One person should only be so rich.

Originally posted by nekomata111
I prefer the other way around, 'one could only be so poor'

Is not being rich a problem for the individual right? no one likes being poor...

THIS.
The problem is not the existence of rich people. The problem is the existence of poor people.

If there would be no very poor people, whats your problem with very rich people?

The solution is progressive income tax used to pay for basic income. Not wealth cap.

There are already too many people on this globe to begin with. I do not blame the industrial revolution for this even though it is a direct effect of it. I blame those who are not holding their own weight let alone contributing to the wealth of the United States per capita.

Resources like clean, potable water, food and even clean, breathable air are in very short supply here in the US. So it makes perfect sense for fence-jumpers to haul tail out of the US to lighten the load here in the US, and more importantly obtain the happiness that they are looking for. I am no new-ager nor am I sympathetic to those with no ambitions in life. I am just a man who wants what I deserve from my country for my valuable and precious time...and that is for my money and freedoms to be left alone for let me live how I want to live.

You have the Elitists attempting to cull the global population down to 550, 000,000 from where it currently is now which is 7 BILLION...have you ever wondered where did they get that number from? I am an Analytical Systems Engineer and I can tell you it ain't rocket science how they got it.

Happiness is subjective, and cannot be found in any global currency or material thing in this physical world.
The US was founded around people being happy and free to benevolently think, say and do as they please. The money conundrum of class war-fare is nothing more than hype. Even the poorest of poor here in the US live like kings compared to the other countries of this world.

Food, potable water on-demand, sanitary waste system, totally-subsidized housing with subsidized utilities and a monthly spending stipend all are available to those who apply for them here in the United States. Where else in the world do they offer such luxuries? Perspective people! it is all about perspective! Travel east in the world and find out how the people of the 2nd and 3rd world nations truly live, you will come back here much more appreciative about what you have over here...even if it is just a shack!

Originally posted by maestromason
Perspective people! it is all about perspective! Travel east in the world and find out how the people of the 2nd and 3rd world nations truly live, you will come back here much more appreciative about what you have over here...even if it is just a shack!

edit on 25-12-2011 by maestromason because: *revision

My friend we live in a world where biological agents can be manufactured in the kitchen, extremely high explosives in the bedroom, and nuclear devices in the garage. All of this can be done by ANYONE with a little tech savy, access to the internet, and the desperation to build and deploy such devices.

In less than 30 years, any Joe Shmoe with a grudge will be able to bring cities to their knees.

Your Government knows this. That is why there is so much loss of freedom and increased control coming down the line.

You WILL either learn to co-exist and help one another or you WILL be shackled for your own safety.

I cannot get any more clear than this.

Get some perspective!

Do you really want to make someone desperate considering the power each and everyone of us possesses?

Do you really think this game can continue?

Are you watching the same world I am?

Let go of it! It is dying!

With Love,

Your Brother

reply to post by IAMIAM


The threat to the US from the powers abroad was already here and credible back in the 1700's when the US was just emerging. It takes some astute mind-work to compile models for any WMD like a MSEE which I am or better, and you are digressing from my point.

HAPPINESS is not found in any monetary system nor is it found in any material thing. The freedom to board a plane and go live elsewhere in the world exists here in the United States. ALL UNHAPPY SOULS should take advantage of this OPPORTUNITY.

I do not scare for I know what resides outside of my comfort zone... but I am happy.

Originally posted by maestromason
reply to post by IAMIAM

 

The threat to the US from the powers abroad was already here and credible back in the 1700's when the US was just emerging. It takes some astute mind-work to compile models for any WMD like a MSEE which I am or better, and you are digressing from my point.

HAPPINESS is not found in any monetary system nor is it found in any material thing. The freedom to board a plane and go live elsewhere in the world exists here in the United States. ALL UNHAPPY SOULS should take advantage of this OPPORTUNITY.

I do not scare for I know what resides outside of my comfort zone... but I am happy.

The United States does not exist.

It is merely a name on paper.

The threat to the US will come from within.

Watch.

With Love,

Your Brother

Originally posted by maestromason
Uhm....we're debating about potential solutions here and all you can come up with is "you can always move to another country"

Potential solution to what?

Free-Market Capitalism?

I like things just the way they are thank you. I am already taking care of people who do not want to work, why would I want my taxes to go up any further than they already are.

Moving out of the country is the ONLY solution to your unhappiness problem. People do it all the time, it is no big deal. You just go through the US Department of State's procedures and voila ...US citizenry is renounced and you are free as a bird to go to any socialist country in the world.

What a nieve post. There is nothing like free market capitalism in the US. Everything is regulated and overseen by the government.

You can renounce citizenship but you are not free to go anywhere you want. To start off there are no real socialist countries so right off the bat you have a problem because there probably isn't any country that would live up to a real socialists desires. If you did find one, you have to go through the immigration and naturalization dept of whatever country you want to go to and may very well be rejected.

Before you make up a list of "socialist" countries let me say that most, if not all, will fall short of socialism and are more like fascism. Funny thing is that that is what exists in the US.

Accumulating wealth is like a snowball rolling down a snow covered hill, the bigger it gets the more it accumulate.

Caping wealth generating is to kill industrious incentive, it will cripple an economy that says you can't advance beyond GO and collect your hard earned money anymore. It's not a very sound logic base.

Cutting free aid to uninspired work avoiding people would be a better logic. Like it used to be. You don't hunt you don't eat, get off your ass and work for a living.

Actually Thomas Jefferson wanted this back in the day. He wanted a cap in personal wealth. As so when a man acquires so much wealth that it can influence Government and Government policy... So that personal wealth could not be transfered to ones children, who could therefore grow that wealth into billion dollar corporations that influence Government & it's policies. Needless to say, Mr. Jefferson did not get what he wanted.

Mr Jefferson did not want to take all of ones wealth, one would have been given an amount based on actual wealth that he could leave to his aires. But not the bulk of the amassed wealth. That would have went to Fed & State Governments. And used to help those with less. Mr. Jefferson was way ahead of his time. Sort of forceing the children to "make their own paths thru the woods, not follow his" Use what you were left and build your own wealth or fail.Simple as that.

The closest to Mr.Jefferson we have now is ......(Mr.Paul) & sir, you got my vote. Wifes too.

Originally posted by daskakik

Originally posted by maestromason
Uhm....we're debating about potential solutions here and all you can come up with is "you can always move to another country"

Potential solution to what?

Free-Market Capitalism?

I like things just the way they are thank you. I am already taking care of people who do not want to work, why would I want my taxes to go up any further than they already are.

Moving out of the country is the ONLY solution to your unhappiness problem. People do it all the time, it is no big deal. You just go through the US Department of State's procedures and voila ...US citizenry is renounced and you are free as a bird to go to any socialist country in the world.

What a nieve post. There is nothing like free market capitalism in the US. Everything is regulated and overseen by the government.

You can renounce citizenship but you are not free to go anywhere you want. To start off there are no real socialist countries so right off the bat you have a problem because there probably isn't any country that would live up to a real socialists desires. If you did find one, you have to go through the immigration and naturalization dept of whatever country you want to go to and may very well be rejected.

Before you make up a list of "socialist" countries let me say that most, if not all, will fall short of socialism and are more like fascism. Funny thing is that that is what exists in the US.

edit on 25-12-2011 by daskakik because: (no reason given)

Nieve to the simple-minded maybe. Apparently you never wanted to renounce your citizenry...are you scared?

There are plenty of places in the world for slothful people it is your job to find them not mine...once again for the reading impaired I AM HAPPY. I've been happy all my life. Happiness is SUBJECTIVE!

I've never been one for theories without applied science to prove them. I find that it is mostly the uneducated people in this country who are unhappy with it and the US policies towards vagrants.

It is what it is. I grew up in a structured home with a focus on education...end result of that is that I deal with life on my terms and conditions having such a solid foundation. I thank TPTB for good health and the good sense to apply my education towards bettering myself and my surroundings. It is imperative that each individual in life seeks what makes him/her happy and pursue it.

Happiness is akin to the formula of the Philosopher's Stone...many men step and trample afoot upon it never to find it, many men discard of it daily never to find it, it shines on many men daily only for them to seek shelter from it. The components are hidden in plain sight and yet so many cannot seem to grasp them.

So be it!

reply to post by maestromason


The simple minded? You don't even now what kind of economic system you really live in.

Nobody said the place was for slothful people but socialist countries. You probably wouldn't now what that really means. I already looked them up that is why I can say that they don't exist.

I am sure your happy after all, ignorance is bliss. I'm happy as well but I can be objective about what is.

reply to post by daskakik


Ignorance is bliss, you are correct... it is also a luxury that I cannot afford.

reply to post by maestromason


Apparently you can because your posts are full of it.

I pointed out some basic truths like having to gain entry to a foreign country before being able to leave the US. So your presumption that it is easy is wrong. Care to address that or your ignorance of the fact that the economic model in the US is not free market capitalism?

Probably a waste of time to ask if you even know what socialism really is.

reply to post by daskakik


Whatever you say. I know when to let the jester dance. You and I are not like-minded...that is to say you are not on my intellectual level so whatever you have to say is interesting in observation AT BEST!

I have never had a problem getting gainful employment in this country.
I have always been hired on MY contractual terms(in my short worker-bee life while attending college), and demanded the respect of my peers and elders and received that respect.
I have always been given professional courtesy from my colleagues and competitor-ship.
As a tax payer and alms contributor I vote and use my voting voice to elect competent government for leadership.

You are just another disgruntled American who would rather complain than take accountability for your own actions in life and this world.

Dance jester dance!

Why would a cap on wealth destroy industry. Companies that research already have outgrown the idea that they are owned by one person: they are multinationals and those that run them are not worth 100 million pounds. A cap on wealth would not affect there setting up: they are set up by large groups of people, change owners to a larger group of people, mostly pension funds, with effectively lots of owners. Those that run them would surely be more motivated my getting a smaller bonuses than more.

reply to post by maestromason

I'm not on your intellectual level? You can't even respond to the flaws in logic that I pointed out. Instead you try to deflect.

I'm not American and I am far from disgruntled. What I am is aware of reality and I know the meaning of the words that I use.

reply to post by daskakik


Ahhhh, and so the light shines forth! It figures then you would like to become an American. You are envious of our material wealth and lavish lifestyles we live over here huh? You do not exist to me young man, you are a non-American who is jealous of the way we live over here in the States. It makes sense now that you claim to be non-American. Your intellect is lacking and wanting for structure and adhesiveness in laymen's terms you are an uneducated lame whose purpose is unknown. You may fool the ATS'ers here but not I.

What WORK have you done?

reply to post by maestromason

I am not a young man and I grew up in the US and left so I have done what you advise (denouncing). You are the one who looks foolish because you still have not explained the flaw in your logic. Please refrain from saying other peoples intellect is lacking when it is you who uses words without knowing their meaning.

Click here for more information.

Standard motivational theory goes something like this: depending upon exactly which theory you look at: people are motivated by the desires that are not fulfilled. Therefore if someone wants to be rich, and that person is the CEO of a company, then if you make him rich he is no longer interested in being the CEO, unless he has some other unfulfilled need. However if you pay him less, he may be near enough to possibly get rich but probably won't, and so if he is any good you can keep him. High pay only leads to him/her not wanting to work for the company anymore. People will always aspire to be powerful, and so by removing some wealth over a certain amount will mean they can never get there and so keep trying pulling society upwards. If you let them get there they won't care anymore. PEOPLE ARE MOTIVATED BY UNFULFILLED NEEDS.

reply to post by maestromason

What bearing does that have on the topic of capping of wealth? The post I addressed had you saying that denouncing and leaving the US is easy but it is something that you have never done so you really have no idea.

Also a person may not find a country that is to their liking so they really have no choice but to complain about the US. I understand that your OK with the status quo but others may not be and they have the constitutional right to petition government for redress of grievances so you actually have no right to tell them to just suck it up.

Also you say the US is a free market capitalist country and you still have not proven how that is true.