Tom Morello Scorches Paul Ryan, Who Is Apparently A Rage Against The Machine Fan, In Rolling Stone Op-Ed

Funny…Tom Morello raging against "the machine" and Paul Ryan, but the guys net worth is $60 million…meaning he is a 1-percenter that he claims to hate.

Funny how that works out isn't it.

Ah, but he WORKS for his money (unlike Romney) and backs up his personal beliefs with activism. He's not arrogant with his money. How would you know his net worth if he were not open about it? I bet he'd happily release his tax returns if he were running for office.

Spead your wealth Tommyboy jerk-off.

get real dude

By comparison, Paul Ryan's net worth is $4.5 million – and he made about $350,000 last year.

Exactlly what I was thinking Jon! They all talk about the rich doing this and the poor are being treated so bad yet they go sleep in their multi-million dollar homes and try to screw the government like every other tax paying american!

Jon Thorp Yeah they like taxes as long as they ain't paying them!

Jon Thorp Yeah they like taxes as long as they ain't paying them!

Celebrity Net Worth.com. You're right – this isn't tax return based, it's determined by the contracts he has/royalties through Rage Against the Machine. So, it only likely factors the money he makes from direct-Rage activities. Doesn't factor money he makes from special appearances, etc. You're right – he's not arrogant with his money – but he is misleading about it. Wearing the scrubby clothes and representing himself as one of the downtrodden. I love his guitar work, but this guy doesn't know what it's like to struggle.

Jon Thorp It is obvious that you know nothing about Mr. Tom Morello. Did you know that Tom was raised by a single mother, and that the only way that she was able to make ends meet was because she was a UNION teacher? Tom Morello wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth like Romney or Ryan. He earned every penny that he has ever made by playing and writing his heart out, and he gives both time and money to worthy causes every day. Tom Morello doesn't hide his money in Swiss bank accounts, or in offshore corporations either. While I have never personally met Mr. Morello, I have had the pleasure of visiting the home of his partner in the Axis of Justice, Mr. Serj Tankian. I have never been treated with more kindness and respect than I was by Mr. Tankian, and I have little doubt that his partner in social activism is just as decent and upstanding on a personal level as he is in his public activities.

Jon Thorp It is obvious that you know nothing about Mr. Tom Morello. Did you know that Tom was raised by a single mother, and that the only way that she was able to make ends meet was because she was a UNION teacher? Tom Morello wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth like Romney or Ryan. He earned every penny that he has ever made by playing and writing his heart out, and he gives both time and money to worthy causes every day. Tom Morello doesn't hide his money in Swiss bank accounts, or in offshore corporations either. While I have never personally met Mr. Morello, I have had the pleasure of visiting the home of his partner in the Axis of Justice, Mr. Serj Tankian. I have never been treated with more kindness and respect than I was by Mr. Tankian, and I have little doubt that his partner in social activism is just as decent and upstanding on a personal level as he is in his public activities.

I like what you said here Jon Thorp, and your right on that. Is Tom Morello going to build a school, a Hospital, was he serving soup at the homeless shelter no he was not. I like RATM and their message, but are they willing enough to show that they can work a 9 to 5 like some Americans do. Tom Morello is like John Lennon, pushing for the people but at the same time living a millionaires lifestyle. Celebrities could care less for The Poor we are just a springboard for them to use when they feel a need to get some good PR. If Tom Morello, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie or any other big time celebrity actually cared for The Poor People they would actually want to end Poverty, Homelessness, Starvation in America. He and all his Rich entertainer friends don't go home to POVERTY, they don't come home to starving children, they don't see their parents stressed out about losing a job.

Sorry Joe tom built that!

Isn't Paul Ryan, or as Morello likes to label him, "the machine" exactly the demographic the music was raging against? So that means they would need to actually hear it right? And like it so they would keep listening? Maybe even become a fan? Get drawn in by the monster hooks and dramatic, crushing bridges? Maybe hear a different perspective? It kind of defeats the purpose to take such the message to such a global stage and have it only be heard by those who already agree. That old preaching to the choir thing. Seems like Ryan's love of Rage for Morello should be like, mission accomplished. Or at least he should shut up and be grateful his music has reached someone who does not share his worldview, appreciate the power of music, not dumb it down to some stupid singular political/class/fan-discrimination rant. Advise: let your music speak for itself. Please.

HEY TOM, YOU ARE A MUSICIAN! no one takes you seriously. you are entertainment…THAT's ALL!

HEY TOM, YOU ARE A MUSICIAN! no one takes you seriously. you are entertainment…THAT's ALL!

oops, sorry, no one INTELLIGENT takes you seriously.

bragi_t : you are silly on so many levels, that it is useless to list them.

yea right, Tom grew up struggling in affluent Libertyville, IL B.S. I live in suburban chicago and he is def from the northern suburbs. anyways i still think he is one of the best artist to walk the earth.

Paul Ryan's dad died when he as 16 – and his grandmother moved in to help take care of him, and he used his dad's social security survivor's benefits to put himself through college to become a lawyer. If that's a silver spoon, give me my lower-middle class upbringing anyday.

Here's the other thing I don't get. Yes – Mitt Romney is a very rich man. In fact, in 2011, he made $42 million. But – of that – he gave $7 million to charity. That's just about 17%. That's certainly a lot of help he's willingly given to people less fortunate than himself. And, in the last 10 years, he's reportedly given more than $100 million to charity.

And how do you know Tom doesn't have any money in Swiss Bank accounts or other tax shelters? Are you his accountant?

I have no doubt Tom Morello is probably a good guy doing good things. But I don't know that. He doesn't have to release his tax returns like Mitt Romney does. So let's assume he's a good guy doing more than his part. Why not give credit where credit is due?

And in the interest of fairness, Barack Obama gave 10% of his 2011 salary to charity. Definitely not shabby at all.

No one is raging against WEALTH, though, it's the idea that the very wealthy should not be paying a similar contribution to the other 99% of people. Mitt Romney even said he paid 13% in taxes… do you guys? Tom Morello opposes unfair POLICY, not wealthy people. This trope about OWS has to stop, because it is so fallacious and simplistically wrong.

The problem is we know nothing about what Tom Morello pays because his records are private like the rest of us. You can assume he pays his fair share of taxes – but that's all it would be, assumption.

Yes, you're right – Mitt Romney is incredibly wealthy. But I'm still trying to figure out how this got to be about Mitt, Morello was ripping on Ryan. Anyway, yes – Romney is rich beyond belief. And, you're right, 13% tax rate is lower than the average American (but actually quite standard for people who can afford tax shelters). But, he paid $7 million to charity last year – 17% of his income. And that's been a regular occurrence over 10 years.

So, great – Tom Morello is an activist and plays free songs at 99% rallies. I'm guessing the $7 million to charity is doing more good though.

The problem is we know nothing about what Tom Morello pays because his records are private like the rest of us. You can assume he pays his fair share of taxes – but that's all it would be, assumption.

Yes, you're right – Mitt Romney is incredibly wealthy. But I'm still trying to figure out how this got to be about Mitt, Morello was ripping on Ryan. Anyway, yes – Romney is rich beyond belief. And, you're right, 13% tax rate is lower than the average American (but actually quite standard for people who can afford tax shelters). But, he paid $7 million to charity last year – 17% of his income. And that's been a regular occurrence over 10 years.

So, great – Tom Morello is an activist and plays free songs at 99% rallies. I'm guessing the $7 million to charity is doing more good though.

Kim, what does Mitt have for dependents and deductions? 13% might be right on the money.

You think you know how much Tom Morello makes–if you take the website at face value–but that doesn't mean he doesn't give most of it away. And since when do we not take music seriously? You want to tell that to the Mormon Tabernacle?

My husband and I are libertarian and we like the Born Identity movies even though Matt Damon is an idiot when it comes to politics. I like Beyonce's music and Green Day's music even though they vote Democrat.

all I can say is Rally round the family with a pocket full of shells.

I highly doubt Morello gives his money that he makes from Rage's music to the people he was talking about in that article himself. I bet he doesn't give them free copies of his band's music either.

Unforntately Bigol. It's not the way it works. Music is a major form of communication to the world and millions of people do take his music seriously. I know. It is a tough pill to swallow for close minded folk

yeah, like Charlie Daniels

Tom, You and your liberal, misguided hollyweird cronies are merely court jesters for the masses…and because you bone heads have fan support and a few dollars, you think that gives you the perceived power to think that what you say matters…shut the fuck up and sing. The brother likes your music….as far as you as an entertainer is concerned, that should be CASE CLOSE. So there's irony in his taste in music and your political view. The only irony I see is you're a dirt-bag and Ryan is a good and decent man……and you slam him for liking your music because it's good publicity? You don't speak for good, hard-working, God loving, family-oriented people…..You and the rest of your liberal slackers can't spell "decency" let alone support someone who grew up with it and supports it for all Americans. I like your music and despite your views, I'll continue to because I LOVE THE MUSIC…Fuck the message! and fuck you!
How's that for irony!

Tom, You and your liberal, misguided hollyweird cronies are merely court jesters for the masses…and because you bone heads have fan support and a few dollars, you think that gives you the perceived power to think that what you say matters…shut up and sing. The brother likes your music….as far as you as an entertainer is concerned, that should be CASE CLOSE. So there's irony in his taste in music and your political view. The only irony I see is you're a dirt-bag and Ryan is a good and decent man……and you slam him for liking your music because it's good publicity? You don't speak for good, hard-working, God loving, family-oriented people…..You and the rest of your liberal slackers can't spell "decency" let alone support someone who grew up with it and supports it for all Americans. I like your music and despite your views, I'll continue to because I LOVE THE MUSIC. You, are a dick!
How's that for irony!

I was thinking the same thing. Seems like he would be pleased that he managed to reach someone unexpected, regardless of who it is or why.

I think it's also fair to point out that Tom isn't exactly rolling pennies for gas money.

The problem, Thorp, is that you seem to think that donating $7 million to charity (most likely those charities seeking to help evangelicals take over the government) is better than building hospitals, funding relief programs, helping to exonerate the wrongfully convicted, providing humanitarian support for places in peril, etc. People who can't afford tax shelters? I would consider Romney's overseas bank accounts evidence that he can afford and uses tax shelters. So great, Romney buys off your compassionate side by randomly throwing money at his Mormon church and various right wing organizations.

I'm guessing that personally funding hospitals in third world countries, building schools, and feeding the hungry is doing more good.

If you actually believe that intelligent people do not take musicians seriously, then you are the biggest idiot I have ever seen. Just like local Cuban music helped to spread the message of revolution to the people, reggae brought the perils of the Jamaican ghettos to the forefront of Caribbean policy, music is the voice of the people when the people's voices are forced into silence.
People like you will get to see, firsthand, the effect that music and musicians have on a society if/when the evangelical right starts tearing apart our constitution and begin governing the lives of individuals through anti-gay and anti-abortion legislation. They will rally the true Americans behind a banner of liberty…

Here's the problem – we can assume Tom Morello gives a lot of his money away – but it would only be assuming. All I see him doing is carrying signs and singing songs to a bunch of people feeling sorry for themselves. I'm not a big fan of any politicians…but at least we know what they are doing with their money because they have to disclose.

Your argument was lost when you called the guy an idiot. Ad hominem attacks are one of the lowest forms of argument. Drop that comment and you make a solid point. I agree – music has played an important role in many issues – in many countries. Though it's hard for me to admit that Rage influenced a generation. I think most people just dig the sound…probably explaining Paul Ryan's interest. I love Rage's sound…don't really pay that much attention to the lyrics.

So, working for his money is defined how? Travelling around playing music is harder than going to school and building a business? Bullshit.

Sure , based upon wealth figures, Tom qualifies as A 1%er, but it's what you do with the wealth and how you treat others less fortunate than you is what actually defines you. Tom is as far from a 1%er as Mitt Romney-bott is from being almost human…

Rather funny how Tom Morello supports the Occupy movement which was started by former ACORN executives which were the biggest perpetrators of election fraud in the last campaign. I guess it's only immoral if it goes against what you want. Sorry too much hypocrisy for me mr. Morello

I like how everyone is trying to move the conversation to Mitt Romney. Morello was ripping on Paul Ryan. And, if you want to make this about Romney, again, he gave $7 million to charity last year. Hardly inhuman.

You know what my FAVOURITE THING about being an American is? No matter how low your station is in life, no matter how desperate things are for you…there's always SOMEONE YOU THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN! As a student pursuing his MBA, let me get this straight: You've got a DICK (Morello) selling CRAP to a TRICK (Ryan) and the DICK feels compelled to 'badmouth' his paying customer? What's wrong with this concept? If I'm selling XYZ Cigarettes and my business plan is to enslave as many people I can to my Nicotine Delivery Systems—why would I make fun of my paying customers. I mean, if my goal is to have people cough up a lung, why should I care if the person attached to said lung is Pro Abortion or Anti Abortion, if they're Sunni or Shite (note pun) or if they are Pointie Headed Liberals or Shovel Headed Conservatives—a coughed up lung is a coughed up lung! I mean, what is the difference between the rants of MORELLO badmouthing NeoCons and the rants of the Chic-a-fila CEO who badmouths gays?

You know what my advice is to Ryan? Download Rage Against the Machine's songs for free and then write Morello and say "Youre absolutely right that we all got to make a stand against CORPORATE GREED! I've seen the light, my brother and now I've refused to pay for your songs, ya little 'greedhead'. No profits to Record Companies! RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE! RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE!

We Americans are the MOST two-faced Hominids that ever walked upright. I mean, didn't our SLAVE OWNING Forefathers fight a war of independence because THEY YEARNED TO BREATH FREE?!!!

Me? I feel for Morello. When his reserve chauffer lost his favourite guitar pick, he sat in the backseat of that limo KNOWING THAT HE WAS A TOTAL FRAUD!!! All those Occupy Wallstreet protesters came out to hear Morello play RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE songs and he couldn't deliver because, like, his stupid reserve chauffer lost his favorite PICK, m-a-n. Yes, Tom '60million' Morello may be a 1%'er but he ain't no Ryan—his wallet may be bulging but in his heart, he's poor and oppressed. Does anyone have any Grey Poupon?!!! Morello needs some for his 'Poor Boy' sandwich!!!

Liberal musicians are every bit as clueless as their liberal actor counterparts. Laughable.
Shouldn't Morello be in Cuba or Venezuela propping up a dictator?

Romney , Ryan – they are basically interchangeable- although I will give Ryan more credit in being steadfast in his outdated Conservative rhetoric whereas Romney does it strictly for political expediency.

oh i get it…like say maybe, Kiss or Motley Crue….or some Rap stuff. i should pay attention to them simply because they are musicians….you people are tools…

Indeed. I think the next step is for Morello to subdivide his fan base by ideology and refund all the money spent by those segments that don't share his. Starting by refunding all the $ Paul Ryan has spent on CDs, concerts and merch. That would restore his integrity (not).

You're right – most of his donations went to LDS. And 100% of LDS donations go to people in need in the following funds – the humanitarian aid fund, clean water (for 33 third-world countries), humanitarian food production, neonatal resuscitation training, mobility (wheelchairs, prosthetics for the less fortunate) and vision treatment training. What a right-wing bastard he is! Those little kids in Zimbabwe are going to get clean water and take over the government!