Posted on 02/13/2004 9:26:11 AM PST by PoliSciStudent
Greetings, all! I'm new here and hope that I will not offend anyone by confessing at the outset that my personal political leanings are probably farther to the left than is the norm in this forum, but I promise, I'm not here to be disruptive or disrespectful of anyone.
I am a graduate student in political science and would honestly like to hear the views of conservative thinkers on a point which has been troubling me with respect to the direction our country is heading, namely the widening gap between rich people and poor people.
According to the US Treasury Department, the richest 2% of the country own 80% of the wealth in the US. That's honestly not just some liberal's opinion, that's really true, you can check the statistics yourself if you don't belive me. Flip that around and that means that the remaining 98% of us have only 20% to go around amongst all the rest of us. In the last three years, the income of the wealthiest .001% has increased by 600%, in other words, for every $10 million/year they were making before, they're now making $60 million/year.
I read in another article that 5 of the 12 wealthiest individuals on earth are from the Walton family which owns Wal-Mart. At the same time, human resources staff for Wal-Mart, when they hire a new employee, will routinely complete paperwork for new hires to receive foodstamps, as the wages they pay their workers are so low that, even as full-time employees, they are assured of falling below the poverty level and qualifying for foodstamps, without which they wouldn't even be able to afford to feed their families.
Does this sort of thing not bother conservatives? I've read studies which suggest that Americans by and large don't mind extremes of personal wealth as, this being the land of opportunity, we harbor some hope of one day rising to those lofty summits of affluence ourselves, so don't feel we should judge others for achieving that to which we ourselves aspire. Does that sound about right to you all? Anyone have any thoughts?
I think when you're all done beating yourself up on these issues, you will find that some disparity in incomes is important for creating incentives and that an excessive disparity in incomes can lead to instability, revolution, etc.
BTW, when studying the issue, be sure to distinguish between disparities in income and disparities in wealth - they are two different issues. And google "Lorenz curve" for lots of great links. ;-)
You are spending $20k/anno to study polisci? Good Lord! You'll get a better education on this forum and it won't cost you that!
We live in a capitalist society that has done well for us since our founding. Those who choose to make a deal out of the rich, and the inequity of people's living conditions, are not looking at the big picture in my opinion.
The truth about our economic structure is that everyone who comes to this country and has inspiration, a good work ethic, and will take the risk to do something better with his life, will have the opportunity to earn money and provide for the future for himself and his family. Hard work is rewarded by good pay. If a person does not like his job, he has the freedom to try and better himself through education and a better job. No one in our society is stuck. There are many possibilities and many opportunities for those who really want them.
This is money which is hard-earned, and well deserved. Income tax in its current form is a socialist scheme. It is designed to punish those who earn more by taking more and more money away from those who have worked to earn it themselves. If this money was only being used on programs all Americans can use, like defense, national infrastructure and etc., then it would be easier to stomach. In reality, these monies are also being used to pay for welfare and a host of other pork projects used to reward those who sit at home and do nothing but have more babies to take more from the system. Of course, I have mentioned only one of several examples, but I hope I have made my point.
Those desiring to spread the wealth by making everyone "equal" are nothing more than socialists. By nature, Socialism does nothing but reward those who have grasped power, while fostering an environment in which there is no hope, no reward, and no incentive for doing groundbreaking work to move the society and economy forward.
Take it all with a grain of salt. This is only how I see things.
Achievers will always have more then non-producers just because of their character and work ethic, that is if the government allows us to be free to do so.
46% of the 'poor' own their own home. 87% own a color TV. Poverty is an income of less than $1000 per month, and welfare pays more than that. Education is free. The entire staff at McDonalds turns over every month. In other words, there is a problem, but rich versus poor isn't it.
-PJ
I recommend a healthy dose of FreeRepulic taken 3 times a day until your brain is cleansed.
Well, before sharing my views, it would help if you could explain why this bothers you.
In a just society, you should get what you deserve, no?
Do you have an intellectual basis or theory that would justify an opinion that rich people, as a class, do not deserve what they get?
If so, what is it?
Income disparity is a natural economic outcome reflecting the wide variety of individual opportunities and capabilities that exist.
Some individuals naturally have better opportunities/capabilities than others.
There's nothing particulary troubling about that at all, UNLESS political influence is utilized to unduly "rig the system" to benefit a relative minority special interest to the detriment of the majority of our society.
I just went to the US Treasury website. I do not find these statistics there. Could you please go there and pull up this info you have posted and paste the link in a reply?Once you do, I have some comments to make on this subject.
In the last three years, the income of the wealthiest .001% has increased by 600%, in other words, for every $10 million/year they were making before, they're now making $60 million/year.
Again, I'd like to see where you got this information. Please post your source. Once you do, I have some comments to make.
I read in another article that 5 of the 12 wealthiest individuals on earth are from the Walton family which owns Wal-Mart.
What article is this? What periodical is it in? Who wrote it? Please post your source and I'd be happy to make comments at that time.
At the same time, human resources staff for Wal-Mart, when they hire a new employee, will routinely complete paperwork for new hires to receive foodstamps, as the wages they pay their workers are so low that, even as full-time employees, they are assured of falling below the poverty level and qualifying for foodstamps
This is a lie. Why would you say this?
I've got some news for you. When you're young, just out of school, life's tough, typically you work for lower wages. When you have 20 years under your belt, some experience and confidence, things start looking up. When I was your age I used to look at those old men driving Corvettes and think, "Why is it that anyone that can afford such a spiffy car has to be old and wrinkled?" It's always been thus.
We live in a country where, if you want to be a gazillionaire you can. You just have to work hard for it. You can't stand around waiting for it to drop in your lap. It takes hard work. I've found that money doesn't bring near the satisfaction that comes from love, friendship, good health and kindness. I don't even want to be a gazzillionaire. Do you?
As a poliscience major, do you think you were maybe just a touch brainwashed? Do you think perhaps you were taught to be envious of others good fortune?
There is nothing more injurious to you as a person than to covet what another has. Until you look at what you DO have and are grateful for it, you are destined to live a life of lack, resentment and unhappiness. I'll give you right here and now the secret of happiness: You are what you think. Your life is a direct reflection of your thoughts.
Change your thoughts, change your life.
Son, if you think it is so great on the other side of the pond, why don't you pack just your bags and move over there?
Methinks this paragraph here renders the gist of your post to "sour grapes" or "envy." The reason this country's great is because economically speaking, downside is limited and upside is unlimited.What in the world do you propose, a government regulation whereby "executive" salaries can't exceed some ratio when compared to "worker" salaries? I guess they haven't covered Locke yet in any of your classes.
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