So, this is my handy little model. The black portion refers to the wealthiest one person of Americans, who all together split 38% of the wealth in America. The green refers to the top 10% of the population, who share 71% of the wealth. The white section, refers to the poorest Americans, who make up 40% of our population. This group, who are the majority, share only 1% of the wealth in our nation. Now, looking at this model, and these statistics, wouldn't it make sense to tax those individuals who have a vast amount of money, and honestly won't miss a big chunk, because honestly, they are just fine. Boo hoo if they can't buy that new sports car they were just dying for.
In my opinion, if you are complaining about being taxed because you qualify in the top 10% of our nation, I say you deserve to be taxed. When it gets to the point that you are so consumed in your wealth, that you honestly believe that you are being treated unfairly because your parents could afford to send you to an Ivy League school, and now you are so unjustly being asked to pay back a little of your good fortune to society, then all I have to say is try walking in someone else's shoes!
America is pathetic, Wealthy individuals who feel they are being given a raw deal sound like complainers, and I am sorry, but I feel that you have no right to complain. You have a luxurious lifestyle, I feel SO bad for you. You are right, you are being treated so unfairly, and GOD FORBID you be asked to help someone else out. We Democrats who are bleeding hearts, are SO mean to you poor poor individuals. Raising taxes so that you pay a higher percent than a single mom who makes $25,000 a year is just so not fair. She must be so lazy if she is just making $25,000 a year, its her own fault that she has three kids, and that their father walked out on them.
You know, I take everything back, lets tax the poor. The rich deserve a break for once in a country that just makes life SO difficult for them.
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8 comments:
Excellent idea, I always knew you would wise up. I only wish you would make a pyramid showing what I mentioned in my other comment. A few things here that made me think. The car comment, I am not sure what you drive, but let me just say that their are cars out there that you can't live without once you've experienced them. Let me know if you want the experience and I will arrange it. The other comment about the rich parents sending kids to Ivy League schools. This comment makes me believe you are somewhat ignorant towards the subject. For my benefit I will just assume you were trying to get a point across and do not actually believe that. Let me tell you from experience that what your parents make should have no bearing on where you go to school. I was raised by a single mother with 3 siblings. This year my mother will barely make over $30K, so I can only imagine what she made many years ago. This lack of income in our family led me to work full time (year round) from the age of 15 on. This not only paid the bills, but made me stronger as a person. I ended up going to a school which costs more than Harvard and Princeton, and is within a few thousand dollars of the rest. Money is not the determining factor in who gets accepted to Ivy League schools, intelligence and promise determine that. Life is not easy, those are resilient enough to press foreword during hard times are the ones who will see the rewards later in life.
Oneofmany, not everyone is as lucky as you are. I did make the ivy league statement to get point across, but I guess my opinions are bias because I have grown up in rich communities. My parents are well enough off, but we are nothing more than upper middle class. I actually do not have a car, because like you, I have had to work for everything that I want. I am on scholarship at school, and I work full time during the summer to save money for food and rent. Next year I am actually working as an RA on campus so that my rent and food is free, so that this summer I can save up to get a cheap car that gets good gas mileage. My parents always thought it was important that I go to the best High Schools, because a good high school leads to a good college, but the sad truth is, that the places with the best high schools are more expensive. My family has had to make sacrifices to live in nice communities, and I was never a rich kid in my schools, but I was surrounded by them, and I do believe that their socioeconomic status has given them a leg up on life, and they don't have to work hard like you did, the politics of being upper class worked for them, do you understand what I am trying to say?
Not everyone is as lucky as me?
I grew up in poverty and have worked my tail off in an attempt to escape it. Working hard to gain acceptance and then pay for a quality school has nothing to do with luck. Unlike you, I didn't know what it was like to live around the rich and famous until I went to college. I went to a private school in Florida with the children of some of the wealthiest families in America, as well as foreign royalty. Seeing how these students live their lives has allowed me to appreciate mine so much more. I think my "socioeconomic status" has given me a leg up on the wealthier kids. Most of the people I went to school with have never had to work for anything in their lives, this became a problem when they realized they can't buy A's. I knew coming in that hard work would be required of me, and this gave me an advantage. The sad thing about the school I went to is that most of my classmates knew they were set for life, so they didn't care how they performed. I couldn't stand how they lived their lives and ended up transferring out after my first year, but attending that school has given me a different outlook on life.
Good high schools do not lead to good colleges. Good students lead themselves to good colleges. If you have the determination and drive to get into an Ivy League School, a poor high school cannot stop you. Some high schools may give you a slight advantage, but it is miniscule when compared to what you do during your high school career.
I do understand what you are trying to say, and now I understand where some of your opinions are coming from. I also believe your upbringing has prevented you from truly understanding the complexity of many situations. For the majority of us it takes a tremendous amount of work to make it to the top, and I know first hand how hard the process can be. I also know that someone's character is a lot more important than the size of their bank account. In regards to our other discussion, the reason I feel the wealthy should not be treated differently is because I believe everyone has the opportunity to achieve greatness. Growing up in poverty and working to where I am today has only reinforced my belief. You seem to be a very intelligent person with a good work ethic. I believe as your life progresses, you will be able to appreciate everything you earn much more than those who have everything handed to them. Seeing this side of you will only increase my respect for you.
I am glad that you have worked hard to get where you are, ideally thats how it should always be, I think those who work the hardest should be rewarded the most, but sadly this isn't always the case. You went to a school with people who are rich, honestly, does it really matter whether some of them got a degree or not? The "royalty" you named most certainly will be well off whether or not they worked for a degree or not. What do you make of them? What do you make of the lazy who have money?
I decided to attempt this from a sociological standpoint.
Take Maslows Hierarchy of needs. The five step pyramid starts with a base of physical needs, then safety, then love, then esteem, and ends with self actualization. The way the theory works, is that you must achieve these needs in order, and cannot skip levels. So physical has to be achieved before safety and so on. Some kids have to worry constantly whether or not they are going to be given food today, or whether they are going to be beaten, are so consumed with trying to accomplish the first two needs, physical and safety, that they have no time to progress up the pyramid. Therefor, a kid dealing with these two needs has no time to focus on school, and then they are at an educational disadvantage. They are behind everyone else, and may not be able to catch up, and then they will not get into a good college, and will not have as good of a job, all because of unfortunate life circumstances.
All I am trying to say, is that there are factors that play into this. Some people are just naturally more intelligent, they have an advantage. Some people are naturally talented, and can make money off amazing skills.
What my point is, is that some people can't help that they are poor, and there is no arguing that their living circumstances are anywhere near to what the wealthy have. I think that there should be an increased tax rate with how much income you make, of course adjusted to inflation. I just think that is the most fair.
Also, oneofmany, am I supposed to know you somehow? You just make comments that sound like you live near by.
I didn't meet a whole lot of lazy people with money at that school. The girls never stop shopping and the guys never quit partying. I suppose they just have different priorities.
Your discussion of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a much more complicated topic, but I will take a stab at it. I do not believe this example really relates to Maslow's theory much at all. What you are saying is that kids who do not have the proper foundation for personality growth and development will be at a disadvantage. This is true, and doesn't require Maslow’s theory to prove it. I would like to provide you with some solutions to the examples you used, food and protection. Every state has programs set up where children who cannot afford to purchase meals can get a free breakfast and lunch at their school. Although they are not provided with a dinner, I assure people can survive on two meals a day. Also, these meals are typically much more balanced and nutritious than those eaten by the average American. In regards to safety, no child has to live in an abusive situation. Numerous agencies have been formed to help them and all they have to do is let their current situation be known. Maybe the problem is in getting these kids to talk and we need to devout more resources to that. You related this all to getting into college and getting a good job. Some of the most successful people out there never went to college. College is not a requirement for a good job. William Gates, a man who didn‘t finish college, is the prime example of this. This relates back what I said about intelligence being central to succeeding.
A problem with Maslow’s theory is the fact that it is only a theory. You are providing me with opinions, not facts. Maslow’s theory had very little evidence to support it, yet it became widely accepted. There are many other theories which have become widely accepted by providing more evidence. All these theories have some similar principles, but are also unique. If you enjoy this topic, I suggest you try one of these books:
Psychology: Briefer Course written by William James
Pattern and Growth in Personality written by Gordon Allport
Your last point on how some people can’t help but be poor, is totally ludicrous. We live in America, the land of opportunity, everyone has a chance to climb out of poverty. Many people are unable to find a way out though, and I do support some welfare programs which help them. As you will be able to see when I repost that link, the wealthy are already paying a much higher rate. While I am opposed to how high it is, it is not a major concern to me. On the other hand, I see raising those rates, which is what Obama and Clinton want to do, as incredibly unjust.
We don’t need to get into whether or not you know me. Let me just say that someday we may continue this discussion face to face.
Right...anyway, let me just say that your belief in the American Dream is extremely idealistic, and I am sorry, but from countless sociology classes I just cant agree with you that anyone can achieve the American Dream. I am going to check your link, then I will respond later.
I am not saying anyone can live "the American dream." I said "We live in America, the land of opportunity, everyone has a chance to climb out of poverty." There is a huge difference between climbing out of poverty and living the so called American dream. I don't think it is easy to achieve the American dream, but I can spend all day providing you with stories of people who have. I have seen illegal Hispanics with little formal education, and not a word of English in their vocabulary, earn key positions in the company I work for. They all say it took more work than had ever imagined, but it was worth it. I believe our society is making it harder and harder to achieve the dream. As I have said, I do not like where America is going, but drastic measures must be made to change it. Just a side note, the traditional American Dream is not what I hope for.
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