledge that everyone should know about

    • @lucasrandel8589
      @lucasrandel8589 4 роки тому

      Yet he also uses Fox news' own poll

    • @nicholasharvey4393
      @nicholasharvey4393 4 роки тому

      Lucas Randel Well, it's not unheard of for people with an agenda to do research and find that the science contradicts their beliefs. Just look at the Templeton Foundation's study on intercessory prayer for an example.

  • @DepressinglyOptimistic
    @DepressinglyOptimistic 4 роки тому +9

    This might be because I know how I feels being at the bottom of the economy, but if I made millions coming in, I would gladly pay half my income in taxes if it meant I could invest in my country.