Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
You see what I said? There are a small percentage in the country who are making tons of money from current administration policies. Their only interest is keeping those bucks flowing in to them, and the rest of us be damned.
A false sense of entitlement? It is WE who pay the bulk of the taxes, not YOU. We darned well ARE entitled.
Millionaires being made today? A million dollars is a whole lot cheaper today than it was years ago. Due to the errosion of our currancy by inflation, 20 years ago that very millionaire would only have to have $456k to have the same purchasing power. To equal the fortune of that millionaire, 20 yrs ago, a person would require over $2million today.
This country is declining. Instead of exporting a true democracy to our Latin American neighbors, we are morphing into their form of government. A very wealthy minority of rulers and the rest, the peasants who serve them.
All the wealth filters upwards.
A democracy cannot stand without a strong middle class and we are killing ours. Middle class people should not have to become destitute because they are ill. Believe me, they do not lie awake at night, trying to plot out which illness they should inflict on their families in order to take your wealth away.
Yes it is a small percentage that are making a ton of money. Since it's a small percentage are they not allowed to make tons of money? Anybody could be in that 'small percentage' if they wanted too. I heard an interesting statistic the other day, they say legal immigrants to this country are 4 times more likely to become millionaires and retire early. So while the middle class keeps sitting around complaining about what they don't have and complaining about how bad they have it while they drive there new landcruiser or escalade down the highway and the people with the drive and focus will become successful and rich because they go and do it instead of sitting around waiting for handouts. That is the truth. And don't feed me the we pay taxes and you don't line. I pay taxes just like everyone else. I'm not rich, heck right now most people on this board probably make more money than me.
I saw a report on CNN yesterday of this guy who recently retired. Never made more than $11 an hour in his life. He just donated a total of 2 million dollars to a couple schools. How could he have pulled this off in a country that's destroying the middle class? Oh wait he said how he did it. He was frugal with his money and learned to invest. I saw another story about a family of 5 in Ohio that's living fine off 39K a year. Geez, crazy people.
The fact that $12 salary hasn't increased is because that very SAME job does not have the skills that is any more unique than the rest of the population. To suggest you get paid more because of increases in costs of living is noble but dependent on the company. Rent doubled? Housing tripled? Food is more expensive? Rent doubled isn't because they are getting greedy, they don't make more now that rent is doubled. Housing tripled? You must of missed the artificially inflated housing boom caused by the government. Food is more expensive? Welcome to globalization and prepare for more increases. This has nothing to do with the rich becoming richer, it has to do with life. You want a higher wage, I suggest you demand it from the company and instead of demanding it from the rest of the people who pays their taxes. All neighborhoods are coming down regardless of whether it is in a rich neighborhood or a middle class neighborhood... and to use that as an example of class envy..
Absolutely ridiculous! First of all, I personally am probably considered upper middle class and even rich to the poor masses, so I have no class envy. The average CEO makes something like 300 - 400 times the average worker. I certainly expect a CEO to make much more than the average worker, but that's insane. Expecially when the average worker only makes around $30K, barely enough or not enough to live off of in many cities.
The reason those jobs still pay $12 is because companies are sucking every penny out of workers to artificially inflate profits for Wall St. and because unemployment has been higher the past 7 years. Back in the mid to late '90s, unemployment was so low that there weren't enough qualified workers out there to fill jobs. Right now employers know if someone doesn't like the crappy wage they offer, there are 500 others out there unemployed or underemployed who are qualified and will take it. It all adds up and takes its toll on the middle class. If this country continues on this path, I'd expect it to be more like Mexico when I'm old, with poverty stricken masses and a small, rich elite who run the country.
The average CEO makes something like 300 - 400 times the average worker. I certainly expect a CEO to make much more than the average worker, but that's insane.
Why is it insane? I'm of the opinion that one should be able to earn as much as they can obtain legally. Hence why I do not criticize athletes for their multi-million dollar contracts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by denverian
The reason those jobs still pay $12 is because companies are sucking every penny out of workers to artificially inflate profits for Wall St.
I disagree. The reason there are $12 an hour jobs is a) that is all some jobs are worth and b) there are people willing to take such jobs. If they weren't, then the pay would have to go up. No one is twisting an employee's arm to take a $12.00 an hour job
I think that, at the very least, we should have a safety net alternative system. In Florida, we have Citizens Insurance for homes, in case your provider drops you. Why do we have that? Because you can't have a home without insurance, that might be expensive! Why is there no such thing for health insurance? I'd say health is just as important or more so than a home, and the costs are pretty similiar, too!
Some sort of socialized system does not have to do away with private medicine, and it would enable people to change jobs or start businesses without fear of not having coverage.
Why is it insane? I'm of the opinion that one should be able to earn as much as they can obtain legally. Hence why I do not criticize athletes for their multi-million dollar contracts.
I disagree. The reason there are $12 an hour jobs is a) that is all some jobs are worth and b) there are people willing to take such jobs. If they weren't, then the pay would have to go up. No one is twisting an employee's arm to take a $12.00 an hour job
Actually, arms are twisted. It isn't like there are other customer service jobs out there paying $18 or more (talking basic entry level customer service) so you take what you can get. Since so many of these jobs have been outsourced to India or somewhere else, there are many more people with these skills and fewer jobs, so companies pay less today (figuring real wages compared to inflation) and those who outsourse rake in even more cash at the expense of American jobs.
Actually, arms are twisted. It isn't like there are other customer service jobs out there paying $18 or more (talking basic entry level customer service) so you take what you can get. Since so many of these jobs have been outsourced to India or somewhere else, there are many more people with these skills and fewer jobs, so companies pay less today (figuring real wages compared to inflation) and those who outsourse rake in even more cash at the expense of American jobs.
Please, no one is forced to take any offer of employment!
And, if that is all the job is worth, then, that is all an employer is going to offer.
Yes it is a small percentage that are making a ton of money. Since it's a small percentage are they not allowed to make tons of money? Anybody could be in that 'small percentage' if they wanted too. I heard an interesting statistic the other day, they say legal immigrants to this country are 4 times more likely to become millionaires and retire early. So while the middle class keeps sitting around complaining about what they don't have and complaining about how bad they have it while they drive there new landcruiser or escalade down the highway and the people with the drive and focus will become successful and rich because they go and do it instead of sitting around waiting for handouts. That is the truth. And don't feed me the we pay taxes and you don't line. I pay taxes just like everyone else. I'm not rich, heck right now most people on this board probably make more money than me.
Wake up and take your focus off of the 1% to 5% the exception to the rule...they make very good advertisement slogans for get rich schemes That The 95% of American will never live up to or obtain for themselves no matter how industrious and hard working they are, the American System works on supply and demand and when the Avenues To Riches Are All Tapped Out There will be no more self made Millionaires until a niche is created where a person can capitalize on and make his or her's Millions , and for the man who never made more than $11.00 an hour and retired as a Multi-Millionaire , if he was ever seriously ill that sucess story never would had happened and I do believe in all of the 1% to 5% sucess stories they do really exist , but lets look at the 95% and help them better their's life's....
Have A Good Day All Day Today
I saw a report on CNN yesterday of this guy who recently retired. Never made more than $11 an hour in his life. He just donated a total of 2 million dollars to a couple schools. How could he have pulled this off in a country that's destroying the middle class? Oh wait he said how he did it. He was frugal with his money and learned to invest. I saw another story about a family of 5 in Ohio that's living fine off 39K a year. Geez, crazy people.
Please don't Brow Beat The 95% of the American Population because of the sucess stories of the 1% to 5% of the America Population With The Jaw Dropping Sucess Stories And Dealing With Stock Market Investments Sometimes The People That Are Sucessful Are Really Just Lucky....
Last edited by Howest2008; 02-12-2008 at 02:18 PM..
Reason: Typo
Please don't Brow Beat The 95% of the American Population because of the sucess stories of the 1% to 5% of the America Population With The Jaw Dropping Sucess Stories And Dealing With Stock Market Investments Sometimes The People That Are Sucessful Are Really Just Lucky....
Nobody is talking about people being lucky. I'm talking about people that are being frugal, reasonable, and smart. No more luck than anyone else. People who sacrificed the luxuries and worked tons and tons of overttime, multiple jobs etc. They put, (wait for it ..........................)
EFFORT AND FOCUS
into what they wanted. Imagine that.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.