Not in the same boat

Listening to Gov. Mitch Daniels’ rebuttal to President Barack Obama’s address last night, I wondered if we live in the same country. He accused the president of promoting class division, of currying favor with some groups by castigating others. Then he added, “We are all in the same boat.”

Well, governor, we are not all in the same boat. The wealthiest (which includes most politicians) are in a boat that is steadily rising. The remainder of us are in a boat that is sinking faster than an Italian cruise ship. Our incomes have been falling for 30 years, while theirs have been rising that entire time.

The president said he favors having the wealthiest contribute more in the way of taxes. They have had 30 years of a reduced top rate, which came down from a high of 90 percent in the 1950s to about 35 percent now. The stated purpose of this huge windfall for the rich was that they would invest the difference in American companies, leading to job growth and prosperity for all and magically erasing our deficits.

All the available evidence shows that this has never worked. Is there some reason we should believe this Republican argument now?

Greg Presley

Spokane