Tag Archives: Election/Politicians

France tightens grip on super rich

open quoteThe French public are resoundingly in favour of tightening the grip on the mega-wealthy. François Hollande, the Socialist frontrunner who polls say would win the second-round vote in May, has promised a 75% tax bracket on earnings after €1m. More than six out of 10 French people approve. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the fire-brand leftist backed by the Communist party, has surged to third place in the polls with his promise to cap fat cat salaries at €360,000 (£300,000), after which income tax would be 100% and the state would “take it all”.

Even Sarkozy, known as “president of the rich” for his generous tax breaks to the wealthy, has restyled himself as “president of the people”, offering to cut tax loopholes and make French tax exiles who flee abroad pay back the difference to the French state.

The French people are more distrustful of capitalism than the Chinese, polls show. Two-thirds agree with the concept that the state should take from the rich to give to the poor. But many question whether the election rhetoric will succeed in rooting out a deeply unfair French system where the super-rich often manage to pay barely any tax at all, conducting startling tax dodges by hiring top accountants to pick through the myriad legal loopholes in their favour.close quote (Read more)

Putin’s fabled tiger encounter was PR stunt, say environmentalists

open quoteIt was Vladimir Putin’s much flaunted love of animals that brought him face to face with a tiger four years ago. Deep in the woods of Russia’s far east, the powerful leader was on a mission to help save the endangered amur tiger, when one of the fierce beasts appeared out of nowhere and attacked. Putin saved the day – and at least one television crew – when he intercepted its approach with a swift shot from a tranquilliser gun.

That, at least, was the story presented by state-run television, in lengthy, fawning reports that aired repeatedly after the incident in 2008.

But now, four years later, environmentalists and bloggers are presenting evidence that the tiger Putin shot was no wild tiger at all – and that the animal died as a result of the stunt.

The scandal is the latest to show the cracks in the president-elect’s carefully crafted image, as his popularity continues to fall despite a recent election win that critics say was manipulated by fraud.close quote (Read more)

Ron Paul Wins First Caucus: MSM Changes Rules, Reports Romney Wins

***

open quoteRepublican presidential candidate Ron Paul secured his first caucus
victory over the weekend, by winning 29 percent of the popular vote
among the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, the mainstream
media decided to report that despite coming in second with 26 percent,
Mitt Romney was the real winner.

The Republican Party of the U.S. Virgin Islands reported the results as “112 to Paul (29%), 101 to Romney (26%), 23 to Santorum (6%), 18 to Gingrich (5%),”

In response, The AP and other mainstream reports yesterday claimed that Mitt Romney won caucus, because he stands to come away with more delegates.close quote (Read more)