| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/4/2011 7:34:59 PM
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but I thought some of the people here might find it interesting.
A while back, I read an article that said that there was a growing gap between "the haves" and the "have nots" in our country. Based on that, some have predicted a future civil war --- not regional, but between those who have and those who don't.
And this is what bothers me when we start talking about canceling all the entitlement programs
URL: http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/05/top-one-percent-201105
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| Name: |
Barneget
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/4/2011 9:03:29 PM
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Don't let it bother you. Keep Americans working, buy more ammo.
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| Name: |
alahusker
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/4/2011 9:09:44 PM
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One of the dumbest essays I have ever read. To blame social/economic problems on the top 1% of income earners and ignore programs that have made such a large section of our people primarily dependent on federal and state welfare programs?? I don't see it..
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Indigestion is all I get
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Date:
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4/4/2011 9:21:47 PM
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Here's where a little critical thinking can help. Some factors to consider: 1) need to separate wealth from income, two very different things; 2) we still have a large middle class; 3) our poor are rich in comparison to 90% of the world; 4) look at the history of the top 1% and you find a great many of them started off either poor or from modest means, most Americans except the entitled class realize that this is also possible for them; 5) we have a progressive tax system in this country and the top earners pay the vast majority of the taxes and close to 50% of working people in this country pay no federal taxes; and 5) Vanity Fair is a liberal rag so take it with a grain of salt.
Final note, what does this have to do with entitlement programs anyway? What, you think it somehow makes it fair or better to have the government take money away from the productive at the point of a gun and piss away $3 for every $1 that reaches the intended beneficiary? I don't think so. All it does is create more government jobs and turns us into the banana republics that have lousy economies and wretched poverty. It always amazes me how liberals like the writers at Vanity Fair get so fixated on the wrong things. And of course, the underlying assumption here is that the top 1% didn't earn what they have but stole it like the two bit dictators in third world countries. They didn't invent a great product or took risks, nope, they either won lifes lottery or got lucky or trampled the little guy. Its all so predictable and pathetic.
If you regularly read this kind of dribble it definitely explains why you took a hope on change and gave us hopeless and change for the worse.....
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| Name: |
lotowner
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| Subject: |
Indigestion is all I get
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Date:
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4/4/2011 9:37:14 PM
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What percent base their opinions on Vanity Fair and The National Inquirer?
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/4/2011 9:41:31 PM
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First of all I haven't seen anyone proposing to get rid of all entitlement programs.
But they seem to be the root cause for a lot of the problems the country has. Did you by chance watch John Stossel's piece on freeloaders in America? The part about the Indians was very telling and very damning of the entitlement mentality. The ones without the handouts prospered and those who got them continue in abject poverty.
What is your solution? It is pretty clear we can't keep all the entitlements in place and continue to exist as a prosperous country. When do you propose that people WHO CAN be expected to make a go of it on their own? Sorry, but I didn't birth them and don't feel responsible to feed them. I give to the needy, but don't believe the Federal Government should decide who gets my gifts.
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| Name: |
alahusker
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/4/2011 10:04:50 PM
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I guess most of us question the theme of this article.. What you think Hound?
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| Name: |
Feb
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/5/2011 6:33:41 AM (updated 4/5/2011 6:35:11 AM)
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I keep myself working and make more ammo. Reload .45 ACP, 9mm, .380, .32 ACP, 243, 12 gauge & 20 gauge. Try it, you will like it. Reminds me of hand shelling peas and butterbeans. LOL
Whenever I buy a new gun, I buy the dies or reloading equipement for it if I do not already have them.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/5/2011 9:11:39 AM
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Well, I find it interesting that our lawmakers are mostly in that top 1%. And I have to say that I do find some credence in the idea that the top 1% are not necessarily the most productive members of our society. That's something to think about.
First of all, Vanity Fair is not a "liberal rag". And comparing it to the National Enquirer says more about the person saying that than it does the magazine.
So many of you are so quick to dismiss this article. My question to you: If you only read those things that you totally agree with, how do you ever check your ideas? Do you not find it necessary to "check in" with your ideas against other ideas periodically?
I'm not embracing this article in total -- but it does present some interesting ideas.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/5/2011 9:20:52 AM
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Hound, I read the article and my comments stand. You have to be able to critically examine these articles and their premises, which are mostly bogus.
And Vanity Fair is indeed a liberal rag. Point out one positive article in Vanity Fair about a conservative. You won't be able to find one but there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of positive articles about liberals over the years.
I would agree that not everyone in the top 1% are productive. I could point to the entire Kennedy clan or any of the trust fund brats as good examples. But the fact is a great many of those in the top 1% earned what they have, including prominent liberals like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, etc. They did something right and deserve every penny of it. And what is interesting but rarely mentioned is how much of their wealth they give away to charitable causes. And all that without government intervention.
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| Name: |
lotowner
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/5/2011 9:31:37 AM
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We do get the Liberal side. We read your post. They generally are similar to those articles from Vanity Fair and sometimes are as funny as the National Inquirer's. Don't beat upon the NI. After all, this was the publication that exposed your hero, John Edwards, the darling of the Democrats.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/5/2011 9:37:14 AM
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Vanity Fair has had a number of positive articles about General Petreus and other military leaders. They write quite a bit about those behind some the big financial houses in NY, which I don't see as "liberal" or "conservative". It's not a political magazine. It's not the only magazine I read. I like a wide variety of opinions.
I don't have a problem with your "standing" on your comments about the article. Your comments are about what I would expect you to say, given what I have read in your previous postings. I respect your right to your opinion.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
John Edwards
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Date:
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4/5/2011 9:42:16 AM
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I don't believe I have ever posted anything about John Edwards, one way or the other. But for the record, I have never supported John Edwards.
Lotowner, Just what publications do you read? I'm just curious. I mean beyond reprinting some of the most half baked conservative "gossip", upon which, you fail to comment. Are we to assume that you agree with them, and that's why you post them?
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| Name: |
Summer Lover
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| Subject: |
Rock on Feb
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Date:
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4/5/2011 10:01:42 AM
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Talk about inflation on the components though - in the late 80's - 200 grn LSWC bullets sized .451 were about $10.00 for 500, early 90's 55 grn FMJ sized .224 were $2.72 for 100.....
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| Name: |
lotowner
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| Subject: |
John Edwards
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Date:
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4/5/2011 10:39:26 AM
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I read the funny papers and daily horoscopes and watch Sponge Bob, Snoopy Dog, and Road Runner. I think that these are similar in depth to your heroes cronies - Louis Farrakhan, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and a few others.
I do not know how I was able to succeed in management for almost 40 years and beso deficient in political competencies. I should have picked someone similar to you as my mentor. But I forget that you were in DC for many years (was it DOD) and yet you voted for the worst President ever. Even with all my deficiencies, I do not have to carry the stigma of voting for Obama.
.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/5/2011 12:02:30 PM
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Once again I will ask you for an example of a positive article about a conservative. You can't point to one because there are none. However, they have done any number of hit pieces on conservatives, the Tea Party, etc. I am sure you also think the NY Times, Wash Post and LA Times are middle of the road and 60 Minutes represents the bastion of unbiased coverage. Of course I have a viewpoint but that doesn't mean anything I posted is inaccurate or not based on logic. You did ask what we thought about the article, right?
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
Not my heroes
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Date:
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4/5/2011 1:04:53 PM
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Not my heroes, and I resent you implying that they are. For that, I will put you on ignore. You don't add much anyway.
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| Name: |
lotowner
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| Subject: |
Not my heroes
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Date:
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4/5/2011 2:00:27 PM (updated 4/5/2011 2:01:21 PM)
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Try reading what I say for once. I said "your heroes' cronies". Is Obama not your hero? You can dish it out but you can't take it. I also have the option to ignore you. Is it a big secret that you also add very little to the forum. Take your ball and go home.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
It must be very reassuring
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Date:
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4/5/2011 2:28:58 PM
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to you not to waste your time reading anything that doesn't agree with your world view.
I would never advocate that you change since you are so comfortable.
I'm a person who likes to read a wide variety of stuff, and then check my own ideas against it. Sometimes it causes me to change, sometimes I need to do more reading, sometimes I just like to turn an idea over in my mind and see where it takes me.
Doesn't make me better, it just makes me different. Maybe I don't like to be too comfortable.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
It's really fine
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Date:
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4/5/2011 2:35:51 PM
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I'm just fine with you posting your opinion about the article. I'm not advocating that you embrace it if it makes your uncomfortable. Sometimes I read conservative things that just make me cringe in disgust, and I ultimately reject them. But, I do try to understand the mindset that they come from.
Sometime when someone posts something here that I violently disagree with, I just pass it by. I mean, why should I try to change a mind that is so set? Sometimes I find it makes me angry to read what I consider such BS, but then I have to ask myself why I feel so strongly.
I basically knew when I posted this article the kind of reactions that it would get. If nothing else, some members of this forum are consistent. I just wonder to myself why they get so outraged over a simple article.
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| Name: |
4691
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| Subject: |
I think it is a real concern...
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Date:
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4/5/2011 8:39:56 PM
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History has shown that inequality, whether real or perceived, is often the fuel of revolution. I think this is especially a concern when the culture is one where people believe they are entitled. Just look at the behavior of the Wisconsin liberals and unions when asked to pay only a modest share much less private sector workers. What would be the result if the 50% in the U.S. that pay no federal income taxes were suddenly forced to pay taxes? I don't fear so much a violent revolt as the emergence of a successful socialist party exploiting the perceived inequality. The wealth gap could certainly be a catalyst.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I think it is a real concern...
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Date:
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4/6/2011 2:30:52 AM
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I think anytime that people perceive a loss to them personally, they are going to complain. And don't forget that all these people who stand to lose are also voters.
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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
I think it is a real concern...
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Date:
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4/6/2011 8:23:23 AM (updated 4/6/2011 8:24:12 AM)
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For any significant reduction to succeed, the politicians are going to have to do a better job of explaining to the voting masses what the negative impact will be ON THEM if the reductions aren't enacted. I don't think to date that has been adequately done. It been mostly Chicken Little-type talk about percentaged of GDP, the Chinese are going to completely own us, and so forth. Mainstream America deserves to have it explained in terms they can relate to. Unfortunately most aren't as keenly aware of what has happened and its potentially catastrophic consequences as the contributors to this forum.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I think it is a real concern...
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Date:
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4/6/2011 9:39:22 AM
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I think you are correct. It's got to be put in personal terms, with numbers that real people understand.
One good example was on the "Before the Bell" segment of Morning Joe, this morning. Erin Burnett pointed out that before their crisis, Greece could borrow money at approximately 2%, and now that rate is up to 5.1%
Anyone who has ever borrowed money can understand that.
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| Name: |
johngault
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/6/2011 3:51:46 PM
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I started reading the article but stopped when they refered to our country as a "Democracy".We are a Republic! The author is a fool.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
I'm still digesting this article - The Top 1%
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Date:
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4/6/2011 4:36:35 PM
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Man, you must not get through too many articles.
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