The saying: “Water, Water everywhere but not a drop to drink!” is sadly familiar to the plight of the nation in terms of “Money, Money everywhere and not a dime to spend (or spare)!” The current monetary philosophy and policy is spend more - print more - increase debt more - - The solution to everything is to increase the Taxes on the “Rich” in this nation. After all (it is said), they have all the money and benefits – let them pay for the extravagances (needs?) of others. If only there was some integrity to research and report the facts!
The latest figures from the year 2007, according to the Tax Foundation (and posted by Neal Boortz) are: “The top 1% of taxpayers officially paid 40.4% of total federal income taxes. This is the highest percentage in modern history. Compare that number to twenty years prior (1987) when the top 1% of taxpayers paid 24.8% of income taxes. Lest you think they monopolized the wealth, they actually earned about 22.8% of total adjusted gross income. How much does a person have to earn to be in this top 1%? Total: $410,000. The share of taxes paid by the top 1% of taxpayers now exceeds the share paid by the bottom 95% of taxpayers. Again, the top 1% paid 40.4% of incomes taxes while the bottom 95% paid 39.4% of the income tax burden. This means that the top 1% of taxpayers (which is 1.4 million people) paid a larger share of the income tax burden than the bottom 95% of taxpayers (which is comprised of 134 million people). The key to and problem with these numbers is that 9 out of 10 Americans will never see them nor will anyone ever share these numbers with them. The Democrats will, in spite of these numbers, be able to continue to demonize the evil rich and spread the lie that somehow they aren't ‘paying their fair share.’ To make things worse, Democrat demagogues will continue to promote the idea that all of their social welfare programs can easily be funded with additional taxes on the rich. Where do they stop? When the top 1% is paying about 80% of all income taxes?”
For too long in our nation, we have ignored Biblical Principles by which our lives could and should be governed. In 1 Timothy 6:6-12 we read: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it…People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with much grief…” Some may identify with the old country preacher who lamented: “It’s not the love of money that’s my problem – it’s the lack of money!” The key is (a) Contentment, and (b) Confidence that God will provide and sustain! This precise point is stated in Hebrews 13:5-6, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" The answer to that postulate is: Nothing! Absolutely Nothing! The entire world may be turned upside-down, and financial bankruptcy become universal – but – that does NOT change who God is or what He is able to do for those who will seek and follow Him.
An argument can be made for one having “pride” in his/her appearance, accomplishments or accumulations. Care must always be exercised to prevent that from becoming one’s sole preoccupation and/or sense of self-worth. An important balance to this is found in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” A classic example of Pride is given in Daniel 4:29-34, “…as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle…until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes…” The King ultimately repented: “I…raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.” Have you? Will you? Consider these things with me!
The latest figures from the year 2007, according to the Tax Foundation (and posted by Neal Boortz) are: “The top 1% of taxpayers officially paid 40.4% of total federal income taxes. This is the highest percentage in modern history. Compare that number to twenty years prior (1987) when the top 1% of taxpayers paid 24.8% of income taxes. Lest you think they monopolized the wealth, they actually earned about 22.8% of total adjusted gross income. How much does a person have to earn to be in this top 1%? Total: $410,000. The share of taxes paid by the top 1% of taxpayers now exceeds the share paid by the bottom 95% of taxpayers. Again, the top 1% paid 40.4% of incomes taxes while the bottom 95% paid 39.4% of the income tax burden. This means that the top 1% of taxpayers (which is 1.4 million people) paid a larger share of the income tax burden than the bottom 95% of taxpayers (which is comprised of 134 million people). The key to and problem with these numbers is that 9 out of 10 Americans will never see them nor will anyone ever share these numbers with them. The Democrats will, in spite of these numbers, be able to continue to demonize the evil rich and spread the lie that somehow they aren't ‘paying their fair share.’ To make things worse, Democrat demagogues will continue to promote the idea that all of their social welfare programs can easily be funded with additional taxes on the rich. Where do they stop? When the top 1% is paying about 80% of all income taxes?”
For too long in our nation, we have ignored Biblical Principles by which our lives could and should be governed. In 1 Timothy 6:6-12 we read: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it…People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with much grief…” Some may identify with the old country preacher who lamented: “It’s not the love of money that’s my problem – it’s the lack of money!” The key is (a) Contentment, and (b) Confidence that God will provide and sustain! This precise point is stated in Hebrews 13:5-6, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" The answer to that postulate is: Nothing! Absolutely Nothing! The entire world may be turned upside-down, and financial bankruptcy become universal – but – that does NOT change who God is or what He is able to do for those who will seek and follow Him.
An argument can be made for one having “pride” in his/her appearance, accomplishments or accumulations. Care must always be exercised to prevent that from becoming one’s sole preoccupation and/or sense of self-worth. An important balance to this is found in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” A classic example of Pride is given in Daniel 4:29-34, “…as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle…until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes…” The King ultimately repented: “I…raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.” Have you? Will you? Consider these things with me!
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