www.finance.yahoo.com/news/incessant-myth-growing-wealth-gap-170900824.html It is difficult to get an accurate and honest study on something when political agendas are involved. The left wingers have been whining about "income inequality" of course to get people to vote for them. Of course like the phony war on women and race baiting they do it is based on a myth. It is important to get to the facts before jumping on a political bandwagon. These "social issues" made up by the left are designed to get votes but end up dividing people. Should these political parties be held accountable for repeating false claims?
I don't think it matters how large the gap actually is between the top 1% and the bottom 90%. The bottom 90% -- millions-and-millions of people -- are going to feel the effect of that gap.
Yay so since Obama has been president rich people have paid more in taxes, which is exactly why he was elected. Yay Obama!!!!
And what is the effect of the gap besides jealousy? What does it matter if there are mega rich people if the lives of everyone is improved? You know we no longer live in caves right? - - - Updated - - - That is just the thing Obama shafted the middle class as well....
The "wealth gap" purveyors have an agenda, and so they will pick and choose the data that pleases them and put their own spin on it. But, to be fair, everyone with an agenda does that. Those who suffer are those who do not realize that when the government puts on the mantle of wealth redistribution, valuable freedoms are lost.
The wealth gap is not so much a myth as it is a lie told by the political left to support class envy and their horrible agenda. Everything is quite clear.
It's a little more than jealousy; in fact, it's a lot more. Our golden goose is not those at the top, but those in the middle who are, and have been, working their butts off for a better life. In an economy built upon consumer demand, that means a bigger house, another car, etc. and that is what has driven our economy for the benefit of all. With those at the top taking the lion's share of the productivity gains of the last 30 or so years, that means there's less for everyone else, and that means a reduced demand. Oh, yeah, all that money sloshing around the top also means they get to buy their politicians of choice.
You give yourself the answer to this equation in the beginning of your post but you end it with an implied insult. Curious how that went that way. Anyway, you underestimate how dangerous jealousy actually is. Having millions of people consumed by emotions like that is when the pitchforks come out. They come out to rebalance equilibrium, right or wrong. But if enough people are left out in the wind, that's what will happen. It happens everywhere. I'm all about success, but I'm very much aware of how an imbalance in success can cause a whole bunch of internal problems for any country or government that has ever existed. Instead of being up-in-arms about this topic being brought up, it is a debate that needs to be made and a solution where both success and the sharing of success can be accomplished. Trickle down does not work. We need an alternative because our population problems are going to get worse-and-worse as more baby boomers leave the work force altogether.
So are you claiming the standard of living for everyone in the US except for the rich has gone down? It doesn't seem that way.
Maybe 40 years ago but no one in the US is going to get off the couch long enough to put thier Dorito stained hands on a pitchfork.
