New Oxfam report says half of global wealth held by the 1%

[Sonny Clark]

Yep. I just read an article concerning the same in the New York Times. No surprise. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer.

Actually, the past three decades have seen more people lifted out of poverty than at any other time in human history. UNESCO reports on this every few years.

Reality doesn't match the reports. In many cases, it's more of a meeting in the middle between the poor nations and the rich nations. The term "Global Economy" basically means "equalization to the lowest level". In other words, increased trade enables some nations to realize a gain in wealth, while others nations become less wealthy. A good example would be The United States. In the U.S., we've been forced to lower our standard of living, and work for less wages and company paid benefits. We have a large number of citizens receiving some form of government assistance, and a growing homeless population.

There has not been a meeting in the middle. Other nations have not become less wealthy.

I disagree. The United States is just one of several.

 

[candycorn]

Yep. I just read an article concerning the same in the New York Times. No surprise. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer.

Actually, the past three decades have seen more people lifted out of poverty than at any other time in human history. UNESCO reports on this every few years.

I roll my eyes hearing about the 1%. If the OP would be so kind, can someone point out the last time it was 50/50 where you had 1/2 "haves" and 1/2 "have nots"? Or maybe even 25/75 or even 10/90? I don't know but I would suspect that the books have always been "balanced" around 5/95 or 2/98....

I agree, the more important thing is the other end of the spectrum.

I'm not saying that inequality isn't rising nor is it a problem. Society generally operates better when the gains are broadly distributed.

But people often confuse that with "the poor getting poorer." The poor rarely get poorer. They are usually getting less poor, even if the people above them are gaining at a faster rate.

Just one more statement on it; I would just be interested to see what the split was 20 years ago...

I don't think it would be much different than it is now.

 

[Toro]

Yep. I just read an article concerning the same in the New York Times. No surprise. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer.

Actually, the past three decades have seen more people lifted out of poverty than at any other time in human history. UNESCO reports on this every few years.

Reality doesn't match the reports. In many cases, it's more of a meeting in the middle between the poor nations and the rich nations. The term "Global Economy" basically means "equalization to the lowest level". In other words, increased trade enables some nations to realize a gain in wealth, while others nations become less wealthy. A good example would be The United States. In the U.S., we've been forced to lower our standard of living, and work for less wages and company paid benefits. We have a large number of citizens receiving some form of government assistance, and a growing homeless population.

There has not been a meeting in the middle. Other nations have not become less wealthy.

I disagree. The United States is just one of several.

GDP is rising. The value of assets is rising. Incomes are rising. This is all measured and known.

What empirical evidence do you have to back up your argument?

 

[Toro]

Yep. I just read an article concerning the same in the New York Times. No surprise. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer.

Actually, the past three decades have seen more people lifted out of poverty than at any other time in human history. UNESCO reports on this every few years.

I roll my eyes hearing about the 1%. If the OP would be so kind, can someone point out the last time it was 50/50 where you had 1/2 "haves" and 1/2 "have nots"? Or maybe even 25/75 or even 10/90? I don't know but I would suspect that the books have always been "balanced" around 5/95 or 2/98....

I agree, the more important thing is the other end of the spectrum.

I'm not saying that inequality isn't rising nor is it a problem. Society generally operates better when the gains are broadly distributed.

But people often confuse that with "the poor getting poorer." The poor rarely get poorer. They are usually getting less poor, even if the people above them are gaining at a faster rate.

Just one more statement on it; I would just be interested to see what the split was 20 years ago...

I don't think it would be much different than it is now.

It's widened.

What is interesting, though, is that even though inequality has widened within countries, it has narrowed between countries.

 

[alanbmx123]

Once again... How do higher taxes on the 1% going to increase the income of the 99%? I earn a 6 figure income with a high school education, my son put himself through college and just paid off all his student loans at 28. And we live in Kalifornia. I used to be a bleeding heart but the sad fact is you have to pull up your own pants and put in the effort, I am surrounded by people that make a good living just showing up, if you show a little effort you will move up

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

The question is why is the liberal solution more taxes? How does that help the 99% earn more? Tax and spend, redistribution for more government social programs do not help the wage gap. Again lots of talking points for both sides but no solutions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The question is why is the liberal solution more taxes? How does that help the 99% earn more? Tax and spend, redistribution for more government social programs do not help the wage gap. Again lots of talking points for both sides but no solutions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Most of what we use and consume is imported. Examples: Textiles, appliances, furniture, tools, toys, steel, farm equipment, electronics, automotive parts and supplies, etc. Check your local store shelves and see how many "Made IN U.S.A." labels you find. Go to any Wal-Mart and see if you can find shoes, shirts, bath towels, bed sheets, or electronics that was NOT made outside of this country. Go to your local Auto Zone and try to find a socket or end wrench made in the U.S. You may be able to find one or two out a couple of dozen on the shelf. Go to Rent-To-Own and see how many pieces of furniture are imported. Go to any appliance store and see how many U.S.A. made appliances there are compared to the imports. Go to a farm equipment supply store and see how many foreign made pieces of equipment they carry. The point is, we import most of what we use and consume. Some of our food is imported. We are import dependent.

What would happen if we didn't import clothes, appliances, toys, steel, automotive parts and supplies? What if the supply of those items suddenly stopped? What if we stopped importing everything that could be made, manufactured, and produced here in the U.S.? A little side note here, if I may. How many of our poor, less fortunate, disabled, and elderly, could afford to buy everything American made? How about the unemployed? Could they shop for "only" American made items and necessities? As it stands now, most Americans can not shop on Fifth Avenue. We are a poor and dependent society, and getting poorer by the day. Cheap imports enable consumers to buy necessities, and buy a few non-necessities. Why?

Back in the 50's and 60's, there were plants and factories on almost every street corner. We had jobs that covered all education and skill levels. Those were self-supporting jobs. Then unions got greedy, and American made goods became expensive, more expensive than imports. In addition, our government enacted unfair, unjust, and one-sided foreign trade agreements and policies, which made the situation worse. Then next, we closed the steel factories, the textile plants, we lost the electronics industry, and on and on and on and on. So, between the greedy unions asking for $20.00 an hour for the floor sweeper, and the unfair, unjust, and one-sided foreign trade agreements and policies, we lost industry after industry until we were out of work, standing in unemployment lines, and living off of government assistance programs. Now, we're import dependent, and produce very little of what we use and consume. As our population grew, there were fewer and fewer self-supporting opportunities available for our work force. In addition, we started importing labor, off-shore out-sourcing labor, and allowing millions of illegal immigrants to live and work in this country.

The net results is a poor and dependent society, living off of unemployment checks, government assistance programs, and charity. A lot of what we actually produce, is exported, and not purchased by Americans. Most Americans can't afford to buy what we produce. Part-time jobs, temporary jobs, low wage jobs, and side-line work can't pay the price to shop for American made goods. We have over 47 million on food stamps. Can they buy union made products that are produced here in America?

Most of what we use and consume is imported.

That's just a silly claim.
Last year we imported less than $2.3 trillion in a nearly $17 trillion economy.

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods? Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens? And, does dollar amount equate to volume? Are you talking about diamonds, furs, expensive cars, private jets, mansions, etc.? How much of that $17Trillion was exported? How much was sold in Wal-Mart? How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks? Have any clue? Any hard data to support your claim? What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart? How much of that $17Trillion was actually purchased here in America, and not exported?

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods?

People. Corporations.

Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens?

Probably.

And, does dollar amount equate to volume?

Of course not.

How much of that $17Trillion was exported?

We exported almost $1.6 trillion last year.

How much was sold in Wal-Mart?

Last year, WalMart sold about $476 billion in goods.

How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks?

???

Any hard data to support your claim?

Which claim do you feel requires "hard data"?
The fact that we imported $2.3 trillion?
Or that GDP was almost $17 trillion?

What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart?

???

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

 

[Sonny Clark]

Yep. I just read an article concerning the same in the New York Times. No surprise. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer.

Actually, the past three decades have seen more people lifted out of poverty than at any other time in human history. UNESCO reports on this every few years.

Reality doesn't match the reports. In many cases, it's more of a meeting in the middle between the poor nations and the rich nations. The term "Global Economy" basically means "equalization to the lowest level". In other words, increased trade enables some nations to realize a gain in wealth, while others nations become less wealthy. A good example would be The United States. In the U.S., we've been forced to lower our standard of living, and work for less wages and company paid benefits. We have a large number of citizens receiving some form of government assistance, and a growing homeless population.

There has not been a meeting in the middle. Other nations have not become less wealthy.

I disagree. The United States is just one of several.

GDP is rising. The value of assets is rising. Incomes are rising. This is all measured and known.

What empirical evidence do you have to back up your argument?

A fair question, thanks for asking.

(1) GDP Rising --- "Gross Domestic Product" is a number that represents product and service output. [ "an aggregate measure of production equal to the sum of the gross values added of all resident institutional units engaged in production (plus any taxes, and minus any subsidies, on products not included in the value of their outputs)." ] This number does not indicate a "growing wealth" across the board, including benefits to every citizen, whether they be lower, middle, or upper class. This a production number. Company XYZ in North Dakota could use technology and automation to produce 100,000,000 widgets a day, export them, and the company, the employees, the community, and the retail trade in that area would benefit. Of course the government would likewise benefit due to tax revenue. But, the poor of a small town in West Virginia that's living off of government assistance programs and unemployment checks would not realize any benefit at all, zip, zero, nada, zilch. In other words, the GDP number is not a wealth or prosperity index.

(2) The Value Of Assets Are Rising --- Home owners have lost $Billions in home equity, and have yet to realize the value of their homes as they were in 2007. Yes, real estate is coming back up in price, in many areas of the country, some more than others, but not to a break even point. Look at Detroit as an example. Due to extremely low interest rates, savings accounts are making less money than they were in 2007. Many pension funds are in trouble, and many citizens are being asked to accept less in retirement benefits as a result. Look at Detroit as an example. Some retail giants are closing stores all across the country, and mega malls are now ghost buildings, and some are being torn down.

(3) Incomes Are Rising --- Yes, some states have increased minimum wages, which is great, and long over due. But, also, we have more part-time workers, more temporary workers, more underemployed workers, more workers that have given up looking for work, and more college grads moving back home to live with parents until the jobs market improves. In addition, along with a slight increase in wages, employers are offering less company paid benefits. This, especially the added cost of healthcare, subtracts from any wage increase. Employees are paying higher insurance premiums, higher deductibles, and higher out-of-pocket expenses. Also, the cost of food, utilities, and rent have increased.

**** We are not getting wealthier. We are not a wealthy country, nor a wealthy citizenry. Our government borrows money each and every day just keep itself running. We have a large and growing population of poor, needy, and those less fortunate. We have wealth among the top elite, and yes, they are getting wealthier. But, look at the big picture, consider everyone across the board, and see if you really thing that we're getting wealthier as a nation, as a whole. Main Street America tells an entirely different story than GDP numbers, the bankers, and the wealthy of Wall Street and corporate America. Look at John Q. Public in small town America, the homeless, the poor, and the needy, then come back and tell me just how wealthy we are.

 

[candycorn]

Most of what we use and consume is imported. Examples: Textiles, appliances, furniture, tools, toys, steel, farm equipment, electronics, automotive parts and supplies, etc. Check your local store shelves and see how many "Made IN U.S.A." labels you find. Go to any Wal-Mart and see if you can find shoes, shirts, bath towels, bed sheets, or electronics that was NOT made outside of this country. Go to your local Auto Zone and try to find a socket or end wrench made in the U.S. You may be able to find one or two out a couple of dozen on the shelf. Go to Rent-To-Own and see how many pieces of furniture are imported. Go to any appliance store and see how many U.S.A. made appliances there are compared to the imports. Go to a farm equipment supply store and see how many foreign made pieces of equipment they carry. The point is, we import most of what we use and consume. Some of our food is imported. We are import dependent.

What would happen if we didn't import clothes, appliances, toys, steel, automotive parts and supplies? What if the supply of those items suddenly stopped? What if we stopped importing everything that could be made, manufactured, and produced here in the U.S.? A little side note here, if I may. How many of our poor, less fortunate, disabled, and elderly, could afford to buy everything American made? How about the unemployed? Could they shop for "only" American made items and necessities? As it stands now, most Americans can not shop on Fifth Avenue. We are a poor and dependent society, and getting poorer by the day. Cheap imports enable consumers to buy necessities, and buy a few non-necessities. Why?

Back in the 50's and 60's, there were plants and factories on almost every street corner. We had jobs that covered all education and skill levels. Those were self-supporting jobs. Then unions got greedy, and American made goods became expensive, more expensive than imports. In addition, our government enacted unfair, unjust, and one-sided foreign trade agreements and policies, which made the situation worse. Then next, we closed the steel factories, the textile plants, we lost the electronics industry, and on and on and on and on. So, between the greedy unions asking for $20.00 an hour for the floor sweeper, and the unfair, unjust, and one-sided foreign trade agreements and policies, we lost industry after industry until we were out of work, standing in unemployment lines, and living off of government assistance programs. Now, we're import dependent, and produce very little of what we use and consume. As our population grew, there were fewer and fewer self-supporting opportunities available for our work force. In addition, we started importing labor, off-shore out-sourcing labor, and allowing millions of illegal immigrants to live and work in this country.

The net results is a poor and dependent society, living off of unemployment checks, government assistance programs, and charity. A lot of what we actually produce, is exported, and not purchased by Americans. Most Americans can't afford to buy what we produce. Part-time jobs, temporary jobs, low wage jobs, and side-line work can't pay the price to shop for American made goods. We have over 47 million on food stamps. Can they buy union made products that are produced here in America?

Most of what we use and consume is imported.

That's just a silly claim.
Last year we imported less than $2.3 trillion in a nearly $17 trillion economy.

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods? Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens? And, does dollar amount equate to volume? Are you talking about diamonds, furs, expensive cars, private jets, mansions, etc.? How much of that $17Trillion was exported? How much was sold in Wal-Mart? How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks? Have any clue? Any hard data to support your claim? What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart? How much of that $17Trillion was actually purchased here in America, and not exported?

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods?

People. Corporations.

Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens?

Probably.

And, does dollar amount equate to volume?

Of course not.

How much of that $17Trillion was exported?

We exported almost $1.6 trillion last year.

How much was sold in Wal-Mart?

Last year, WalMart sold about $476 billion in goods.

How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks?

???

Any hard data to support your claim?

Which claim do you feel requires "hard data"?
The fact that we imported $2.3 trillion?
Or that GDP was almost $17 trillion?

What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart?

???

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Just something to remember about Wal*Mart....food.
Most food is domestically grown/harvested.

 

[Sonny Clark]

Yep. I just read an article concerning the same in the New York Times. No surprise. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer.

Actually, the past three decades have seen more people lifted out of poverty than at any other time in human history. UNESCO reports on this every few years.

I roll my eyes hearing about the 1%. If the OP would be so kind, can someone point out the last time it was 50/50 where you had 1/2 "haves" and 1/2 "have nots"? Or maybe even 25/75 or even 10/90? I don't know but I would suspect that the books have always been "balanced" around 5/95 or 2/98....

I agree, the more important thing is the other end of the spectrum.

I'm not saying that inequality isn't rising nor is it a problem. Society generally operates better when the gains are broadly distributed.

But people often confuse that with "the poor getting poorer." The poor rarely get poorer. They are usually getting less poor, even if the people above them are gaining at a faster rate.

Just one more statement on it; I would just be interested to see what the split was 20 years ago...

I don't think it would be much different than it is now.

It's widened.

What is interesting, though, is that even though inequality has widened within countries, it has narrowed between countries.

It has narrowed between countries due to the "Global Economy", which basically means "equalization to the lowest level".

 

[Sonny Clark]

Most of what we use and consume is imported. Examples: Textiles, appliances, furniture, tools, toys, steel, farm equipment, electronics, automotive parts and supplies, etc. Check your local store shelves and see how many "Made IN U.S.A." labels you find. Go to any Wal-Mart and see if you can find shoes, shirts, bath towels, bed sheets, or electronics that was NOT made outside of this country. Go to your local Auto Zone and try to find a socket or end wrench made in the U.S. You may be able to find one or two out a couple of dozen on the shelf. Go to Rent-To-Own and see how many pieces of furniture are imported. Go to any appliance store and see how many U.S.A. made appliances there are compared to the imports. Go to a farm equipment supply store and see how many foreign made pieces of equipment they carry. The point is, we import most of what we use and consume. Some of our food is imported. We are import dependent.

What would happen if we didn't import clothes, appliances, toys, steel, automotive parts and supplies? What if the supply of those items suddenly stopped? What if we stopped importing everything that could be made, manufactured, and produced here in the U.S.? A little side note here, if I may. How many of our poor, less fortunate, disabled, and elderly, could afford to buy everything American made? How about the unemployed? Could they shop for "only" American made items and necessities? As it stands now, most Americans can not shop on Fifth Avenue. We are a poor and dependent society, and getting poorer by the day. Cheap imports enable consumers to buy necessities, and buy a few non-necessities. Why?

Back in the 50's and 60's, there were plants and factories on almost every street corner. We had jobs that covered all education and skill levels. Those were self-supporting jobs. Then unions got greedy, and American made goods became expensive, more expensive than imports. In addition, our government enacted unfair, unjust, and one-sided foreign trade agreements and policies, which made the situation worse. Then next, we closed the steel factories, the textile plants, we lost the electronics industry, and on and on and on and on. So, between the greedy unions asking for $20.00 an hour for the floor sweeper, and the unfair, unjust, and one-sided foreign trade agreements and policies, we lost industry after industry until we were out of work, standing in unemployment lines, and living off of government assistance programs. Now, we're import dependent, and produce very little of what we use and consume. As our population grew, there were fewer and fewer self-supporting opportunities available for our work force. In addition, we started importing labor, off-shore out-sourcing labor, and allowing millions of illegal immigrants to live and work in this country.

The net results is a poor and dependent society, living off of unemployment checks, government assistance programs, and charity. A lot of what we actually produce, is exported, and not purchased by Americans. Most Americans can't afford to buy what we produce. Part-time jobs, temporary jobs, low wage jobs, and side-line work can't pay the price to shop for American made goods. We have over 47 million on food stamps. Can they buy union made products that are produced here in America?

Most of what we use and consume is imported.

That's just a silly claim.
Last year we imported less than $2.3 trillion in a nearly $17 trillion economy.

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods? Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens? And, does dollar amount equate to volume? Are you talking about diamonds, furs, expensive cars, private jets, mansions, etc.? How much of that $17Trillion was exported? How much was sold in Wal-Mart? How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks? Have any clue? Any hard data to support your claim? What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart? How much of that $17Trillion was actually purchased here in America, and not exported?

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods?

People. Corporations.

Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens?

Probably.

And, does dollar amount equate to volume?

Of course not.

How much of that $17Trillion was exported?

We exported almost $1.6 trillion last year.

How much was sold in Wal-Mart?

Last year, WalMart sold about $476 billion in goods.

How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks?

???

Any hard data to support your claim?

Which claim do you feel requires "hard data"?
The fact that we imported $2.3 trillion?
Or that GDP was almost $17 trillion?

What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart?

???

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Fair enough.
Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold, and if you walk around inside of a Wal-Mart store, you'd see a great majority of what they sell is imported. And, what percentage of American consumers shop at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc,? How many can afford to shop on Fifth Avenue? Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America? What about furniture? If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made? What about housewares?

 

[Sonny Clark]

Most of what we use and consume is imported.

That's just a silly claim.
Last year we imported less than $2.3 trillion in a nearly $17 trillion economy.

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods? Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens? And, does dollar amount equate to volume? Are you talking about diamonds, furs, expensive cars, private jets, mansions, etc.? How much of that $17Trillion was exported? How much was sold in Wal-Mart? How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks? Have any clue? Any hard data to support your claim? What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart? How much of that $17Trillion was actually purchased here in America, and not exported?

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods?

People. Corporations.

Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens?

Probably.

And, does dollar amount equate to volume?

Of course not.

How much of that $17Trillion was exported?

We exported almost $1.6 trillion last year.

How much was sold in Wal-Mart?

Last year, WalMart sold about $476 billion in goods.

How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks?

???

Any hard data to support your claim?

Which claim do you feel requires "hard data"?
The fact that we imported $2.3 trillion?
Or that GDP was almost $17 trillion?

What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart?

???

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Just something to remember about Wal*Mart....food.
Most food is domestically grown/harvested.

I really wouldn't swear to that. I worked for the U.S.D.A. for ten years inspecting produce. You'd be shocked at what crosses our borders, especially from Mexico and south and central America.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Most of what we use and consume is imported.

That's just a silly claim.
Last year we imported less than $2.3 trillion in a nearly $17 trillion economy.

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods? Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens? And, does dollar amount equate to volume? Are you talking about diamonds, furs, expensive cars, private jets, mansions, etc.? How much of that $17Trillion was exported? How much was sold in Wal-Mart? How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks? Have any clue? Any hard data to support your claim? What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart? How much of that $17Trillion was actually purchased here in America, and not exported?

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods?

People. Corporations.

Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens?

Probably.

And, does dollar amount equate to volume?

Of course not.

How much of that $17Trillion was exported?

We exported almost $1.6 trillion last year.

How much was sold in Wal-Mart?

Last year, WalMart sold about $476 billion in goods.

How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks?

???

Any hard data to support your claim?

Which claim do you feel requires "hard data"?
The fact that we imported $2.3 trillion?
Or that GDP was almost $17 trillion?

What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart?

???

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Fair enough.
Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold, and if you walk around inside of a Wal-Mart store, you'd see a great majority of what they sell is imported. And, what percentage of American consumers shop at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc,? How many can afford to shop on Fifth Avenue? Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America? What about furniture? If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made? What about housewares?

Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold,

Of course I'm not. If you have the breakdown, feel free to post it.

Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America?

Absolutely.

If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made?

Your guess was less than 50% ("Most of what we use and consume is imported").
Any backup, at all, for this claim?
Or is it strictly based on what you see when you "walk around WalMart"?

 

[Sonny Clark]

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods? Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens? And, does dollar amount equate to volume? Are you talking about diamonds, furs, expensive cars, private jets, mansions, etc.? How much of that $17Trillion was exported? How much was sold in Wal-Mart? How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks? Have any clue? Any hard data to support your claim? What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart? How much of that $17Trillion was actually purchased here in America, and not exported?

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods?

People. Corporations.

Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens?

Probably.

And, does dollar amount equate to volume?

Of course not.

How much of that $17Trillion was exported?

We exported almost $1.6 trillion last year.

How much was sold in Wal-Mart?

Last year, WalMart sold about $476 billion in goods.

How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks?

???

Any hard data to support your claim?

Which claim do you feel requires "hard data"?
The fact that we imported $2.3 trillion?
Or that GDP was almost $17 trillion?

What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart?

???

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Fair enough.
Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold, and if you walk around inside of a Wal-Mart store, you'd see a great majority of what they sell is imported. And, what percentage of American consumers shop at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc,? How many can afford to shop on Fifth Avenue? Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America? What about furniture? If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made? What about housewares?

Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold,

Of course I'm not. If you have the breakdown, feel free to post it.

Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America?

Absolutely.

If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made?

Your guess was less than 50% ("Most of what we use and consume is imported").
Any backup, at all, for this claim?
Or is it strictly based on what you see when you "walk around WalMart"?

Wal-Mart is not the only store. I mentioned Target also. And, Rooms To Go, Dollar General, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree Stores, Any store that sells electronics, Most stores that sell tools, most stores that sell toys, Big Lots, K-Mart, And others throughout the country. There are many stores that have a majority of foreign made products on their shelves. The list above is only a partial list that came to mind without putting a lot of thought into it. I'm sure I left out hundreds.

Can you name any stores that sell mostly American made products that the general public can afford to shop at and buy the goods they sell?

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Who were the people that purchased those American made goods?

People. Corporations.

Were most of them purchased by middle and low income citizens?

Probably.

And, does dollar amount equate to volume?

Of course not.

How much of that $17Trillion was exported?

We exported almost $1.6 trillion last year.

How much was sold in Wal-Mart?

Last year, WalMart sold about $476 billion in goods.

How much of it was purchased by those receiving some form of government assistance and those receiving unemployment checks?

???

Any hard data to support your claim?

Which claim do you feel requires "hard data"?
The fact that we imported $2.3 trillion?
Or that GDP was almost $17 trillion?

What is the percentage of high-end stores compared to stores like Target and Wal-Mart?

???

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Fair enough.
Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold, and if you walk around inside of a Wal-Mart store, you'd see a great majority of what they sell is imported. And, what percentage of American consumers shop at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc,? How many can afford to shop on Fifth Avenue? Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America? What about furniture? If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made? What about housewares?

Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold,

Of course I'm not. If you have the breakdown, feel free to post it.

Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America?

Absolutely.

If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made?

Your guess was less than 50% ("Most of what we use and consume is imported").
Any backup, at all, for this claim?
Or is it strictly based on what you see when you "walk around WalMart"?

Wal-Mart is not the only store. I mentioned Target also. And, Rooms To Go, Dollar General, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree Stores, Any store that sells electronics, Most stores that sell tools, most stores that sell toys, Big Lots, K-Mart, And others throughout the country. There are many stores that have a majority of foreign made products on their shelves. The list above is only a partial list that came to mind without putting a lot of thought into it. I'm sure I left out hundreds.

Can you name any stores that sell mostly American made products that the general public can afford to shop at and buy the goods they sell?

Wal-Mart is not the only store. I mentioned Target also. And, Rooms To Go, Dollar General, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree Stores, Any store that sells electronics, Most stores that sell tools, most stores that sell toys, Big Lots, K-Mart, And others throughout the country. There are many stores that have a majority of foreign made products on their shelves.

Yes, we have lots of stores.
So you should have no problem backing up your claim, "Most of what we use and consume is imported".
Let me know what you find.

 

[Sonny Clark]

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods? So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced? If so, what were those products?So, you're guessing that most of the American made goods sold here in this country, we sold to middle and low income consumers? Am I correct? You're guessing, assuming? So, you really don't have the answers? Am I correct?

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Fair enough.
Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold, and if you walk around inside of a Wal-Mart store, you'd see a great majority of what they sell is imported. And, what percentage of American consumers shop at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc,? How many can afford to shop on Fifth Avenue? Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America? What about furniture? If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made? What about housewares?

Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold,

Of course I'm not. If you have the breakdown, feel free to post it.

Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America?

Absolutely.

If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made?

Your guess was less than 50% ("Most of what we use and consume is imported").
Any backup, at all, for this claim?
Or is it strictly based on what you see when you "walk around WalMart"?

Wal-Mart is not the only store. I mentioned Target also. And, Rooms To Go, Dollar General, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree Stores, Any store that sells electronics, Most stores that sell tools, most stores that sell toys, Big Lots, K-Mart, And others throughout the country. There are many stores that have a majority of foreign made products on their shelves. The list above is only a partial list that came to mind without putting a lot of thought into it. I'm sure I left out hundreds.

Can you name any stores that sell mostly American made products that the general public can afford to shop at and buy the goods they sell?

Wal-Mart is not the only store. I mentioned Target also. And, Rooms To Go, Dollar General, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree Stores, Any store that sells electronics, Most stores that sell tools, most stores that sell toys, Big Lots, K-Mart, And others throughout the country. There are many stores that have a majority of foreign made products on their shelves.

Yes, we have lots of stores.
So you should have no problem backing up your claim, "Most of what we use and consume is imported".
Let me know what you find.

Ha Ha Ha !!!! Nice try. Hey, don't forget that Wal-Mart is the largest employer in America. They don't keep that many people on their payroll just to service 20% or 30% of the population. Ha Ha Ha !!!!

 

[Agit8r]

just threw this in for a little perspective:

The Least of These

 

[2aguy]

and here is a real look at the issue...

Blog Oxfam says the richest 1 control more than half the world s wealth updated


Oh, they're being held in businesses. Businesses, that, you know, employ thousands of people.
Businesses, such as insurance, that enable other businesses to function. Businesses that produce products and services that millions of people want or need.

Did these richest of the rich forcibly take money from others? Were people forced to hand over their money? I don't think so. I think people handed over their money voluntarily, and were even eager to do so, to get goods and services.

Where it becomes involuntary is when governments do it, through taxation and deficit spending. People can choose to buy or not to buy products from a company, but they can't choose whether or not to pay taxes. A rich person spending money can't impoverish people, but government spending can and does impoverish people.

Look at Greece. The government spent much more money than it had, and the economy has basically collapsed. And the rest of Europe isn't far behind. Too much government spending has created record joblessness and poverty.

Spending by rich people and large companies, on the other hand, can increase both the concentration of wealth and the amount of it in everyone's hands. Let's say a rich person puts up the money to open a restaurant. He puts up the money and hires 10 employees. If fantastically successful, he may keep 3 out of every ten dollars and pay the rest as salary to the ten employees and suppliers. He keeps a disproportionate share of the profits, and he gets richer faster, relative to his employees, and yet his employees are also getting richer. They may not get as rich as fast as their employer does, but they are getting richer, and without him, they wouldn't get any money at all.

That's why concentration of wealth is not incompatible with increasing wealth levels for everyone. All that money that's being plowed into finance and insurance and health care is stimulating the economy.



Read more: Blog Oxfam says the richest 1 control more than half the world s wealth updated
Follow us: @AmericanThinker on Twitter | AmericanThinker on Facebook

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

We saw this coming, but it's still disgusting.

New Oxfam report says half of global wealth held by the 1 Business The Guardian

Billionaires and politicians gathering in Switzerland this week will come under pressure to tackle rising inequality after a study found that – on current trends – by next year, 1% of the world’s population will own more wealth than the other 99%.

Ahead of this week’s annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in the ski resort of Davos, the anti-poverty charity Oxfam said it would use its high-profile role at the gathering to demand urgent action to narrow the gap between rich and poor.

The charity’s research, published on Monday, shows that the share of the world’s wealth owned by the best-off 1% has increased from 44% in 2009 to 48% in 2014, while the least well-off 80% currently own just 5.5%.
<more>

Yet you favor the people who create economic hardship through their global warming energy scam.
Make up your mind.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

Even if a Government stole all the money of the wealthy and distributed it to those with less and the poor as soon as those people spent it all with no means to replace it we would be back to the same situation but with no wealthy people to rob.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Are you sure Wal-Mart sold that much in American made goods?

Total sales, in no way segregated between US and foreign sources.

So, people here purchased the majority of what we produced?

Well, if our total GDP was almost $17 trillion and only $1.6 trillion was exported.........

You're guessing, assuming?

I'm guessing I have more real information than the guy who claimed, "Most of what we use and consume is imported"

If that person posted his proof, maybe I could comment on that?

Fair enough.
Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold, and if you walk around inside of a Wal-Mart store, you'd see a great majority of what they sell is imported. And, what percentage of American consumers shop at stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc,? How many can afford to shop on Fifth Avenue? Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America? What about furniture? If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made? What about housewares?

Of course you are not breaking down what Wal-Mart sold,

Of course I'm not. If you have the breakdown, feel free to post it.

Are people buying appliances, electronics, textiles, tools, toys, Automotive parts, steel, and farm equipment that's made in America?

Absolutely.

If so, what would you guess is the percentage of those items are American made?

Your guess was less than 50% ("Most of what we use and consume is imported").
Any backup, at all, for this claim?
Or is it strictly based on what you see when you "walk around WalMart"?

Wal-Mart is not the only store. I mentioned Target also. And, Rooms To Go, Dollar General, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree Stores, Any store that sells electronics, Most stores that sell tools, most stores that sell toys, Big Lots, K-Mart, And others throughout the country. There are many stores that have a majority of foreign made products on their shelves. The list above is only a partial list that came to mind without putting a lot of thought into it. I'm sure I left out hundreds.

Can you name any stores that sell mostly American made products that the general public can afford to shop at and buy the goods they sell?

Wal-Mart is not the only store. I mentioned Target also. And, Rooms To Go, Dollar General, Family Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree Stores, Any store that sells electronics, Most stores that sell tools, most stores that sell toys, Big Lots, K-Mart, And others throughout the country. There are many stores that have a majority of foreign made products on their shelves.

Yes, we have lots of stores.
So you should have no problem backing up your claim, "Most of what we use and consume is imported".
Let me know what you find.

Ha Ha Ha !!!! Nice try. Hey, don't forget that Wal-Mart is the largest employer in America. They don't keep that many people on their payroll just to service 20% or 30% of the population. Ha Ha Ha !!!!

Let me know if you ever get some actual data.