We Need A Rebellion
By Paul Buchheit
03 August, 2011
Countercurrents.org
In 1786, just ten years after the American Revolution, a large group of
debt-ridden farmers rose up against local government and the wealthy
businessmen who sought to maximize profits from their investments in our
new country. Small farmers were losing their income and property to a few
dozen powerful landowners. Ironically, "Shay's Rebellion" scared the
founding fathers into lobbying for a stronger government against the
threat of unrestrained democracy.
Today the great majority of us are in the same financial position as those
farmers, and it's just as personal. We own less than our parents. Our
college graduate children, burdened with tens of thousands of dollars in
loans, can't find jobs. We worry about our Social Security and Medicare
benefits as wealthy Congressmen tell us these long-time programs waste
money.
It gets even more personal:
(1) If you make $50,000 a year, you'd be making $92,000 if median
household incomes had just kept pace with the growth of the economy since
1970. That missing $42,000 goes every year to the richest 1% of Americans.
(2) If you make between $35,000 and $200,000, you pay more taxes,
percentagewise, than the richest 1% of Americans.
(3) You pay roughly a 6% tax on a pair of shoes. There's a ZERO tax on
financial transactions that make up much of the income for the richest 1%
of Americans.
The only good solution to all of this is increased taxes on the highest
incomes. That would tax the individuals and corporations who benefit most
from national security, government-funded infrastructure, and public
research that has created profitable modern technologies.
Today, as in 1786, the wealthy and well-connected members of Congress want
to make sure they retain control. In 1786 Sam Adams, who had been one of
the strongest voices for the Revolution, argued that rebellion in the new
Republic should be punishable by death. We need to fight back in 2011
before modern-day Republicans consider Adams' suggestion.
Paul Buchheit is the founder and developer of social justice and
educational websites (UsAgainstGreed.org, PayUpNow.org,
RappingHistory.org), and the editor and main author of "American Wars:
Illusions and Realities" (Clarity Press). He can be reached at
[email protected].
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