English 1A
Gavilan College
Seminar 5 - Kohn, Time to Raise Taxes on the Rich

Note:  Your seminar grade will be determined by the quantity of your responses (how many questions you answer and how many other students you respond to) and the quality (how well you demonstrate an understanding of the ideas you're responding to, how detailed your responses are, how coherent and in-depth they are, etc.)

Directions:
1.  Read the essay by Sally Kohn: Time to Raise Taxes on the Rich


2. Choose one question and respond with a 3-5 paragraph mini-essay. Include quotes and/or specific references to the text to back up your responses.

1.  "Depressing" Gap: Kohn cites data that demonstrate that the income gap between the rich and poor in this country is growing. She cites statistics that show that more people are living in poverty. She calls this developement "depressing", especially given the "skyrocketing" profits being made by the richest people in the country. Do you agree with her assessment of the situation? Why or why not?
2.  Class Warfare? Kohn accuses the rich of waging class warfare on the poor of the country, by challenging the notion that giving tax breaks to the rich will help create jobs. What do you think of her claim that the rich pay less than their share of taxes, but sit on the profits, refusing to share them with their workers, and cutting jobs rather than creating them? Do you think this claim is fair? Why or why not?
3. Effective argument:  How effective do you find Kohn's argument to be? What kinds of evidence does she provide? Is her evidence sufficient to back up her claim? Where do you agree with her conclusions? Where do you disagree? Do you find any flaws in her logic? What are the strengths and weaknesses of her argument?


3. Submit your response to the Assignment Chamber by midnight on Monday, 2/24

4. Post your responses to the appropriate forum by midnight on Monday, 3/3.

5. Read all the other students' posts throughout the seminar period.

6. Respond to at least two other student's post (more is better) .  You will have until midnight, Monday, 3/3, to read and respond to the other students' ideas in the website.