Who do you think benefits from the building of yachts, houses and even shoes?? The poor worker, you moron! And your description of "trigger happy" fits the IslamoFacist and KGB-Putin crowd to a "T"! Stay away from trickling down all that Milwaukee beer, Meghan! You might actually come up with a logical thought.

You stated "Conversely, when left to their own devices most wealthy people—the exceptions always prove the rule—will not give significant amounts of their money to those less well off than themselves.". I siagree with this comment, if you look at the National Philanthropic Trust statistics it shows that 89% of households give. I used to work for the philanthropic department of a major Bank, a decade ago we managed over $1 billion of money in charitable trusts and foundations. Most people ARE good and DO give. With the tax increase to the rich, they are likely to give less directly to the organizations that help more effecttively than the governemnt ever could.

After all, the Sages say that "if it were not for fear of the government people would swallow each other alive." Also play with maniacal loan derivatives, put melamine in the milk, and so on. And then government builds the roads, keeps watch on public health and epidemics, runs the defense forces, etc. Without government we would have chaos. What we need is not "less" government but more "good" government.

Giving tzaduka is voluntary, taxation is not. Giving a hand-up is different from giving a hand-out. Jewish ethics also emphasizes personal accountability for one's own circumstances, and promotes self-reliance. Giving money works against incentivising people to take care of themselves. I find it rather partisan and socialistic to assert that redistribution of wealth is a goal of Judaism, considering the very obvious counter-examples I just cited. Look, if you want to give away YOUR money, please! Don't wait for a change in the tax law!! However, I need what I have, and already give more than the Torah recommended 10% to tzaduka. Keep you hand out of my pocket, please, make yourself a pauper if you want, but don't say that redistribution of wealth is a Jewish ideal. That is patently false.

As true Christians we belive in the word of God. We do belive in helping the poor as God said. We don,t belive Goverment should take are money and use it for the lazy who don,t want to work. JESUS made it clear. I,f you can work then do it. We are not going to help Satain out by supporting drug use and peopleing drinking them self to death. WE don,t are money used for KILLING BABIES. We will take care of are hungery, homeless, sick. I know about the laws of the Jewish people. You have turned the truth into a lie. Oboma will turn his back on the jewish people.We stand with God and not Satain. Read the book of DAN, AND EZEL. before you write your book.

let the rabbi and obama give their own money and each of us do the same--this is a moral act--forced redistribution is not moral,always fails the economy,does not raise up the poor and spreads corruption over spoils--our rabbi asked us to bring food for the poor on yom kippur which was fine until he described them as always fasting-a moral choice- instead of starving which is quite different!

Obama's tax plan isn't about helping the poor, it's about making all people equal (except him) which is Socialism! His plan will give to those who don't work and don't want to work. The Bible teaches us to help the widows and orphans, those who can't help themselves, not welfare moms who have another baby to increase their monthly check. Obama's plan is anything but what God teaches us to do. In fact, we already spread the wealth around via taxes that support everything a person needs. It is called welfare. Welfare fraud in the US is out of control. Socialism is not the answer.

Dear Rabbi Brackman, I am a practicing Catholic who believes life begins at the moment of conception as the Creator breathed life into humans in HIs likeness and image. It is my understanding that we share this belief with our Jewish brothers and sisters. In this regard, one must understand that a vote for Obama is a vote against life. Although, his message is otherwise, he truly is not willing to take a stance on this issue and has in fact proclaimed that his first act as president will be to proceed with the (FOCA) Freedom of Choice Act which will remove 30 plus years of fighting for the sanctity of human life. Please comment, Julie in Chicago

JMK You can't be serious. Of course Jesus existed. Even Jews admit to that since He was one of them. Lying about Him does not make it true if you get my meaning. God Bless.

Obama has surrounded himself with anti-Israel individuals over the years. Here are some of the names: 1. Rev. Jeremiah Wright 2. Louis Farrakhan 3. William Ayers 4. Samantha Power 5. Father Michael Pfleger 6. Rashid Khalidi 7. Tony Rezko

Trickle up poverty. The Middle Class will be the biggest losers economically if Obamination becomes a reality.