Aristotle, Obama, and the End of Charity


Barack Obama continues to promise tax cuts for everyone making under $250,000 a year and tax increases for those who make above that figure annually. He is unapologetic in his proposed use of this policy to “spread the wealth around.” And while we are correct to see this as nothing less than a bald attempt to redistribute wealth, we miss the boat if that’s all we see. Lower and Middle class families who plan to benefit from this policy at the expense of others need to understand that the generosity of the upper class is going to disappear once already confiscatory taxes turn into highway robbery.

That this is so is not just common sense, although common sense should suffice. The effects of high tax rates upon a people’s charitable spirit has been seen again and again by free market economists and historians who look honestly enough at history to see that low tax rates spur generosity while excruciating rates close otherwise open purses.


A long time ago, the mid-300s B.C. to be exact, Aristotle began writing portions of what became one of his most famous works – Politics. Here, Aristotle actually warned against egalitarian, “spread the wealth” politics embodied in men like Obama and Joe Biden. He contended that seeking equality in economic outcome for everyone across the board could only result in “the destruction of the state,” as “the state is not made up only of so many men, but [of so many] different kinds of men.”

The truthfulness of this is evident to any honest inquirer. For our nation, our “state,” is comprised not simply of men with differing abilities and various degrees of skill and training, but also of some men who work for a living and others who are not ashamed to spend all day in bed, waiting for a government check to arrive in the mail so they can live at the expense of those who do work for a living.

Because of this variation of skill and motivation among the population, Aristotle also argued that one of the greatest difficulties faced by a nation operating under democratic electoral principles is finding a way “to prevent the poor from plundering the rich.” He understood that a state which adopts policies that allow the lower or middle class to live on the backs of the upper class is a state which has agreed to its own execution. Currently, in the U.S., leftist policies “spare” 35% of our population the burden of paying federal income taxes. Is it not fair to say that the people who comprise that large percentage are plundering those who do pay taxes? And Obama wants to increase the plunder.

Moreover, according to Aristotle, this situation tends to a greater number of people going on the dole because “everybody is more inclined to neglect the duty which he expects another to fulfill.” In other words, once a man gets past the initial shame of living off the labor of another man he loses what little ambition that remains, and becomes accustomed to relying on the motivation, ambition, and labor of others.

Aristotle recognized that a nation that overtaxes its upper class places even the property of that class at risk. And this couldn’t be clearer than when we consider that the wealth the upper class produces is their property; a property our government takes away through Obama-like tax policies. Thus, the 50% tax bracket which the Obama campaign proposes for those making over $250,000 has as its ultimate end the taking of the property of one class in order to disperse it among the open hands of other classes.

In such a setting Aristotle warned that “no one, when men have all things in common, will any longer set an example of liberality or do any liberal action.” i.e., charity will cease when property ownership comes under attack. An Obama-like redistribution of property places a palpable tension between the classes that wasn’t there prior to such strong handed government intrusion.

While psychologist John Rosemond’s observation that “entitlements…always breed contempt for those who pay the bills” was proven true in the aftermath of the millions of dollars sent to ungrateful Katrina victims, Aristotle’s warning about a decline in generosity will prove true as well if Obama wins the election and succeeds in instituting his proposed tax policies.

Ultimately, Obama’s plan to “spread the wealth around” is just going to put an end to charity.

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40 Comments Leave a comment

Well-articulated. 5

Xasteius Friday, October 24th at 5:08PM EDT (link)

nt

Don’t leave the party, hijack it back!

Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.

When I grow up, I don’t want to be Reagan. I want to be Art Chance.
~Aaron Gardner

 

Perhaps Altas Should Shrug?

KWH Friday, October 24th at 5:11PM EDT (link)

Maybe those of us who provide for the general welfare through our ideas, capital and labor should stop. Let us all get our strike funds together, head to the country side and close our business. Let the looters and moochers starve.

 

Individuals or Joint Filer's?

jgebo Friday, October 24th at 5:12PM EDT (link)

One question I have about Obama’s tax plan is this…he says those making more than $250K will get a tax increase…does this mean joint filers together making $250K, or individuals making $250K…there aren’t a lot of individuals making $250K a year, but there are a hell of a lot of couples making this much. So which is it? Anyone know out there?

Now don’t get me wrong, in either case it is a dumb idea. I have just never heard that part of it talked about.

 

Spread our own wealth

Idontthinkso Friday, October 24th at 5:14PM EDT (link)

We need a call to action on Obama’s Spread the Wealth.

Don’t patronize establishments that advertise for Obama. Don’t tip a waiter, who has an Obama button. Don’t give to an organization that supports Obama. Instead, we should spread our own wealth to churches, synagogues, and non-partisan charities and organizations.

Let’s see how the Obamamaniacs feel when our wealth is not spread to them.

 

Individuals or joint filers

Idontthinkso Friday, October 24th at 5:20PM EDT (link)

Individuals or Joint Filer’s?

jgebo October 24th, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. CDT (link)

One question I have about Obama’s tax plan is this…he says those making more than $250K will get a tax increase…does this mean joint filers together making $250K, or individuals making $250K…there aren’t a lot of individuals making $250K a year, but there are a hell of a lot of couples making this much. So which is it? Anyone know out there?

Now don’t get me wrong, in either case it is a dumb idea. I have just never heard that part of it talked about.


It is $250K for joint filers and $200K for single filers.

Interestingly, the economist Paul Krugman, who is in the tank for Obama, said that the $250K tax increases will really start at $182.4K. The WSJ has studied the Obama proposald and states that eventually the figure will drop to $75K.

Hope that helps although I wish that I had better news.

 

The Wealthy Will Flee

DavidSage Friday, October 24th at 5:32PM EDT (link)

With the world getting smaller, countries that have confiscatory tax rates will be in real danger of losing both talent and capital to other countries.

When I look at what Obama proposes to tax individuals in my tax bracket, and what he wants to tax on my estate for my children (death tax), I’m giving serious thought to moving myself, my business, and my money to places like Ireland and Switzerland. I’m not handing over what I’ve spent my life accumulating over to Obama and Nancy Pelosi to pay off their constituencies.

I love this country, and I’m not one to threaten to leave if things get rough, but we’ve never really faced a real leftist President like Obama, a lopsided Democrat Congress, and a cheerleading media. I’m not going to stick around if we slide to socialism. I wouldn’t be leaving America, America would be leaving me.

$250k Joint and $200K Individual...

CSUFBomb Friday, October 24th at 5:33PM EDT (link)

…would be subject to the King’s ransom.

However, the math simply doesn’t work to support big government spending by taxing these families and individuals at the Clinton tax levels.

In fact, such a move may net less revenue. In 2000, Bill Clinton’s last year as president, the nation’s richest 5% paid 35% of their income in taxes - accounting for 56% of all taxes paid. In 2005, after George Bush’s tax cuts had been in effect for four years, the nation’s richest 5% paid 36% of their income in taxes - accounting for 60% of all taxes paid.

Bush’s “tax cuts for the rich” resulted in the “rich” paying more taxes than under more confiscatory tax rates.


“We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged.” - Colonel Henry Knox

 
 

Not just charity. How about wealth CREATING investment. What the libs don't get

Mike gamecock DeVine Friday, October 24th at 5:33PM EDT (link)

is that the “rich” don;t have to invest a dime. They can live out their days and pass on their wealth to their kids by stuffing same in a mattress or T-bill.

Libs assume the wealth will be there.

It won’t.

Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson

I plan on doing this...

izoneguy Friday, October 24th at 5:41PM EDT (link)

…maybe even if the right gets back in power.

“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
Thomas Jefferson

 
 

If there is going to be an income tax, every wage earner needs to pay something - period

1SGinTN Friday, October 24th at 5:51PM EDT (link)

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury. From that time on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” - Sir Alex Fraser Tytler (1742-1813 Edinburgh University)

Tu Ne Cede Malis
-Virgil

 

The impact will vary by charity type

pa_scientist Friday, October 24th at 5:58PM EDT (link)

Chart #9 in the document linked below suggests that some charitable causes will be hurt much more than others.

In 2004, individuals earning $200,000 or more accounted for the following percentages of charitable giving (by category).

Education: 92%
Arts: 94%
Health: 81%

Religion: 29%
Basic Needs: 38%

Clearly the poor will lose some donations from wealthy donors, but it looks to me like universities will take the biggest hit. The $200,000+ group gave an astounding $42 billion to education in 2004, most of which I would presume was in the form of alumni donations.

Indiana University Report on Giving

Cheers to Sir Alex...

CSUFBomb Friday, October 24th at 6:01PM EDT (link)

…Obama’s tax policy will put taxpayers beyond the tipping point where approximately 60% will receive more in government distributions than they pay in taxes.

As Sir Alex realized over 200 years ago, it’s dangerous to put our democracy in the hands of voters who will vote themselves a larger and larger share of other people’s money.


“We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged.” - Colonel Henry Knox

For some there won't be wages.

Steph C Friday, October 24th at 6:02PM EDT (link)

Hubby is in construction… always the first jobs to go because there won’t be any economic growth. Happens every time. What few are left will go to illegal aliens because they work on the cheap.

Once the paltry bit of unemployment runs out…

“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics

Welcome to California...

CSUFBomb Friday, October 24th at 6:05PM EDT (link)

…where the once thriving middle class of construction workers has been rendered virtually extinct by cheap labor from south of the border.


“We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged.” - Colonel Henry Knox

 
 
 
 

Dem's lake of real/genuine Charity

JLenardDetroit Friday, October 24th at 6:31PM EDT (link)

How many times do we hear about Democrats running for office whose Tax returns show they give little to nothing to Charity!?!?

Biden can hardly give less than the $600 bucks he did last year.

They only know how to be generous with everyone elses money - as we people that pay attention all know.

(RS:Help) (JLD) (Hollyweird) (Brain-deads) (SPIN-cycle) (Obamaocare) (Party of kNOw) (Conservatism) (TEApeats) (respectful) (Reco) (Quotes) (removeRINOs.com) (Merry RSmas)
+ 0bama Lies & your Bank acct will Die! (4/15 Truthers)
+ Heil “O” Hell No Obamao is NOT MY PRESIDENT! “No U won’t”
+ I want “O” to FAIL (here, here, & whole Diary (Ofail) here, is why)
The first Liberal was Satan” - a Rush caller (other Quotes)

 

Palin wardrobe, an exercise in CHARITY

JLenardDetroit Friday, October 24th at 6:36PM EDT (link)

we all know how the MSM plays this, but ALL first ladies (for years, even Hilary) have done this with outfits. Use them for events, then donate them to raise funds for Charity - MSM has to spin it rather than explain the VALUE of/in it. Yes, she is not a First Lady, but EVERYONE gets the points (Sexist on one level in regard to Female wardrobe, and the usual Liberal Bias as another).

(RS:Help) (JLD) (Hollyweird) (Brain-deads) (SPIN-cycle) (Obamaocare) (Party of kNOw) (Conservatism) (TEApeats) (respectful) (Reco) (Quotes) (removeRINOs.com) (Merry RSmas)
+ 0bama Lies & your Bank acct will Die! (4/15 Truthers)
+ Heil “O” Hell No Obamao is NOT MY PRESIDENT! “No U won’t”
+ I want “O” to FAIL (here, here, & whole Diary (Ofail) here, is why)
The first Liberal was Satan” - a Rush caller (other Quotes)

That's about the size of it... nt

Steph C Friday, October 24th at 7:00PM EDT (link)

“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics

So right GC. Taxes are a form of behavioral modification.

phred Friday, October 24th at 7:14PM EDT (link)

If taxes become punitive, the payers either lose incentive to produce or they reorganize their income streams to affect a low tax liability. They do not just stand still and take it. Raising taxes doesn’t produce a dependable linear result.

Liberalism: Equally shared misery.

 
 
 

can't afford it

ohiobeagle Friday, October 24th at 7:37PM EDT (link)

If the Bush tax expire our federal tax increases $5000 a year. That’s the time I completely cease contributing to the United Way. The rest of my charitable contributions are going to get a lot more scrutiny.

I believe the actual

Terilyn Donaldson Friday, October 24th at 9:39PM EDT (link)

amount is 182K. That is where an individuals taxes will increase.

SURVIVING IN WYOMING…


 
 

The true Facts

TheRightOnemoby Friday, October 24th at 9:57PM EDT (link)

As the effective tax rate increases the wealthy give(or at least claim to) more to charity. It makes them look good and saves more on their taxes. So, once again you got it wrong.

Numbers, reference and proof, please.

bclarkj Friday, October 24th at 10:13PM EDT (link)

If you’re going to spout such knowledge, please post your proof of this.

 
 

Buying the Vote!

sunshine484848 Friday, October 24th at 10:40PM EDT (link)

This isn’t just about “spreading the wealth” or a welfare handout. It is a STEALTH WAY OF BUYING THE VOTES of anyone who makes less than $250,000.

What about....

izoneguy Friday, October 24th at 10:57PM EDT (link)

…teaching a man to fish so he can provide for his family?
Why does Obama want to throw the man a rotten fish every year? Now the man won’t have a place to fish everyday. He will have to make do with one rotten fish per year.

“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
Thomas Jefferson

and as Grandma said,

itrytobenice Friday, October 24th at 11:03PM EDT (link)

many hands make light work.

The problem with America is stupidity. I’m not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don’t we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

 
 
 

Obama responsible for Asian market crisis?

diggingintothefacts Friday, October 24th at 11:19PM EDT (link)

Far as I know, Obama has not explained what he is going to do about the massive big business flight that is going to take place. Some Joe the Plumber should ask him, but I guess he is no longer available for questions from concerned citizens.

One other thing, I believe this Asian financial meltdown has to do with people over there being scared about what’s going to happen to the American economy, once Obama takes office (the media has them convinced Obama is going to win). Am I wrong about this?

 

Charity is irrelevant

Next93 Friday, October 24th at 11:56PM EDT (link)

If the left beleived that private charity could make a difference, they wouldn’t be on the left; they’d be conservatives who contributed to charities and encouraged others to do the same. What makes them leftists is the fact that they want “charitable” giving to be enforced by law.

These people hate the very concept of private charity; they see it as degrading to expect anyone to rely on the handouts of the upper class, and they don’t beleive that individuals will voluntarily give to the “right” causes in large enough amounts.

Much better to hire politicians to legally steal the money from the upper class, and then turn it over to the poor as an entitlement (”taking charity” is degrading, “accepting what you”re entitled to” is a RIGHT). And, if 50% or so of that money happens get used up in the transfer process, well, there are always more rich people to tax.

So, no, I don’t think a reduction in private charitiable giving is something that’s going to keep the Obamaniacs awake at night.

Constitutional limits on the powers of the federal government:
It’s not just the law, it’s a good idea!

ECONOMY

johnzenia902 Saturday, October 25th at 12:31AM EDT (link)

Obamas tax plan is just like president Clintons. When president Clinton left office George W. Bush inherited a SURPLUS and a BALANCED BUDGET!!! If this is what you call SOCIALISM then so be it!!! At least it WORKED!!! And why did the REPUBLICANS SUPPORT FREE TRADE that PROMOTES AMERICAN JOBS TO GO TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES BY GIVING THEM TAX INCENTIVES?(GREEDY WALL STREET) Look at AMERICA NOW: EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU CAN NOT FIND A JOB!!! 8 MILLION AND COUNTING ALREADY BAILED OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!!! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO GROW THE ECONOMY NOT SHRINK IT!!!! NAFTA + CAFTA + BUSH TAX PLAN = 0 JOBS = 0 ECONOMY = DISASTER AND WE ARE ALMOST THERE!!! IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE A TRUE AMERICAN AND PAY YOUR TAXES THEN GO AHEAD AND LEAVE!!!! SINCE 1980-NOW AMERICANS VOTED IN ALL REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS BUT ONE!!!!! YOU CAN SAY OR MAKE ANY CLAIMS BUT REALLY THINK ABOUT IT!!! THERE IS NO EXCUSE BUT FAILURE OF THE REPUBLICAN IDEALOGY 1980-NOW!!!!

I regret to inform our resident Lefties and lurkers...

Moe Lane Saturday, October 25th at 12:35AM EDT (link)

…that no, we decline to take this guy back. You can keep him, thanks.

LOL

$peciallist Saturday, October 25th at 12:46AM EDT (link)

pic in a minute

Found it...

$peciallist Saturday, October 25th at 12:49AM EDT (link)
 
 
 
 

more charitable giving in Alaska?

1justasking1 Saturday, October 25th at 2:04AM EDT (link)

If taxes inhibit charitable giving, then state handouts should spur it. Is there evidence that the transfer of wealth from oil companies to individuals in Alaska is converted to higher charitable giving in that state?

 

Michael Caine: "I'm not a communist"... he's my hero

RoxannaDanna Saturday, October 25th at 2:22AM EDT (link)

When I was in England this summer, I read this interview with Michael Caine.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/lifeandstyle/men/article4356706.ece

“A tax exile from the late 1970s… “After the Harold Wilson years I lived in Los Angeles for eight years. There was a moment when the income tax was 82% in England on people like me. And I made a vow then that I would never give more than 40% of my income to anyone except my wife. When the taxes came down, I returned to England, but it’s not a case of greed. It’s simply that I do not work for the government; I work for me. I am not a communist.”

He may be no communist but that doesn’t mean he has time for the British Establishment. “I have no respect for position whatsoever. I treat everybody exactly the same. The Queen, I treat the same as the woman who cleans the hotel room. I’m polite and nice to everybody and that’s that. But the thing that annoys me, in a conservative way, is that I know that there are young people in England sitting at home watching morning television - and I am paying them, on benefits,” he grumbles.

“A lot of them are unable to work, probably, literally sick, but there are a hell of a lot who are getting away with something, and that pisses me off - because I’m paying. I’m getting up at six o’clock in the morning, learning pages of dialogue, going out in the winter rain - and they’re all lying in bed while I’m keeping them.”

you're wrong

RoxannaDanna Saturday, October 25th at 2:48AM EDT (link)

I can attest to this from first hand experience.

I’ve been a Rotary member for years and president of my club twice. We are a service organization and we do charitable events and deeds.

When the economy has been bad and taxes are high, especially on small business owners (which is a large portion of our membership) the donations are down.

Period. end of story.

Agreed...

seattle_ite Saturday, October 25th at 2:52AM EDT (link)

I think that those hyper-rich, Hollywood liberals, if they really have such a “social conscience”, should start by opening their own wallets for the poor, rather than filling the Presidential war chest of Obama.

It’s easy to have a “social conscience”, when doling out other peoples’ money.

I'm still a little bit confused... [Hi, Justin_Alexander!]

maskedavenger Saturday, October 25th at 4:52AM EDT (link)

[Can't quit us, huh? Well, learn. - Moe Lane]

[PS: but thanks for reminding me of the video!]

A Conservative Video Campaign You Must See!

mfsheldon Saturday, October 25th at 8:00AM EDT (link)

Please help promote these videos. I want conservatives to learn to use the Internet as a weapon laden with facts.

These come from the “Burning Down The House” video that was on Drudge.

Here is the latest video. It is incredible. If only McCain did more videos like these…

http://windsofchange.thruhere.net

I think it could have viral qualities.

There are many other videos on this YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/themouthpeace

Spread these videos and post them everywhere. Think of it like this, with 10,000 committed people posting these in 10 places each day over 10 days, that is 1,000,000 postings.

If 10 people see each posting that is 10,000,000 views. If only 1 in 10 send it to 10 people that is 20,000,000 views.

Now you are talking enough impact to change an election! Let’s do that!

we're not wealthy

ohiobeagle Saturday, October 25th at 9:22AM EDT (link)

We’re the “middle class” Obama claims he will not raise taxes on. That’s an outright lie. I expect my federal taxes to increase even without the expiration of the Bush tax cut. What don’t you understand? Husband and I both work. We currently pay 20-odd% in federal income tax. Repeal of tax cut brings us up to 25+% tax burden. Throw in state and local income tax, property tax, social security and medicare tax and one of us is working for nothing–except to pay our taxes. It’s pretty simple–I can’t withstand an additional $400 in payroll withholding without cutting something out of my budget. And truly, I am sick to death of being hounded to contribute and contribute more to the poor, the homeless, etc. If food stamps and welfare ain’t cuttin’ it, get a job. Quit having babies without being married. I want to be charitable and give with a willing heart but frankly I really can’t afford it now. When my taxes go up, that’s it. There’s just no money in my budget.

 
 
 
 
 
 

I give more than Obama or Biden

hunter Saturday, October 25th at 10:11AM EDT (link)

And I am fer sure making less than $250K. We file jointly.
The point is Obama has no respect for the tax payer. He made his millions off his books and paid low taxes.
Has he voluntarily given more to anything? To charity? To his racist church? To the government?
No.
He is a scammer. LIke Joe the dumber, he expects us all to just line up and give it up.
While he himself gives nothing.
Screw ‘em.

hunter

This guy seems to exist at RedState to spam these videos.

29Victor Saturday, October 25th at 11:11AM EDT (link)

Check out the profile.

Not how to make friends or influence people dude…not how to get your message out.

You’re right up there with the folks trying to sell me Viagra and that guy in Nigera who still hasn’t gotten back to me about that $300 I sent him.

 
 

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