35 soul-crushing facts about American income inequality

[DGS49]

The expression, "Income Inequality" is a vacuous catch-phrase masquerading as an insight (like "social justice").

The main econo-social "problem" to be addressed in the U.S.is persistent poverty. The problem is NOT that "some people are earning too much," or "some people HAVE too much." If the economy were a zero-sum game, then the problem MIGHT be that some people HAVE too much, but as anyone with more than a third-grader's understanding of economics knows, the economy is not a zero-sum game. Entrepreneurs and inventors CREATE wealth all the time, and it does not come at the expense of anyone else.

Expressing the Problem as "Income Inequality" takes the focus off the real problem (persistent poverty) and directs it at success, triggering the all-too-human emotion of ENVY. And when you couple ENVY with ignorance about economics, the result is hatred of success, and the desire to confiscate income/wealth, and distribute it to The Poor. My own beloved Pope Frank is currently the world's most recognizable economic ignoramous, having been totally taken in by the insidious fiction.

You wanna deal with the real problem of poverty? Get people to (1) finish high school, (2) not have kids before getting married, and (3) get a job - any job. These three simple measures reduce one's chances of living in persistent poverty by 80%, regardless of your racial, ethnic, or economic background.

And while it's true that not everyone who is at the top of the economic pyramid got there through a combination of hard work, intelligence, and prudent risk-taking, by creating the fiction that "Rich People are taking what ought to be YOURS," you discourage the very kinds of activities that might bring about economic elevation of those at the bottom.

 

[Darkwind]

hunger is hunger . To quote that old Armenian lady , in the USA even the homeless run around with a chicken leg in each hand SwimExpert !!

In the US, the wealthiest even get to keep their multimillion dollar bonuses while on means tested, corporate welfare.

You have an example of this corporate welfare?

One example of subsidies is USA's military providing protection for oil companies operating in the middle east. Including deaths and injuries to servicemen protecting these for profit companies and the american taxpayers footing the bill, sometimes health care costs for life for some service men, the oil companies are getting a pretty sweet deal. And sometimes they manage to pay no taxes at all, like exxon. Since oil products are one of usa's biggest exports, it's certainly not about getting oil to the homefront or america won't survive.

The Surprising Truth About Oil and Gas Company Corporate Tax Rates - US News

Another who cannot understand what subsidies means? I pretty much gave you the definition....

What money did the US Government give to these oil companies?

BTW....Us military protecting American interests pretty much sums up what their mission statement is...and the first priority of our government is to protect our interests.....

Protection is NOT subsidies....try again.

Protection is a subsidy when that company chooses to work in dangerous areas... How is it in US interest to spend $2+ trillion on a war and
little under 15 billion on on renewable and energy efficiency in the last 10 years...


Over the 37-year period from the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) inception at the beginning of fiscal year (FY) 1978 through FY2014, federal funding for renewable energy R&D amounted to about 17% of the energy R&D total, compared with 15% for energy efficiency, 26% for fossil, and 38% for nuclear. For the 67-year period from 1948 through 2014, nearly 12% went to renewables, compared with 10% for efficiency, 25% for fossil, and 49% for nuclear.


View attachment 45041

So they continue spending more on Fossil Energy.

Darkwind you have been had... US with interest payments is racking up a bill of $6 trillion dollars on a war to secure oil in just one country.
The laugh is the Middle East doesn't sell oil to US (well in no real high quantities), but they sure as hell love the GOP fascination with

No, you don't get to just make up your own definitions of words and processes. Companies go where the resources are. Oil companies go where the oil is.

You are trying to conflate to separate issues into one overall policy. The wars in the middle east, contrary to the nonsense spewed by progressives, is NOT about oil; but about terrorism and extreme Islamic Jihadists.

The DOE spending money on renewable energy is not oil. You do realize that right? Renewable energy is things like wind, solar, hydro. Lets be clear here. Research by government is a choice, not a requirement of businesses.

Are you going on record as opposing R&D by government?

 

[Darkwind]

35 soul-crushing facts about American income inequality - Salon.com

Interesting and disturbing.

"the Middle Class has been buried these past 4 years" Joe Biden 2012, describing the success of Obamanomics to destroy the US Middle Class

Do remember the GOP shutting down the government because the wealthy would not continue to receive more tax breaks...

The government was never shut down...a 13% stoppage does not a shut down make.

 

[LeftofLeft]

35 soul-crushing facts about American income inequality - Salon.com

Interesting and disturbing.

The single soul crushing fact about income equality policies is that they are specious, kill the middle class, and lock in a true 1 percent so that there is now permanent income inequality with no opportunity for upward mobility. Immigrants come to American for Opportunity, not income equality. In most cases, they are leaving countries that bought the income inequality, class envy bullshit and are now regretting it.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

If you think income inequality in America is so bad and holding you down try your luck in another country I hear Greece is lovely.

I am on the left; I don't mind having a social hard work ethic for free; unlike the capital right who is too lazy to have a clue or a Cause.

Enjoy Greece.

Instead of the social, US where supply side economics merely means, bail out the wealthiest and then let it trickle down?

Didn't Reagan come up with "trickle down" when they were bailing out the S&L crowd?

No, that's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard about Reagan.

 

[danielpalos]

If you think income inequality in America is so bad and holding you down try your luck in another country I hear Greece is lovely.

I am on the left; I don't mind having a social hard work ethic for free; unlike the capital right who is too lazy to have a clue or a Cause.

Enjoy Greece.

Instead of the social, US where supply side economics merely means, bail out the wealthiest and then let it trickle down?

Didn't Reagan come up with "trickle down" when they were bailing out the S&L crowd?

No, that's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard about Reagan.

so what; you don't have a clue or a Cause.

 

[Maryland Patriot]

Yet, the right believes that Capitalism is what increases wealth for the People and not socialism.

It does increase wealth for the 1% which is who runs the republican party,who pays for the republican party to exist so the republican party members can make sure the fed gov stays off their backs to pay a fair share of taxes,pay livable wages,and to keep jobs here. Granted the fed gov isn't doing a very good job of any of those either but its better to have them do SOMETHING than allow the 1% free reign over things.

Excuse me, who populated their cabinet with executives from Goldman Sachs? Yes Obama did, suck on it!

I didn't say jack shit about Obama did I? He is just as bad as Bush,Clinton,Bush,Reagan,Carter etc.

Both parties are corrupt.
as long as they can keep the masses divided and fighting, they get to continue doing what they are doing.
term limits is the only answer to even begin to clean this mess up.

 

[Mad Scientist]

"Soul Crushing" and "Disturbing" Lol!

More like; "Propaganda".

 

[Bombur]

The expression, "Income Inequality" is a vacuous catch-phrase masquerading as an insight (like "social justice").

The main econo-social "problem" to be addressed in the U.S.is persistent poverty. The problem is NOT that "some people are earning too much," or "some people HAVE too much." If the economy were a zero-sum game, then the problem MIGHT be that some people HAVE too much, but as anyone with more than a third-grader's understanding of economics knows, the economy is not a zero-sum game. Entrepreneurs and inventors CREATE wealth all the time, and it does not come at the expense of anyone else.

Expressing the Problem as "Income Inequality" takes the focus off the real problem (persistent poverty) and directs it at success, triggering the all-too-human emotion of ENVY. And when you couple ENVY with ignorance about economics, the result is hatred of success, and the desire to confiscate income/wealth, and distribute it to The Poor. My own beloved Pope Frank is currently the world's most recognizable economic ignoramous, having been totally taken in by the insidious fiction.

You wanna deal with the real problem of poverty? Get people to (1) finish high school, (2) not have kids before getting married, and (3) get a job - any job. These three simple measures reduce one's chances of living in persistent poverty by 80%, regardless of your racial, ethnic, or economic background.

And while it's true that not everyone who is at the top of the economic pyramid got there through a combination of hard work, intelligence, and prudent risk-taking, by creating the fiction that "Rich People are taking what ought to be YOURS," you discourage the very kinds of activities that might bring about economic elevation of those at the bottom.

The presence of income inequality is actually not really the issue as much as the amount of income inequality and how income inequality is changing. Significant differences in income in an economy have significant impacts on a nation both economically and socially. If you were taught in your econ 101 class that it wasn't an issue you need to get your money back.

You try and address this issue like it is an issue between the poor and the rich. The issue of income inequality isn't just about how the rich relate to the poor but how all of the different income spectrum are fairing in the economy over time relative to one another. For example you can simply look at the top 1% and see how the bottom half of that group compares to the top half of that group over time. You will see growth in income inequality there as well.

Your understanding of the real problem of poverty can be summed up as an argument for personal responsibility. Personal responsibility is great and we should never forget to do everything we can to make sure that people are taking responsibility for their lives. This argument is fine but it in no way shape or form addresses the macro-economic changes in our economy that have a large impact on income inequality and poverty.

It is important to understand that when looking at an economy there can be circumstances that benefit one group over others. In the end your world view is woefully incomplete and fundamentally broken. It is not based on our understanding of economics or people. It is not based on facts but emotions and ideology.

 

[danielpalos]

The expression, "Income Inequality" is a vacuous catch-phrase masquerading as an insight (like "social justice").

Just like fair tax under any form of Capitalism but not Socialism.

 

[CowboyTed]

35 soul-crushing facts about American income inequality - Salon.com

Interesting and disturbing.

"the Middle Class has been buried these past 4 years" Joe Biden 2012, describing the success of Obamanomics to destroy the US Middle Class

Do remember the GOP shutting down the government because the wealthy would not continue to receive more tax breaks...

The government was shut down for 4 years?

Obama threatened to withhold Social Security checks unless he got his way

I think you better off stop read right wing garbage websites and actually understand the law. There was no money to cover the checks...

Your lack of understanding of the way government works is amusing
Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3 - CBS News

 

[CowboyTed]

In the US, the wealthiest even get to keep their multimillion dollar bonuses while on means tested, corporate welfare.

You have an example of this corporate welfare?

One example of subsidies is USA's military providing protection for oil companies operating in the middle east. Including deaths and injuries to servicemen protecting these for profit companies and the american taxpayers footing the bill, sometimes health care costs for life for some service men, the oil companies are getting a pretty sweet deal. And sometimes they manage to pay no taxes at all, like exxon. Since oil products are one of usa's biggest exports, it's certainly not about getting oil to the homefront or america won't survive.

The Surprising Truth About Oil and Gas Company Corporate Tax Rates - US News

Another who cannot understand what subsidies means? I pretty much gave you the definition....

What money did the US Government give to these oil companies?

BTW....Us military protecting American interests pretty much sums up what their mission statement is...and the first priority of our government is to protect our interests.....

Protection is NOT subsidies....try again.

Protection is a subsidy when that company chooses to work in dangerous areas... How is it in US interest to spend $2+ trillion on a war and
little under 15 billion on on renewable and energy efficiency in the last 10 years...


Over the 37-year period from the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) inception at the beginning of fiscal year (FY) 1978 through FY2014, federal funding for renewable energy R&D amounted to about 17% of the energy R&D total, compared with 15% for energy efficiency, 26% for fossil, and 38% for nuclear. For the 67-year period from 1948 through 2014, nearly 12% went to renewables, compared with 10% for efficiency, 25% for fossil, and 49% for nuclear.


View attachment 45041

So they continue spending more on Fossil Energy.

Darkwind you have been had... US with interest payments is racking up a bill of $6 trillion dollars on a war to secure oil in just one country.
The laugh is the Middle East doesn't sell oil to US (well in no real high quantities), but they sure as hell love the GOP fascination with

Make up your mind is it 2 trillion or 6 trillion or is it 18 trillion?

Where is the links to break down the cost of those two wars?

1. NEW YORK The U.S. war in Iraq has cost $1.7 trillion with an additional$490 billion in benefits owed to war veterans, expenses that could grow to more than $6 trillion over the next four decades counting interest, a study released on Thursday said.Mar 14, 2013

Iraq war costs U.S. more than 2 trillion study Reuters

I just googled 'Cost of Iraq war'

 

[Maryland Patriot]

35 soul-crushing facts about American income inequality - Salon.com

Interesting and disturbing.

"the Middle Class has been buried these past 4 years" Joe Biden 2012, describing the success of Obamanomics to destroy the US Middle Class

Do remember the GOP shutting down the government because the wealthy would not continue to receive more tax breaks...

The government was shut down for 4 years?

Obama threatened to withhold Social Security checks unless he got his way

I think you better off stop read right wing garbage websites and actually understand the law. There was no money to cover the checks...

Your lack of understanding of the way government works is amusing
Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3 - CBS News

Isnt it funny that every time there is not enough money to send out checks, its never the bottom feeding leaches on welfare that are in question?
Those that worked their whole life can go without now, but those that do nothing for society are always protected.

 

[danielpalos]

Have y'all "read" the latest memo from the far left; they are wondering why we don't just expatriate our wealthiest to Third World nation-States so they can show the world how a "hard work" ethic can solve world poverty.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

35 soul-crushing facts about American income inequality - Salon.com

Interesting and disturbing.

"the Middle Class has been buried these past 4 years" Joe Biden 2012, describing the success of Obamanomics to destroy the US Middle Class

Do remember the GOP shutting down the government because the wealthy would not continue to receive more tax breaks...

The government was shut down for 4 years?

Obama threatened to withhold Social Security checks unless he got his way

I think you better off stop read right wing garbage websites and actually understand the law. There was no money to cover the checks...

Your lack of understanding of the way government works is amusing
Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3 - CBS News

I thought there was a $2 Trillion "Trust Fund"?

So you're OK with Obama threatening our seniors with starvation and destitution.

Good to know

 

[CrusaderFrank]

You have an example of this corporate welfare?

One example of subsidies is USA's military providing protection for oil companies operating in the middle east. Including deaths and injuries to servicemen protecting these for profit companies and the american taxpayers footing the bill, sometimes health care costs for life for some service men, the oil companies are getting a pretty sweet deal. And sometimes they manage to pay no taxes at all, like exxon. Since oil products are one of usa's biggest exports, it's certainly not about getting oil to the homefront or america won't survive.

The Surprising Truth About Oil and Gas Company Corporate Tax Rates - US News

Another who cannot understand what subsidies means? I pretty much gave you the definition....

What money did the US Government give to these oil companies?

BTW....Us military protecting American interests pretty much sums up what their mission statement is...and the first priority of our government is to protect our interests.....

Protection is NOT subsidies....try again.

Protection is a subsidy when that company chooses to work in dangerous areas... How is it in US interest to spend $2+ trillion on a war and
little under 15 billion on on renewable and energy efficiency in the last 10 years...


Over the 37-year period from the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) inception at the beginning of fiscal year (FY) 1978 through FY2014, federal funding for renewable energy R&D amounted to about 17% of the energy R&D total, compared with 15% for energy efficiency, 26% for fossil, and 38% for nuclear. For the 67-year period from 1948 through 2014, nearly 12% went to renewables, compared with 10% for efficiency, 25% for fossil, and 49% for nuclear.


View attachment 45041

So they continue spending more on Fossil Energy.

Darkwind you have been had... US with interest payments is racking up a bill of $6 trillion dollars on a war to secure oil in just one country.
The laugh is the Middle East doesn't sell oil to US (well in no real high quantities), but they sure as hell love the GOP fascination with

Make up your mind is it 2 trillion or 6 trillion or is it 18 trillion?

Where is the links to break down the cost of those two wars?

1. NEW YORK The U.S. war in Iraq has cost $1.7 trillion with an additional$490 billion in benefits owed to war veterans, expenses that could grow to more than $6 trillion over the next four decades counting interest, a study released on Thursday said.Mar 14, 2013

Iraq war costs U.S. more than 2 trillion study Reuters

I just googled 'Cost of Iraq war'

By that accounting the Democrat "War on Poverty" cost us $467 Trillion

 

[pismoe]

I always did pretty good and I am no bigshot or inheritor of big money . All I did was go to work and kept working and saving . Nothing to it !!

whats funny about my post CCaption , all I did was go to work , saved my money , did other things with my money and I have always been ok using my brains and God given talents . Nothing special , just went to work , got married , had kids in the traditional American manner !! All in all , I did pretty good , still doing pretty good Closed Caption !!

 

[Maryland Patriot]

I always did pretty good and I am no bigshot or inheritor of big money . All I did was go to work and kept working and saving . Nothing to it !!

whats funny about my post CCaption , all I did was go to work , saved my money , did other things with my money and I have always been ok using my brains and God given talents . Nothing special , just went to work , got married , had kids in the traditional American manner !! All in all , I did pretty good , still doing pretty good !!

Isnt it funny how doing what you should be doing and not expecting others to do it for you, leaves you in a better position later in life?
If everyone thought and acted like you, this country would not be broke right now, we would still be a world leader.

 

[danielpalos]

35 soul-crushing facts about American income inequality - Salon.com

Interesting and disturbing.

"the Middle Class has been buried these past 4 years" Joe Biden 2012, describing the success of Obamanomics to destroy the US Middle Class

Do remember the GOP shutting down the government because the wealthy would not continue to receive more tax breaks...

The government was shut down for 4 years?

Obama threatened to withhold Social Security checks unless he got his way

I think you better off stop read right wing garbage websites and actually understand the law. There was no money to cover the checks...

Your lack of understanding of the way government works is amusing
Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3 - CBS News

Isnt it funny that every time there is not enough money to send out checks, its never the bottom feeding leaches on welfare that are in question?
Those that worked their whole life can go without now, but those that do nothing for society are always protected.

I think it is even more "funny" that the clueless and Causeless and Lazy right never wants to end our useless boondoggles and generational forms of theft that are our wars on crime, drugs, poverty, and terror; but, always finds a way to blame the least wealthy under our form of Capitalism.

 

[Maryland Patriot]

"the Middle Class has been buried these past 4 years" Joe Biden 2012, describing the success of Obamanomics to destroy the US Middle Class

Do remember the GOP shutting down the government because the wealthy would not continue to receive more tax breaks...

The government was shut down for 4 years?

Obama threatened to withhold Social Security checks unless he got his way

I think you better off stop read right wing garbage websites and actually understand the law. There was no money to cover the checks...

Your lack of understanding of the way government works is amusing
Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3 - CBS News

Isnt it funny that every time there is not enough money to send out checks, its never the bottom feeding leaches on welfare that are in question?
Those that worked their whole life can go without now, but those that do nothing for society are always protected.

I think it is even more "funny" that the clueless and Causeless and Lazy right never wants to end our useless boondoggles and generational forms of theft that are our wars on crime, drugs, poverty, and terror; but, always finds a way to blame the least wealthy under our form of Capitalism.

so we should stop worrying about crime? drugs? and terror?
but lets get back to the original.
why is it that social security is always being threatened, yet not once do I remember welfare in danger of no checks being sent.