Wealth Inequality In America

I can't wait to watch this.

I think it is related to the charts my middle son showed me a few weeks back. The charts showed how we THINK the wealth is distributed and how it really IS distributed. I did not doubt the chart and/or research AT ALL. I will watch this SOON!

I guess it is depressing but certainly not surprising.

It reminds me of this chart that tries to account for all money in circulation, and it shows a very similar picture.
http://xkcd.com/980/

In Australia I'd say there is certainly more social security and health care for everyone, but I am sure that the distribution would be similar in the end. We have had several articles here in the papers with the journalists all mystified as to why there was such vehement opposition to Obama's health care reforms which were broadly similar to what people have enjoyed here for decades. The fact that people who aren't anywhere near that 1% would oppose something so beneficial to their fellow Americans for fear of "socialism" is just baffling.

I don't know how you fix things though. After the ones being elected and making the laws and setting the tax policy are the ones in that extra 1% column on the right aren't they?

For the most part, yes, they are.

I feel that people become corrupted by their office. Once they get in, they get all sorts of goodies from lobbyists, etc. and become addicted to holding onto power.

They should have term limits to help with that. They won't, because they would never allow it.

I agree 'Slim and another thing I find disturbing is these people vote for the own salaries. Really wouldn't that be awesome if all the employees at a business could take a vote and decide their benefits, salary without the company having any input? I imagine that if this was done then most companies would fail which is what is happening to the US. 😢

CL-Ed wrote:

I guess it is depressing but certainly not surprising.

It reminds me of this chart that tries to account for all money in circulation, and it shows a very similar picture.
http://xkcd.com/980/

In Australia I'd say there is certainly more social security and health care for everyone, but I am sure that the distribution would be similar in the end. We have had several articles here in the papers with the journalists all mystified as to why there was such vehement opposition to Obama's health care reforms which were broadly similar to what people have enjoyed here for decades. The fact that people who aren't anywhere near that 1% would oppose something so beneficial to their fellow Americans for fear of "socialism" is just baffling.

I don't know how you fix things though. After the ones being elected and making the laws and setting the tax policy are the ones in that extra 1% column on the right aren't they?

I think the media (cable news especially) demonized the health care and lied about what it would be, so that scared voters off. I would love to have health for everyone. As it is now, people are losing their houses if they become ill. The health care industry (sick care) becomes wealthier, the drug companies become wealthier, the sick person becomes sicker and poor. 😢

barbadosslim93 wrote:

For the most part, yes, they are.

I feel that people become corrupted by their office. Once they get in, they get all sorts of goodies from lobbyists, etc. and become addicted to holding onto power.

They should have term limits to help with that. They won't, because they would never allow it.

You are so right. Once they get it, it's like guaranteed wealth. They don't have to answer to anybody or be accountable. They lie their butts off, promising everything under the sun, then delivering nothing but broken promises and lies.

luckywalker wrote:

I agree 'Slim and another thing I find disturbing is these people vote for the own salaries. Really wouldn't that be awesome if all the employees at a business could take a vote and decide their benefits, salary without the company having any input? I imagine that if this was done then most companies would fail which is what is happening to the US. 😢

Welcome back LW! It's so good to see your avatar again. I think it's appalling too. They cut benefits for everyone else, but they always need more money. Filthy ba&&$$$.