tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227919517269937208.post8105198382767349092..comments2023-09-17T08:37:58.006-06:00Comments on The Good News Economist: The 12 Step Program (For The World Economy)Eldon Masthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15444008509086050220noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227919517269937208.post-43022744325989313462009-01-29T09:05:00.000-07:002009-01-29T09:05:00.000-07:00poor boomer,If you are really serious, have a clos...poor boomer,<BR/><BR/>If you are really serious, have a close look at all the websites listed in this post.<BR/><BR/>several have divisions that are focused heavily on the urban poor in the developed world.<BR/><BR/>microfinance is *not* for those who are not serious and committed to mutual trust and effort.<BR/><BR/>gneEldon Masthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15444008509086050220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227919517269937208.post-8793134162730182422009-01-29T08:05:00.000-07:002009-01-29T08:05:00.000-07:00When will microfinance reach poor people in the de...When will microfinance reach poor people in the developed world? We also want to start businesses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227919517269937208.post-21289099991474958272009-01-28T02:39:00.000-07:002009-01-28T02:39:00.000-07:00Thanks Michael,Dick is quick to agree with your co...Thanks Michael,<BR/><BR/>Dick is quick to agree with your comments on taxation. Thanks also for the link to Kiva.org<BR/>Indeed another leader in the micro-lending space.<BR/><BR/>Cheers!Eldon Masthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15444008509086050220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227919517269937208.post-91760259617835114472009-01-27T08:27:00.000-07:002009-01-27T08:27:00.000-07:00I am a HUGE fan of microlending and love Kiva.org ...I am a HUGE fan of microlending and love Kiva.org which utilizes the same principles all over the world.<BR/><BR/>While I agree that capitalism isn't perfect and the idea of cooperative capitalism seems superior to our winner takes all mentality, I think that the problem is legislative more so than the free market. We exist in a mixed economy and the government portion of that mix is failing to lead the poverty conversation in a meaningful way.<BR/><BR/>I'm not big on government handouts unless they are needed, but that being said, fixing the wealth distribution in this country is largely dependent upon the tax code. As Warren Buffet pointed out last year, he's paying less in taxes than ever before and there's something wrong with that.<BR/><BR/>If you look back at historical marginal tax rates, you will see top brackets over 90%. While these were extreme times, I would like to see us return to the 1980s when top tax rates were 50%. This should be adjusted to only apply to those making in excess of $10 million annually and adjust for escape hatches like non-qualified deferred comp plans etc. <BR/><BR/>In addition, the long-term capital gains tax preference should be overhauled to apply only to holdings of five years or more instead of the current one year requirement. This would support growing businesses through stock ownership that will also help to build more stable share prices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com