Inequality of wealth in US.

[Trampled Underfoot]

Good peple living in poverty sucks, especially kids, but I have always remained unconcerned how much money the guy next to me earns. I certainly do not feel that I have any issues in this regard.

It's not about how well we are doing. It is about how people in general are doing. Your story is great but mobility in our society has been made more difficult.

 

[Cricket]

They should be able to! It is their money!! And, by the way, the government is even trying to make that impossible as they are stealing 50% of that wealth at death.

And, let be also be clear about something, I don't agree with the agencies that make their wealth off the favors and skewed regulations of government ie the banksters. Private wealth, public debt is bullshit.

Just saying, the opportunities of the working class to get ahead a little are rapidly slipping away.Previous genrations were able to help their children out a little. Now kids are weighed down with tuition loans and debt from the get go. That's another subject though ... the dumbing down of america. I'm scared for the next generation if you think we are all better off.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I''m bored by this. You are allowed to have whatever opinion you want. It doesn't mean I won't find it silly. And it doesn't mean I like you any less. Hippo, I'm sure you are a nice person. I have no interest in rehashing it all.

I state my opinions on here. That's all I really want to argue about. Facts at hand... if that is handicapping, government, or religion, I don't care. I didn't like being told how to post... so I said it. I accepted the apology and moved on from it long ago.

Please, let's not bore everyone else with a personal thing between us. You can email me if you want to.

Of course you are bored with it now. To say that you "moved on from it long ago" is funny, because you proceeded a a couple weeks later to go on and on about me (multiple posts), and how tiresome and silly I was, in a place I don't even post. I was the one who moved on, and you didn't. So, now that I want to address you directly, it is boring to you, and you've moved on. Right.



I'm not sure why I have to email you to apologize for something you did to me? You can't go on and on about how YOU should have the right to express an opinion, but then not allow other people to express an opinion openly, without ridiculing them with a PERSONAL attack.

 

[Happy Hippo]

It's not about how well we are doing. It is about how people in general are doing. Your story is great but mobility in our society has been made more difficult.

Exactly. Why can't we care more about other people? I have everything I need in life, and I feel horrible for people who are poor. I would do everything I can to support them and give them a better opportunity to succeed in life. It is not that easy. Access to wealth provides a HUGE advantage.

 

[Happy Hippo]

I was born into poverty, but my father accepted no welfare. His father was a judge and land owner in Spain, but my dad moved out before his 15th birthday due to physical abuse. He made his way just fine until my mom and he opted to move here when they learned my mom was pregnant. We lived with my mom's relatives until I was 3 or 4. My dad worked around the clock and deprived himself of everything. He ate less than his share to make sure my sister, mom and I had enough. There were few opportunities for a guy just in from spain knowing not a word of english. He did what was necessary. He worked tirelessly 7 days weekly. We wore second hand clothes. My dad drove a clunker. We survived on necessities, but during that time he saved money to put us in private school and to eventually start his first company. I believe in the american dream, because that is the life I have led.

That is a great story Cie, and the American "dream" has worked for you. But do you think you are more the exception, than the rule? It is not that is impossible, but do you really think you had an equal, level playing field with those who were given a better advantage to start?

 

[Jord20]

That is a great story Cie, and the American "dream" has worked for you. But do you think you are more the exception, than the rule? It is not that is impossible, but do you really think you had an equal, level playing field with those who were given a better advantage to start?

How do you propose to get to this Utopia that has a 100% "equal, level playing field" for all?

 

[Jord20]

Please look at this for a short, easy read. And the author happens to be black, so maybe his words have a greater value than a "narcissistic white."

http://lewrockwell.com/sowell/sowell113.html

 

[Happy Hippo]

How do you propose to get to this Utopia that has a 100% "equal, level playing field" for all?

Jord, I don't think it should be level for all. I think rich people should be rich and have the amenities that go along with that. But, I also don't think that people should be starving and not have access to health care. Can't we provide the basics of life to those that REALLY need it, without taking away too much from the rich? Can't the rich afford to give just a LITTLE more? Cause their little more goes a long way for the poor.

There can be inequality, but it seems that in modern society, it is skewed.



Can we just put our personal argument to rest, now. I really don't think you are a bad person. I was hurt by the fact that you went on and on about me, weeks after the argument. I'm sorry, maybe I am TOO emotional, but that is my personality.

Cheers

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

How do you propose to get to this Utopia that has a 100% "equal, level playing field" for all?

What kind of post is this? This is like saying we are never going to get rid of racism so lets hang a few more brothers. Fuck. Sad.

:facepalm:

 

[Trampled Underfoot]

I gotta go for awhile. I can't wait to see what other gems are in this thread soon.

 

[Cie]

It's not about how well we are doing. It is about how people in general are doing. Your story is great but mobility in our society has been made more difficult.

I totally agree that upward mobility is more difficult now than before, but I also find less lower income families making sound decisions. I entered 400-550 low income Mississippi households annually from 2009-2012 to discuss their income and expenses. The priorities of the overwhelming majority of the homes I enter are waaaaay off kilter. In many cases, lack of education and common sense is an obvious issue, as is a mentality that someone else needs to solve their problems. Most of those who participated in the program as consultants have shared the same findings. I will add that I am not in a position to judge these folks because I did not have to make the decisions that I am trying to help them with today.

 

[Jord20]

Jord, I don't think it should be level for all. I think rich people should be rich and have the amenities that go along with that. But, I also don't think that people should be starving and not have access to health care. Can't we provide the basics of life to those that REALLY need it, without taking away too much from the rich? Can't the rich afford to give just a LITTLE more? Cause their little more goes a long way for the poor.

There can be inequality, but it seems that in modern society, it is skewed.



Can we just put our personal argument to rest, now. I really don't think you are a bad person. I was hurt by the fact that you went on and on about me, weeks after the argument. I'm sorry, maybe I am TOO emotional, but that is my personality.

Cheers

I would love to! I apologize as well.

I, too, get way too emotional in my arguments. I don't leave with feelings of a hostility though. It is definitely a downfall of mine, that I become "condescending" when discussing a point that i feel so strongly about. I don't mean to me. And the reality is, that I get MORE emotional when i feel otherwise intelligent people are missing something that seems so obvious to ME. If I didn't think anything of you, I wouldn't bother. Take it as a compliment

I swear I'm a nice guy on a personal level (despite the fact that I have ruined a few dinners by arguing politics).

The rich do give a TON up to society (probably around 50% of THEIR wealth). The problem is the government is an inefficient bureaucracy (redundant, I know) who should have the power to steal and distribute at their whim. They, being greedy humans too, have many personal things to gain by these programs, and it skews the way they are run. Redistribution has NEVER been run successfully. I would also prefer a nirvana where everyone is well off, but it isn't reality. i believe with every ounce of my being that the best way to make the average individual the best off is through the mean of the unfettered, free market. I also believe this to be, by far, the most moral way. The latter point trumps all, in my opinion.

 

[Jord20]

What kind of post is this? This is like saying we are never going to get rid of racism so lets hang a few more brothers. Fuck. Sad.

:facepalm:

Not at all. I'm actually wondering what she thinks. My solution has proven results... so I'm trying to figure out what some alternative thoughts are. I actually like to hear people's thoughts and not just spew up 1 liners of hate to everyone who disagrees with me.

Believe it or not, not everyone is a troll, racist, greedy POS just because they don't believe in socialism.

 

[Cie]

:grouphug:

 

[Jord20]

:grouphug:

LOL.

The thing that kills me most about the political threads is when they get personal. It does nothing for the validity of anyone's points and completely dumbs down the discussion.

Unfortunately, our benevolent leaders in Washington have taught us well how to dumb down an argument to tug on the emotions of people instead of dealing with real life.

 

[hedgehog]

I am stating nobody should have an income 400X another. Very simple. If you believe that, you have some serious issues.

You are a communist if you believe that...I don't care how much anyone has or makes, why do you care so much, besides being jealous

 

[Cricket]

Jord20,
Who funds all the campaigns that elect our officials in government?I agree a free market would be by far the best system. it's anything but that though. We are cooerced every inch of the way to play the game their corporate way. their way for the most part is immoral and frankly unpatriotic. The wealth has been redistributed to those that think they know what's best for everybody when in fact we all know who it's best for.

 

[Jord20]

Jord20,
Who funds all the campaigns that elect our officials in government?I agree a free market would be by far the best system. it's anything but that though. We are cooerced every inch of the way to play the game their corporate way. their way for the most part is immoral and frankly unpatriotic.

No argument here. I thought I have made that point many times already. See CRONY capitalism.

 

[Cricket]

No argument here. I thought I have made that point many times already. See CRONY capitalism.

Isn't this what the video points out?

 

[Cie]

LOL.

The thing that kills me most about the political threads is when they get personal. It does nothing for the validity of anyone's points and completely dumbs down the discussion.

Unfortunately, our benevolent leaders in Washington have taught us well how to dumb down an argument to tug on the emotions of people instead of dealing with real life.

I hear that. I still get worked up more than I should, but far less than I used to. Glad you and hippo are back to being civil to each other. No doubt you are a pair of the sharpest posters here.