Thursday, August 21, 2008

Wealth


Not to get all political....but I couldnt let this one slide.

McCain was asked to define the word "rich" at a forum last week. His answer: "I think if you are just talking about income, how about $5 million?" The audience laughed, and he added: "But seriously, I don't think you can — I don't think seriously that — the point is that I'm trying to make here, seriously — and I'm sure that comment will be distorted — but the point is that we want to keep people's taxes low and increase revenues."

Obama, asked the same question at the forum, said those making $250,000 and higher are in the top 3 to 4 percent and "doing well."

Then yesterday, McCain was asked how many houses he owned. His reply:
"I think — I'll have my staff get to you," "It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you."

I just think its funny that Obama is portrayed as an elitist and out of touch with the common american, when John McCain can't even tell you how many houses he owns. That doesnt seem to be a very common problem for most people. Also, the McCains are worth over $100 million dollars. The Obamas, around $4 million. Barak made around $2 million on book sales last year.

I honestly dont think anyones income has anything to do with running a precidency, but I hate feeling misleaded.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Alex, anything to add?

Unknown said...

I think you should keep reporting the, not exactly anti-Obama view, but the critical Obama view.

Snaxxx said...

hey, im not trying to ruffle feathers. i dont think income should have anything to do with it at all. i personally dont care how rich they are. but you shouldnt call someone else out for something that you are just as quilty of, thats all im saying.

word on the street, is that Barak is all over this already. like filmed an ad and everything.

Alex said...

It should be noted that the vast majority of the McCain's wealth is based on John's wife, Cindy. She is the chair of Hensley & Co. they are one of the largest distributors of Anheuser-Busch products. She is, by far, the wealthier one between her and John.

Why does that matter? Cindy is John's second wife. When they married John got all the properties she owns. So it is not out of reason to believe that John truly does not know how many houses he and his wife own. When your wealth is that great, you do loose track of things the common American wouldn’t forget. Jay Leno couldn’t tell you how many cars he has.

Does wealth matter? Of course, however, in this case you are looking at two very red apples. Both would be classified as falling in the top 1% of wealthiest Americans. Neither could tell you the price of a gallon of milk.

McCain’s portrayal of Obama as an elitist has more to do with his attitude than his net worth. Obama has become a media darling and a cult of personality. He speaks in grand platitudes. His words sound like exactly the words we have been waiting for. But so do the words of a palm reader.