Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1% (Inequality in the US)

Americans have been watching protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in our own democracy, 1 percent of the people take nearly a quarter of the nation’s income—an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret.

I thought this was good read. Although I found certain bits to be a bit "duh" or obvious to the average ATS reader.

Thought I should share with you.

SOURCE

reply to post by Skittle

This was on CNN today..CEOs earn 343 times more than typical workers

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney) -- In 2010, chief executives at some of the nation's largest companies earned an average of $11.4 million in total pay -- 343 times more than a typical American worker, according to the AFL-CIO.

"Despite the collapse of the financial market at the hands of executives less than 3 years ago, the disparity between CEO and workers' pay has continued to grow to levels that are simply stunning," said Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president.

link: money.cnn.com...

Crimes against humanity that anyone should make that much money..while the rest of us little people scrabble along..when will the madness end?

reply to post by Skittle


The answer is not taxing the rich to give money to the lazy, illiterate and the losers of society either. That is equally as evil as making great wealth dishonestly and not all rich are in fact bad people.

The answer is more opportunity and less control generating a robust Middle Class. Not stealing from one Class and giving it to the other Class. Nor is a Nanny State the answer and stripping us of our freedoms. I'd rather have this, than the end result of Socialism like we see in Greece and even worse the old Soviets.

Do you work for the Obama Campaign directly? If so, how many of you are on ATS now starting the propaganda machine?

If you think what Obama and Vanity Fare want is equality, I have a bridge to sell you. It's the old Yo-Yo of Class Warfare being played over and over again. Scare the old folks, pander to the illiterate and you win the White House. Does not matter they want to control us completely as those who support them are not thinking that far ahead. They just want their candy. The whole country can be bought with a few government handouts and it's being used very effectively.

This post should be criticizing Vanity Fare for spreading propaganda for crooked politicians that could care less about the citizens. For participating in the destruction of our Freedoms one at a time and eventually our being controlled through the Nanny State Obama and even Bush want's.

They own the schools, they bought the Unions and they control the dumbed down young people from their brainwashing of them in the schools. That is the truth. That is not propaganda. There is ONE Party.

it is completely disgusting

up through the 70's CEO pay was like 30 times avg workers salary.
and pro athlete pay was between 3 and 10 times avg workers salary..

i can't believe anyone would even support the pro sports, nascar included.. americans are so weak they can't even protest that glaringly corrupt avenue!!! there is little worse than contributing to the ridiculous pay of athletes, owners, etc... what AN EASY THING TO FIX BY BOYCOTT!!!

that would be the critical baby step in fixing things.. oh well bread and circus continues

reply to post by Skittle


I notice your Mood is "Meme". Fits well and I see a cohort followed with another bit of campaign propaganda. Should be an interesting couple of years as the brainwashing begins yet again. Spread hate, divide the country and conquer. Seems simple enough. Hate always is simple.

reply to post by rebeldog


...and its' a tag team! Here we go again. Won't work as well this time around though. Too many people awake.

Before I'm attacked here, I'm a genuine moderate independent. I'm not fooled by the Right or Left. I like truth and hate propaganda and the propaganda machine. Amazing how people will sell their own country down the river for a few checks from Obama that won't even cover the rise in food prices caused by his actions. Amazing.

reply to post by Blaine91555


I sort of relate to your sentiments, however one must realise that when a person inherits billions (or makes such an amount dishonestly) and tries their hardest to give nothing back, they are hardly acting with the responsibility someone of such good fortune should.
I don't understand how someone with such wealth can sit back and horde this money they will never be able to spend whilst millions in the US and around the world having nothing.
A while ago I read a good article I will try to dig out about a guy who owned a large amount of land and planned to build a large homeless shelter, but instead he started a program where homeless people/recovering addicts etc could learn how to build and take part in building their own eco friendly homes etc. I know alot of rich people tend to be inclined towards a certain amount of charity but they rarely take a hands on approach to contributing as much as they can, I don't get what a person with 2 billion dollars can do better than a person with 1 billion?

Imagine if every billionaire all of a sudden gave half of their wealth and split it equally amongst the poorest people in the world. It would be a good start to sorting this planet out once and for all.

reply to post by Blaine91555


It's time for everyone to loose the left and the right.. down with both parties Republicans and Democrats they blow..they are sell outs all of them.

I would say that top 1% EARN or MAKE that money, not TAKE it. That is an important distinction. Our country was not intended to be a democracy, it was founded as a republic. Another important distinction. Yes we have become a democracy, or should I say a democratic oligarchy. Capitalism was designed to function and prosper within the confines of a small government republic, which is why it isn't working very well right now. The statement "America is the wealthiest nation on Earth" is false. To say that would imply that the money collectively belongs to everyone, and it doesn't. The correct way to state it is "America is made up of the wealthiest individuals on Earth". Redistribution of wealth is immoral and evil. It is also synonymous with theft. Look at the IRS figures of who paid what in taxes in 2010 and you will see that the top 10% of earners paid 70% of the taxes. You will also see that 47% of households paid no income tax at all... and at the same time about 47% of people in the US feel that the rich don't pay enough, or what they call "their fair share". Coincidence? When are people going to realize that it is that top 1% that create jobs and wealth for others. How many jobs has Warren Buffet Created? Bill Gates? Steve Jobs? Michael Dell? How many millionaires have they made? Hundreds...thousands? Marxism is illogical. It has always, and will always fail and it doesn't matter what pseudo-intellectual liberal with no real world experience, and no rational understanding of simple economics tries it.

Originally posted by Blaine91555
reply to post by Skittle

 

The answer is not taxing the rich to give money to the lazy, illiterate and the losers of society either. That is equally as evil as making great wealth dishonestly and not all rich are in fact bad people.

The answer is more opportunity and less control generating a robust Middle Class. Not stealing from one Class and giving it to the other Class. Nor is a Nanny State the answer and stripping us of our freedoms. I'd rather have this, than the end result of Socialism like we see in Greece and even worse the old Soviets.

Do you work for the Obama Campaign directly? If so, how many of you are on ATS now starting the propaganda machine?

If you think what Obama and Vanity Fare want is equality, I have a bridge to sell you. It's the old Yo-Yo of Class Warfare being played over and over again. Scare the old folks, pander to the illiterate and you win the White House. Does not matter they want to control us completely as those who support them are not thinking that far ahead. They just want their candy. The whole country can be bought with a few government handouts and it's being used very effectively.

This post should be criticizing Vanity Fare for spreading propaganda for crooked politicians that could care less about the citizens. For participating in the destruction of our Freedoms one at a time and eventually our being controlled through the Nanny State Obama and even Bush want's.

They own the schools, they bought the Unions and they control the dumbed down young people from their brainwashing of them in the schools. That is the truth. That is not propaganda. There is ONE Party.

Well said... The progressives have always organized the useful idiots to further their agenda.

reply to post by lifeissacred


Question is, why do they owe it to you exactly?

Most rich in America are first generation. Some are not. If they got the money dishonestly, by all means lock the pricks up. If they did it through hard work and innovation, well, go do thou likewise.

I came from poverty and through education and just plain hard work, I own a business and I'm no longer poor. Took twenty years of sacrifice to do and my Wife and I worked many long hard weeks, doing multiple peoples jobs to survive. Now people want to take it from me because they don't have the sense to do the same? Really

Class Warfare is just as destructive as any kind of hate. Look how many people claim all people who earn a good living are corrupt as they clock watch at work and do just enough to keep from getting fired. Way too many do that.

The Right wants to convince you the Left are all a bunch of Commie's the Left wants to convince you that the Right are all Racist Nazi's and thieves. Truth is that most of us are decent folk. I'm not rich at all, but I don't want this Class Warfare to lead to a place like Europe where only the Elite can own businesses and everything is controlled and rationed. Plenty of people died to escape that.

Look at the hoopla about the Royal Wedding. It's sickening in fact. The Royals stole everything they have and yet they are still there.

People need to see through this stuff. Most of my customers are small businesses and they are buying about 30% less, even though they admit to me they have had two record years. They don't dare spend due to the insanity of what is going on around them and in politics. Class Warfare is destroying what makes America great to begin with. If I can start a business, anyone willing to make the sacrifice can. Only clock-watchers and corporate sheep are to lazy and unmotivated to do the same. Give them a handout and you own them.

How many votes you suppose Obama bought now with taxpayer money? Plenty! The Unions and the Progressives are like a hand in a glove and the corruption is not even hidden. More than 200 exemptions on the Health Care Law to his butt buddies and he bought another term. He did it all with money he stole from those who earned it. He owns the government workers votes also. How is buying a vote any different than rigging a voting machine? ...and it's legal to buy votes while in office!!!!!!!!!!

I don't blame the young and illiterate who give him the majority through their youth and illiteracy in these matters. They were set up for this. They don't even know how badly they are being used, nor do they know they are programed to believe perfectly decent people are evil by the real evil people in this world.

This divisive stuff has got to stop or we are screwed. Obama / Bush could care less about you, me or anyone else not part of their Elite little group of criminals. Government is turning into a protection racket. They openly commit crimes and can't be touched because they make the Laws.

There is nobody running for President right now I'd even think of voting for and that is sad. Party no longer matters if it ever did. We just jump from one fire into the next fire.

reply to post by Blaine91555


No one owes me anything. I don't think it's a question of class warfare either, what I am saying is a righteous man (or woman) would use their wealth for the benefit of everyone and not just themselves. As I said previously I echo your sentiments about the mandating of government power to take something which belongs to someone else. Also I think it is important to point out that I have no issue with what you would term the 'middle class' either or those whose businesses have netted them a substantial amount of honest wealth as a reward for their hard work and perseverence. Small independant businesses are what countries need, my issue is with the mega rich, the billionaires who horde their wealth, the elite of the elite (like the royal family) who have all this wealth but are unwilling to use it for the benefit of humanity, the class who have always taken everything and gave so little to the rest of us.

Originally posted by itscocobaby
reply to post by Blaine91555

 

It's time for everyone to loose the left and the right..

down with both parties Republicans and Democrats they blow..they are sell outs all of them.

Class Warfare is just another evil tool of bad people. Sadly people don't think clearly and allow themselves to be controlled with hate speech. Most of the world is good people, but now that the campaign is on, we will see lots of propagandists from both sides acting like robots, doing their chosen masters bidding.

reply to post by lifeissacred


You would be shocked how many do just that.

I worked once for a charity funded by the Weyerhaeuser's and found out they give half to charity. Talked to Perot once and did you know he and his wife give half and support a school for the underprivileged and minorities? Are you aware of the billions Gates and others give?

How much do they owe and why do they owe it to people who they don't know? Some are crooks, but most are just ordinary folk who worked a bit harder and studied more. Some were lucky, but hating them based on the actions of a few is the same as hating all people of the same skin color or religion. It's all hate used to control us.

Problem is, so few are awake and many just want their handouts and can be bought for nickels and dimes.

You destroy the class that creates the high paying jobs, where you going to get a good job? What is being attempted now is akin to stealing.

Tax Year 2008

Percentiles Ranked by AGI


AGI Threshold on Percentiles


Percentage of Federal Personal Income Tax Paid in 2008 (latest numbers I could find)

Top 1% pay 38.02% of all income tax.

Top 5% pay 58.72%

Top 10% pay 69.94%

Bottom 50% pay 2.7%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is the truth. Most complaining have never paid any income tax at all and get money from the government anyway. Now this just those who work. Those who don't work live almost entirely off handouts.

Private Charity funded by the same people paying the taxes funds the food-banks, the homeless shelters and on and on and on.

Class Warfare is a ruse to control, it is that simple. That article should proclaim in bold print those who make the most in the top 1% pay 38% of all taxes, except it's Party Propaganda to divide us to control how you vote.

Originally posted by OptimusSubprime
When are people going to realize that it is that top 1% that create jobs and wealth for others. How many jobs has Warren Buffet Created? Bill Gates? Steve Jobs? Michael Dell?

What percentage of those jobs are still located in America? Not many. They create weath for themselves and China, Not the country that they market their product to.

What we need to do is break the generational dynastie (Rockerfellers, duponts, rothchilds etc) cycle of wealth. I propose that at the family heads death the accumulated wealth is returned to the treasury who would, in turn use it to pay back the national debt. (The real estate & other valuables, are sold at market value - not at cut rate to preordained cronies)

Fitting - the people who were benefitted the most by running up the national debt be the ones to pay it off.

Originally posted by Blaine91555
reply to post by Skittle

 

The answer is not taxing the rich to give money to the lazy, illiterate and the losers of society either. That is equally as evil as making great wealth dishonestly and not all rich are in fact bad people.

The answer is more opportunity and less control generating a robust Middle Class. Not stealing from one Class and giving it to the other Class. Nor is a Nanny State the answer and stripping us of our freedoms. I'd rather have this, than the end result of Socialism like we see in Greece and even worse the old Soviets.

Do you work for the Obama Campaign directly? If so, how many of you are on ATS now starting the propaganda machine?

If you think what Obama and Vanity Fare want is equality, I have a bridge to sell you. It's the old Yo-Yo of Class Warfare being played over and over again. Scare the old folks, pander to the illiterate and you win the White House. Does not matter they want to control us completely as those who support them are not thinking that far ahead. They just want their candy. The whole country can be bought with a few government handouts and it's being used very effectively.

This post should be criticizing Vanity Fare for spreading propaganda for crooked politicians that could care less about the citizens. For participating in the destruction of our Freedoms one at a time and eventually our being controlled through the Nanny State Obama and even Bush want's.

They own the schools, they bought the Unions and they control the dumbed down young people from their brainwashing of them in the schools. That is the truth. That is not propaganda. There is ONE Party.

That might be your answer, but its not mine. It certainly not about providing more upward movement in the pyramid scheme for the few honest sharks out there who think they're entitled to more than the rest.

Its about absolute equality and no money, no status, no forced enslavement, no pyramids, turn them upside down. Its about counsels of citizens, and group volunteer efforts and incredible eductations the hidden technology, clean energy.

Equality all the way. And lack of that is a hellzone planet. This planet of war and inequality, slavery is a hellzone.

Yeah, because it is just not fair that bankers have more money then you!!!
The Govt should take it from them, and walk the streets with wheelbarrows full of the money, handing it out to the poor.
ITS JUST NOT FAIR!!!!

Never mind work hard, learn, go to school, achieve goals, stay out of trouble, don't do stupid crap, be financially responsible and save.

ITS JUST NOT FAIR. Boooohoooo!!!

Give it a rest. 99% of American's are where they are in life due to their own decisions and choices.

To blame others is just crap.

Nothing in the Constitution authorizes the federal government to ensure financial equality.

Those who whine about it are simply envious of those with more than them.

In a country founded upon the ideas of freedom and liberty, people are free to succeed or fail. Making sure everyone is a success is not a function of government. That responsibility lies with the individual.

Originally posted by ..5..

Originally posted by OptimusSubprime
When are people going to realize that it is that top 1% that create jobs and wealth for others. How many jobs has Warren Buffet Created? Bill Gates? Steve Jobs? Michael Dell?

What percentage of those jobs are still located in America? Not many. They create weath for themselves and China, Not the country that they market their product to.

What we need to do is break the generational dynastie (Rockerfellers, duponts, rothchilds etc) cycle of wealth. I propose that at the family heads death the accumulated wealth is returned to the treasury who would, in turn use it to pay back the national debt. (The real estate & other valuables, are sold at market value - not at cut rate to preordained cronies)

Fitting - the people who were benefitted the most by running up the national debt be the ones to pay it off.

Why are those jobs no longer here in America? Because of high corporate taxes and payroll taxes. Another reason is forced unionization. Another reason is overbearing government regulation. If I were a businessman trying to run a company and produce products I would move my production overseas. Progressivism and Liberalism has made America a very hostile place to operate a business. I don't blame them for outsourcing.