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.
Considering two factors:
1- USA is the third most populous country in the world (only China and India have more and only recently begun to rise, economically).
2- Cost of living is a lot higher in the USA than in either China or India (a million dollar in either of those countries goes a lot farther than it does here).
It doesn't surprise me that the USA has that number. But, China and India don't need to brag about that... they can point at their rising middle class instead, something USA could brag about in its glory days. What would Adam Smith say?
Considering two factors:
1- USA is the third most populous country in the world (only China and India have more and only recently begun to rise, economically).
2- Cost of living is a lot higher in the USA than in either China or India (a million dollar in either of those countries goes a lot farther than it does here).
It doesn't surprise me that the USA has that number. But, China and India don't need to brag about that... they can point at their rising middle class instead, something USA could brag about in its glory days. What would Adam Smith say?
Adam Smith would recognize the same British merchantalism in this country. He would deplore it. Don't worry I am sure chief read the book.
"It only takes $34,000 a year, after taxes, to be among the richest 1% in the world. That's for each person living under the same roof, including children.
Anyone that uses the word $34,000 and richest 1% in the same argument should not be taken serious.
My question on this thread is does the fact that we have all these rich people mean that America is greedy or do we have the environment where people can come here from any nation, have the freedom to succeed, and become wealthy?
In other words, is it the policies of other nations that keep more of their citizens from achieving great wealth?
Considering two factors:
1- USA is the third most populous country in the world (only China and India have more and only recently begun to rise, economically).
2- Cost of living is a lot higher in the USA than in either China or India (a million dollar in either of those countries goes a lot farther than it does here).
It doesn't surprise me that the USA has that number. But, China and India don't need to brag about that... they can point at their rising middle class instead, something USA could brag about in its glory days. What would Adam Smith say?
They can point all they want. The bar has simply been shifted in the US. Hell there are arguments all over CD about who is middle class in the US anymore. The supposed poor live in nice dwellings, have big screen tubes, cell phones, cars, cable, electricity, running water the whole shabang. You can have your middle class in china where they poop in the corner and have to drink out of bottled water.
My question on this thread is does the fact that we have all these rich people mean that America is greedy or do we have the environment where people can come here from any nation, have the freedom to succeed, and become wealthy?
In other words, is it the policies of other nations that keep more of their citizens from achieving great wealth?
Place I work at has a lot of serbian immigrants there. They can tell some stories about back home. Not a pretty sight. The American dream is still alive and well in the minds of immigrants I think. Many spoiled Americans think they deserve it to be handed to them on a platter is the difference I see nowdays.
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.
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.
