America's Staggering Inequality and Our Strong Preference for a Swedish Alternative

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Really? Then how do they manage to continue to be in effect?

Are you laughing at your own ignorance of history?

The Social Security Act and the Minimum Wage Act were both declared unconstitutional by a 5-4 decision of the SCOTUS. When this happened FDR was furious and attempted to pull a Hugo Chavez and expand the size of the SCOTUS so he could stack it with like minded judges who would push through his unconstitutional New Deal programs. This did not sit well with people and he experienced a backlash from his own party in Congress who refused to go along with it. It became a very contentious issue between the Congress and the court and president and due to the underlying pressure and intimidation that followed, the fifth justice changed his ruling and permitted the programs to be implemented, which paved the way for the rest of the welfare state that we can't pay for today. So as you see, the "Constitutionality" of those programs were wrought through intimidation, coercion, and bullying by the Executive Branch.

Regarding the progressive income tax, it was struck down three times by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. In order to make it legal the Congress and the Wilson administration had to amend the Constitution (the 16th Amendment).

Nope. Wilson and the Congress did not amend the constitution.

The 61st Congress, with both houses controlled by Republicans passed the 16th amendment in 1909. The Republican William Taft was president when the bill passed. It was then ratified by 3/4 of the states. So we have the Republican party to thank for our federal income tax. I bet you won't hear Republicans listing the 16th amendment as one of their great accomplishments.

Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
61st United States Congress - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I was incorrect in stating that the Wilson administration passed the amendment, however, it was the Wilson administration that actually passed the progressive income tax, so I wasn't entirely wrong. From your own link

The presidential election of 1912 was contested between three advocates of an income tax.[24] On February 25, 1913, Secretary of State Philander Knox proclaimed that the amendment had been ratified by the necessary three-fourths of the states, and thus had become part of the Constitution.[25] Shortly thereafter, the Revenue Act of 1913 was enacted.

 

[Flopper]

Are you laughing at your own ignorance of history?

The Social Security Act and the Minimum Wage Act were both declared unconstitutional by a 5-4 decision of the SCOTUS. When this happened FDR was furious and attempted to pull a Hugo Chavez and expand the size of the SCOTUS so he could stack it with like minded judges who would push through his unconstitutional New Deal programs. This did not sit well with people and he experienced a backlash from his own party in Congress who refused to go along with it. It became a very contentious issue between the Congress and the court and president and due to the underlying pressure and intimidation that followed, the fifth justice changed his ruling and permitted the programs to be implemented, which paved the way for the rest of the welfare state that we can't pay for today. So as you see, the "Constitutionality" of those programs were wrought through intimidation, coercion, and bullying by the Executive Branch.

Regarding the progressive income tax, it was struck down three times by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. In order to make it legal the Congress and the Wilson administration had to amend the Constitution (the 16th Amendment).

Nope. Wilson and the Congress did not amend the constitution.

The 61st Congress, with both houses controlled by Republicans passed the 16th amendment in 1909. The Republican William Taft was president when the bill passed. It was then ratified by 3/4 of the states. So we have the Republican party to thank for our federal income tax. I bet you won't hear Republicans listing the 16th amendment as one of their great accomplishments.

Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
61st United States Congress - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I was incorrect in stating that the Wilson administration passed the amendment, however, it was the Wilson administration that actually passed the progressive income tax, so I wasn't entirely wrong. From your own link

The presidential election of 1912 was contested between three advocates of an income tax.[24] On February 25, 1913, Secretary of State Philander Knox proclaimed that the amendment had been ratified by the necessary three-fourths of the states, and thus had become part of the Constitution.[25] Shortly thereafter, the Revenue Act of 1913 was enacted.

Yep

 

[Bass v 2.0]

If you like Sweden so much, you are free to move there. I dont see why we should give up our freedom just because you prefer another country.

You're not giving up any damn freedom you retard, stop with the scare tactics. You live in the most free country in the world and you're still complaining.

 

[California Girl]

These Boards are loaded with Threads claiming the Sky is Falling, every time a Republican suggests cutting a dime. Give the rant a break.

It's the standard "fear mongering" they use every time.

Indeed, it is. The left are an entertaining little bunch. They fear monger and rant like little banshees, and then claim that the right are fear mongering and ranting. Weird.

 

[California Girl]

If you like Sweden so much, you are free to move there. I dont see why we should give up our freedom just because you prefer another country.

You're not giving up any damn freedom you retard, stop with the scare tactics. You live in the most free country in the world and you're still complaining.

We do, currently, live in the most free country on earth. That's why we protect that freedom from people like you who seek to take it from us. Ain't gonna happen, little man.

 

[The T]

We could stand some improvement.

Unemployment
US 9.2%
Sweden 7.8%

GDP Growth 2010
U.S. 2.9%
Sweden 4.1%

Deficit 2010 Pct of GDP
U.S. 10.7%
Sweden 3.1%

Educational Rank
U.S 27
Sweden 15



Educational Score Performance - Country Rankings
United States GDP Growth Rate

As to that educational rank? We spend billions on education and for what? Just look at who is running the schools? And imperial FED and UNIONS that care more of their stinkin' jobs and benefits rather than really teaching.

And as far as teaching? It's more indoctrination into Socialist Failure. Gubmint=Good

Individualism and Responsibility=BAD.

I would be ashamed of such an abysmal ranking and the preveyors should be as well.

Instead of asking what are we doing wrong, maybe we should be asking what are they doing right?

First hint is to stop throwing money at failure.