Inequality of wealth in US.

[Jord20]

The point of the video is that wealth inequality is a problem. I'm arguing that it is not. The average lot is one that most royalty of the past would be jealous of. ANd one that the upper class of most other countries would drive for.

What made this country great, and the wealthiest on earth was the free market. The industrial revolution. There are always going to be people that stand head and shoulders above the rest of us, but if they make our lives better, god bless them! We had ZERO income taxes up until 1913. We fought a revolutionary war over 3% total taxes. Arguing that we need more government intervention and help is sending us backwards not forwards.

 

[Happy Hippo]

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.

Thank you - I really do appreciate your kind words, and I apologize for calling you "narcissistic" - it is an unfair characterization of you, based only on a snippet of posts. I look forward to good discussions with you in the future. You are obviously very intelligent.

I think one thing we can both agree on is that the government is an inefficient bureaucracy. I agree that redistribution of wealth has been extremely unsuccessful. I really don't know if there IS a solution. I do think it is wrong that a corporate executive makes 380x the average of his workers. There are companies that have chosen to distribute wealth more evenly, and I wish that this was the model for more organizations.

Basically, I have a huge issue with fascism, which is the course our country is on. Our current economic state is in a sort of gray area between capitalism and socialism. I still do think that it is a lot easier for the rich to get richer, and much tougher for the poor to get richer. There is an advantage to having money to build wealth, just a simple fact. There is not equality in advantage. The government does provide some assistance in furthering the advantage of the poor to achieve (student loans), and I strongly believe in this kind of "charity", as education is strongly correlated to success in life.

Overall, we have some of the best quality of life in America, and I would much rather be a "poor" person here, than in any other country.

 

[hedgehog]

The point of the video is that wealth inequality is a problem. I'm arguing that it is not. The average lot is one that most royalty of the past would be jealous of. ANd one that the upper class of most other countries would drive for.

What made this country great, and the wealthiest on earth was the free market. The industrial revolution. There are always going to be people that stand head and shoulders above the rest of us, but if they make our lives better, god bless them! We had ZERO income taxes up until 1913. We fought a revolutionary war over 3% total taxes. Arguing that we need more government intervention and help is sending us backwards not forwards.

Now it's 40 percent...and we all except it

 

[Happy Hippo]

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.

I think you nailed the problem - it is that lack of education is extremely difficult to overcome. This is a worldwide issue, and one that unfortunately seeps down through generations. You were one of the lucky ones with good parents who stressed the importance of education and would do anything for you to have good schooling. Like I said, I believe you are the exception to the rule, rather than the norm.

 

[hedman]

I just want to say it was refreshing to read a thread that discussed a subject and was argued by both sides with intelligent arguments and thoughts.

Well, besides Hedgy trying to get involved with his stupid political snippets. While, I tend to agree more with HH, I respect and gained some perspective from Jords thoughts and post.

Kuddos to Jord and HH for providing a lot of food for thought on the issue.

Also, I really enjoyed your story Cie. While mine is no where near the level of your father, my father and mother made significant sacrifices to assure I went to college and grad school. Bravo to your Father and explains your views on life, which I respect and like to read.

 

[Skulnik]

Does TrampledUnderfoot ever NOT use the Race Card in a thread.

TIA

:nono:

 

[MadJack]

The password in the politics forum is password.

 

[hedgehog]

:sadwave:

 

[krc]

Overall, we have some of the best quality of life in America, and I would much rather be a "poor" person here, than in any other country.

:0074

 

[shawn555]

ASSHOLE DEMOCRATS ARE TO BLAME FOR EVERYTHING WRONG IN THIS COUNTRY :0008

Fucking troll.

A retarded miserable troll is all you are.

 

[ChrryBlstr]

Peace!