Rich Getting Richer in the U.S

[Densaner]

Because they restrict the free market and the right of a union to negotiate freely with an employer through collective bargaining. I thought the GOP liked free markets. Only where employees cannot negotiate freely for a decent wage it seems.

I do not see how it restricts free market, could you please elaborate on that? I didn't even know unions were essential for a market to be considered a free market. Also why does a union have a right to negotiate freely? I mean rather, where is it said they should have that right. So the right for a union to collectively bargin is more important than the right of individuals to decide whether or not to join an organization just so they can work and provide for themselves? In the end it is best for the corporations to pay good wages to it's works so that they have a market. Of course that does turn a bit when laws and regulations change so much over areas.

And no, the GOP is in support of things like regulations and, though maybe not as much as the Democratic Party, the GOP leans in favor of some regulations.

If you live a free society then people should be able to negotiate freely on a singular or collective basis for wages. Why shouldn't a union be allowed to negotiate freely? I'll tell you why. Because those who have don't want to give unions bargaining power. I agree it is in the best interests of corporations to pay good wages. And they do. Have you seen the pay and perks the average CEO gets? However when it comes to people on the shop floor a different rule applies. You won't get an economic system that works by paying some people hundred of millions, and millions of people peanuts. Feel free to support it. Don't expect things to improve though.

[Ainin]

News at eleven: Pizza is food and Obama is a democrat.

[Kamchastkia]

3. LARGE COPRATIONS DON'T RULE THIS COUNTRY! - until they do.

Evidence: (Off the top of my head) Super PACs

Didn't the super PACs lose ? I thought Obama's 2012 victory would prove super Pacs do not have that effect on elections.

Obama isn't a bitch for corporations? Since when?

[Blakk Metal]

Next on Post-Seventies Facts, most pop music is electronic and death row will never reach equilibrium.

[Phocidaea]

Big fucking surprise.

I think this has been pretty much universally known for decades - it's just a matter of whether you defend this as a good thing (i.e. you're either rich and selfish or an idiot), are ambivalent, or realize it's bad (i.e. are willing to look past dogmatic worship of large businesses).

[Daistallia 2104]

3. LARGE COPRATIONS DON'T RULE THIS COUNTRY! - until they do.

Evidence: (Off the top of my head) Super PACs

Didn't the super PACs lose ? I thought Obama's 2012 victory would prove super Pacs do not have that effect on elections.

That'd explain the email from corporate bragging on how well their PAC did last November.

[The Rich Port]

Obviously They have been working harder than the poor I mean that's what capitalism does isn't it? It rewards Hard work with money the harder some one works the more money they get.... right?

If you count stealing as hard work, which a lot of NS cappies do, then yes.

[Trollgaard]

Who cares about wealth gaps? Work harder, get famous, win the lottery. Take your pick.

[The Rich Port]

Who cares about wealth gaps? Work harder, get famous, win the lottery. Take your pick.

Because winning the lottery or being famous is a productive career choice, amirite?

"Working harder" is a vague action, dontchathink? Should the janitor scrub the floors more? Should the electrician be more... Electric-ish? Should the cashier ring people up faster?

How are any of those things going to make their financial situations better?

[Trollgaard]

Who cares about wealth gaps? Work harder, get famous, win the lottery. Take your pick.

Because winning the lottery or being famous is a productive career choice, amirite?

"Working harder" is a vague action, dontchathink? Should the janitor scrub the floors more? Should the electrician be more... Electric-ish? Should the cashier ring people up faster?

How are any of those things going to make their financial situations better?

Add in get lucky, have good friends/acquaintences.

Working harder can cover a lot of things, like the examples you mentioned, or getting a second job.

Hmm, add in being frugal, investing in yourself, etc, etc and all tha jazz.

[SpudEmpire]

And the sky's freaking blue, what else is new? Meanwhile three months out of the Army, and I haven't landed a single interview, starting to think I should've stayed in the damn Army.

[Dargovezna]

It's all part of the plan, really, at this point.

[SaintB]

I've said it before: The only problem with the economy is that the people on top that have it all have discovered that it is more profitable to tell everyone that there is a problem with the economy and hold it above everyone's heads like some kid of threat - so they can make less people work harder and longer for less pay and benefits.

[United Kingdom of Muffins]

And the sky's freaking blue, what else is new? Meanwhile three months out of the Army, and I haven't landed a single interview, starting to think I should've stayed in the damn Army.

I hate to say it, but yeah. If you can't get a job lined up in a military related career your only fall back is the military again.

[Eladisia]

Working harder can cover a lot of things, like the examples you mentioned, or getting a second job.

Hmm, add in being frugal, investing in yourself, etc, etc and all tha jazz.

A flippant attitude arguing a vigorous work ethic?

[Libertarian California]

The closing of tax loopholes and the end of corporate welfare and subsidies would be a good start.

[SpudEmpire]

And the sky's freaking blue, what else is new? Meanwhile three months out of the Army, and I haven't landed a single interview, starting to think I should've stayed in the damn Army.

I hate to say it, but yeah. If you can't get a job lined up in a military related career your only fall back is the military again.

Two Deployments to A-Stan had completely worn me out....but yeah I'm stating to lean towards the I made a huge mistake category by leaving the Army.

[United Kingdom of Muffins]

Stupid Digital Revolution, giving everyone personal computers, cell phones, and other gadgets.

That's another thing that irks me. New technologies are developed every year that literally destroys industries (creative destruction), should we oppose their development? Should we bankroll certain jobs with the hopes of keeping them even though they've been rendered useless?

(bit of a late post)
I think that if wages are raised in all regions of the economy it's possible to have a low true creation economy (i.e. making computers/drilling oil), by recycling the wages earned to give to the next step. Then collected taxes get pumped back into education or business subsidizing creating a new entry point for currency, further balancing the system. This could of course lead to limited possible growth though.

[Kaizakhstan]

No surprise. We're only ranked 10 in terms of total economic freedom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_economic_freedom

But hey, this is what you get for letting business get involved in politics. Big corporations lobby for more restrictions to limit their competition, like WalMart with Obamacare.

[United Kingdom of Muffins]

I hate to say it, but yeah. If you can't get a job lined up in a military related career your only fall back is the military again.

Two Deployments to A-Stan had completely worn me out....but yeah I'm stating to lean towards the I made a huge mistake category by leaving the Army.

Also, try to apply for older males they value military service more than most modern Americans.

[Distruzio]

What do you think of the article,

Meh.

and the rising inequality in the U.S?

I'm comfortable with it.

[Azurand]

So..? Is it a bad thing?

[Risottia]

During the recession and recovery the upper class managed to get even wealthier

...same all across the world, buddy.

Hey but TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE, INVISIBLE HANDJOB OF THE FREE-MARKET FAIRY REGULATES ALL, A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS, AND PUBLIC DEBT ABOVE 90% SENDS YOU INTO STRAIGHT INTO RECESSION, AND ANYONE WHO SAYS OTHERWISE IS A STALINIST!

Seriously, does anyone believe that bullshit anymore?

[Essos]

I hate to say it, but yeah. If you can't get a job lined up in a military related career your only fall back is the military again.

Two Deployments to A-Stan had completely worn me out....but yeah I'm stating to lean towards the I made a huge mistake category by leaving the Army.

Seek security work. Half of my coworkers are former service.

I do not see how it restricts free market, could you please elaborate on that? I didn't even know unions were essential for a market to be considered a free market. Also why does a union have a right to negotiate freely? I mean rather, where is it said they should have that right. So the right for a union to collectively bargin is more important than the right of individuals to decide whether or not to join an organization just so they can work and provide for themselves? In the end it is best for the corporations to pay good wages to it's works so that they have a market. Of course that does turn a bit when laws and regulations change so much over areas.

And no, the GOP is in support of things like regulations and, though maybe not as much as the Democratic Party, the GOP leans in favor of some regulations.

If you live a free society then people should be able to negotiate freely on a singular or collective basis for wages. Why shouldn't a union be allowed to negotiate freely? I'll tell you why. Because those who have don't want to give unions bargaining power. I agree it is in the best interests of corporations to pay good wages. And they do. Have you seen the pay and perks the average CEO gets? However when it comes to people on the shop floor a different rule applies. You won't get an economic system that works by paying some people hundred of millions, and millions of people peanuts. Feel free to support it. Don't expect things to improve though.

The issue with unions is that they like to make membership mandatory. That's not at all freedom, except for the freedom to not work in the field in question. Right to work laws guarantee that union membership cannot be a prerequisite for employment in all or most positions. This is clearly a good thing. I do not choose to give twenty bucks a week to a union to get a fifty cent an hour pay raise. I'll live with what I've got and not waste money on things I don't need.

[Duvniask]

No surprise. We're only ranked 10 in terms of total economic freedom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_economic_freedom

But hey, this is what you get for letting business get involved in politics. Big corporations lobby for more restrictions to limit their competition, like WalMart with Obamacare.

What I find funny, is that most (all?) of the countries on the list above the US. have lower levels of Gini than the US.