Wealth Inequality in America

[rbaggio]

A HARVARD Professor and economist asked more than 5000 Americans how they thought wealth was distributed in the United States and what would be the ideal distribution.

Their answers are starkly different to the reality.

The actual distribution of wealth is far removed from what survey respondents thought and is shockingly skewed from perceptions.

The bottom 40 per cent of Americans barely have any of the wealth at all and the middle class is barely distinguishable from the poor.

The top two to five per cent of Americans are so rich they go off the chart, and the top one per cent are so rich they get a chart of their own.

The best way to imagine it is that 80 per cent of Americans only have seven per cent of the wealth between them. Not seventy - seven.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM[/youtube]

src: http://www.news.com.au/business/wor...ns/story-e6frfm9r-1226589884653#ixzz2MYmnCDhb

I'm no socialist, but it interesting how perception differs from reality in this instance.

 

[Big A.D.]

I'm no socialist, but it interesting how perception differs from reality in this instance.

I'm called a socialist on here for going a step further than just finding it interesting and actually suggesting people do something about changing it.

I find that interesting.

 

[willrocks]

I'm no socialist, but it interesting how perception differs from reality in this instance.

I'm called a socialist on here for going a step further than just finding it interesting and actually suggesting people do something about changing it.

I find that interesting.

No, you're called a lot of things for constantly supporting of idiotic government policies.

 

[Dogmatix]

It's an interesting video.

I was surprised this kind of thing was in the MSM (namely news.com.au), but of course the comments section let me down good and proper with at least half the comments bordering on retardation.

 

[Phiber]

Interesting video, and quite scary too...i don'y know how long this can go on for..

 

[DanielM]

Interesting video, and quite scary too...i don'y know how long this can go on for..

untill the top 1% has +1,000% and the bottom 99% has -900% or SOMETHING changes

 

[hawkeye]

The inevitable result of constant compounding inflation. The rich cope with and use it to expand their wealth. The poor don't get that opportunity.

Until the fundamentals flaws are addressed in the measure of wealth, the money and banking system, it will continue. Politics is just window dressing. All the attempted wealth redistribution policies are just basically addressing the symptoms and not the disease. Like putting a band-aid on a broken bone. Or going to the doctor with appendicitis and being sent home with some painkillers.

The structure of corporations and the welfare they get from the state is another big part of the equation.

And another huge part is the military-industrial machine which chews up largely the poorer classes and converts their blood and bones to cash for the insiders.

The US system is so corrupt that the govt going bankrupt is the only solution. Liquidate it and start fresh.

 

[XB]

The US system is so corrupt that the govt going bankrupt is the only solution. Liquidate it and start fresh.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson

 

[JulieW]

If they have no bread then let them eat cake.

and you know what happened last time.

 

[JulieW]

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/20...-they-lose-faith-in-opd/#.UTAyHnKsU2I.twitter

Watch the video for some real eye opening news.

Oakland's crime problems have gotten so bad that some people aren't even bothering to call the cops anymore; instead, they're trying to solve and prevent crimes themselves.

In a neighborhood that has started to feel like the wild west, people have even started posting "wanted" signs.

"You have to walk around in your house with a gun to feel safe here," said Alaska Tarvins of the Arcadia Park Board of Directors.

"We don't have a choice. Either die or we hire some security ourselves, because we can't depend on the police department," said Tarvins.

Oakland is the other side of the San Francisco Bridge.

 

[Aengrod]

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson

"Shame that those patriots are usually working class sons and daughters" - Aengrod

 

[southerncross]

It's a self perpetuating problem that starts with whiners saying they want or need what that person has but are either unwilling or unable to produce it for themselves and who then in turn seek out others to obtain it for them at no cost to themselves, or so they think. There are those out there who are only to willing to assume the mantle of power under the guise of "fairness" or an equal playing field for all, except that is not how it turns out.

One thing, however, remains - it is the original inclination which exists in all men to divide the lot of life into two parts, throwing the trouble upon others, and keeping the satisfaction for themselves. It remains to be shown under what new form this sad tendency is manifesting itself.

The oppressor no longer acts directly and with his own powers upon his victim. No, our conscience has become too sensitive for that. The tyrant and his victim are still present, but there is an intermediate person between them, which is the Government - that is, the Law itself. What can be better calculated to silence our scruples, and, which is perhaps better appreciated, to overcome all resistance? We all therefore, put in our claim, under some pretext or other, and apply to Government. We say to it, " I am dissatisfied at the proportion between my labor and my enjoyments. I should like, for the sake of restoring the desired equilibrium, to take a part of the possessions of others. But this would be dangerous. Could not you facilitate the thing for me? Could you not find me a good place? or check the industry of my competitors? or, perhaps, lend me gratuitously some capital which, you may take from its possessor? Could you not bring up my children at the public expense? or grant me some prizes? or secure me a competence when I have attained my fiftieth year? By this mean I shall gain my end with an easy conscience, for the law will have acted for me, and I shall have all the advantages of plunder, without its risk or its disgrace!"

http://bastiat.org/en/government.html

 

[southerncross]

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson

"Shame that those patriots are usually working class sons and daughters" - Aengrod

What other patriots are there ?

 

[JulieW]

''War is a bayonet with a worker at each end"
- someone.

 

[Aengrod]

What other patriots are there ?

None.