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+---- Thread: US income inequality continues to grow (/Thread-US-income-inequality-continues-to-grow)
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - bfine32 - 07-24-2018
Would it be wrong to assert that some of the solutions here point toward socialism?
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Belsnickel - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 11:39 AM)bfine32 Wrote: Would it be wrong to assert that some of the solutions here point toward socialism?
Most likely.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Nately120 - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 11:39 AM)bfine32 Wrote: Would it be wrong to assert that some of the solutions here point toward socialism?
Nope. Some folks want more socialism and the fact that we recently elected an unpopular plutocrat might have helped that along. I want legitimate fiscal conservatism to take hold in this country (you know...a country that is living within its means) but I may as well wish for a unicorn to bring me a new Beatles album.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - GMDino - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 11:39 AM)bfine32 Wrote: Would it be wrong to assert that some of the solutions here point toward socialism?
Suppose it depends on which ones.
Were the 50's and 60's a socialist time in America?
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Belsnickel - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 11:45 AM)Nately120 Wrote: Nope. Some folks want more socialism and the fact that we recently elected an unpopular plutocrat might have helped that along. I want legitimate fiscal conservatism to take hold in this country (you know...a country that is living within its means) but I may as well wish for a unicorn to bring me a new Beatles album.
See, I want us to live within our means, but I don't consider it to be fiscal conservatism. I just want us to stop the deficit spending that has put us in the hole which means raising government revenues and reevaluating our spending priorities.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Nately120 - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 11:52 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: See, I want us to live within our means, but I don't consider it to be fiscal conservatism. I just want us to stop the deficit spending that has put us in the hole which means raising government revenues and reevaluating our spending priorities.
I would consider that fiscal conservatism, so perhaps I'm just labeling it incorrectly. I suppose I'm using it in more of the definition of the words and not the political manner. The label is secondary to the actual goal and means to achieve it, so I'll be happy to change what I call it.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - fredtoast - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 11:39 AM)bfine32 Wrote: Would it be wrong to assert that some of the solutions here point toward socialism?
We have to have a capitalist based economy. The competition drives innovation and efficiency. But at the same time capitalism places profit motive over human lives and compassion.
So we need a capitalist system that is well regulated.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Beaker - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 10:56 AM)fredtoast Wrote: I believe that if a person works full time he should be able to live a regular life and not just survive in abject poverty.
What is a "regular life"?
And if you don't like the amount a company is paying you, then why keep working for that company?
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - fredtoast - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:13 PM)Beaker Wrote: What is a "regular life"?
Have a kid. Raise a family.
(07-24-2018, 12:13 PM)Beaker Wrote: And if you don't like the amount a company is paying you, then why keep working for that company?
Because there is nothing better available. There are a limited number of jobs in our economy.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - GMDino - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:13 PM)Beaker Wrote: What is a "regular life"?
And if you don't like the amount a company is paying you, then why keep working for that company?
Food, shelter.
Being able to pay your electric and water and sewage and garbage and gas bills and still eat.
Quick edit: I forgot rent/mortgage too.
Maybe even be able to have some basic healthcare like a checkup? Or to be able to go to a doctor when you are sick instead of putting it off because you can't afford it and have it get worse?
Living without the fear that one vehicle repair will drive you so far into debt that you lose everything?
Maybe, just maybe, being able to enjoy a meal out once in a while? Or a movie?
Or we can just insist that people work two or three jobs and "work harder" if they aren't making enough to live.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Beaker - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 10:43 AM)Belsnickel Wrote: If people are having to spend more than a certain percentage of their income on housing, then we can see that there is evidence that wages may not be livable in a certain place. The judgement is subjective, but it isn't as subjective as you make it out to be.
You can choose your job, and you can choose your housing. Change housing or change jobs if you can't pay for it.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - GMDino - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:19 PM)Beaker Wrote: You can choose your job, and you can choose your housing. Change housing or change jobs if you can't pay for it.
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media0.giphy.com/media/12NUbkX6p4xOO4/giphy.gif)
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - fredtoast - 07-24-2018
Let me just ask a simple question.
If the economy is getting bigger and wealth is increasing then should the middle and lower classes of people who labor to generate these increased profits receive a share?
If not then why?
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - fredtoast - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:19 PM)Beaker Wrote: You can choose your job,
No you can't. There are limits to what jobs a person can get. Especially when you can't afford transportation or education.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Beaker - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:18 PM)GMDino Wrote: Food, shelter.
Being able to pay your electric and water and sewage and garbage and gas bills and still eat.
Quick edit: I forgot rent/mortgage too.
Maybe even be able to have some basic healthcare like a checkup? Or to be able to go to a doctor when you are sick instead of putting it off because you can't afford it and have it get worse?
Living without the fear that one vehicle repair will drive you so far into debt that you lose everything?
Maybe, just maybe, being able to enjoy a meal out once in a while? Or a movie?
Or we can just insist that people work two or three jobs and "work harder" if they aren't making enough to live.
What companies are not paying enough for people to do these things? Nobody should be counting on making a living on minimum wage. Finish high school (at least), don't have kids too early, get a job and work your way up, and while doing so live within your means. The formula is there for all.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Belsnickel - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:19 PM)Beaker Wrote: You can choose your job, and you can choose your housing. Change housing or change jobs if you can't pay for it.
It's not that simple. There may not be less expensive housing. There may not be other jobs you're qualified for that pay better. And because most of your income is tied up in housing, it prevents spending on educational pursuits to improve your situation.
People offer up what they see as simple solutions, but without understanding the ins and outs of the issue they don't realize that it isn't nearly as simple as they think it is.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - GMDino - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:25 PM)Beaker Wrote: What companies are not paying enough for people to do these things? Nobody should be counting on making a living on minimum wage. Finish high school (at least), don't have kids too early, get a job and work your way up, and while doing so live within your means. The formula is there for all.
Until the places closes down, of profits "slip" and they lay you off, or they start weeding out older (better paid) employees to bring in younger (lower paid) employees, or you get sick, or your car breaks down, or your rent goes up, gas goes up, or the fridge dies, or....well...you probably don't get the point so I'll stop now.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Beaker - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:24 PM)fredtoast Wrote: No you can't. There are limits to what jobs a person can get. Especially when you can't afford transportation or education.
Yes you can. The limits you speak of are not permanent. And everyone is afforded at least a high school education. After that you can even apprentice at a trade and make a living wage.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Belsnickel - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 11:55 AM)Nately120 Wrote: I would consider that fiscal conservatism, so perhaps I'm just labeling it incorrectly. I suppose I'm using it in more of the definition of the words and not the political manner. The label is secondary to the actual goal and means to achieve it, so I'll be happy to change what I call it.
Fiscal conservatism typically is associated with cutting spending and revenues, reducing the overall size of the government. So that is what I think of with fiscal conservatism, though it seems that may not have been the point of view you were coming from.
RE: US income inequality continues to grow - Beaker - 07-24-2018
(07-24-2018, 12:28 PM)GMDino Wrote: Until the places closes down, of profits "slip" and they lay you off, or they start weeding out older (better paid) employees to bring in younger (lower paid) employees, or you get sick, or your car breaks down, or your rent goes up, gas goes up, or the fridge dies, or....well...you probably don't get the point so I'll stop now.
Geez, how does anybody ever make a living in this oppressive country?