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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRick Steves
https://www.facebook.com/ricksteves/photos/a.10151281817257745.486423.45052217744/10155702827472745/?type=3&theater
More money than many Americans make in their entire lifetime. Thats what Congressional Republicans are voting to give me as a tax break.
Thats right: If Republicans in Congress get their way, I just saved a couple million dollars on the change in the inheritance tax alone. What about you?
Our government already spends more than it takes in, and this tax giveaway will make it worse. But that plays right into Congressional Republicans' strategy to shrink the government: First, they cut taxes by $1.5 trillion (mostly benefiting the rich). Then, to balance the budget, they'll claim that the only solution is to gut programs (such as Social Security and Medicare) designed to protect America's poor and working class.
I once asked my Swiss friend Olle, How can you Swiss people be so docile about paying such high taxes? Without missing a beat, he replied, Well, whats it worth to live in a country where there's no hunger, no homelessness, and where everyone regardless of the wealth of their parents has access to quality healthcare and education?
I believe a national budget is a moral document. It declares who we are as a nation. Decency requires compassion and help for our poor. Stability requires a healthy middle class. The Republican economic agenda both hurts the poor and further weakens our middle class all to give wealthy people a windfall of cash they dont need.
So what am I going to do with all of the tax revenue Congressional Republicans want to save me? I'm choosing to provide, as an individual, what European societies would provide collectively: housing for otherwise homeless single mothers and their kids (www.ricksteves.com/about-rick/trinity-place), helping to build senior centers (http://myedmondsnews.com/ /rick-steves-announces-2-million- ), and paying the rent of our local symphony orchestra (https://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/arts-center-donation). These are basic services not extravagances.
While Republicans might argue that Im proving their point that charity from the wealthy will come to the rescue I believe that such services should be paid for not by the odd millionaire who doesnt have a taste for golf clubs and yachts, but collectively, through progressive taxation. While lowering my marginal tax rate from 39.6% to 37% will have no impact on my privileged standard of living, it will ultimately have a huge impact on millions of struggling people.
As a proud American and a student of Europe, I care deeply about the cost to the fabric of our society that this windfall for the wealthy will bring. If you believe youre being represented by a Republican Congressperson who votes for this plan, you are mistaken. It costs them a lot of money to convince you to vote for them, and this tax bill is their way of paying off their major donors. And if I lived in your district, Id raise bloody hell.
(By the way, our Christmas fundraiser for Bread for the World was a huge success this year, raising more money than ever. Thank you to the 2,376 who contributed, collectively raising $311,700. With my $250,000 match, together we raised $561,700 to empower Bread in its work to speak up for those who dont have private lobbyists driving our government to re-write laws in their favor.)
nolabear
(41,990 posts)joshdawg
(2,651 posts)republicans have no shame.
BeyondGeography
(39,377 posts)and what false values look like.
K&R
AJT
(5,240 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,718 posts)His voice still grates on me, but, we need more like him.
BannonsLiver
(16,434 posts)Then I found out he was a fellow pot smoker and legalization advocate which is something I support. Also his guidebooks are well done. Ive used them on all our trips to Europe. Earlier this year I got to meet him in person and he was very pleasant. So now Im a full fledged Ricknic, as they say.
dawg day
(7,947 posts)I went into a bottega in Assissi (perhaps the world's most beautiful town), and there was a big framed picture proclaiming that Rick Steves had mentioned this place on his show. And the owner joshed about being a movie star now, "Like Brad Pitt!" I bought wine and truffle oil there-- it was really good. And the owner was so cute.
In Italy, there's too many wonderful places, and Rick Steves is pretty reliable about places to go.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,434 posts)He caters to people who dont want 5 star hotels but still want to travel.
Orrex
(63,219 posts)Every single episode is a punch-in-the-face reminder that I don't have a few extra thousand to spend each month. I was overjoyed when my local public radio station took his show out of the rotation.
Though the callers don't stay at the Angkor Wat Marriott, even being able to book a flight and take a month-long vacation is so far out of bounds of reality for most of the population that it comes across as catastrophically out of touch and tone-deaf. Let us eat cake while you jet off for your fourth journey to Machu Picchu.
I begrudge no one their honestly acquired wealth, but holy shit I don't need public airwaves filled with people congratulating each other for their cosmopolitan good fortune.
BannonsLiver
(16,434 posts)I like Rick Steves, I like what he does with his money and I like his guidebooks and travel program. If you want to reflexively dislike or hate everyone with more money than you thats your business, I guess.
Orrex
(63,219 posts)Although you seem eager to dismiss my well-considered reaction as "reflexive," it is in fact far from it. I endured Steves' program for many weeks because it aired during my commute, and the formula was the same every single week.
How grand for you that your circumstances allow you to be blind to economic reality! I'm sorry if my failure to praise you for your good fortune diminishes your enjoyment of Steves' smug and elistist radio show.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)that sets him apart from the Republicans.
cannabis_flower
(3,765 posts)Love his show on our local Houston Public Media station. He is also on the Board of Directors of NORML - http://norml.org/about/board-of-directors
LuckyLib
(6,819 posts)area51
(11,918 posts)CTyankee
(63,912 posts)for my art travels in Italy and France. He was one great reliable source of info I needed to plan my trips. He struck me as a wise and interesting guy. He really spoke to ME, I felt. I miss those days of planning and all the excitement I would feel just knowing I was going to see some of the greatest art ever produced...
kimbutgar
(21,174 posts)I hav always wanted to go to Venice Italmy hubby brought me the travel book and we stayed at a hotel he recommended. Wonderful place location and reasonable price. He also suggested climbing the Duomo in Florence. A once in a lifetime experience and the view was worth it. Even the 464 stairs up. Im glad he is speaking out against this evil tax bill that will destroy our country,
CTyankee
(63,912 posts)Florence (I was there 3 times) to do that. However, I did walk through Florence (with a bus ride to the Oltrarno). I swear you can duck into any church in that city and see some great work of art by wonderful Renaissance artists. what a city!
brooklynite
(94,684 posts)He encourages people to travel and spend their money abroad!
Gabi Hayes
(28,795 posts)Riverman100
(276 posts)I've enjoyed his shows, and now I know that he is also a decent person! Keep on traveling and stay safe.
ffr
(22,671 posts)All the programs the middle class paid into are just programs they can loot.
2naSalit
(86,748 posts)The more I hear about him, the more I appreciate his activism.
flying_wahini
(6,634 posts)He's a good guy.
mindfulNJ
(2,367 posts)travel books for a Christmas present...I feel very good about my purchase now
LittleGirl
(8,287 posts)He's the real deal. I watched his Christmas in Europe last week on PBS. It was filmed a few years ago, Pope John was still Pope and he's in the process of editing a new version for 2018/19.
appalachiablue
(41,168 posts)And we're grateful for decades of exceptional travel programs and books you've given us that have enhanced knowledge and enjoyment of cultures around the world. Keep on travelin'!
SeaDoo77
(540 posts)A great American.
Based in Edmonds WA.
renate
(13,776 posts)I absolutely love him!
I loved him even before he did this
https://www.ricksteves.com/about-rick/trinity-place
and I loved him even more afterwards.
And his work for Bread for the World is wonderful.
Give him a big hug from me!
Skittles
(153,174 posts)yes indeed
pansypoo53219
(20,987 posts)if you hate taxes. civilization not free.
betsuni
(25,596 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I have always relied on his books and have taken a few of his tours which have been great. He really is a decent citizen of the world in that he respects all cultures and points out the best in them. This is just further proof of his goodness.
democratisphere
(17,235 posts)for all of their citizens.
suffragette
(12,232 posts)K&R
doodsaq
(120 posts)Of course, many rightwingers don't travel (even when they have the means) and have no interest in how the rest of the developed world lives.
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)Grammy23
(5,810 posts)His shows are entertaining, as well as informative. His advice to get out among the locals is spot on. Many of the places he recommends are not large corporate run hotels, but rather are locally owned. My husband, niece and her husband have traveled together in Europe using Ricks guides and have never been disappointed. He goes back to places he recommends to make sure they are still worthy of a mention in his guides. So you can trust that if a place is in his latest guide, he has checked it out carefully and regularly.
His language guides are very useful and offers tips on etiquette and customs in the country to help the traveler avoid insulting a shop owner or restaurant staff. He even includes common profanities which can be quite hilarious but also will help you understand if you have done something inappropriate and are being cursed out. LOL.
Knowing how Rick chooses to spend some of his money, I will definitely continue to use his travel guides for my go to travel information. Next fall we have a river cruise booked in France and Ricks travel guides will be in my suitcase!
geardaddy
(24,931 posts)I enjoy his show and he seems like a genuinely decent human being, but his voice kinda grates on me.
Xolodno
(6,398 posts)...the wealthy GOP won't use your services...oh wait, they don't...they like 5 star hotels, restaurants, places where they can get spaghetti and meatballs together, etc.
Then you lose poorer GOP...uhm, they don't travel, nevermind.
Then you lose evangelicals....er..uhm...yeah, if they travel, its to Israel. Whoops, my bad.
Carry on Rick, you cater to the open minded.