3 ms·

The rich are much richer today then they used to be.

by wavesounds 14y ago

ams6110 14y ago
But how does that impact the ability of a "middle class" person to earn a decent living?
- wavesounds 14y ago
  Because middle class Americans used to make more money in relative terms, you have to work longer to afford the same things while at the same time our productivity as a whole has gone up. The rich have modified the system so that they take more out of companies and give less back to the government and as a consequence its much harder to climb the economic ladder without the safety net and with increased competition for scarcer resources. Being able to send all your companies work to China is a big advantage for the company owner (rich) and a real problem for the American workers (middle class) if the rich don't have to give enough of that profit back to society.
  - yummyfajitas 14y ago
    What resource do you believe is more scarce than before? Please be specific - name a resource that you believe average Americans consume less of now than in the 70s or 80s. Or, similarly, please name a resource that you believe middle class Americans need to "work longer to afford". Also, shipping work to China is very good for the American consumer, who benefits from lower prices.
  - marknutter 14y ago
    "Being able to send all your companies work to China is a big advantage for the company owner" This is also a big advantage for the American consumer. Y'know.. the middle class?
    - icebraining 14y ago
      Not to mention the millions of starving Chinese workers.
      - marknutter 14y ago
        Oh, you mean the ones that voluntarily work these jobs to escape their dismal lives of subsistance farming?
        icebraining 14y ago
        Yes, that's exactly what I mean.
        marknutter 14y ago
        ha, thanks for the clarification
- Strshps1MoreTim 14y ago
  The enormous increase in productivity since the early 70s (PCs, mobile, satellites, better batteries, etc.) have been cashed by the top 1% only.
  - marknutter 14y ago
    What do you mean by "cashed by the top 1% only"? Last I checked, the 99% were enjoying the benefits of PCs, mobile phones, satellites, and better batteries every bit as much as the 1% were.
    - Strshps1MoreTim 14y ago
      The income of the "unwashed masses" in the developed countries hasn't increased since the early 70s. Despite the new tech, that replaced rooms of typists and drawers, slow mail, accountants, etc. The profits from the increased productivity went to the top 1% only.

The rich are much richer today then they used to be.

ams6110 14y ago

But how does that impact the ability of a "middle class" person to earn a decent living?

wavesounds 14y ago
Because middle class Americans used to make more money in relative terms, you have to work longer to afford the same things while at the same time our productivity as a whole has gone up. The rich have modified the system so that they take more out of companies and give less back to the government and as a consequence its much harder to climb the economic ladder without the safety net and with increased competition for scarcer resources. Being able to send all your companies work to China is a big advantage for the company owner (rich) and a real problem for the American workers (middle class) if the rich don't have to give enough of that profit back to society.
- yummyfajitas 14y ago
  What resource do you believe is more scarce than before? Please be specific - name a resource that you believe average Americans consume less of now than in the 70s or 80s. Or, similarly, please name a resource that you believe middle class Americans need to "work longer to afford". Also, shipping work to China is very good for the American consumer, who benefits from lower prices.
- marknutter 14y ago
  "Being able to send all your companies work to China is a big advantage for the company owner" This is also a big advantage for the American consumer. Y'know.. the middle class?
  - icebraining 14y ago
    Not to mention the millions of starving Chinese workers.
    - marknutter 14y ago
      Oh, you mean the ones that voluntarily work these jobs to escape their dismal lives of subsistance farming?
      - icebraining 14y ago
        Yes, that's exactly what I mean.
        marknutter 14y ago
        ha, thanks for the clarification
Strshps1MoreTim 14y ago
The enormous increase in productivity since the early 70s (PCs, mobile, satellites, better batteries, etc.) have been cashed by the top 1% only.
- marknutter 14y ago
  What do you mean by "cashed by the top 1% only"? Last I checked, the 99% were enjoying the benefits of PCs, mobile phones, satellites, and better batteries every bit as much as the 1% were.
  - Strshps1MoreTim 14y ago
    The income of the "unwashed masses" in the developed countries hasn't increased since the early 70s. Despite the new tech, that replaced rooms of typists and drawers, slow mail, accountants, etc. The profits from the increased productivity went to the top 1% only.