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Originally posted by Chewingonmushrooms
Just the richest 400 Americans hold more wealth than the bottom 50 percent of Americans combined, and the richest 10 percent of Americans control two-thirds of the country’s net worth
Originally posted by ViperChili
reply to post by Chewingonmushrooms
It is the best system available.
Dont tell me you advocate something insane resembling socialism do you? If so, you are beyond hope.
A large portion of the bottom 50% have no income whatsoever, why is it surprising they pale in comparison in terms of wealth to the wealthiest Americans?edit on 11-5-2011 by ViperChili because: (no reason given)
As you can see from the chart below, in 2007, the bottom 50% of American households (that is about 57 million households) had $1.61 trillion in wealth in 2007, the latest period for which such data is available.
The Federal Reserve defines wealth as all financial and nonfinancial assets, including bank accounts, investments, houses, cars and debt.
The net worth of Forbes listers was a combined $1.537 trillion that year, but their wealth fell to $1.37 trillion for the 2010 list. (In an email, Moore cited The Campaign for America’s Future for his source).
Originally posted by ViperChili
Originally posted by Chewingonmushrooms
Just the richest 400 Americans hold more wealth than the bottom 50 percent of Americans combined, and the richest 10 percent of Americans control two-thirds of the country’s net worth
You might be interested to know that little comment that was uttered by Michael Moore is not entirely true, and the study he referenced was done in 2007, before the great loss of wealth in 08 and 09.
he Forbes listers and the bottom have each held around 3% of the nation’s wealth for the past 20 years. (Reliable and comparable data don’t go further back than that.) Some years they tipped to 3.3%, other years to 2.7%, but basically their shares have move remarkably in parallel through so much economic change
Originally posted by ViperChili
reply to post by Chewingonmushrooms
The top 1% also pays the lions share of the taxes, which are redistributed (unconstitutionally) to the lower class.
Did you have a point?
Hell if 10 people owned 50% of the wealth, what do you propose, confiscating it from them and spreading it around?
Originally posted by ViperChili
reply to post by Chewingonmushrooms
No way would that stand even the slightest chance of happening.
Lets stay in reality.
Originally posted by DuceizBack
Originally posted by ViperChili
reply to post by doctornamtab
Well you sound like a real piece of crap with a sense of entitlement.
You listed numerous low paid and low skill jobs, why not make something of yourself instead?
Start your own business and see how much you laugh when employees steal from you.
No one forces you to work, you choose to do so for a certain wage.
If you are unhappy with your wage, that is your fault and yours alone.edit on 10-5-2011 by ViperChili because: (no reason given)
I agree with you whole heartedly, which is why I don't pay tips.
Originally posted by kosmicjack
Cripes.
I can't believe the premise of this OP. It's a sad reflection on modern ethics.
Look, there are few who despise the un-sustainability and crass consumerism that most, if not all, companies represent more than me and certainly Capitalism hasn't been a boon to humanity but.. two wrongs don't make a right. Integrity is how you conduct yourself when no one is looking and decency is maintaining propriety despite the culture in which you find yourself.
Integrity and decency, two uniquely human qualities and, indeed, virtues.
People will not prevail against corporations - who seek to exploit us - by adopting their own ruthless tactics. We will prevail by realizing and reestablishing our humanity and thus our superiority.
Originally posted by kosmicjack
Originally posted by bacci0909 It is NOT that big of a deal
Except for the inconvenient fact that it's simply wrong.