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Because its a threat to our democracy when a tiny elite has enormous power to control the political system. You have to choose, either democracy or massive inequality. If you choose oligarchy over democracy you are simply working as a shill for the rich.
Ding, Ding. Ding. Give this man the prize.
Goes back to the original topic statement which implies that most people feel we SHOULD close the gap. The reality is that the quickest way to become significantly richer is to make someone else become poorer, as fast as possible. The smartest billionaires will extract their fortunes from the rest of us and cut and run.
Sure poverty is bad, but let's say you eliminate it. Then what? People will never be content when they see someone else with more, so they get jealous.
Give everyone food and shelter, they want a bigger roof and lobster instead. So why is a gap bad if the people who can afford it do so?
Or is it only an issue because you try to compare yourself with a rich person and not be mindful of what you have yourself?
Just go and look at what caused the great depression, and then you'll understand why a society that is completely dependant on one another can only sustain so much of a gap.
The answer IS NOT to take from the rich and give it to the poor.
The answer is opportunity, not the type that someone hands you but the kind that you make for yourself.
We have done a poor job of instilling the American Dream into every kid.
Since this topic is in the political section I will bring up the disappointment that is the Obama legacy. When Obama was elected I think we all hoped that he would provide such a shining example to all kids and especially black kids that if you studied hard that you too could do great things and perhaps even become the President but no. Instead Obama made sure to reinforce the old stigma that black kids have little hope because they live in a white mans world, so why bother to even try?
Kids need positive examples to look up to and aspire to.
I think the welfare state is terrible because once you are on it there really is no incentive to get off of it.
Free money is very alluring. Welfare used to be something that people used as a crutch to get over a rough patch in their lives and there was a certain amount of shame to being forced to take it but not now. It is too easy.
We need to raise the poor up not take the rich down like so many socialist democrats are calling for today.
The old saying "Give a man a fish and he will eat for the day but teach a man to fish and he will never go hungry" is so true.
Wealth inequality is good. Up to a point. A point we passed a long time ago. And the funny thing is that even the wealthiest would be better off if we had less of it. When it becomes as large as ours is, it becomes a drag on the economy, and damaging to our society.
People need to recognize that its a problem for ALL sides. Yes the wealthy have all the money-but they would have even more if there was a smaller gap between them and everyone else. As for solutions? Taxes are one method. And probably the easiest.
I am going to tell you a secret, the gap between the rich and poor isn't because somebody got day care services.... and why would anyone think a gap between the rich and poor shouldn't exist? That's like saying we should never ever have dusk or dawn... let's just make "success" illegal...
Wealth inequality is good. Up to a point. A point we passed a long time ago. And the funny thing is that even the wealthiest would be better off if we had less of it. When it becomes as large as ours is, it becomes a drag on the economy, and damaging to our society.
People need to recognize that its a problem for ALL sides. Yes the wealthy have all the money-but they would have even more if there was a smaller gap between them and everyone else. As for solutions? Taxes are one method. And probably the easiest.
There are several countries with smaller wealth disparities, and everyone there is poor as dirt.
One thing though, as the saying goes, the middle class is what keeps the poor from the necks of the rich. If there is no or perceived no upward mobility into at least the middle class, the poor will ultimately win out, even if that means cutting their own throat doing it, history has show this time after time.
There are several countries with smaller wealth disparities, and everyone there is poor as dirt.
One thing though, as the saying goes, the middle class is what keeps the poor from the necks of the rich. If there is no or perceived no upward mobility into at least the middle class, the poor will ultimately win out, even if that means cutting their own throat doing it, history has show this time after time.
Poor like Sweden and Germany?
Too much gap is an issue. There will always be some gap.
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