A very revealing remark from a pundit about the Oligarchy --- (Re. Card)

[Armstead]

I had the television on in the background yesterday, and heard a very revealing remrak by one of the pundits on one of the talk shows yesterday. They all tend to blend together sometime, so I can't remember who it was. My apologies, but the context is widely shared.

Baically they were discussing the reasons he resigned. One pundit made the remark that: "I think a big part of it was that he had made a major finanial sacrifice for a number of years by being in the White House. He wanted to be able to earn some money in the years he has left."

What is revealing is that to the average American, the $157,000 salary of White House Chuef of Staff is real money. It's not what could be called "a financial sacrifice." It would be considered a very hefty income, and to many people an unattainable level of wealth.

Sure it's not the really big bucks. And yes, the job is underpaid in terms of the level of responsibility and stress that is involved.

However, the point is that to the elite, a salary of $157,000 is seen as chump change. It's just a token renumertion, like a $10 daily stipend someone might get for a volunter job that requirtes a token payment for bookeeping purposes. Now that Card has spent a few years doing a volunteer job he can go back to earning a real salry again.

Meanwhile, millions of Americans are working 40 plus hour a week to earn just a tenth of that "token income." And millions more are busting their butts to move up to earning $30,000 or $50,000 and struggling to be reaching or staying in the middle class.

But, to the thin sliver of the elite, the annual income of most Americans seems like the equivalent of a part time job as a greeter at Wal Mart for dditional pocket change. To them, a "real job" and a "real salary" is nothing less than a baseline of $500,000 and up, with hefty bonuses and options.

[Atman]

1. I just can't fathom why they seem so out of touch with our concerns?

I mean, they get free health care, free transportation, free everything...and a $157,000 salary to boot? Poor babies.

[European Socialist]

2. Yup, The more worthless you are--the higher the pay.

[Dhalgren]

3. Also, It is telling that he said "the time he has left".

Before he dies? Or before he goes to prison?

[Divernan]

7. Refers to the remaining Bush years, so W will take care of him.

Lots of fatcat Board appointments, consulting fees, etc.

[barbaraann]

4. They are never satisfied.

I've known some multi-millionaires and they are all consumed with amassing more wealth and enjoying more luxury.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

5. Good observation!

If everyone in this country making less than $100,000 turned out at the polls and voted for the party that represents people in that income level, we'd only rarely have a Republican controlled government. However.........the elites know this too. Hence the subtle campaign that has been waged for years that resulted in many low income Americans believing government is operating in their best interests. The wealthy people in this country either hold those government posts or make it possible for their water-bearers to occupy those posts.
We can count on one hand the number of men who became president that came from an 'average' (working class) family. Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, Bill Clinton. Did I miss anyone?

[oneold1-4u]

6. The only BANK

For many, the food bank is the only bank and beans, pasta, and few other staples are all that help to keep a roof without heat or cooling over their whole family's heads! AND THIS IS A WORKING HOUSEHOLD!
Actually many of the poorest fare better because even if they don't have a roof, they are eligible for medical, food stamps, and as a last resort, CRIME, which can give them a roof, food, and warmth.
These are the millions who will create one way or another the greatest change in this nation. THE NUMBERS ARE GROWING EACH DAY!

[kstewart33]

8. In WDC, the salary is small.

Given the cost of living there, it's not much money at all. And when you consider the job's responsibilities, stress, and the typical 80 hour work week, the pay is a joke.

[Divernan]

10. But Bush's fed. appointees get fat bonuses too.

nt

[Armstead]

14. That's very revealing in itself

I won't disagree that for the stress and time it's not really a faior salary.

However, how many people have to do just as demanding work for a fraction of that salary? And they don't get all te satisfaction and perks of power either.

It's hard to sing the blue for him, when you compare his life to some guy who has to walk for miles in frigid temperatures and roaring heat picking up heavy trash cans and emptying them into a garbage truck all day everyday.

[Divernan]

9. PA GOP candidate is 26 year old w/ millions in trust funds/$60 billion in

his family. His grandfather founded Federated Investors - worth conservatively
$60 B I L L I O N DOLLARS.


This 26 year old candidate for the PA House of Representatives, Mike
Dolan, has a history of 6 arrests for underage drinking, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. He tried to get his criminal record expunged (wiped clean) last year but failed. Expungement of criminal record is a case by case decision by the Governor, and the reviewing board looks for a minimum of 20 years of sterling behavior, including usually significant UNPAID public service (boy scout leader, elder in a church, etc.) So this trust fund baby had the balls to try to buy an expungement at the ripe old age of 24! His fellow prep school students (St. Edmund's in Pittsburgh) report he had multiple trust funds with many millions of dollars in each while a student there.

He is papering every houshold in the district with glossy promotional mailings every 3rd day. He's never held a job except as a "vice-president" of one of his billionaire dad's companies.

Now if a candidate's limitless campaign money came from his grandfather, a Mafia godfather, and his Dad, the consigliere, the news would make much of it. Well, what about if the money comes from white collar crime. Just last November, the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered 3 affiliates of Federated Investors, Inc. to pay $72 million of it's "ill gotten gains" back to the funds they defrauded/cheated, starting in 2002.

www.sec.gov/news/press/2005-164.htm.

The beauty of this is that a disgruntled local GOP undertaker whom the GOP committee bumped out of the way for this kid, is phoning every GOP & Dem voter in the district to inform them about the kid's criminal record, vast wealth and private jet. Good thing, because clearly this kid sees this as an entry ticket to run for US Senate and perhaps follow his buddy Bush into the White House. Oh yes, at the age of 24, this kid gave $25,000 to the Republican National Committee

In conclusion, you are quite right - $150,000 is mere pocket change to these people. I repeat, anyone who depends on their pay check to make a living is the worst kind of fool if they vote GOP.

The excellent Dem candidate running against this GOP trust fund baby, is Shawn Flaherty - with 20+ years experience as an attoney, specializing in property tax relief for homeowners - a very key issue the legislature is currently grappling with. Check him out at:
www.shawnflaherty.com

[merbex]

11. Look how Cheney parleyed the Chief of Staff position when he filled

it under Ford

Entree to Boards of Directors and military industrial complex CEO positions are lining up for Card

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Yes, one must be above the $500,000 baseline to be exempt from

all those taxes the common people are expected to pay.

[zbdent]

13. He couldn't get by

because he didn't qualify for the George W. Bush "middle-class tax cut", which kicks in when you reach that poverty level of $200K/year or more salary . . .