Obama sat in the 2013 GT500 and said this is what he needs.
#61
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 4,354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
A tax break is more money in your pocket, less money in the government's pocket. Fiscally it is identical to a welfare payment, we just don't call it welfare because... well that's what poor people get right?
so, because they didnt have to pay a certain amount, they were taking money from us? youre probably one of those types that believe taxing people less = spending..
I'm not out to defend GM and bash the Japanese. GM was mismanaged for a long time no doubt about that. But in your criticism of GM, you need to be fair. the govt took chrysler from a firm, and gave it to fiat. THEN they gave the UAW a large chunk of the company while violation contractual law and screwing of share holders
Part of the reason GM went broke was paying for health care and retirement. Auto workers in Germany and Japan have their health care paid for by their governments, which takes a huge burden off of the businesses. In addition they fewer retired workers to pay pensions too.where, pray tell do you think the germans and japanese health care systems get their money? oh, and how is japans economy doing even without the tsunami/earthquake?
And as far as the states giving tax breaks in order to create jobs and generate revenue, yes it absolutely makes sense. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, to the contrary, it's the right thing to do. But let's not pretend that GM and Chrysler are Obama's evil socialized car companies and Ford and the foreign companies are perfectly fine capitalist enterprises.
so, because they didnt have to pay a certain amount, they were taking money from us? youre probably one of those types that believe taxing people less = spending..
I'm not out to defend GM and bash the Japanese. GM was mismanaged for a long time no doubt about that. But in your criticism of GM, you need to be fair. the govt took chrysler from a firm, and gave it to fiat. THEN they gave the UAW a large chunk of the company while violation contractual law and screwing of share holders
Part of the reason GM went broke was paying for health care and retirement. Auto workers in Germany and Japan have their health care paid for by their governments, which takes a huge burden off of the businesses. In addition they fewer retired workers to pay pensions too.where, pray tell do you think the germans and japanese health care systems get their money? oh, and how is japans economy doing even without the tsunami/earthquake?
And as far as the states giving tax breaks in order to create jobs and generate revenue, yes it absolutely makes sense. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, to the contrary, it's the right thing to do. But let's not pretend that GM and Chrysler are Obama's evil socialized car companies and Ford and the foreign companies are perfectly fine capitalist enterprises.
a majority of the 787 billion dollar stimulus law went largely to european companies and banks. so far, the US govt (taxpayers) is out billions because of gm. chrysler not doing much better.
the moral of the story? keynesian economics is a failed and flat wrong theory. FDR proved it and now obama is proving it.
#62
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
But now, exactly which 'economic theories' do work? If you've got it all figured out I'd really like to know because if any of the practices utilized up until this point had actually worked so much better 1) why would anyone have tried something different/strayed from it? And 2) How did things get so bad after following that 'perfect' path or 'unflawed' system if it actually worked so well/properly in the first place?
![Huh](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/huh.gif)
#63
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Agreed.
But now, exactly which 'economic theories' do work? If you've got it all figured out I'd really like to know because if any of the practices utilized up until this point had actually worked so much better 1) why would anyone have tried something different/strayed from it? And 2) How did things get so bad after following that 'perfect' path or 'unflawed' system if it actually worked so well/properly in the first place?![Huh](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/huh.gif)
But now, exactly which 'economic theories' do work? If you've got it all figured out I'd really like to know because if any of the practices utilized up until this point had actually worked so much better 1) why would anyone have tried something different/strayed from it? And 2) How did things get so bad after following that 'perfect' path or 'unflawed' system if it actually worked so well/properly in the first place?
![Huh](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/huh.gif)
Not everyone gets rich with a free market, but far fewer stay poor.
#64
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
As far as Japan's economy is going, I would imagine they're still in the process of rebuilding. I do know they're one of the largest holders of U.S. debt, owning nearly as much as China.
companies rise and fall based on the merits of the products and services they provide. on top of that, those who bought into the company take precedent over those who havent by contract. our entire economic system was built on that. well, that is unless obama is in charge.
Every U.S. administration in modern history believed in Keynesian economics, Reagan being one of the biggest ones. But you're right that Keynesianism is a failure, I believe we need to look more towards the current German model, they have one of the strongest economies in the world.
#65
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Capitalism and the "free market" work(see China). The only reason they're not working for America now is because they've been hi-jacked and instead of allowing failure to take place where failure actually is, our government has decided it's more intelligent than the buying public about that which the buying public wants to ... buy... With that, they FORCED us to pay for those entities they want to succeed. Now our economy is trying to recover, but "we, the people" who make up that economy are half-afraid to make big money purchases, being convinced "uncle sam" will steal away whatever it can, of ours.
Not everyone gets rich with a free market, but far fewer stay poor.
Not everyone gets rich with a free market, but far fewer stay poor.
#66
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
GM and Chrysler will more than pay back the bailout money in the form of a healthy auto industry that employs a lot of people. It's the same principle as giving tax breaks to companies looking to build plants. We spend money/give tax breaks (same thing fiscally) to create jobs and increase revenue down the road.
#67
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think they changed the history books since I was in skrewel...
#68
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Every U.S. administration in modern history believed in Keynesian economics, Reagan being one of the biggest ones. But you're right that Keynesianism is a failure, I believe we need to look more towards the current German model, they have one of the strongest economies in the world.
![Nod](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_nod.gif)
America still has the strongest economy in the world. Why step backward to "one of' instead of maintaining "the?" Just curious....
#69
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Nah, they're still full of the same propaganda. My rule of thumb is I don't believe a word the government tells me.
She must not know what socialism is then. German businesses are run by private owners, not the workers. Yes the unions wield a significant amount of power, but industries are still based on wage labor and private ownership of the means of production.
America has the strongest economy but that doesn't necessarily translate into high standards of living. Just look at China, they have the second strongest economy but the average workers live like slaves. Look at Germany though - their auto workers make TWICE as much as U.S. auto workers and German car companies sold twice as many cars as we did in 2010.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederic...twice-as-much/
WOW! My gals mom is directly from there and she claims it's outright socialism... She also says America should follow suit and become socialist. She thinks it will make her life easier. I told her we're already there, but it doesn't look like it since America is so much larger than Germany. I think she can go back home. She's better at German anyway. ![Nod](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_nod.gif)
America still has the strongest economy in the world. Why step backward to "one of' instead of maintaining "the?" Just curious....
![Nod](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_nod.gif)
America still has the strongest economy in the world. Why step backward to "one of' instead of maintaining "the?" Just curious....
America has the strongest economy but that doesn't necessarily translate into high standards of living. Just look at China, they have the second strongest economy but the average workers live like slaves. Look at Germany though - their auto workers make TWICE as much as U.S. auto workers and German car companies sold twice as many cars as we did in 2010.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederic...twice-as-much/
#70
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
She must not know what socialism is then. German businesses are run by private owners, not the workers. Yes the unions wield a significant amount of power, but industries are still based on wage labor and private ownership of the means of production.
America has the strongest economy but that doesn't necessarily translate into high standards of living. Just look at China, they have the second strongest economy but the average workers live like slaves. Look at Germany though - their auto workers make TWICE as much as U.S. auto workers and German car companies sold twice as many cars as we did in 2010.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederic...twice-as-much/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederic...twice-as-much/
China will surpass America soon, at these rates. Their standard of living goes up all the time. Just 20yrs ago(maybe even 10 or less), most Chinese people had no realistic ideas they'd ever own a car. Today, they buy more than Americans... for example.
Just because a German auto worker makes roughly double what the American auto worker makes, doesn't provide adequate reason for American businesses to make like their German counterpart by doubling pay. The biggest difference which makes a difference is the simple reality, America has roughly 4 times the people and therefore requires more "spreading of the wealth" than does Germany. What may work great for them may not work at all for us.
If they build more vehicles, by roughly twice the amount, using a smaller labor force... They deserve more pay. I see no problem with that, but in no way do I think our labor force should have a pay increase because people earn more in some other country. We don't "deserve" just because we breathe or work. We "deserve" when we earn.
#71
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom
The reason why have weekends is unions. The reason we have 40 hour work weeks is unions. The reason we have health care benefits is unions. The reason we have overtime is unions. The reason we have safety standards is unions. And so on and so on. If it weren't for unions we would still be working in conditions like the employees at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory when 146 workers died in a fire because management would lock the doors.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...es-humiliation
Just because a German auto worker makes roughly double what the American auto worker makes, doesn't provide adequate reason for American businesses to make like their German counterpart by doubling pay. The biggest difference which makes a difference is the simple reality, America has roughly 4 times the people and therefore requires more "spreading of the wealth" than does Germany. What may work great for them may not work at all for us.
If they build more vehicles, by roughly twice the amount, using a smaller labor force... They deserve more pay. I see no problem with that, but in no way do I think our labor force should have a pay increase because people earn more in some other country. We don't "deserve" just because we breathe or work. We "deserve" when we earn.
If they build more vehicles, by roughly twice the amount, using a smaller labor force... They deserve more pay. I see no problem with that, but in no way do I think our labor force should have a pay increase because people earn more in some other country. We don't "deserve" just because we breathe or work. We "deserve" when we earn.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C293...5556%2C00.html
America is also the richest country on Earth. Something's not adding up, we have the most money, and the best workers... why aren't we getting the highest pay? I think all you have to do is look at one figure to see why:
![](http://rogerhollander.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/314096_174078536008002_171089306306925_367115_650489110_n.jpg?w=460)
#72
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Let's assume avaerage worker at Company A makes $50,000
Use the German CEO pay $600,000
USA CEO Pay = $23,750,000
23,750,000 - 600,000 = $23,150,000
Assume 15,000 workers at a major corporation (Auto are closer to 30,000 i think)
23,150,000/15,000 = $1,543.33 per worker *.7 (taxes, healthcare, etc) = $1,080.33/24 = $45.01 per pay period.
Nice, but not going to shake the pillars of economics.
#73
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Wouldn't make a huge difference.
Let's assume avaerage worker at Company A makes $50,000
Use the German CEO pay $600,000
USA CEO Pay = $23,750,000
23,750,000 - 600,000 = $23,150,000
Assume 15,000 workers at a major corporation (Auto are closer to 30,000 i think)
23,150,000/15,000 = $1,543.33 per worker *.7 (taxes, healthcare, etc) = $1,080.33/24 = $45.01 per pay period.
Nice, but not going to shake the pillars of economics.
Let's assume avaerage worker at Company A makes $50,000
Use the German CEO pay $600,000
USA CEO Pay = $23,750,000
23,750,000 - 600,000 = $23,150,000
Assume 15,000 workers at a major corporation (Auto are closer to 30,000 i think)
23,150,000/15,000 = $1,543.33 per worker *.7 (taxes, healthcare, etc) = $1,080.33/24 = $45.01 per pay period.
Nice, but not going to shake the pillars of economics.
#74
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The books are published by private companies contracted by the government.
Okay until she explains to you how private ownership, management control, and wage labor is the same thing as collective ownership and worker control then it's still not socialism. I guess in Germany they have completely distorted the term socialism just like we have in this country. They must have forgotten that East Germany collapsed and it was West Germany that prevailed... you know when the Berlin Wall came down... oh never mind.
Well who decides what's a fair wage, your boss? If he could, your boss would pay you nothing. In fact that's how work was done all throughout history... it was called serfdom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom
The standards are going up for some, and not others. The average worker in manufacturing still works in sweatshop conditions. Foxconn's factory in China that makes Apple products has recently been investigated after 7 workers committed suicide.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...es-humiliation
The American worker is the most productive in the world.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C293...5556%2C00.html
America is also the richest country on Earth. Something's not adding up, we have the most money, and the best workers... why aren't we getting the highest pay? I think all you have to do is look at one figure to see why:
![](http://rogerhollander.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/314096_174078536008002_171089306306925_367115_650489110_n.jpg?w=460)
Okay until she explains to you how private ownership, management control, and wage labor is the same thing as collective ownership and worker control then it's still not socialism. I guess in Germany they have completely distorted the term socialism just like we have in this country. They must have forgotten that East Germany collapsed and it was West Germany that prevailed... you know when the Berlin Wall came down... oh never mind.
Well who decides what's a fair wage, your boss? If he could, your boss would pay you nothing. In fact that's how work was done all throughout history... it was called serfdom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom
The standards are going up for some, and not others. The average worker in manufacturing still works in sweatshop conditions. Foxconn's factory in China that makes Apple products has recently been investigated after 7 workers committed suicide.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...es-humiliation
The American worker is the most productive in the world.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C293...5556%2C00.html
America is also the richest country on Earth. Something's not adding up, we have the most money, and the best workers... why aren't we getting the highest pay? I think all you have to do is look at one figure to see why:
![](http://rogerhollander.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/314096_174078536008002_171089306306925_367115_650489110_n.jpg?w=460)
It's funny though, that you'd argue against a German person, probably never having even visited, let alone lived in Germany yourself, and be completely fooled into thinking you've got it right and they're wrong... Love it!
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
Sprechen sie deutsch? If so, please use that to explain, as American English is still a bit rough on her.
![Winky](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_wink.gif)
![Rolleyes](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/rolleyes.gif)
The reason why have weekends is unions. The reason we have 40 hour work weeks is unions. The reason we have health care benefits is unions. The reason we have overtime is unions. The reason we have safety standards is unions. And so on and so on. If it weren't for unions we would still be working in conditions like the employees at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory when 146 workers died in a fire because management would lock the doors.
First off, we had weekends AND overtime AND healthcare benefits long before the 1st union ever took hold anywhere in the world. Saturday and Sunday have been clearly marked on calenders for thousands of years... We've had doctors and benefited from their care for ages whereas our 1st union is but roughly 140yrs old. Americans typically worked much longer and therefore, got many overtime hours well before anyone made a union... They didn't get paid more, but they worked!
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
Now then, I've said many times, much to the chagrin of several younger union supporters... Unions DID have their place and time in America. Today, however, they are a terrible organization in nearly every work related form. Now that we HAVE employer provided healthcare(which is no big deal, thanks to Obummer and company), we don't need unions for it ever again. Now that it's LAW to be paid OT, we don't need any union thug to enforce a rule. Now that most Americans are back to working weekends, it doesn't matter that most folks ever had them off.
The problem unions created is simple... They BEG TOO MUCH and with that, someone ELSE has to pay, but NEVER the union... That's crap and it's well beyond time for Americans to understand... Nothing is free, boneheads! No matter what the dummy at the union meeting says, someone pays for all your freebies! Union members typically just don't care about that, just as long as they aren't the poor schmuck footing the bill. A little history, since most union supporters have no clue:
In 1913, the U.S. government established the Department of Labor, specifically to oversee things like fair wages. This is the act that gave workers rights. Unions played NO active role.
In 1914, non-violent strikes were legalized in America.
In 1935, the Wagner Act affirmed the rights of workers to unionize and forced employers to participate in collective bargaining.
In 1937, the UAW reached agreement with GM.
1938, Fair Labor Standards Act guarantees minimum wage, without union intervention.
1959, Landrum-Griffin Act passes, in direct effort to curb union corruption.
One other thing on unions. We've known unions to promote socialism since 1905... Why do union members wonder about their memberships falling off?? Oh yeah... not helping overall.
Finally, anyone who needs a union to avoid working for free is an idiot who doesn't deserve the help in the 1st place. Anyone who thinks that was what happened throughout history as anything resembling a rule, as opposed to slavery, is also an idiot, incapable of using logic. America is too big to be successfully "run like Germany," or almost any other country in the world.
#75
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
May be relevant: have you guys read about the Goldman Sachs exec that quit recently?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/14/op...man-sachs.html
http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ion/53524744/1
http://money.cnn.com/2012/03/14/mark...sachs/?npt=NP1
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/14/op...man-sachs.html
http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ion/53524744/1
http://money.cnn.com/2012/03/14/mark...sachs/?npt=NP1
#77
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Most Americans don't either, don't let the rednecks skew your view of how most people feel about Germany and the rest of Europe. We can barely get 10 day vacations a year, healthcare is a joke that will bankrupt anyone caught in it's tracks, public transportation is laughable, and all the while "job creators" that are not currently creating much of anything get the biggest tax breaks, buy out our government, and then declare class warfare when someone mentions that while a normal person pays 30% or so in taxes, you have multi-millionaires (for example one man worth 250 million) pay 15% in taxes, and some of the most major companies paying nothing in taxes that continue to lobby for bigger perks.
The whole top down economics idea, so a corporation gets a tax break that's paid for by the rest of us, they're going to hire more people and do exactly what with them when demand remains the same? Let them take a stroll and have some rest and relaxation 8 hours a day? On the flip side, if the tax code was actually leveled off, average Joe had more money in his/her pocket that actually gets spent and not just hidden oversee's somewhere, then maybe the "job creators" would have a reason and motivation to hire, because business is good.
Last edited by jimmy169; 03-14-2012 at 10:28 PM.
#78
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
"You know, in Germany we half da autobahn and it is vede vede smoove, not like wodes in Amadica."
I say, what about NON Autobahn roads and while you're explaining that, how about I buy you a plane ticket home? Then she tells me about why "De Amadican gov't won't allow me to go back." It's nonsense, of course. She's like millions of other immigrants to America anymore. They want us to CONFORM to their ways rather than them conforming to ours.
#79
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yeah yeah I'm a socialist, and you're a fascist. Where does this get us?
Please explain to me how the fact that Volkswagan, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are privately owned enterprises is "socialism." By definition it's not. Socialism would be if German companies were owned by the state and controlled by the workers.
Weekends off, overtime pay, and health benefits were all things unions had to fight for. They weren't gifts by management.
Really unions are only 140 years old?? Unions first started forming in America in the late 18th century. That would make them a little more than 140 years old.
Right, they didn't get paid more. That's something unions fought for.
Right, "union thugs" are the problem. Corporate thugs though, they're just fine.
How dare unions ask for more!! That's something only management can do! And if you don't think unions give up a lot in their negotiations... then I dunno what to say. Yes you're right that nothing's free. But try telling that to the managers who want you to work your *** off and pay you next to nothing.
Union membership is falling off because management has been beating it out of our heads. At my current job they force all the employees to watch anti-union propaganda, have a talk with the general manager, and then they send more anti-union spam to my home.
And as union membership has declined, so has working class wages.
![](http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/unionincome.jpg)
Very predictably.
Of course it's not necessary to join a union to avoid becoming a slave. My point was that management wants to pay you as little as they can get away with, which is why American auto workers employeed by German companies make a fraction of the amount Germans make to do the same job. That's also why they spend huge sums of money lobbying in Congress against raising the minimum wage.
And since when is America too big? Corporations are GLOBAL in scale, wielding enormous political power, employing hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of people (Walmart has over 2 million employees!), and holding huge amounts of capital. If you think America is too big to run properly then these corporations are WAY too big to be run successfully.
It's funny though, that you'd argue against a German person, probably never having even visited, let alone lived in Germany yourself, and be completely fooled into thinking you've got it right and they're wrong... Love it!
Sprechen sie deutsch? If so, please use that to explain, as American English is still a bit rough on her.
I'm sure she's simply misunderstood for her entire life, as have about 80,000,000 other German citizens... ![Rolleyes](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/rolleyes.gif)
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
Sprechen sie deutsch? If so, please use that to explain, as American English is still a bit rough on her.
![Winky](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_wink.gif)
![Rolleyes](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/rolleyes.gif)
Now then, I've said many times, much to the chagrin of several younger union supporters... Unions DID have their place and time in America. Today, however, they are a terrible organization in nearly every work related form. Now that we HAVE employer provided healthcare(which is no big deal, thanks to Obummer and company), we don't need unions for it ever again. Now that it's LAW to be paid OT, we don't need any union thug to enforce a rule. Now that most Americans are back to working weekends, it doesn't matter that most folks ever had them off.
The problem unions created is simple... They BEG TOO MUCH and with that, someone ELSE has to pay, but NEVER the union... That's crap and it's well beyond time for Americans to understand... Nothing is free, boneheads! No matter what the dummy at the union meeting says, someone pays for all your freebies! Union members typically just don't care about that, just as long as they aren't the poor schmuck footing the bill. A little history, since most union supporters have no clue:
And as union membership has declined, so has working class wages.
![](http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/unionincome.jpg)
Very predictably.
Finally, anyone who needs a union to avoid working for free is an idiot who doesn't deserve the help in the 1st place. Anyone who thinks that was what happened throughout history as anything resembling a rule, as opposed to slavery, is also an idiot, incapable of using logic. America is too big to be successfully "run like Germany," or almost any other country in the world.
And since when is America too big? Corporations are GLOBAL in scale, wielding enormous political power, employing hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions of people (Walmart has over 2 million employees!), and holding huge amounts of capital. If you think America is too big to run properly then these corporations are WAY too big to be run successfully.
#80
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
normal person pays 30% or so in taxes, you have multi-millionaires (for example one man worth 250 million) pay 15% in taxes,
If you make (let's assume) $1,000,000 from a job and bring home $650,000 after paying 35% tax (making the numbers easy, not going to do the tax bands), and invest large amounts of it, your eventually going to have and investment portfolio that returns a significant sum. However those profits will be re-taxed at 15% for capital gains.
In the case of the very wealthy they have just tipped the balance to the Capital Gains side of the equation. Their investemnt income is outstripping their salary from a job. However, all the funds used for investment was at one time taxed as regular income. They are not playing some game where said CEO (for example) is getting 15% pulled from his check while you get dinged at 30%
Take the same person as above and assume they make $5,000,000 per year from investments. They will pay.
$1,000,000 x .35 = $350,000
$5,000,000 x .15 = $750,000 (<= Funds already taxed once at 35%)
$1,100,000/6,000,000 = 18.33%