Little Help, Why is income gap such a big deal? (Vanity)

free republic | 11/15/03 | Sonny M.

[Sonny M]

I'm starting my economics class now, and my left wing nut of a teacher is making a huge deal about income gap and why its such a terrible thing. I don't see the big deal, can anyone here give me reasons why this is so important and is there anything that can refute this clinton obsessed nut in his obsession to shrink income gaps?

[LibWhacker]

Tell him you agree that economics professors ought to make the same as burger flippers, but that you wouldn't want to see burger flippers running American corporations, or doing heart surgery, etc.

[LibWhacker]

On second thought, keep your mouth shut if you don't want an F.

[Sonny M]

I did say those who can do, those who can't teach. So far my grades are doing good anyway.

[Prime Choice]

Is this "income gap" between jobs or between genders? The answer to such quasi-socialist arguments differs.

If one asks why there are income gaps between a widget-turner and a skilled widget maker, you may as well ask them why a guy who educates children is paid less than a guy who hits a ball with a stick and runs around four bases.

If it's a gripe about the alleged gender income gap, you probably will want to point out that the male of the family is historically the breadwinner and his wages were often deemed "family wages." It wasn't until recently (historically speaking...it really got going in World War II) that women started entering the workforce in terms of building a career rather than making ends meet until Mr. Right came along.

This perceived inequality helped foster a pro-family society in which there was always one stay-at-home parent. Changes in this approach resulted in the gradual disintegration of the nuclear family; an increase in drug and alcohol abuse among minors (who no longer have a stay-at-home parent); an increase in abortions (and all that that implies); and an inevitable devaluation of real dollars earned for the average American family.

So, in other words, we've got rampant drug abuse and crime among our kids, a loss of overall economic power in middle America, an explosion in dysfunctional activities and an epidemic in socially-transmitted diseases...

...and all the feminists want to bitch about is Jane making $1.25 an hour less than John when they really *don't* do the same job??

Draw your own conclusions.

[Sonny M]

He doesn't mean gender or race, i.e. he's saying rich get richer, poor don't get richer enough.

[lodwick]

...uh...supply/demand thing?

Since it's too late to drop this nitwit's class, Good luck with it.

[Darheel]

Just tell him that Amartya Sen says it's bad, so it must be so.

[Prime Choice]

He doesn't mean gender or race, i.e. he's saying rich get richer, poor don't get richer enough.

Oh. That. Well, just point out to him that it's their rejection of the Culture of Success that breeds their misery. If he dares to contest it, just show him how the Asians -- who came to this nation with scarcely more than the shirts on their backs -- embraced the Culture of Success and have turned themselves into a thriving economic force in these United States.

And remind this socialist f---wit that Equal Opportunity does not equate to Equality of Outcomes. Yes, it's good to lend the poor a hand, but the best helping hands they have are at the end of their own arms.

(Can you tell I'm feeling ornery today?)

[Mamzelle]

Tell him you agree that economics professors ought to make the same as burger flippers, but that you wouldn't want to see burger flippers running American corporations, or doing heart surgery, etc.)))

Well, maybe burger flippers *would* make better economics professors...

But, he prob'ly oughtta keep his mouth shut. This dimwit teacher is ranting from his own resentment, and probably grades that way, too.

[Sonny M]

I like that quote, I'm using it.

[oceanview]

it depends on the reasons why it occurs. the middle class doesn't really care too much about the "rich getting richer", as long as wages for them are rising.

but in our current economy, wealth concentration is taking place because of some dangerous phenomena: flat out illegal activities by wall street and the corporate elite are immense, structural changes in corporations which offshore middle class jobs while increasing executive compensation, just to name two.

your professor likely does not understand that, he is just a leftist who trash talks anyone who succeeds within a capitalist system.

[genghis]

Ask for policies to achieve this. Ask for historical examples where these policies have been effective.

[mdittmar]

Tell him you would like to research the succesful examples of socialist countries and could he please name them.

Even the web page of the Socialist party admits there are none.

This is an important part of the reason why there are not any socialist counties(sic) today,...

[southernnorthcarolina]

It is liberal orthodoxy.

"Poverty" is usually defined in terms of comparative incomes or net worths. If you're making, say, 30% or 40% of the national median income, no matter what that median income is, well, you're poor, and you require taxpayer assistance.

In fact, we have the richest poor people in the world, if objective standards are used. Our "poor" people have cars, air conditioning, color TVs, and microwave ovens; and access to public education, job training, transportation, and health care. I'd guess that a person in the 98th percentile of income today has a lifestyle superior to a person in the 50th percentile in 1950 in terms of material goods and comforts; by the standards of 1900, he'd be fabulously wealthy.

Those on the left will always be obsessed with "the gap" -- whether it's in income or SAT scores -- and would rather see us all at a more uniform lower level than see anyone "left behind." Misery loves company.

[Scenic Sounds]

The old Lorenz curve, huh?

I think that history suggests that some inequalities of income/wealth are necessary to create incentives and that excessive inequalities of income/wealth can lead to social instability and revolution. ;-)

[Mad Dawgg]

"I don't see the big deal, can anyone here give me reasons why this is so important and is there anything that can refute this clinton obsessed nut in his obsession to shrink income gaps?"

Read "the Quest for Cosmic Justice" By THomas Sowell and all the answers to left's idiocy will be revealed!

[Cobra64]

He doesn't mean gender or race, i.e. he's saying rich get richer, poor don't get richer enough.

Let's see; Colin Powell, Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Steven Jobs, Barbra Streisand, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and a few million other "ordinary" folks who, one way or the other became millionaires. The "professor" is just another guy that couldn't make it to "the big time." This "professor" is an unthinking dolt.

[Cobra64]

me too.