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And they are unteachable? Or do the rich not bother educating them because that bites into their profits too much?
That might be a tad cynical, but given the degree to which we are conditioned, controlled and tracked for the benefit of the consumer goods industry, it may not be far off the mark.
With economic income inequality negatively affecting a sizable portion of people in the United States what can be done to reasonably decrease this inequality?
This problem, according to the data, seems to be getting worse, not better. If true, this means more and more people will be suffering and struggling as long as this issue remains unchecked.
You Tube Video (this video uses an easy to understand graph that puts the articles listed above in an easy to understand format) Wealth Inequality in America:
Roads have to be built, railroads have to be maintained, we need someone to answer the phones when we dial the local emergency number and people to come to our rescue when called (police, fire, EMS) etc. etc. . The list goes on and on. Reasonable things cost money.
If we lower the tax on everyone this helps everyone financially but this will not get these reasonable expenses covered. If we raise taxes on everyone, these reasonable things are better covered but it negatively affects everyone financially.
The question also must be asked, is $1 to a person who makes $20,000 a year the same thing as $1 to someone making $200,000 a year?
Here's my priorities:
1. Better education
2. Strong economic policies
3. Higher taxes
4. Immigration control
5. Socialized medicine and better public transportation
I would be interested in seeing such an illustration, based on actual income breakdowns, in the U.S. at least. I think the richest assume there are so few of themselves that redistribution would not really help the masses so they may as well benefit. The masses may in turn overestimate just how much redistribution could benefit them. So what are the facts?
Depends on how we define "wealth". Cash? Investments? Real Estate? Businesses? Intellectual Property?It's impossible to put a dollar value on all of that.
I read one article that claimed the number including ALL wealth would be around $150,000 per household. If we go with just money in circulation it about $4,600 or if we go with all bank deposits it's about $41,000. Or we could average salaries so everyone got $150,000 a year. If that happens I'm applying for a job at Mickey Ds. No responsibility other than getting there everyday and asking if people want fries with that. I'd gladly trade my job for that one in an instant if it paid me the same as my current high stress PITA job.
And they are unteachable? Or do the rich not bother educating them because that bites into their profits too much?
I think this is an interesting question. The problem is that the part of the education that really matters is from birth to maybe age 6. By the time the public schools get them, it's largely too late. How do you give a child born to a poor single parent household the upper middle class values, ethics, and culture that program them to be economically successful? I had college educated professional parents. I had it drilled into me from birth. I wasn't parked in front of a TV set and left to fend for myself. Because of my parents, I pretty much couldn't miss. I don't care how much money you hurl at public schools, you're not going to recover from 6 years of bad parenting. I don't see how this is a "the rich not wanting to spend" problem. It's lousy parenting, particularly lousy single parent parenting. Do we require training and licensing/permitting to be a parent with mandatory abortions if you get knocked up without a license?
The rich don’t have an obligation to educate the poor.
That's a fundamental principle of the United States that dates back to the 17th century.
The problem in the United States is that there is no accountability for the poor to oversee the education and socialization of their children. If a child is a behavior problem in school and refuses to learn, that's not rich people causing the problem and it's not the school system causing the problem.
The rich don’t have an obligation to educate the poor.
To which my only thought of a post was, "Good gracious, no! --drive on, James!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoffD
That's a fundamental principle of the United States that dates back to the 17th century.
And it stinks as much now as it did under the autocratic faction of the Fathers.
Quote:
The problem in the United States is that there is no accountability for the poor to oversee the education and socialization of their children. If a child is a behavior problem in school and refuses to learn, that's not rich people causing the problem and it's not the school system causing the problem.
True, but only in the sense of "Well, if you can't afford food, I guess you'll starve."
There is absolutely no such thing as a self-made millionaire... or hundred-$k'er or even comfortably working class. We all draw on the collective resources here, and some of us are stronger or luckier or maybe just more grasping at the game. But anyone who stands on the idea that they became secure/comfortable/wealthy all on their lonesome, without no help from nobody, and thus don't owe a damned thing back to the pool of resources (or anyone in it) - down to avoiding every tax they can - is...
...nothing I can say here without getting a firm rap from a moderator. Sing it, John.
There is absolutely no such thing as a self-made millionaire... or hundred-$k'er or even comfortably working class. We all draw on the collective resources here, and some of us are stronger or luckier or maybe just more grasping at the game.
I wish more people realized that! Most people seem to believe they owe no debt to society and government whatsoever for the $$$ they've managed to accumulate in their accounts. Try plying your trade in Somalia and see how it goes!
People have a very broad spectrum of talents, gifts, and accidents of birth, and additionally a wide range of conditions where they "start the game".
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