> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> [mailto:owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com]On Behalf Of Paul Henry Rosenberg
> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 1998 5:49 PM
> To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> Subject: Re: la revolution
>
>
> Max Sawicky wrote:
>
> > In either case, I'm not crazy about the idea.
> > The system (benefits AND taxes) is already
> > progressive. Taking the cap off would make
> > it more progressive, which I have nothing
> > against in principle. Right now, however,
> > the system is under major attack, in part
> > BECAUSE it is progressive. Thus now is not
> > the best time to push for more progressivity.
> > Defense of the basic premises of the program,
> > including its progressivity, is the priority
> > from my standpoint.
>
> The system's being attacked from the right. A basic element of their
> attack is lack of money. Removing the cap brings in MORE money. WHY
> NOT TALK ABOUT IT??? What BETTER time could there possibly be to talk
> about it??? In fact, we should be SHOVING IT DOWN THEIR THROATS!
But there is no lack of money. Rejecting that premise gets the monkey off our backs,and as HK used to say, it has the added advantage of being true.
If we were in the business of proposing fixes for the 75 year 'problem,' there's a case for proposing that the share of wages subject to tax should be kept at 90 percent. It has been drifting down in recent years (to about 85 percent, I believe). This would raise the cap from its present level of about $66K to about $88K. This will probably be part of the solution proposed to Dems, if they propose one at all.
Cheers,
MBS