Russell Simmons, Def Jam Productions media mogul, has joined a growing list of wealthy Americans who recognize the imbalance and inequities in U.S tax laws. Simmons joins Warren Buffet, Howard Schultz – CEO of Starbucks, Ron Howard-producer/director, Joseph Stiglitz – Nobel Prize winner, Matt Damon – actor, Chuck Woolery – game show host. I believe the list is much longer and I know that some websites are compiling lists of higher income people who speak out for fairness.
Simmons Joined MSNBC host, Martin Bashir, in discussion of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protest in New York City. The protest is in its 14th day (Communique 14 as the OWS call it). Simmons joins Bashir in studio to discuss his reason for joining the growing movement and protest. Both Bashir and Simmons spoke extensively about Mayor Bloomberg’s statement of last week related to violence unrest if the disparity and fairness in the nation does not change. Michael Moore similarly joined Lawrence O’Donnell last evening with his perspective on the OWS protest. The growth of the protest in New York City, is a serious matter as the nation focuses attention of ways to ease the financial problems of the nation. As I wrote yesterday, the OWS protest is the direct result of their published beliefs and guiding principles, ”We have a fundamental deep seated opposition for the concentration of wealth in America“. OWS has a simple manifesto ” We are the 99 per cent that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the top per cent“. Apparently, NYC Union workers have indicated that they will join the protest and local Postal workers are also indicting interest in joining the protest. Celebrites like Susan Sarandon and activist/educator Dr. Cornel West have been observed in the midst of the OWS events.
The Simmons interview is worth taking ten minutes of your day.
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Bashir and Simmons cover the topic of (fair and equitable) tax issues in the nation very thoroughly. While Simmons sits for approximately two minutes of the 10:32 minute video, Bashir makes additional points that are germane to the growing OWS protest. The greater issue is the OWS protest and underlying reason for the public gatherings and workshops.
The problem with continued resistance to fair and equitable contributions to fixing the nation’s financial woes far exceeds protecting the rich. People are not working, some see the growing gap in income and earnings, most see increasing consumerism and greed by the wealthy, and anyone with a fair mind sees growing insensitivity by people who want to again take over the administration of the nation. Simmons actually states his case very well. When discussing fair and equitable tax structures, we must speak about the tax rate percentages, not the very basic fact that the rich may in fact pay more tax but that their required rate is lower than your and my rate. If seventy-three (73%) percent of tax paying citizens feel that the top five (5%) per cent income earners should pay taxes at a higher percentage, why does the GOP continue their bull-headed ‘protectionism’? They may find the people see them as on the wrong side of this issue.
Edited by Wendy Gittleson
