'Class Envy' Doesn't Work

Teleman January 23, 2012 at 07:17 pm

Couldn't agree more- if the gov't confiscated ALL of the 1%'s wealth - no ones quality of life would improve a single bit. I am disturbed however at the widening disparity of income- it is a problem- you can't deny the hipocracy of the "capitalists" on Wall st who took gov't bailouts while the middle class collapses.

jeff meyer January 24, 2012 at 01:49 pm

Mr. Bazzo, Please, you are hardly "a voice in the wilderness". Stop the self flattery. Your opinion is well represented by the News Corp empire and other right leaning media outlets. That is fine and proper since information should be balanced and reflective of all sides. However, enough with the "liberal media" conspiracy theories. In this age of information, every person has numerous sources such as cable television, internet and other outlets to be informed from. The OWS movement, which my wife and I have attended and listened too, if being fueled by frustration against government policy that many feel (especially youth) benefits those who hold power and live in privilege. What you consider to be a matter of "envy" many other such as myself consider to be a matter of "fairness" and the responsibility and role of government to assist its citizens. I have been a recipient of the "American Dream". I just hope that my children's and my grandchild's generation can have the same opportunities that my wife and I have had. That is what I learned from attending Zuccotti Park. Did you form your opinion by listening to individuals at the OWS rallies or by watching "Fox News"? Just an honest question from a ordinary citizen who does not have to use biblical references such as" a voice in the wilderness" to describe himself. Jeff Meyer Tuckahoe, NY

Peter Marengo January 24, 2012 at 03:16 pm

Facts are indisputable and Mr. Bazzo is just laying them out on the table. Government confiscation of the most innovative and productive members of society will lead it to collapse. It has been proven time and time again that if you snuff out capitalism, you retard innovation, new technolgies and discoveries - things that typically lead to better standards of living and greater life expectancies. We can see the results of government meddling today in Europe. Mr. Meyer - tell us which society throughout history has benefited by having its government taking over the reigns of a free society? (And please, cut out the patronizing tone labeling citizens that you disagree with as shills)

Blue January 24, 2012 at 03:34 pm

Jeff,
Though I agree with a lot of the OWSers ORIGINAL message of fairness I don't agree the American Dream is having the gov't do everything and solve every problem. An entity with such low moral standing should not be deciding which American Dream is morally correct and putting monetary value on it. All politicians by nature also have greed. Greed for higher office and greed for staying in office and their policies are shaped to satisfy that greed. I can't knock the Bank Bailout because they also bailed out the auto industry ( which saved tens of thousands of US union jobs) so we take the good with the bad. GM and Chrysler are beginning to thrive again and its depicted as an " American Comeback" story. The banks are coming back slower with more regulation yet we point fingers and say they are to blame for our problems? I don't agree Can you explain what how you came to realize your American dream?

SPK January 24, 2012 at 04:56 pm

I've never understood how further confiscation of anyone's wealth for social, not economic purpose, improves anyone else's lives. Self satisfaction?
Why does the Federal government need more than 25% of anyone's income? This country needs to return to growth, and to create economic opportunity for all...but especially for our young people who have missed out these past 5-8 years. I am hoping for new direction and return to growth come November.

Issy January 24, 2012 at 05:34 pm

"We can see the results of government meddling today in Europe" ... Yes we can, higher standard of living, less murders, lower infant mortality, better education, health care, longevity and overall quality of life.
Sure, Europe is going through a rough spot, but it will rebound. There needs to be a balance. Capitalism is great, it certainly contribute much, but it should not be at the expense of the general population, the poor and/or the environment,

Anthony J. Bazzo January 24, 2012 at 06:11 pm

1)I did not call myself "a voice in the wilderness", someone else did.
2) I do not watch t.v. or cable news. I do time consuming research before I come to an opinion and/or a conclusion In other words the only kool-aid I drink is mine Bazzo 01/24/12

Diana January 24, 2012 at 08:30 pm

When did they take those bail outs?Wall street and all who had gotten the " stimulus" package money was back in 09 what happened the OWS just woke up?

jeff meyer January 24, 2012 at 08:30 pm

Mr. Bazzo, Why use the reference "kool-aid"? Can not reasonable people disagree or do your feeling get easily hurt when someone disagrees with you. Don't you state at the top of your opinion that one may "beg to differ". I read your opinion and found no "risk" at all. It was thoughtful. Never the less I disagree with it. Jeff Meyer Tuckahoe, NY

jeff meyer January 24, 2012 at 08:38 pm

Mr. Marengo, When did I use the term "shills". Perhaps reading a opinion would be helpful before commenting on it. To claim that Mr. Bazzo's opinions are "indisputable facts". is just way over the top. Furthermore I observe nothing that would indicate that our "government is taking over the reigns of a free society". JM Tuckahoe, NY

Peter Marengo January 24, 2012 at 09:07 pm

Thanks Issy, you sound pretty confident about Europe - would you put your money there? You can argue the last time Europe was in such a precarious position, a war ensued. I'm curious - how does capitalism work at the expense of the poor?

Bruce Apar January 24, 2012 at 09:26 pm

Mr. Meyer, your comments also are very well considered. In the interest of full disclosure, as someone who is privileged to work with Mr. Bazzo as co-host of weekly community affairs public access series "Bruce the Blog Goes Bazzo!" (Thursdays at 10 p.m. on Cablevision 15 and 74), I can attest that "Read Bazzo at your own risk" is for theatrical effect, though, heaven knows, Mr. Bazzo hardly needs me or anyone to help him reach an audience via marketing moxie. The guy's a regular click magnet. (P.S. "Drinking the Kool-Aid" is widely invoked in our culture's casual vernacular, if for the most horrific of reasons, owing to the enormity of mass suicide at the hands of madman Jim Jones.)

Teleman January 24, 2012 at 11:23 pm

Um yeah, I want to be just like Europe.

Watchdog January 25, 2012 at 02:34 am

Issy, please explain how Capitalism comes at the expense of the general population and the poor?

Watchdog January 25, 2012 at 02:45 am

Bondholders in Greece will get maybe, maybe 35% of their investment back.

Issy January 25, 2012 at 10:24 am

I never sad capitalism DOES work at the expense of the poor/general population only that it should not: Examples are, Paying minimum wages and no benefits (Walmart), super-fund sites and pollution (GE Hudson River), corporate Tax havens (Halliburton, GE) Venture Capitalism (Romney) and out-sourcing jobs (DELL etc).
The result of which is unemployment, increased tax burden on people and stress on local resources.

Blue January 25, 2012 at 11:40 am

I can't get a handle on the 15% tax thing. On one hand it seems low for someone who invests for a living. On the other hand lets say you achieve the American dream and get yourself in the upper middle to low higher class and make 250-500k. You pay your 35% share in taxes all is well. House almost paid for. Kids r in a good school system.What do you do to grow your money? Banks at 1-3%? Retirement funds? Ok but is the American dream saving all your money until the end with no guarantees you can enjoy it then? Why would anyone invest in anything if on the back end you pay another 35% in taxes. I think we might be missing the fact that there are more everyday Americans investing than there are people who do it for a living. I think there has to be a happy medium. Warren Buffett can say anything he wants now that he's a billionaire and old. Most old people get sentimental when they near the end. He wouldn't have said that 20 years ago. And while I'm on that subject why isn't his secretary super rich? Does she not have ears??

SPK January 25, 2012 at 02:27 pm

Issy, do you not benefit from shopping a Wal-Mart, benefit from innovative products funded by Venture Capitalists (including Apple at its start), low-cost PCs from Dell so every family member can afford one, better returns in your 401k or corp pension plan, etc.??
Not my job to defend capitalism, but be careful bashing a system that produces enormous social benefits for all. Of course there are stresses. Having Vacationed in Sweden last year and seen its costs for everything to fund its welfare state, know where we are headed. Last nite's speech by the President confirms it.