Return to Home Page - The Modern Tribune
|
"Billionaires
for Bush" Celebrate Tax Day
By LEE
LEFFLER -
Photos
by Anthony Maresco WAPPINGERS FALLS, NEW YORK (4/16) - The number of billionaires in America bloomed for a day on April 15, when the satirical anti-Bush activist group "Billionaires for Bush" held rallies throughout the country. "Thank You For Paying Our Taxes" was the theme of these street theatre demonstrations, with activists dressed up like caricatures of billionaires at a fancy ball. In Wappingers Falls, New York, a handful of so-called "billionaires" stood on one of the busiest road intersections in the Hudson Valley to celebrate tax day. Hudson Valley Billionaires for Bush chapter president Tom Bregman raised his glass of champagne to the taxpayers driving past. "One day a year, we come out to thank the middle working class and the working poor. We want to thank them because they support our lifestyle. They pay higher taxes so we don't have to. And you can see how much they appreciate our support." Sure enough, honks and a variety of hand signals and shouts expelled from passing cars. "I'm
glad that the working people are paying our taxes
for us," said Dutchess County resident Bruce
Engholm in a top hat and tails, playing the character
of a billionaire. "We're off the hook. It seems
fair to me. I was born into my wealth. I had a trust
fund growing up and now the money is mine. If I get
richer, it will trickle down and help the working
people. George Bush is on my side. I do my bit by
buying yachts and paying sales tax." The fact
that many people cannot afford heath insurance does
not seem to bother him. "It's really not my problem." Nationally, Billionaires for Bush have been making appearances since the 2000 presidential campaign. In formal attire – top hats, furs, fancy dresses, jewels – they have showed up at Republican fundraisers, anti-war rallies and tax-day events to highlight how President George W. Bush's policies have helped the richest Americans. For instance, Bush's tax cuts gave $50,000+ to everyone making over $1 million, but just $350 each to 80% of American families. And these tax cuts for the wealthy will grow over time, to $85,000+ by 2010. Over the next 10 years, the richest 1% of Americans will each save half a million dollars in taxes. No wonder these "billionaires" were celebrating on tax day! Billionaires for Bush is concerned about corporate taxation, too. Says Bregman, "Only 60% of American corporations did not pay taxes. We think four more years of President Bush will bring that number closer to 100%." This is Bregman's tongue-in-cheek way of saying that more corporations should pay taxes.
Corporations and wealthy individuals also make the
largest campaign contributions. Part of Billionaires
for Bush's mission is to show how "investing"
in campaigns can have big payoffs. According to their
calculations, the $200 million given to Bush's 2000
election campaign has resulted in $1.1 trillion in
tax cuts, a return on investment of 550,000%. Just
10% of individuals give 90% of the individual campaign
contributions. Beth Law, an "heiress" in a formal gown, said, "We billionaires have to band together to protect our wealth. I want to thank each and every working American for making sure I have all my diamonds, earrings, necklaces, bracelets. The taxpayers are wonderful for putting in so much time and effort for me." "Billionaire" Kathy Adler said, "I want to thank all of you peons for putting Bush in office. This has been the greatest four years. Look how much money I have saved in taxes." Less than one mile away from the rally was low-income housing with a high proportion of registered Republicans. When asked why the working poor would vote Republican, Adler said "They're all wannabes. We've got to breed them from somewhere. They'll come along." But what are the chances they will be billionaires like you? "They can hope." Local Democratic congressional candidate Janine Selendy circulated among the "Billionaires" seeking support. Her progressive platform led to clashes with Bregman over the war in Iraq. "We think blood for oil is a good formula," said Bregman. Selendy: "Whose blood for oil?" Bregman: "The [working-class] soldiers who fight our wars. Their blood, our oil. We toast them with champagne." When asked why he does not support universal health insurance, Bregman pointed out that "a hungry person, a person on the edge is a person that will work very hard. We think that fear is an extremely powerful motivator and that fear will keep them taking lower wages, and not demanding health care. If they demand this, we can just ship their jobs overseas. That's what this administration has done, and we feel that four more years of Bush is exactly what this county needs." Text © copyright 2004 Lee
Leffler. All rights reserved.
|
