TonyArmani- Some Americans "enjoy prosperity" but many WORKING AMERICANS struggle to pay the bills. This country made great progress in building a strong middle class by SHARING the wealth and closing the gap between rich and poor. Ronald Reagan began the attack on working people and George Bush has pretty much completed the job. The Democrats (and Bill Clinton) didn't try very hard to stop this so maybe its time to give the left a try.

"blackrocklifer - The "hard left" has never been in power"....and for good reason, Americans enjoy prosperity, capitalism, and keeping all that they earn.

The Great Depression WAS NOT caused by the top X% controlling most of the wealth. The working and middle classes were doing just fine in the 1920's. This is what caused it:

1) The virtual outlawing of immigration in the 1920's, during a time when the country needed it desperately. 2) Smoot Hawley Tariff in 1930 brought world trade to a halt. 3) Hoover and Congress raised top tax rates to 65%. 4) Federal Reserve raised interest rates when the economy was slowing.

Without 1, 2, 3, and 4, the Crash of 1929 would have been led to nothing more than a recession (by mid-1930 the market had gained back half its losses). Blame the stupid politicians then, and blame the stupid politicians now for causing the mortgage crisis and the energy crisis.

Good point Biniszkiewicz, Its about balance and fairness, something we have not seen for some time. Few would advocate for a strict socialist state but we need to protect citizens from the excess of capitalism. Greed is a powerful force and unfettered "free" markets have a record of inflicting great pain on the majority for the profit of a few.

Becker- "Failed proposition economically"? Are you refering to the last 8 years of right wing control? The "hard left" has never been in power but we can see the dramatic results of allowing the hard right agenda to dominate our nation.

Socialist brainwashing? which school has that program? Sorry rubygreta but the schools tend to be on the conservative side, evolution and birth control are even watered down to placate the vocal right wing minority.

1. Yes, sharing is bad.

2. Anybody who thinks that any aspect of our government reflects the "hard left" is delusional. The most prominent person who might possibly be considered "hard left" is probably Ralph Nader. He's a good activist, and if you've survived a serious car crash, you may owe him your life, but he's not very influential in the grand scheme.

tonyarmani- I was refering to WORKING PEOPLE getting their fair share, but when I drive down that highway I do think of how my tax dollars are wasted subsidizing the 990 so the more affluent can get home to East Amherst.

The distribution of wealth in America is very similar to the days before the depression. Maybe we can change that by electing progressives willing to challege the right wing that has dominated politics for far too long. Then again todays paper has Satish Mohan whining that Amherst deserves more county sales tax revenue, at the expense of Buffalo, so maybe not.

Obama 08'

NO ONE IN BUFFALO HAS TO REMEMBER THE DEPRESSION BECAUSE THE DEPRESSION NEVER LEFT BUFFALO....

50% OF THE PEOPLE LEFT 50% OF THE HOUSING IS DEMOLISHED AND REMAINS UNBUILT 50% OF THE CITY IS DEMOLISHED AND REMAINS UNBUILT 75% OF THE INDUSTRY & BUSINESS IS DEMOLISHED AND REMAINS UNBUILT

THE DEPRESSION NEVER LEFT....THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE REST OF THE NATION HAS DESCENDED TO THE LEVEL OF BUFFALO INSTEAD OF BUFFALO RISING OUT OF DEPRESSION

Bill Gates is worth 50 billion dollars. If Bill Gates did not exist would the poor be better off? Of course not.

Socialist brainwashing in the schools has taken its toll on too many posters here.

Buffet is the biggest fraud going. If he thinks he has been undertaxed all these years, why doesn't he write a check out tomorrow to the US Treasuary for 10 billion dollars. He'll still have 40 billion to play with

brl - next time you drive through the east side seeing people "sharing" your money smoking crack and playing dice, or drive down the highway watching the union working crew laugh on a half hour coffee break, you can think back to the great sharing idea...

PaulBuffalo- I agree, Democrats and Republicans can both be faulted for the current state of the economy, but don't be polite, Republicans deserve to take credit for the past 8 years of peace and prosperity.

I'm new to the political scheme so here are my questions. Are California and New York considered Left states? Highest taxes in the country, medicaid, all the programs for the extremely low to low income and the ideas on immigration? Recently trying to give illegals a license. California debating putting drinking fountains in the desert for the illegals running over? California its illegal to ask for identification to see if someone is a border jumper or an actual citizen? These are simple questions that I have wondered? Maybe someone can tell me where I fall on this scale. I believe people have lost the mentality of working hard for the things you need. People look to much to the government for help. (example SSI, and welfare, medicaid) I believe that people should get some help from the government but not to the extreme it is in New York where everyone is buddy buddy and should be helped out. I feel that some of these programs are what is hurting are government. If we didn't have to spend the money on some of these programs I feel that the government would have more money for education and the important things. Also the people who make a career out of medicaid and welfare would realize that they wont be able to have a kid every 3 yrs to keep the benefits and will actually have to work. Please don't hate me or give me all 1 star ratings, I am just wondering where I fall and I read some of the posts by some of you and you seem well informed on politics. Thank you.