Just 400 Americans have more net worth than HALF THE COUNTRY!

[USArmyParatrooper]

Says Michael Moore. From Politifact.com



"Just 400 Americans -- 400 -- have more wealth than half of all Americans combined."



http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/stat...e-wealth-/

Holy crap! Did anyone else know this? Mind you, I don't begrudge anyone from being well off, wealthy or even stinking rich. But for crying out loud is their lifestyle going to change if they pay the same rate they paid in the '90s? When the ubber rich get a tax cut are they going to stimulate the economy by actually spending it, or is Joe Schmo making 9 bucks an hour more likely to put the money back into the economy? How is it that Fox News and the Republicans (sorry about the redundancy) have managed to elevate the status of the Koch's of the word, while demonizing school teachers? Freaking school teachers! Darn those dregs of society who decided to use their bachelor and master degrees to educate our children! Now that I know what scumbags they are I regret greeting them with, "Good morning Mrs. Smith" when I was a child.

[Dimwitted Fool]

I am willing to risk tar and feathers to ask-- so what?

I agree that the wealth and income disparities are becoming as obscene as they were prior to the Depression, and that the Carl Icahn, the Waltons, or even George Soros and Warren Buffett haven't made economic contributions relative to their wealth. Even families like Mars, who actually run a company rather than sitting on the beach collecting dividends inherited it.

But, as much as we love to hate Bill Gates, and Microsoft, add up the economic activity and jobs created by Microsoft. Or Apple. Did Gates or Jobs make too much money? Probably, but how can we put a value on what's "too much" when an entirely new industry was created?

Now, Michael Moore, who is reported to have a net worth of around 50 million, might let us know what he's doing with HIS money and why it's OK for him to have more than 99.99% of the population while creating few, if any, permanent jobs or economic activity. Or even giving much of it away to good causes.

[NYC Liberal]

(03-11-2011 05:06 PM)Dimwitted Fool Wrote:  I am willing to risk tar and feathers to ask-- so what?

I agree that the wealth and income disparities are becoming as obscene as they were prior to the Depression, and that the Carl Icahn, the Waltons, or even George Soros and Warren Buffett haven't made economic contributions relative to their wealth. Even families like Mars, who actually run a company rather than sitting on the beach collecting dividends inherited it.

But, as much as we love to hate Bill Gates, and Microsoft, add up the economic activity and jobs created by Microsoft. Or Apple. Did Gates or Jobs make too much money? Probably, but how can we put a value on what's "too much" when an entirely new industry was created?

Now, Michael Moore, who is reported to have a net worth of around 50 million, might let us know what he's doing with HIS money and why it's OK for him to have more than 99.99% of the population while creating few, if any, permanent jobs or economic activity. Or even giving much of it away to good causes.

I don't have a problem with people being rich either. But they absolutely should be shouldering a much greater portion of the taxes. They can afford it, they benefit greatly from all of the services provided by the government (including infrastructure, etc.).

Now of course there are people who want to behead these wealthy people or simply seize all of their assets and redistribute them. That's just idiocy.

[USArmyParatrooper]

(03-11-2011 05:06 PM)Dimwitted Fool Wrote:  I am willing to risk tar and feathers to ask-- so what?

I agree that the wealth and income disparities are becoming as obscene as they were prior to the Depression, and that the Carl Icahn, the Waltons, or even George Soros and Warren Buffett haven't made economic contributions relative to their wealth. Even families like Mars, who actually run a company rather than sitting on the beach collecting dividends inherited it.

But, as much as we love to hate Bill Gates, and Microsoft, add up the economic activity and jobs created by Microsoft. Or Apple. Did Gates or Jobs make too much money? Probably, but how can we put a value on what's "too much" when an entirely new industry was created?

Now, Michael Moore, who is reported to have a net worth of around 50 million, might let us know what he's doing with HIS money and why it's OK for him to have more than 99.99% of the population while creating few, if any, permanent jobs or economic activity. Or even giving much of it away to good causes.

The "so what" is already provided in the OP, right after I explain that I don't begrudge people for being filthy rich. As for Michael Moore, I don't know what he does with his money and I don't care. But he has always advocated for a bottom up focused economy, one that would mean *his own* tax bracket would pay more. In other words he's quite literally putting his money where his mouth is.

Your entire reply appears to be to a different thread, because nowhere did I say or imply that the Bill Gates of the world are bad people. The Koch brothers, on the other hand, buying politicians so they'll put their boot heel on the working class so they can maximize their quarterly reports.... that's another story.

[Dimwitted Fool]

(03-11-2011 06:48 PM)USArmyParatrooper Wrote:  Your entire reply appears to be to a different thread, because nowhere did I say or imply that the Bill Gates of the world are bad people. The Koch brothers, on the other hand, buying politicians so they'll put their boot heel on the working class so they can maximize their quarterly reports.... that's another story.

Well, yeah, I suppose I typed too fast. In my feeble defense I've been inundated with calls to eat the rich lately and am on autorespond.

[USArmyParatrooper]

(03-11-2011 07:01 PM)Dimwitted Fool Wrote:  

(03-11-2011 06:48 PM)USArmyParatrooper Wrote:  Your entire reply appears to be to a different thread, because nowhere did I say or imply that the Bill Gates of the world are bad people. The Koch brothers, on the other hand, buying politicians so they'll put their boot heel on the working class so they can maximize their quarterly reports.... that's another story.

Well, yeah, I suppose I typed too fast. In my feeble defense I've been inundated with calls to eat the rich lately and am on autorespond.

No harm done

I think we all do that sometimes. Truth be told, I would love to be a billionaire. But I also wouldn't cry about paying high taxes, nor would I lobby for laws that would inflate my profits at the expense of those less fortunate. What's even more maddening is that, as people like David Koch rail against the working class, none of their successes do anything for their quality of life. They're still going to live in the same mansion(s), have the same beach houses, have the same car collection, vacation to the same countries, etc. whether or not they avoid a tax increase or weaken workers' rights.

[sandnsea]

Yes. There is something terribly wrong with an economic system that allows 400 KINGS AND QUEENS to control more wealth than half the serfs. Good Grief.

[OptimistesMaddie]

It is important to understand that those 400 Americans have become richer as that 50% become poorer. There is a link....these 400 Americans also receive massive tax breaks even though they are capable of paying the taxes.

I don't begrudge those that have done well, but what I reject is the Republicans of this group complaining that their taxes are too high and they don't want to pay their taxes.

There is another part of this those in the 50% that are Republicans who support tax cuts for the rich are under the illusion that they too will one day be a billionaire. It's a myth and all of us know it and that is the myth the Repubs elite have been selling to the Ameircan people. The obscenely rich are ensuring by defanging Unions and the education system that no one will ever threaten to join their elite club.

[Julie]

I knew something like this. Sickening isn't it? What I find even worse is how many poor sods are brainwashed into thinking they need to fight to protect those 400 even though it's against their own best interests. Forget "interesting times", we're living in Orwellian times.

Julie