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Income Inequality

What should be done to battle income inequality in the USA?

  • Do not intervene

    Votes: 39 53.4%

  • Yes, do intervene

    Votes: 34 46.6%
  • Total voters
    73
Peter Grimm said:
But as a government "by the people," we are responsible to affect policy in such a way that is most beneficial for the people.

This is our government. The notion that we have to just "deal with the policies" is un-American and ridiculous.
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We do things that are beneficial for the MOST people, not all people. No policy is beneficial for everyone and apparently because some homebuilders, in fact many, many homebuilders survived the 2008 crash, it wasn't detrimental to all. Sometimes you have to separate the wheat from the chaff.
 
Cephus said:
We do things that are beneficial for the MOST people, not all people. No policy is beneficial for everyone and apparently because some homebuilders, in fact many, many homebuilders survived the 2008 crash, it wasn't detrimental to all. Sometimes you have to separate the wheat from the chaff.
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Are you going biblical on me now? Oh the irony.

You're looking at this problem too narrowly. I suppose not everyone is going to see the whole chessboard, though, and to that I say.... just keep working hard and doing your part, let the rest of us figure out the bigger picture.
 
Peter Grimm said:
Are you going biblical on me now? Oh the irony.
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Seriously, you think that started in the Bible? :roll:

You're looking at this problem too narrowly. I suppose not everyone is going to see the whole chessboard, though, and to that I say.... just keep working hard and doing your part, let the rest of us figure out the bigger picture.
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Luckily, you crazy Libertarians will never see power so there's really nothing to worry about in your "bigger picture".
 
b_dubz said:
That's what happens in a system where the public schools are all crap and parents can't afford to feed their kids.
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Who is punishing children? The schools? The public? The government? Business owners? Is all those groups punishing children?
 
b_dubz said:
So their children should be punished because their irresponsible? Classic neocon bull. We care about kids, until they are born. Then we don't care what happens to em.
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why do the people least able to care for children tend to breed the most? When I went back to my 25th reunion at Yale, I was surprised by so many people in their late forties with grade school children. Why? many of my classmates waited until they made partner, finished their residency or gained tenure before having kids. and then most of them didn't have more than 2-3. very different than what I saw as a young prosecutor handling city matters.
 
Peter Grimm said:
It's indisputable fact that income inequality in the United States has grown substantially in the past few decades.

Median nominal incomes, adjusted for inflation, have not gone up in the USA since the 50's. (Median is the halfway point, so we are talking about the middle-earner). In contrast, the per capita GDP has risen quite dramatically, due to the increased purchasing power of the upper echelon.

I pose three questions to you:

1.) What has caused this phenomenon
2.) What are the long term implications if the trend is allowed to continue
3.) What, if anything, should be done to adjust our course

Thanks
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Answers:
1) What has caused this phenomenon? A number of things. Taxation is less progressive. The decline of unions means labor has less power to demand a larger distribution of the profits through higher wages and other compensation. Money in politics has shifted policy concern away from the have-nots in favor of the haves. Tax loopholes for corporations and the rich abound. Per Warren Buffett: “Through the tax code, there has been class warfare waged, and my class has won; it’s been a rout.”

2) What are the long term implications if the trend is allowed to continue? Probably nothing good. Politically it is a damning comment on our democracy when the middle class is no longer heard. Economically it is damaging because its driving force--the middle class--is being hollowed out. Economies with a rich upper class, a huge lower class and little in the middle is typically what you find in the third world.

3) What, if anything, should be done to adjust our course? Vote Democratic. Support unions. Support a rise in the minimum wage. Support getting money out of politics. Join organizations that fight entrenched money power, like Common Cause. More government spending on rebuilding the nations infrastructure, paid for by taxes on the rich.

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Cephus said:
Seriously, you think that started in the Bible? :roll:



Luckily, you crazy Libertarians will never see power so there's really nothing to worry about in your "bigger picture".
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The "separate the wheat from the chaff" idiom is from scripture, yes.
 
Peter Grimm said:
The "separate the wheat from the chaff" idiom is from scripture, yes.
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Just because it appears in that particular book of mythology doesn't mean that's the only place it has ever been used in history. Rent some perspective.
 
jpn said:
Answers:
1) What has caused this phenomenon? A number of things. Taxation is less progressive. The decline of unions means labor has less power to demand a larger distribution of the profits through higher wages and other compensation. Money in politics has shifted policy concern away from the have-nots in favor of the haves. Per Warren Buffett: “Through the tax code, there has been class warfare waged, and my class has won; it’s been a rout.”

2) What are the long term implications if the trend is allowed to continue? Probably nothing good. Politically it is a damning comment on our democracy when the middle class is no longer heard. Economically it is damaging because its driving force--the middle class--is being hollowed out. Economies with a rich upper class, a huge lower class and little in the middle is typically what you find in the third world.

3) What, if anything, should be done to adjust our course? Vote Democratic. Support unions. Support a rise in the minimum wage. Support getting money out of politics. Join organizations that fight entrenched money power, like Common Cause. More government spending on rebuilding the nations infrastructure, paid for by taxes on the rich.

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as long as the poor continue to increase their dependence on government things won't change which is exactly what the Dems want. we rich don't have a duty to pay for people who are dependent sloths created by Dem scum bags
 
Henrin said:
Who is punishing children? The schools? The public? The government? Business owners? Is all those groups punishing children?
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By giving them deplorable living conditions and schools that don't teach to a 8th grade level when the kids graduate, all these institutions are complicit at least. Business does this by pressuring the government to lower taxes when they should be raised, and then finding loopholes so they pay much less than laws stipulate.

The government does by allowing themselves to be bought.

The public does by continuing a system of representation that simply does not work, or represent them.

The schools are overburdened and underfunded so no not really. Although private schools by their very existence do by providing alternatives for the wealthy. If all kids went to public school, the system would be reformed over night...
 
b_dubz said:
By giving them deplorable living conditions and schools that don't teach to a 8th grade level when the kids graduate, all these institutions are complicit at least. Business does this by pressuring the government to lower taxes when they should be raised, and then finding loopholes so they pay much less than laws stipulate.
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Who is giving them deplorable living conditions? Their PARENTS?!?!?! And who isn't raising their children to take education seriously? Their PARENTS?!?!?!?! Oh wait, you never blame the people actually responsible, you point fingers at the government! :roll:
 
Cephus said:
Just because it appears in that particular book of mythology doesn't mean that's the only place it has ever been used in history. Rent some perspective.
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"A particular book of mythology...." how cute.

Yeah, let's just ignore the impact Christianity has had on our culture. I'm sure the english saying comes from goat herders in Nepal, who were heard uttering the phrase 22 years before Christ.
 
Peter Grimm said:
"A particular book of mythology...." how cute.

Yeah, let's just ignore the impact Christianity has had on our culture. I'm sure the english saying comes from goat herders in Nepal, who were heard uttering the phrase 22 years before Christ.
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The impact of your particular imaginary friend is entirely irrelevant. Try again.
 
Cephus said:
Um... YES! Actions have consequences, didn't your parents teach you that when you were growing up?
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But why should kids that had nothing to do with their parents actions be forced to pay for their mistakes in such a extreme manor? Not to mention how detrimental to society it is...

Guess your parents never taught you about empathy or morality....

What happened to your 94% anyway?
 
b_dubz said:
By giving them deplorable living conditions and schools that don't teach to a 8th grade level when the kids graduate, all these institutions are complicit at least. Business does this by pressuring the government to lower taxes when they should be raised, and then finding loopholes so they pay much less than laws stipulate.

The government does by allowing themselves to be bought.

The public does by continuing a system of representation that simply does not work, or represent them.

The schools are overburdened and underfunded so no not really. Although private schools by their very existence do by providing alternatives for the wealthy. If all kids went to public school, the system would be reformed over night...
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1) the federal government has no business being involved in education other than that military academies

2) states can fund education in their jurisdiction as they see fit. Its normally done at a local level meaning affluent communities willing to fund their schools have better schools than poor areas. People with children often sacrifice and work hard to afford homes in areas with top public schools

and I don't have a problem with that at all
 
Cephus said:
Who is giving them deplorable living conditions? Their PARENTS?!?!?! And who isn't raising their children to take education seriously? Their PARENTS?!?!?!?! Oh wait, you never blame the people actually responsible, you point fingers at the government! :roll:
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A extreme lack of social morality from ppl like you.

And my whole point was that even a child that takes education seriously still won't get a proper one... So I dunno what your talking about their...

Yes their parents are responsible to an extent, but at the same time their parents were likely victims of the same system.

I'm done with your lack of empathy now.
 
TurtleDude said:
1) the federal government has no business being involved in education other than that military academies

2) states can fund education in their jurisdiction as they see fit. Its normally done at a local level meaning affluent communities willing to fund their schools have better schools than poor areas. People with children often sacrifice and work hard to afford homes in areas with top public schools

and I don't have a problem with that at all
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What about those that are incapable of doing so? Why should their kids be punished?

The fed certainly be involved in education. Its the private sector that should not be allowed in.

And that's not true I live in Philadelphia we have some of the richest ppl in the country loving here, along with very poor ones. The rich send their kids o privates, everybody else moves to the burbs or is screwed if they cannot afford to.
 
b_dubz said:
But why should kids that had nothing to do with their parents actions be forced to pay for their mistakes in such a extreme manor? Not to mention how detrimental to society it is...

Guess your parents never taught you about empathy or morality....

What happened to your 94% anyway?
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You mean that reference that I provided? That one? Maybe you're unaware that there are these things called BOOKS? :roll:

You liberals, geez...
 
b_dubz said:
A extreme lack of social morality from ppl like you.

And my whole point was that even a child that takes education seriously still won't get a proper one... So I dunno what your talking about their...

Yes their parents are responsible to an extent, but at the same time their parents were likely victims of the same system.

I'm done with your lack of empathy now.
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Run for the hills! It's safer than actually having to think.
 
b_dubz said:
What about those that are incapable of doing so? Why should their kids be punished?

The fed certainly be involved in education. Its the private sector that should not be allowed in.

And that's not true I live in Philadelphia we have some of the richest ppl in the country loving here, along with very poor ones. The rich send their kids o privates, everybody else moves to the burbs or is screwed if they cannot afford to.
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what part of the constitution actually gives the federal government that power?

the rich who live in the city limits pay for the schools of the poor.
 
Cephus said:
You mean that reference that I provided? That one? Maybe you're unaware that there are these things called BOOKS? :roll:

You liberals, geez...
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Books that completely contradict the census? Well I'm gonna go with your book being bull and the census being correct.

Really though, I'm done with you neocon.
 
b_dubz said:
Books that completely contradict the census? Well I'm gonna go with your book being bull and the census being correct.

Really though, I'm done with you neocon.
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It's much easier than actually looking up the data. Whatever, you're just a liberal, I expect as much from you.
 
b_dubz said:
The fed certainly be involved in education. Its the private sector that should not be allowed in.
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Where do you get the idea the private sector shouldn't be allowed in? When in history has the private sector failed at providing education? If anything history tells us the dangers of public education and why a government monopoly in education is the worst of all monopolies.

And that's not true I live in Philadelphia we have some of the richest ppl in the country loving here, along with very poor ones. The rich send their kids o privates, everybody else moves to the burbs or is screwed if they cannot afford to.
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Private schools are not just for the rich even today.
 
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