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Since right-wingers are constantly posting threads accusing Liberals of being envious of the rich and wanting handouts, I felt that this topic needed to be addressed. Republicans would like us to believe that increasing income inequality will have a positive effect on the economy. This is far from true. Getting rid of the minimum wage, cutting taxes for the rich and eliminating labor unions will not create an environment which facilitates economic growth. Implementing these policies would do just the opposite. As history has shown a thriving middle class in our country is essential to a thriving economy. The last time our economy experienced inequalities in income and wealth distribution comparable to what we are seeing today was just prior to the market crash that caused the Great Depression. During the Great Compression, also known as the Golden Years, after World War II, the middle class grew, income inequality decreased and the economy thrived. The tax rate for the wealthy was much higher than it is today, the minimum wage was actually a livable wage, labor unions were seen as good thing and American products were actually made by Americans in America. Middle class Americans did not have to go into debt to live the American dream. It is quite ironic that the same people that are against these policies are the ones hollering about taking their country back. Where are they taking? 1850?
I am constantly seeing posts here about Liberals being selfish or not wanting to work hard. I see it the other way around. I see the right wanting to implement policies which concentrate the wealth to small portion of the population, making it difficult for working class and middle class Americans to prosper. Income inequality is going to exist, but when it exists on the scale that it does now, it’s not good for the country as a whole. We hear so much about patriotism and the American people from the right, but creating policies that burden the middle class is unpatriotic. By constantly throwing out words like “freedom” and “democracy,” Republicans would like us to believe that they care for the average American. We are actually moving closer to third world status as the rich become richer and the middle class become poorer. All the fear-mongering is nothing but a diversion. If you think that they want to take your freedom away, just wait until your money is worthless and soup lines become commonplace. It won’t be because of less salt in prepared foods, regulations on creditors, healthier school lunches or where the president was born. There are bigger fish to fry.
I know that much of my focus here has been on Republicans but Democrats are to blame just as much for being spineless and appeasing. Both parties are more concerned with pleasing the lobbyist that line their pockets than they are with the well-being of the country. Unfortunately, people are so afraid and so polarized on issues that don’t even matter. While politicians pretend to fight about ideological differences, we are becoming more polarized and less aware of what’s really going on.
It's quite simple, really. The poor are getting poorer b/c they keep reproducing and taking handouts from the gov't. If you don't like your position in society, do something about it.
It is disproportionate and the result of greed, not regulation, labor costs or higher taxes. Again, during the Golden Years until the lat 70's, the rich paid much higher tax rates, labor unions were seen a a good thing and the minimum wage was livable. The last time the distribution of wealth was this skewed was right before the Great Depression. The middle class is in debt, not because of their greed but because of the greed of the wealthy who want to keep the wealth concentrated. Conservatives have been in control 20 out of the last 30 years. During the last 30 years, the wealthy had their taxes cut and global outsourcing was encouraged. The choice wasn't to move offshore or go bankrupt, the choice was to move offhsore and pay the CEOs more. That's what they wanted you to think or maybe what you want us to think. Income inequality has grown at a rapid rate. It hasn't gotten us in a good place.
Contrary to popular liberal belief, it is not a conspiracy. The wealthy would be happy for anybody to be successful, they are not trying to keep the middle class in debt. The middle class is responsible for their own debt by overspending and trying to act like they're wealthy when they're not. Can't afford a house? Don't buy one!
Are we forgetting that over the last few years, minimum wage has increased by $2? This is actually a bad thing for corporations, who must figure out a way to pay higher wages and not have to cut labor hours or part of their labor force. It might actually be part of why the economy is in shambles right now.
Do you not understand who creates jobs? The wealthy do b/c they're the ones who are willing to take a risk when the economy is more predictable. They get different tax cuts than the middle and poor classes b/c they have more deductions they can take, like for business, charity contributions and property taxes. They also have more taxes they are subject to, like the death tax, whenever they decide to let that moratorium expire, too.
It's quite simple, really. The poor are getting poorer b/c they keep reproducing and taking handouts from the gov't. If you don't like your position in society, do something about it.
Ummm...no. Nothing is simple when it comes to economic growth and the shrinking middle class. There is no simple fix to a complex problem. Furthermore, the OP is not about my position in society, nor is it about the poor, it is about growing income inequality. The same level of income inequality that we had prior to the Great Depression. Please read the OP and the links. This isn't about me, I'm fine for now. I know millionaires that feel the same way I do. Again, if we experience a market crash like the one in 1929, you'll be forced off your high horse, to the back of the soup line. Back then, many people were in denial. You will not be immune when this happens.
Ummm...no. Nothing is simple when it comes to economic growth and the shrinking middle class. There is no simple fix to a complex problem. Furthermore, the OP is not about my position in society, nor is it about the poor, it is about growing income inequality. The same level of income inequality that we had prior to the Great Depression. Please read the OP and the links. This isn't about me, I'm fine for now. I know millionaires that feel the same way I do. Again, if we experience a market crash like the one in 1929, you'll be forced off your high horse, to the back of the soup line. Back then, many people were in denial. You will not be immune when this happens.
The best way to fix the problem of an shrinking middle class is to have a taxsystem that benefit the middle class since the rich benefit from outsourcing the middle class and working class should be the ones that benefits from the taxsystem.
Ummm...no. Nothing is simple when it comes to economic growth and the shrinking middle class. There is no simple fix to a complex problem. Furthermore, the OP is not about my position in society, nor is it about the poor, it is about growing income inequality. The same level of income inequality that we had prior to the Great Depression. Please read the OP and the links. This isn't about me, I'm fine for now. I know millionaires that feel the same way I do. Again, if we experience a market crash like the one in 1929, you'll be forced off your high horse, to the back of the soup line. Back then, many people were in denial. You will not be immune when this happens.
I don't feel like reading the links, I can't stand when people link to things and then expect everyone to read what they wrote PLUS a bunch of other stuff.
You're a fool if you think the poor have nothing to do with their own demise. Income inequality most assuredly has something to do with the poor, especially since you take the position that the poor are too poor and the rich are too rich. Here's the key difference: The rich worked for what they have, the poor did not and probably never will, considering the handouts are too easy to get nowadays. I'm not on a high horse. I'm middle class and struggle just like the next guy to get to a more comfortable place in life with a better job, bigger house, nicer cars, etc. I will never step foot in a soup line b/c I will never be the one accepting handouts. I will earn my way just as I always have, thankyouverymuch.
Stop focusing on how the rich are so evil and start thinking of ways you can make your own life better, and maybe even help people less fortunate than you. Try church, that's a good place to start.
I don't feel like reading the links, I can't stand when people link to things and then expect everyone to read what they wrote PLUS a bunch of other stuff.
You're a fool if you think the poor have nothing to do with their own demise. Income inequality most assuredly has something to do with the poor, especially since you take the position that the poor are too poor and the rich are too rich. Here's the key difference: The rich worked for what they have, the poor did not and probably never will, considering the handouts are too easy to get nowadays. I'm not on a high horse. I'm middle class and struggle just like the next guy to get to a more comfortable place in life with a better job, bigger house, nicer cars, etc. I will never step foot in a soup line b/c I will never be the one accepting handouts. I will earn my way just as I always have, thankyouverymuch.
Stop focusing on how the rich are so evil and start thinking of ways you can make your own life better, and maybe even help people less fortunate than you. Try church, that's a good place to start.
You confess to not reading the links that substantiate the OP's points and yet you fell qualifed to respond with rhetoric originating in an obviously rigid and closed minded place. You are entitled to your opinion and I will give you the benefit of the doubt by assuming that it is your opinion and not one proliferated by a right wing media shill, but there is a huge difference between an opinion and an uninformed opinion...yours is blatantly the latter. Your response reveals your ignorance to the reality of what is taking place in this country.
Contrary to popular liberal belief, it is not a conspiracy. The wealthy would be happy for anybody to be successful, they are not trying to keep the middle class in debt. The middle class is responsible for their own debt by overspending and trying to act like they're wealthy when they're not. Can't afford a house? Don't buy one!
Are we forgetting that over the last few years, minimum wage has increased by $2? This is actually a bad thing for corporations, who must figure out a way to pay higher wages and not have to cut labor hours or part of their labor force. It might actually be part of why the economy is in shambles right now.
Do you not understand who creates jobs? The wealthy do b/c they're the ones who are willing to take a risk when the economy is more predictable. They get different tax cuts than the middle and poor classes b/c they have more deductions they can take, like for business, charity contributions and property taxes. They also have more taxes they are subject to, like the death tax, whenever they decide to let that moratorium expire, too.
Actually, the wealthy or top 1% make money from debt. Why wouldn't they encourage this? During the Golden Years, income inequality lessened, labor unions were more common and aslo seen as a positive and the tax rate for the wealthy was much higher than it is now. Also, the mnimum wage was a livable wage. At this time, the economy thrived, what do you attribute this to? Seems clear as day to me that policies designed to concentrate an enourmous amount of wealth to a small percentage of the population while the income growth rate among the rest is almost stagnant is not good for the economy.
Do you understand who spends the money? The issue here isn't simply about taking away from the rich or making them equal to the middle class, it is about the slow income growth of the middle class compared to the skyrocketing income growth of the rich. While thei salaries have increased at astronomical rates, middle class salaries have not. It is about disproportion. As for your comment about the minimum wage, many studies have proven otherwise. The minimum wage is not something anyone can support themself on. They either need assistance from family or government assistance. Why should anyone who works 40 hours a week need assitance and why would anyone think it is ethical to pay less than the minimum wage?
This is not about communism. It is about what's good for the economy and any policy designed to assist in economic growth for the top income earners only, while the middle class falls by the wayside has not been good for the economy. This is what we've been experiencing for the last thirty years. It hasn't been working. It didn't work in the 20's either.
You confess to not reading the links that substantiate the OP's points and yet you fell qualifed to respond with rhetoric originating in an obviously rigid and closed minded place. You are entitled to your opinion and I will give you the benefit of the doubt by assuming that it is your opinion and not one proliferated by a right wing media shill, but there is a huge difference between an opinion and an uninformed opinion...yours is blatantly the latter. Your response reveals your ignorance to the reality of whay is taking place in this country.
So just b/c I haven't read a couple links posted on CD means I'm uninformed? Riiiiiiiiiiight. It's not my opinion, it's fact, the poor become poorer in part b/c they choose to not help themselves. I think responses from people who believe the poor cannot help themselves are ignorant.
I don't feel like reading the links, I can't stand when people link to things and then expect everyone to read what they wrote PLUS a bunch of other stuff.
You're a fool if you think the poor have nothing to do with their own demise. Income inequality most assuredly has something to do with the poor, especially since you take the position that the poor are too poor and the rich are too rich. Here's the key difference: The rich worked for what they have, the poor did not and probably never will, considering the handouts are too easy to get nowadays. I'm not on a high horse. I'm middle class and struggle just like the next guy to get to a more comfortable place in life with a better job, bigger house, nicer cars, etc. I will never step foot in a soup line b/c I will never be the one accepting handouts. I will earn my way just as I always have, thankyouverymuch.
Stop focusing on how the rich are so evil and start thinking of ways you can make your own life better, and maybe even help people less fortunate than you. Try church, that's a good place to start.
Okay...you are seriously attempting to oversimplify the issue at hand. On top of that, you misinterpreted my post and refuse to read the information provided. Then tell me to go to church. God has nothing to do with this and you are making unfounded assumptions about my personal life based on your prejudiced views about Liberals. As SickofNYC stated, your opinion is uninformed and you are not looking at this with an open mind.
Your focus is on the poor, mine was on the middle class. I am not talking about people who refuse to work, I am talking about people who work hard and are not compensated fairly. As for soup lines, if you'd rather eat squirrels and pigeons, that's your perogative but if you think that poverty and hunger can't happen to everyone, you need a history lesson. I am middle class as well, my household income is six figures, and I am doing just fine. It won't matter eventually as the economic cycle repeats itself.
So just b/c I haven't read a couple links posted on CD means I'm uninformed? Riiiiiiiiiiight. It's not my opinion, it's fact, the poor become poorer in part b/c they choose to not help themselves. I think responses from people who believe the poor cannot help themselves are ignorant.
You are having a problem understanding what the actual topic is...that is apparent. This is not about passing the basket around for the poor. This is about modern day Robber Barons that are undermining the middle class via corrupt repsentatives that are representing the corporation as opposed to the people. Stealing as banksters have turned Wall Street into Las Vegas casinos. Unlimited campaign contributions to buy elections by undisclosed entities. Wars to enrich private contractors. You are attempting to over simplify a very clear but intricate corruption issue. This is not about some stereotypically lazy person on welfare. You are choosing to remain ignorant.
BTW...After ten years, Congress passed and the President signed legislation to raise the minimum wage. The legislation will raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour in three steps over two years.
This is what you are blaming this nation's problems on? Pathetic!
Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it
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