Marc,

Was the tax rate the only factor for the success of the US economy in the 1990s and thus the cure for ails us now?

It couldn't have anything to do with the peace dividend from the end of the Cold War, the economic decline of Japan, the Workforce Investment Act that got people off welfare and back into the workforce, the overheated dot.com investment bubble or dozens of other issues?

As for the rich -- whom you say "have more and therefore should pay more" -- what qualifies as "rich" in your definition? Do you mean "rich" as calculated by liquid capital, or by investment capital, or by fixed goods capital, or by inventory assets holdings? After all, there's a big difference between the small business owner and a trust fund baby, but depending on how you add the sums both can be equally "rich".

What taxes shall we impose? Shall we have property tax, value added tax, sales tax, payroll tax, health insurance penalty tax, social security tax, worker's compensation tax, federal income tax, state income tax, excess tax, windfall profits tax, fuel tax? I'm certain I'm missing a few... Oh, yeah: business improvement districts, abatement districts, assessment districts, millrates, water management districts, airport improvement fees. That got them all? No, but you've got an idea we've got lots of fishing lines in the pond.

Now what do you want to do with all the money? Lots of different programs and activities, why choose? Let's do it all. Oh, we're a little short. That's okay, we'll borrow the rest and pay it back later. Next year already! Short again? Well, let's borrow some more. Oh, here's a few more good ideas! Short again? Well, let's borrow some more...

Marc, this business is a little bit more complex than "make the rich pay".

No, Cap changes with the times.  In the few issues he appeared in in the 1950s, he was a fascist nut and those appearances were explained away in a later story.

You evidently missed my post from the first page about the title being written by litany young leftists with a political ax to grind. That, unfortunately, seems to be a long-established tradition in the title too.

Yes, that's the point.  It's a long-standing tradition - not sure why people are shocked by it.  You shocked when a snake bites you?

Next, you mention California and to that, I say:  I agree.  Just finished my taxes - I got a bigger than usual refund from the Federal because OBAMA LOWERED MY TAXES but I paid a record high level of taxes to the state because California is filled with morons on the left and half-wits on the right and the end-result is that the citizens are screwed because of it.  I say we scrap the whole State Government and rebuild it from scratch.  FIRE EVERY SINGLE PERSON, burn the state constitution, knock down the state buildings, end all programs, and start over. 

That's the only hope California has - thanks to years of games being played on both sides.  Because it's not as easy as just cutting taxes or just slashing programs.  Bills need to be paid; our tax system in California was screwed years ago by people on the right wanting to end taxes and people on the left wanting more taxes and now we have a government that does both and in the end, we're all screwed.  Tear it all down - burn it to the ground - and start over.  That's what we need there.

Revolution. 

Mike O'Brien,

Are you going to the San Diego Comic Con? We have GOT to get together for a beer...

I seriously think that no white president would be afforded thislittle respect, this little trust and with no white president would hisactual accomplishments and policies have been ignored to such an extentby even his most vocal opponents.

White presidents get treated like The Boss. It may be a Boss you hate, but you still treat him like a Boss.  Obama gets treated like he's a servant or a janitor or some mid-level flunky."

I have to disagree.  Bush 43 was treated with plenty of disrespect while in office and beyond.  His intelligence was mocked, every achievement in his life was attributed to his father's connections, there were accusations of not fulfilling his National Guard service etc.  Its common policy now to be disrespectful to the President if he is from the 'other' party.  I have no doubt that if Hillary was President, the same protests would be going on, with slightly altered signs.  Not every criticism about Obama is about race.  There is no more respect for a white president than for a black president.

My apologies Mr Norris!  I was posting fast and not paying close attention.

Matthew, I won't be at San Diego (that I know of, yet!) - I went once a decade ago and it was fun, but not something I need to do regularly.  I'm a nor-Cal guy, and end up at WonderCon most years (even though I say I won't!) - but if you're ever in the north, I'd be more than happy to go for a drink.