Has wealth and power been concentrated in too few people in America?

[techs]

Has wealth and power been concentrated in too few people in America?
Well, what do ya think?

 

[SammyJr]

Yes. I think over the last 30 years, there has been a deliberate shifting of the wealth to the very top fraction of a percent.

 

[dainthomas]

Not as bad as the 19th century robber-barons (before anti-trust laws).

 

[BoberFett]

Yes, but the blame lies squarely on the shoulder of consumers. Rather than saving and investing and building their own wealth, most people borrow their way into massive debt so they can buy overpriced trinkets and toys from those wealthy individuals.

 

[cubeless]

not as bad as the dark ages...

what a dumb-ass thread...

the history of the united states has seen the creation and growth of the 'middle class', and their sharing in the greatest improvement to the condition of humans in the history of mankind...

take your jealous ass and go do some damn work to better yourself so you can partake in greater measure or just stfu...

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: cubeless
not as bad as the dark ages...

what a dumb-ass thread...

the history of the united states has seen the creation and growth of the 'middle class', and their sharing in the greatest improvement to the condition of humans in the history of mankind...

take your jealous ass and go do some damn work to better yourself so you can partake in greater measure or just stfu...

+++++

 

[MotF Bane]

TTIWWP(ole).

 

[brxndxn]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Yes, but the blame lies squarely on the shoulder of consumers. Rather than saving and investing and building their own wealth, most people borrow their way into massive debt so they can buy overpriced trinkets and toys from those wealthy individuals.

What the fuck is the point of saving if you HAVE to invest (ie.. take risks) just to maintain value?

There's a HELL of a lot of people that invested every chance they got.. but happened to take the wrong risks..

For example.. anyone that had their 'nest egg' diversified across the whole stock market.. BOOM.. 40% lost this year

For example.. anyone that decided to put their money into real estate the past few years..

Now.. there's always people that made stupid moves. But, I would say the way our financial system is set up provokes people into making stupid investment moves.

I had one coworker tell me, "I don't save shit. Guess what? I didn't lose anything."

Where would you put your money now to be safe?

 

[Atreus21]

Originally posted by: techs
Has wealth and power been concentrated in too few people in America?
Well, what do ya think?

Yes. Wealth and power have been concentrated in the government too greatly.

 

[mozirry]

Yes, it's time to start to take some of that wealth back and redistribute it to the proletariat! TO ARMS!

 

[Genx87]

Yes 3.6 trillion in wealth is concentrated within our federal govt that is run by a few hundred people.

 

[CPA]

no

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Yes 3.6 trillion in wealth is concentrated within our federal govt that is run by a few hundred people.

Exactly.

Our $3 trillion budget is controlled by 535 people who have a vote in congress.

That works out to $5.6 billion spent per vote.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Not as bad as the 19th century robber-barons (before anti-trust laws).

You can tell a difference?? They're back!!
----------see below-----------

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: WHAMPOM

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Not as bad as the 19th century robber-barons (before anti-trust laws).

You can tell a difference?? They're back!!
----------see below-----------

Why dont you add to your quote the bottom rate was 20-22% instead of 0-10%?

 

[OCGuy]

Yes. They should take some of that wealth and power and give it directly to techs.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: WHAMPOM

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Not as bad as the 19th century robber-barons (before anti-trust laws).

You can tell a difference?? They're back!!
----------see below-----------

UCSD education hard at work here.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Let me counter your question with a question.

Let's say everyone in this thread responded HELL YES!

What would you propose we do about it?

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Not as bad as the 19th century robber-barons (before anti-trust laws).

No, but if the current trends continue I believe we will see a return to a modern equivalent. Wages have been stagnant for teh average American for a long time while prices continue upwards. The middle class is slowly being squeezed out. Besides, antitrust laws have lost their teeth over the years, anyway.

 

[cubeless]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Let me counter your question with a question.

Let's say everyone in this thread responded HELL YES!

What would you propose we do about it?

that's like the new forum software, it's already quoted before the 'original' post shows up: obama was already elected before the post...

 

[spittledip]

yes. next question?

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Yes, but the blame lies squarely on the shoulder of consumers. Rather than saving and investing and building their own wealth, most people borrow their way into massive debt so they can buy overpriced trinkets and toys from those wealthy individuals.

Don't forget stagnant income and increasing cost of living. Your rants, you silly boy.:beer::laugh:

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Yes, but the blame lies squarely on the shoulder of consumers. Rather than saving and investing and building their own wealth, most people borrow their way into massive debt so they can buy overpriced trinkets and toys from those wealthy individuals.

What about the ones that have to borrow because their cheap ass employers will not pay them a fair salary. Instead kicking them to the curb and remaining wealthy while they seek a bailout.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Let me counter your question with a question.

Let's say everyone in this thread responded HELL YES!

What would you propose we do about it?

We should TP the white house !

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: techs
Has wealth and power been concentrated in too few people in America?
Well, what do ya think?

Yes, beginning with the POTUS.