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2008-10-29 1:38 PM
in reply to: #1773583

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
trigods - 2008-10-29 12:31 PM

i find it very interesting that majority of persons who do not have money want there to be a level playing field; for there to be little "gap between the haves and the have nots". Especially when "our" culture celebrate people who are better than others in ever other way.
Such as.....
Sports of all kinds- all the people who are faster, stronger, can jump higher, throw faster and farther etc...
Spelling Bee's-the people who can actually spell
MENSA-- smarter than the rest of the folk
Models and Glamour mags-- prettier than most
TV and movies-funneir and more dramatic than most

I could go on and on and list things that Americans

humans

celebrate or take a deep fasination in that puts one section of a demographic above all others. I do not understand why the wealthy is not the same. I hold Opra and Bill Gates in the same esteem as Mike phelps and micheal Jordan.
as triathletes we look at these pro's and dream we were that good at this sport and work everyday to be better at it; we train to get better. WE DONOT wish for USAT to make rules to make the faster slower and be more at our level of the BOPers do we?

So why do we do this with wealth? Why do we want the wealthy to give up what they have worked hard for or come by from their family (see good running genes) and give it to the people who do not have as much. When we do not do that to anyone else in society?




There, fixed that for you. I know it's cool to rip on American's, but that is just being silly.


2008-10-29 1:39 PM
in reply to: #1773568

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 1:27 PM

rayd - 2008-10-29 2:25 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 12:19 PM

So....we should blame someone for this issue?  Is this an issue?  I'm not sure what point people are trying to make.

First I want to clarify that I am not in favor of redistribution of wealth.  But maybe the OP is trying to bring to light that there continues to be a growing disparity between the rich and the middle class.  I don't know what the answer is but I do believe that this is a reality.  I often wonder what will be the gap by the time my kids are trying to make a living?

No one has pointed out how or why this disparity might be bad.  So what if there's a gap?  Does it make any real difference?

Because people who do less deserve the same.  Dont you see the problem?
2008-10-29 1:40 PM
in reply to: #1773598

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
bradword - 2008-10-29 1:38 PM
trigods - 2008-10-29 12:31 PM

i find it very interesting that majority of persons who do not have money want there to be a level playing field; for there to be little "gap between the haves and the have nots". Especially when "our" culture celebrate people who are better than others in ever other way.
Such as.....
Sports of all kinds- all the people who are faster, stronger, can jump higher, throw faster and farther etc...
Spelling Bee's-the people who can actually spell
MENSA-- smarter than the rest of the folk
Models and Glamour mags-- prettier than most
TV and movies-funneir and more dramatic than most

I could go on and on and list things that Americans

humans

 

celebrate or take a deep fasination in that puts one section of a demographic above all others. I do not understand why the wealthy is not the same. I hold Opra and Bill Gates in the same esteem as Mike phelps and micheal Jordan.
as triathletes we look at these pro's and dream we were that good at this sport and work everyday to be better at it; we train to get better. WE DONOT wish for USAT to make rules to make the faster slower and be more at our level of the BOPers do we?

So why do we do this with wealth? Why do we want the wealthy to give up what they have worked hard for or come by from their family (see good running genes) and give it to the people who do not have as much. When we do not do that to anyone else in society?


 

There, fixed that for you. I know it's cool to rip on American's, but that is just being silly.

 

I am sorry but since I am an American I think I can rip on us if I want, matter of fact I have a bill of rights that says I can... so don't fix my post.. 

2008-10-29 1:41 PM
in reply to: #1773497

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth

Scout7 - 2008-10-29 2:03 PM I'm still not sure what you are driving at.  What is your position?

I wanted to know why economically speaking that there is such a difference in who controls wealth.  Think John Edwards and his "Two America's".  Why does the US have such a huge disparity in comparison to other democratic states?  Is it because of how our system works?!

I do think it is a problem - speaking in terms that those who have wealth can thus access to the best services and those who don't, can't.   And if the gap is growing I find that problematic.   

I agree with you that there are those who are good at making  money and earn it... and that those who are best at their professions are paid highly.  No problems with that. 

I agree with what someone else said about having a tv, house, car isn't all that bad either!!

I believe it's too simple to say work hard you will make money - education and family background matters.  If you are born into poverty the chances of escaping poverty are stacked against you. 

2008-10-29 1:45 PM
in reply to: #1773379

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
You can rip on anyone you want. You just might want to be accurate. Because I know Japan, China, Australia etc etc don't have the rich and famous, only America after all
:P
2008-10-29 1:51 PM
in reply to: #1773628

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth

bradword - 2008-10-29 1:45 PM You can rip on anyone you want. You just might want to be accurate. Because I know Japan, China, Australia etc etc don't have the rich and famous, only America after all :P

I am sure they do Bradword but we are not talking about the gap in wealth in China are we???? Well that would be do to socialism...
we are not talking about the gap in wealth in Japan are we?

I have not heard of any reports of Austalians or Japanese who bi**c and moan because their neighbor has more and makes more they they do; like americans do.

We are one whiney country.... He makes more, he is smarter than I am, his family left him more money than mine did, he is faster, he can swim longer... blah blah blah...

No wonder everyone hates us, we are that whiney azz little kid on the playground who compains to the teacher when someone does something we dont like.

We ARE Bi**HES....



2008-10-29 1:52 PM
in reply to: #1773379

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
Why is that people who are wealthy are assumed to have worked hard for what they while those who are poor have not?
2008-10-29 1:55 PM
in reply to: #1773613

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
Your right that sometimes people arent born into great situations. But just like every other thing in life, you have the option to do what you want with your life, and there are opportunites out there if your willing to look and put in the effort. I personally have good family friends that came from middle/low class families and have made themselves into "the weathly" that we speak of. And they worked hard for it and made sacrifices. Ron and I did not have weathy families, and worked/loaned our way through college to give ourselves a opportunity for better employment.

Then, there are others who throw their hands up and look for excuses.

****Just a side not for "spreading the wealth". Something I was thinking of the other day. Both Ron and I have people in our immediate families that need assistance of some sort. Either a) we (or other family) can help them monetarily, or b) the government can.

I looked at the amount of money taken out of our checks in taxes ( i know only a portion is used for programs), but still, if you add up the money taken out of our checks, that the government decides who gets it, we could easily support at least one of the families general living expenses each month. However, what they get in money we pay in to the government, for the government assistance for people who need it, is maybe half of that amount and hard to live off of.

So I guess it depends on how you want to "spread the wealth". do you want the government to do it, or family members if possible. Like I said, just a interesting thought


fromer - 2008-10-29 1:41 PM

Scout7 - 2008-10-29 2:03 PM I'm still not sure what you are driving at.  What is your position?

I wanted to know why economically speaking that there is such a difference in who controls wealth.  Think John Edwards and his "Two America's".  Why does the US have such a huge disparity in comparison to other democratic states?  Is it because of how our system works?!

I do think it is a problem - speaking in terms that those who have wealth can thus access to the best services and those who don't, can't.   And if the gap is growing I find that problematic.   

I agree with you that there are those who are good at making  money and earn it... and that those who are best at their professions are paid highly.  No problems with that. 

I agree with what someone else said about having a tv, house, car isn't all that bad either!!

I believe it's too simple to say work hard you will make money - education and family background matters.  If you are born into poverty the chances of escaping poverty are stacked against you. 



Edited by kellc09 2008-10-29 1:57 PM
2008-10-29 1:55 PM
in reply to: #1773654

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth

TeddieMao - 2008-10-29 1:52 PM Why is that people who are wealthy are assumed to have worked hard for what they while those who are poor have not?

 

Because only 33% of wealthy people get their money from inheritence...

http://www.earlytorise.com/2008/05/12/wealth-and-wealthy-people.html

2008-10-29 1:57 PM
in reply to: #1773668

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
trigods - 2008-10-29 1:55 PM

TeddieMao - 2008-10-29 1:52 PM Why is that people who are wealthy are assumed to have worked hard for what they while those who are poor have not?

 

Because only 33% of wealthy people get their money from inheritence...

http://www.earlytorise.com/2008/05/12/wealth-and-wealthy-people.html



I want to know his source on that. He just stated it like it was fact...
2008-10-29 1:58 PM
in reply to: #1773403

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2008-10-29 1:58 PM
in reply to: #1773654

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
TeddieMao - 2008-10-29 1:52 PM Why is that people who are wealthy are assumed to have worked hard for what they while those who are poor have not?
Its not an assumption that includes everyone naturally.  But how does their parents wealth or luck or whatever circumstances have any relevance to spreading it out to others not as fortunate?  Where is my cut from all these peeps winning megabucks jackpots?
2008-10-29 1:59 PM
in reply to: #1773668

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
trigods - 2008-10-29 1:55 PM

TeddieMao - 2008-10-29 1:52 PM Why is that people who are wealthy are assumed to have worked hard for what they while those who are poor have not?

 

Because only 33% of wealthy people get their money from inheritence...

http://www.earlytorise.com/2008/05/12/wealth-and-wealthy-people.html

OK so the majority of wealthy are not born into it but how many of the poor are born into there situation.   I guess I just find it hard to believe that some people believe the poor do not work hard.   Teachers and social workers are not exactly paid huge sums of money but we could assume that they work hard, right?

2008-10-29 2:01 PM
in reply to: #1773649

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
trigods - 2008-10-29 2:51 PM

bradword - 2008-10-29 1:45 PM You can rip on anyone you want. You just might want to be accurate. Because I know Japan, China, Australia etc etc don't have the rich and famous, only America after all :P

I am sure they do Bradword but we are not talking about the gap in wealth in China are we???? Well that would be do to socialism...
we are not talking about the gap in wealth in Japan are we?

I have not heard of any reports of Austalians or Japanese who bi**c and moan because their neighbor has more and makes more they they do; like americans do.

We are one whiney country.... He makes more, he is smarter than I am, his family left him more money than mine did, he is faster, he can swim longer... blah blah blah...

No wonder everyone hates us, we are that whiney azz little kid on the playground who compains to the teacher when someone does something we dont like.

We ARE Bi**HES....

[hijack]

Do you really want to hear the Chinese b!tch and moan about rich people? 

come to my home go read some Hong Kong news.  During the most recent Legislative Council meeting one of the "maverick lawmakers" threw a banana to the city's Chief Executive as a protest for failing to help the low income group...

[/hijack]

2008-10-29 2:02 PM
in reply to: #1773613

Runner
Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
fromer - 2008-10-29 2:41 PM

Scout7 - 2008-10-29 2:03 PM I'm still not sure what you are driving at.  What is your position?

I wanted to know why economically speaking that there is such a difference in who controls wealth.  Think John Edwards and his "Two America's".  Why does the US have such a huge disparity in comparison to other democratic states?  Is it because of how our system works?!

I do think it is a problem - speaking in terms that those who have wealth can thus access to the best services and those who don't, can't.   And if the gap is growing I find that problematic.   

I agree with you that there are those who are good at making  money and earn it... and that those who are best at their professions are paid highly.  No problems with that. 

I agree with what someone else said about having a tv, house, car isn't all that bad either!!

I believe it's too simple to say work hard you will make money - education and family background matters.  If you are born into poverty the chances of escaping poverty are stacked against you. 

How do you know our disparity is so much greater than other countries?

And again, I fail to see why it matters, other than the possibility of armed revolution.  But even that, in my opinion, is remote, because I think there's a lot more involved there than income disparity.

2008-10-29 2:02 PM
in reply to: #1773568

Subject: ...
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2008-10-29 2:08 PM
in reply to: #1773395

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 12:31 PM

Here's a better question:

Why does it matter?

 Well I think it does matter.  There is a fine line between using Greed to help motivate people and it being destructive.  Factory worker who makes 25k - 35k working 40 hours a week does not work as hard as his job as a Engineer or an excutive?  An Excutive that makes $2mil a year works 1066 hours a week over the Engineers 40 hours?  Granted that you are getting paid more for what you know than what you do.  if that excutive made only 1 mil and not  2 mil you could hire 13 more Engineers or 28 factory workers based on 35k for the factory worker. 

How does this matter for the economy?  simple the guy with 2 mil a year will buy maybe buy 5 hdtvs.  At the same cost to a company the Engineers would buy 26 hdtvs and if they factory workers could afford it they would buy 56 hdtvs.  Which would do more for the economy?  Mass production requires mass consumption.   If your workers can not afford to buy the products they make or can not afford to buy your customers products then who will be able to afford it?

the Excutive can make 2 mil and invest some of that money (making him even more money) but what good does the investment do if what he invests in can not make money because there are not enough people to buy the goods and services? 

 

2008-10-29 2:08 PM
in reply to: #1773694

Runner
Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
AcesFull - 2008-10-29 3:02 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 1:27 PM

rayd - 2008-10-29 2:25 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 12:19 PM

So....we should blame someone for this issue?  Is this an issue?  I'm not sure what point people are trying to make.

First I want to clarify that I am not in favor of redistribution of wealth.  But maybe the OP is trying to bring to light that there continues to be a growing disparity between the rich and the middle class.  I don't know what the answer is but I do believe that this is a reality.  I often wonder what will be the gap by the time my kids are trying to make a living?

No one has pointed out how or why this disparity might be bad.  So what if there's a gap?  Does it make any real difference?

When the disparity reaches a certain level, the peasants revolt and the country ceases to be.

Fairly certain France, Russia, and Great Britain still exist.....

2008-10-29 2:10 PM
in reply to: #1773684

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
TeddieMao - 2008-10-29 1:59 PM
trigods - 2008-10-29 1:55 PM

TeddieMao - 2008-10-29 1:52 PM Why is that people who are wealthy are assumed to have worked hard for what they while those who are poor have not?

 

Because only 33% of wealthy people get their money from inheritence...

http://www.earlytorise.com/2008/05/12/wealth-and-wealthy-people.html

OK so the majority of wealthy are not born into it but how many of the poor are born into there situation.   I guess I just find it hard to believe that some people believe the poor do not work hard.   Teachers and social workers are not exactly paid huge sums of money but we could assume that they work hard, right?

I think you have to quanitify what poor is.. I know some teachers making 50K a year... 50K is pretty good income. I am sure some people on here would like to make that much.
Yes some people believe that SOME of the poor do not work hard and some of the poor do not.

My question to you is this... Why do you feel the people who have worked their azz off and have made some money for themselves and to pass down to their kids, why do you feel they should have to part with it and give it to the people who have not worked as hard?

2008-10-29 2:14 PM
in reply to: #1773717

Houston
Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 2:08 PM

AcesFull - 2008-10-29 3:02 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 1:27 PM

rayd - 2008-10-29 2:25 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 12:19 PM

So....we should blame someone for this issue?  Is this an issue?  I'm not sure what point people are trying to make.

First I want to clarify that I am not in favor of redistribution of wealth.  But maybe the OP is trying to bring to light that there continues to be a growing disparity between the rich and the middle class.  I don't know what the answer is but I do believe that this is a reality.  I often wonder what will be the gap by the time my kids are trying to make a living?

No one has pointed out how or why this disparity might be bad.  So what if there's a gap?  Does it make any real difference?

When the disparity reaches a certain level, the peasants revolt and the country ceases to be.

Fairly certain France, Russia, and Great Britain still exist.....



I don't think Great Britain is really as applicable to a revolution in terms of France and Russia. The revolutions they endured had quite an effect on the world and their own country. Yes they exist, but not as they once did and certainly not without a massive loss of life.

The argument about reducing income disparity to avoid revolution seems pointless to me. As long as the people on the bottom are presented with the same opportunities as the people on the top, aka it is possible to work out of the poor house, then there is nothing to worry about. If people are not afforded the same opportunities though, I think that is just bad form for a civilized society that seems to stress freedom and equality.
2008-10-29 2:16 PM
in reply to: #1773737

Runner
Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
pengy - 2008-10-29 3:14 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 2:08 PM
AcesFull - 2008-10-29 3:02 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 1:27 PM

rayd - 2008-10-29 2:25 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 12:19 PM

So....we should blame someone for this issue?  Is this an issue?  I'm not sure what point people are trying to make.

First I want to clarify that I am not in favor of redistribution of wealth.  But maybe the OP is trying to bring to light that there continues to be a growing disparity between the rich and the middle class.  I don't know what the answer is but I do believe that this is a reality.  I often wonder what will be the gap by the time my kids are trying to make a living?

No one has pointed out how or why this disparity might be bad.  So what if there's a gap?  Does it make any real difference?

When the disparity reaches a certain level, the peasants revolt and the country ceases to be.

Fairly certain France, Russia, and Great Britain still exist.....

I don't think Great Britain is really as applicable to a revolution in terms of France and Russia. The revolutions they endured had quite an effect on the world and their own country. Yes they exist, but not as they once did and certainly not without a massive loss of life. The argument about reducing income disparity to avoid revolution seems pointless to me. As long as the people on the bottom are presented with the same opportunities as the people on the top, aka it is possible to work out of the poor house, then there is nothing to worry about. If people are not afforded the same opportunities though, I think that is just bad form for a civilized society that seems to stress freedom and equality.

And I would opine that those revolutions were not just economically driven, but also around social and political issues as well.



2008-10-29 2:17 PM
in reply to: #1773379

Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth

Wait a minute... so if I work 40 hours a week at a certain job, and some other guy works 40 hours a week at some other job, whether he makes more or less than me, and regardless of background, education level, risk taken, geography, etc.......   we should all make the same?

Is this the thesis being presented here?

Yeah, I want no part of that.  Talk about destroying incentive

2008-10-29 2:17 PM
in reply to: #1773716

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
chirunner134 - 2008-10-29 2:08 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 12:31 PM

Here's a better question:

Why does it matter?

 Well I think it does matter.  There is a fine line between using Greed to help motivate people and it being destructive.  Factory worker who makes 25k - 35k working 40 hours a week does not work as hard as his job as a Engineer or an excutive?  An Excutive that makes $2mil a year works 1066 hours a week over the Engineers 40 hours?  Granted that you are getting paid more for what you know than what you do.  if that excutive made only 1 mil and not  2 mil you could hire 13 more Engineers or 28 factory workers based on 35k for the factory worker. 

How does this matter for the economy?  simple the guy with 2 mil a year will buy maybe buy 5 hdtvs.  At the same cost to a company the Engineers would buy 26 hdtvs and if they factory workers could afford it they would buy 56 hdtvs.  Which would do more for the economy?  Mass production requires mass consumption.   If your workers can not afford to buy the products they make or can not afford to buy your customers products then who will be able to afford it?

the Excutive can make 2 mil and invest some of that money (making him even more money) but what good does the investment do if what he invests in can not make money because there are not enough people to buy the goods and services? 

 

OR the company decides it is paying the executive too much and they want to spread the wealth to hire other employees. So they cut the executives salary and he quits to go work for another company that will pay him what he is worth. The company then puts out it's feelers and tries to hire a new executive. They cannot find anyone that will do that job for just 1 million exept for a few less QUALIFIED persons. So they hire the best candidate that they can,
2 years later the 1 mil executive has made some less than smart moves because his is not as experienced and the company incurres losses and has to shut down a lot of its operation. Eventially the company closes its doors after laying off 2K of its employees, 500 of them got to work for the company for 2 years before they went back on unemployment. then the V people came and repoed the flat screens...

2008-10-29 2:21 PM
in reply to: #1773403

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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
bcart1991 - 2008-10-29 12:33 PM

Most people who work hard have money.

Most people who do not work hard do not have money.

HTFU and earn it.



That's such a BS statement.

I don't work nearly hard selling the crap that the people in my manufacturing facility make. Yes I have to juggle way more balls and be away from my family every other week, but I've done what they do and would never go back to it.
2008-10-29 2:21 PM
in reply to: #1773716

Champion
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Subject: RE: Spread The Wealth
chirunner134 - 2008-10-29 3:08 PM
Scout7 - 2008-10-29 12:31 PM

Here's a better question:

Why does it matter?

 Well I think it does matter.  There is a fine line between using Greed to help motivate people and it being destructive.  Factory worker who makes 25k - 35k working 40 hours a week does not work as hard as his job as a Engineer or an excutive?  An Excutive that makes $2mil a year works 1066 hours a week over the Engineers 40 hours?  Granted that you are getting paid more for what you know than what you do.  if that excutive made only 1 mil and not  2 mil you could hire 13 more Engineers or 28 factory workers based on 35k for the factory worker.

 

 

It's also about how much value they bring to the company, how much revenue they generate either directly or indirectly. On the whole, wages tend to equal value. Sure, some are underpaid, some are overpaid but if the 25K factory worker could do what the 100K Engineer can do, he would.

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