However, my own take on this is that while there are doubtless quite a few decent rich people, I'll never believe that decency defines their class overall. They know fat cows give more milk, that's all; and they're aware the herd's on the verge of stampede. Never can predict the outcome of those, except plenty of ranchers likely to get stomped. So I'll bet your house it's largely enlightened self interest at best.

Still, better that than nothing.

See my post below.

It would be helpful and enlightened self interest, however, if you can refrain from doing everything possible to undermine him since he IS a great public servant. Regardless of your opinion, thanks for sharing.

He's just horribly ineffective as a communicator.

And when your party has better policy and a potentially larger, expanding base, you just can't be a bad communicator and lead.

communicator as you maintain? He IS elected Speaker by his peers, you know. Consistently, over a long period of time. I think you're confusing your dislike with reality. The GOP has tried for years to drive a stake through his heart to no avail. Saying he's a poor communicator is as off the mark as saying that about the President and Nancy Pelosi. Together they form what the TPs call an unholy trinity.

And you answered your own question: He is elected by his peers.

And U.S. Senators are not the same type of people that vote in U.S. elections. He can cozy up to them and schmooze, but when we are trying to get millions of Americans under our umbrella -- we need to speak in a way that is effective.

But hardly to my own or many others'. Of course I answered my own question: for the benefit of those who might be clueless.

Trying to back up your own misperceptions with more of the same only compounds your mistake. You might desire an outcome beneficial to all, but when your basic premise remains false, you'll fall far short of the goal. Weak premise, weak argument, weak result.

He is a brilliant speaker and a remarkable communicator, despite the fact that he has had to overcome the most incredible spate of entrenched racism seen in decades against his very person.

Nancy Pelosi -- she may actually worse than Harry Reid.

Your posts have become all about me.

They fill out their forms, just like all of us, and pay the amount due. Saint Ronnie cut their taxes by 2/3, and it's been there (or lower) ever since except for a brief 3% extra or so during Clinton (back when we had to "worry" about the surplus.) Returning the top bracket even to only 50% would more than wipe out the deficit.

I suppose you could send an extra check, but I don't know what the government would do. Why don't you try it and then let the rich know how it worked for you? Let us all know.

I suppose there is a way to do it. Is there a place on the form where you can explain that you are sending either an extra check or a larger one that is required or making a larger direct deposit than is required?

Also I think the idea is to have everyone who is benefiting so greatly from the new technology and earning much more than in the past while working people have not gained pay a bigger share. They are benefiting more from the progress made that is most definitely based on computers (the result of government investment) that they should pay more in taxes to support more government investment.

Where a portion of the profits went to paying down the national debt?

as you can guess right now it is hot, hot, hot

and I'll take back everything I ever said or thought about you.

(But my money is on you bending like a "reed" in the wind...)

I seriously doubt you'd accept Harry's accomplishments regardless of what he does. But I realize some people will never be satisfied or even pleased no matter what. Fortunately when they're in the vast minority, their ability to damage is minimal.

Phrases like "happy talk" and "I would hope" and "do some stuff" and "go on to do" are all WEAK AND INEFFECTIVE TERMS and they PLAY INTO THE TALKING POINTS FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

GO ON THE OFFENSIVE, HARRY:

1. "The REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP -- AND IN PARTICULAR JOHN BOEHNER and MITCH MCCONNELL -- are still grappling with their own RENEGADE, EXTREMIST WING that has already SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT ONCE, COSTING US $25 BILLION TO OUR ECONOMY."

2. "The REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP -- AND IN PARTICULAR JOHN BOEHNER and MITCH MCCONNELL -- MUST GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.'

3. "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DEMAND NO LESS."

4. "I CALL UPON JOHN BOEHNER AND MITCH MCCONNELL TO DO SOMETHING -- ANYTHING -- TO AVOID ANOTHER SHUT DOWN AND DESTRUCTION OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY."

5. "I CHALLENGE JOHN BOEHNER and MITCH MCCONNELL"

And then ask the reporter what John Boehner and Mitch McConnell's SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO MY CHALLENGE WAS.

This is messaging. I would also name the names of the renegades:

6. Right now the defacto leadership of the GOP is Ted Cruz, Louie Gohmert, Darrell Issa, and some other crackpots. I CHALLENGE BONER AND MCCONNELL TO TAKE THEIR PARTY AND THE GOVERNMENT BACK FROM THESE RECKLESS IDEALOGUES.

Propose liberal solutions to address inequality. Propose taxing the rich, including the trillions stashed overseas, and ending corporate welfare.

It is well past time that Democrats work aggressively ON BEHALF of the 99 percent.

Thanks for the thread, DonViejo.

You are really standing up for the people now, Harry! Thank you!

why aren't the repukes pushing for it?