http://westandwiththe99percent.tumblr.com

[usernamenumber]

Wow, that post I did last week? Basically, this. It's mostly symbolic, but I'm just idealistic enough to hope that this sort of thing could represent a change for the better in how we as a society think about prosperity and money. Of course, just posting a blog entry or a tumblr isn't enough, by its self it's barely anything, but I hope these sorts of expressions will have a collective influence greater than their individual parts. I'm very glad that Occupy Wall Street has inspired these conversations. I know this sort of attitude isn't universal even among people I know and respect, but between the comments on my post and things like this tumblr, it's nice to know it isn't just me.

It's also important to remember that just giving/taxing isn't the only answer. There are more fundamental systemic problems in that we have a system that is exploitable both from the top and the bottom, and that there are both people who exploit it and people who benefit legitimately from both ends. Maybe it's impossible to have a system that is both adequate and not exploitable, such that the best we'll ever be able to do is change our priorities. Even if the system is fixable, I think a change in priorities is still necessary, and that's why this sort of thing makes me a little hopeful.

Comments

[real-green-tea.livejournal.com]

That tumblr looks like a lot of rich people trying to be hip. If they really cared, maybe they would actually change the world as a primary occupation, create a foundation with their wealth that supported those they thought needed it most, or something else constructive.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

I think there's room for a middle ground there. Why assume that someone saying "I'm one of those who would be taxed more and I think it's a worthwhile thing too" is being insincere or not caring just because they could be doing more. Pretty much everyone could be doing more. It doesn't negate everything else one might do below that bar.

[real-green-tea.livejournal.com]

I don't want to get Too Political On The Internet, but in short, there's a difference between having good intentions and thinking through social consequences. True, from the standpoint of theoretical argument what some of these folks have chosen to do by saying 'raise my taxes' could be seen as halfway or part of the way toward a solution, I suppose -- in practice, it takes the discourse in a different direction, one that could draw attention away from more meaningful change.

I guess it could work through a butterfly effect kind of thing, some people on the internet taking pictures of themselves saying 'raise my taxes!' eventually resulting in someone with a more pro-tax stance getting elected, etc etc. At the very least, people OK with being taxed, and having their presence known, is probably considered 'radical' amongst some subset of the American population.

I'm not saying it negates it -- just changes the direction of the discourse -- whether for the better or not, remains to be seen in practice.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Hmm... while I think I'm more optimistic about the potential effects of branching the discourse in this direction, I think you make a good point about the fact that it's a whole new branch, and one that shouldn't be confused with, or treated as a substitute for, addressing the more systemic issues. Thanks for raising that point.

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

The crazy thing is...most of those people *aren't* actually the 1%. They're the top 10-15% or so.

Those of us that are basically comfortable and happy and have our food, housing and healthcare needs taken care of may have the most guilt -- and I'm not saying we shouldn't help -- but we aren't actually the problem.

Here's a link I found really enlightening.

http://www.newthinktank.com/2011/06/average-net-worth-americans/