Income gap still widening

[snoopy369]

They would presumably be falling out A lot matters also in how you count capital gains or other types of income - those types were not counted, interestingly enough, in the OP but could be counted in other studies.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Kontiki


That's only true if you're concerned with a fixed group of people. That some people who are in the bottom fifth now may climb out of it later doesn't change the fact that the people who replace them are relatively poorer than the first group was.*

*Note, I'm not trying to debate whether or not they really are relatively poorer, just pointing out the flaw with your reasoning.

If they're coming from other countries, dealing with the greater level of relative poverty is beyond the scope of what America can do.

As for why they're relatively poorer, I'd guess that it's easier for poorer people to travel to America than it used to be, and the middle class or richer people from other countries, who used to emigrate here a lot, are now more content to stay where they are. This could be total BS, but it seems reasonable.

[Aeson]

Originally posted by snoopy369
So when the banks go belly up, and NO-ONE is able to borrow for a mortgage without 800+ credit, you're okay with that? Because I'm fairly sure that the people with 800+ credit scores are not generally poor...

Yes, I'm ok with that. House prices will drop back down to a range where they are reasonable purchases, people will need to save up for bigger down payments, and stability will be restored. (The credit rating necessary for just about any loan will vary based on the size of the loan, the downpayment, ect. It's not going to be just "800 credit or $0".)

The problem was in large part created because debt was too easy to get. The banks were throwing around this debt to anyone with a pulse because the more loans they make the bigger the bonuses they get. Who gives a damn about solvency? Fed™ Golden Parachute FTW.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Patroklos
Is there something preventing me from increasing my wealth? Ummmm.... Nope

Let's see:
Stagnant wages.
Increasing health insurance costs.
Harder to obtain pension benefits.
Increasing fees, e.g.:
a) Tuitions
b) Toll roads
c) Fees to use public parks
Lesser govt scrutiny of corporations, leading to fiascos like Enron, Lincoln S&L, Worldcom, Adelphia, etc., etc.
Increasing public debt, requiring higher future taxes.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Zkribbler



Let's see:
Stagnant wages.
Increasing health insurance costs.
Harder to obtain pension benefits.
Increasing fees, e.g.:
Tuitions
Toll roads
Fees to use public parks

I suggest you start a glorious revolution. Throw off the shackles of oppression! Behead those capitalist pig-dogs whose crippling park-fees keep the lower class under submission! Burn the 35-cent tollbooths on the Garden State Parkway to the ground. That will show them.

[Kuciwalker]

JIAR

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Jaguar

I suggest you start a glorious revolution. Throw off the shackles of oppression! Behead those capitalist pig-dogs whose crippling park-fees keep the lower class under submission! Burn the 35-cent tollbooths on the Garden State Parkway to the ground. That will show them.

How can you expect to be taken seriously by posting links from the Heritage Foundation. At least find someone who isn't bought and paid for.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Patroklos
The gap is irrelevant as long as the income for the bottom increased enough to still provide a decent living (I don't know off the top of my head if this is the case).

Why do you care how much more someone else might have if you are fine? I know I don't.

The people on the bottom make minimum wage in United States.

And in most cases, minimum wage is not sufficient to live off of, so people work full-time but still live in poverty. With minimum wage, you cannot afford to rent an apartment and so forth.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Agathon


How can you expect to be taken seriously by posting links from the Heritage Foundation. At least find someone who isn't bought and paid for.

How can you expect to be taken seriously, period?

[Verto]

Originally posted by Jaguar

I suggest you start a glorious revolution. Throw off the shackles of oppression! Behead those capitalist pig-dogs whose crippling park-fees keep the lower class under submission! Burn the 35-cent tollbooths on the Garden State Parkway to the ground. That will show them.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by Arrian
I have a problem with bailing out corporations that would, during times of plenty, whine & ***** incessantly about any sort of regulation or taxation - citing the virtues of the free market - but run straight to Uncle Sammy for a handout when their own mistakes come home to roost. **** them.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Agreed with Patroklos on one thing concerning income stats: wealth =! income.

I fully intend to be just such a person (low income sitting on a pile of money/assets with no debt).

-Arrian

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Jaguar

I suggest you start a glorious revolution. Throw off the shackles of oppression! Behead those capitalist pig-dogs whose crippling park-fees keep the lower class under submission! Burn the 35-cent tollbooths on the Garden State Parkway to the ground. That will show them.

No need. Americans are finally waking up to how the top 1% of the top 1% have syphoned off the wealth of this nation. The Congress has already reverted to the Democrats, and we move into the White House next January. Then comes the long, arduous task of restoring the reforms of the New Deal.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Zkribbler


No need. Americans are finally waking up to how the top 1% of the top 1% have syphoned off the wealth of this nation. The Congress has already reverted to the Democrats, and we move into the White House next January. Then comes the long, arduous task of restoring the reforms of the New Deal.

Unfortunately, since the Democrats have become the majority in Congress, hasn't a growing number of Americans come to see this new Congress as the "do-nothing" Congress?

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Jaguar

How can you expect to be taken seriously, period?

I have low expectations in that regard when it comes to people who don't know what they're talking about; a class of which you continue to prove yourself a distinguished member.

Please continue with your right wing hackery.