A very good article that makes some very good points.
It focuses on the U.S. economy in particular but the general theme is global ie the gap between those that have and those that dont is getting ever wider and those at the top of the chain aint finished yet.
Consider the rise of both the working poor and the non-working rich, and the meritocratic ideal on which America's growing inequality is often justified doesn't hold up.
That widening inequality -- combined with the increasing numbers of people who work full time but are still impoverished and of others who have never worked and are fabulously wealthy -- is undermining the moral foundations of American capitalism.
The Rise of the Working Poor and the Non-Working Rich | Robert Reich
The widening gap
The widening gap
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
The widening gap
During the first election debate that I never watched but was greatly over reported I believe a statistic was thrown into the mix that 1 in 5 UK workers are receiving some sort of benefit.
20 percent of our working population wages are being subsidised by the tax payer. That means many businesses are not paying a living wage, but are still paying dividends to their shareholders.
Something is very wrong.
20 percent of our working population wages are being subsidised by the tax payer. That means many businesses are not paying a living wage, but are still paying dividends to their shareholders.
Something is very wrong.
I thought I knew more than this until I opened my mouth
The widening gap
Bruv;1477106 wrote: During the first election debate that I never watched but was greatly over reported I believe a statistic was thrown into the mix that 1 in 5 UK workers are receiving some sort of benefit.
20 percent of our working population wages are being subsidised by the tax payer. That means many businesses are not paying a living wage, but are still paying dividends to their shareholders.
Something is very wrong.
As far as I'm concerned, if someone runs a business in which either the employees have to subsidise their pay, take another job or struggle to keep their head above water because the minimum wage is insufficient to survive on, then thats not a viable business. It shouldnt exist as a business.
How is a business allowed to employ a workforce that require a wage subsidy ? It's ludicrous.
Our present economy shows that businesses are booming but thats because they are allowed to profit from immoral practices, in order to show healthy government employment figures and that includes zero hours contracts
20 percent of our working population wages are being subsidised by the tax payer. That means many businesses are not paying a living wage, but are still paying dividends to their shareholders.
Something is very wrong.
As far as I'm concerned, if someone runs a business in which either the employees have to subsidise their pay, take another job or struggle to keep their head above water because the minimum wage is insufficient to survive on, then thats not a viable business. It shouldnt exist as a business.
How is a business allowed to employ a workforce that require a wage subsidy ? It's ludicrous.
Our present economy shows that businesses are booming but thats because they are allowed to profit from immoral practices, in order to show healthy government employment figures and that includes zero hours contracts
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
The widening gap
What is even worse is the way that Spin is used. How often do you hear the Tories claim that "More people are in work than they were under the previous Government"? The reality of it is, though, is that if they don't take on a job, even if it means getting less than the figure that they would be getting on benefits (ie "The Minimum The Law Says You Require To Live On" - that is the phrase used when benefits are being calculated), thus officially getting LESS than you need to live on, then they stop your benefits altogether. Therefore, a pittance, supplemented by Food Banks, is better than nothing at all. This means that you are then added to the Government's statistics of that massive number of those currently in work to add to their "Success Rate" figures.
This is not just Anti-Tory hype. Yes, I am Anti-Tory, and with damned good reason. My job involves dealing with Job Centres & Jobseekers day in, day out & see it first hand.
I've been in the situation myself. By my nature I am very good at managing a budget, with no vices (ie smoking / drinking), yet I was still spending more than I had coming in, constantly eating into what meagre savings I had, whilst they scratch the backs of the Bankers who got the country into the state it's in now, giving Tax Cuts to the wealthiest in the country, whilst those below the poverty line get what little they have taken away so that they can herald it as a success.
Furthermore, as far as their statistics are concerned, anyone who is not claiming benefits is classed as "In Work". Quite a clever way of getting people into work, don't you think? Just stop their benefits. Another one "In Work"!!
It's quite understandable that those who are lucky enough to have always been in work can easily be misled by the propaganda of the politicians. They don't see the reality of it all. They think they're feeling the pinch, but are convinced that it's a necessary sacrifice in order to further recovery - while the richest corporations continue to get major Government contracts & pay less (if any) tax. Billions continue to be spent on a Nuclear Deterrent, which is a joke. Ever since the first Atomic Bomb was invented, how many times has it deterred anyone from starting wars? None. If some extremist country, such as Iran decides to Nuke the world in the name of Islam, do you really think they'd bother about it being a deterrent, bearing in mind that this is the mindset of a people who value suicide bombing as a guaranteed ticket to Heaven?
The whole thing is an evil farce, and voters need to look beyond the spin they're being given. More people in work than ever before? What are these jobs? How much are they paying? How many hours are they working? How are their families coping with their budgets?
I've not got roud to watching the latest Battle for No 10 debates yet, but I saw the one last week, and was disgusted at how easy it was made for Cameron when he never answered a single question that he was presented with, but instead put forward his own, usually unrelated soundbites, whereas Miliband answered them, even if it wasn't the answer you wanted to hear, and if he didn't know the answer, he said so. Furthermore, he admitted the last Labour Government got things wrong, instead of trying to spin it.
I don't agree with all of Labour's policies - in particular the matter of being Pro-Europe (which they share with Tories), but when it comes to balancing the odds, there's no question where my loyalties lie.
This is not just Anti-Tory hype. Yes, I am Anti-Tory, and with damned good reason. My job involves dealing with Job Centres & Jobseekers day in, day out & see it first hand.
I've been in the situation myself. By my nature I am very good at managing a budget, with no vices (ie smoking / drinking), yet I was still spending more than I had coming in, constantly eating into what meagre savings I had, whilst they scratch the backs of the Bankers who got the country into the state it's in now, giving Tax Cuts to the wealthiest in the country, whilst those below the poverty line get what little they have taken away so that they can herald it as a success.
Furthermore, as far as their statistics are concerned, anyone who is not claiming benefits is classed as "In Work". Quite a clever way of getting people into work, don't you think? Just stop their benefits. Another one "In Work"!!
It's quite understandable that those who are lucky enough to have always been in work can easily be misled by the propaganda of the politicians. They don't see the reality of it all. They think they're feeling the pinch, but are convinced that it's a necessary sacrifice in order to further recovery - while the richest corporations continue to get major Government contracts & pay less (if any) tax. Billions continue to be spent on a Nuclear Deterrent, which is a joke. Ever since the first Atomic Bomb was invented, how many times has it deterred anyone from starting wars? None. If some extremist country, such as Iran decides to Nuke the world in the name of Islam, do you really think they'd bother about it being a deterrent, bearing in mind that this is the mindset of a people who value suicide bombing as a guaranteed ticket to Heaven?
The whole thing is an evil farce, and voters need to look beyond the spin they're being given. More people in work than ever before? What are these jobs? How much are they paying? How many hours are they working? How are their families coping with their budgets?
I've not got roud to watching the latest Battle for No 10 debates yet, but I saw the one last week, and was disgusted at how easy it was made for Cameron when he never answered a single question that he was presented with, but instead put forward his own, usually unrelated soundbites, whereas Miliband answered them, even if it wasn't the answer you wanted to hear, and if he didn't know the answer, he said so. Furthermore, he admitted the last Labour Government got things wrong, instead of trying to spin it.
I don't agree with all of Labour's policies - in particular the matter of being Pro-Europe (which they share with Tories), but when it comes to balancing the odds, there's no question where my loyalties lie.
The widening gap
The trouble with American capitalism is they took the moral foundations of capitalism and rewrote the book to completely ignore them and then fooled everybody in to thinking there wasn't any in the first place. Sadly we follow suit in this country but with posher accents. Our politicians are aware of ality think they have it and don't want any mor
The widening gap
"It's the American Way" - which was first imported by Maggie & her passion for Ronald Reagan.
The widening gap
'Full Time' work is over 18 hours I think, might be wrong.
There are more jobs but they are of fewer hours and making the so called full time employed eligible for top up payments and subsidies.
I am working "full time" for 20 hours a week, many of those I work alongside are on the same sort of hours, I am retired with a pension, my wages are extra, the majority of my fellow workers receive benefits, while Asda and mother company Walmart get richer and richer.
There are more jobs but they are of fewer hours and making the so called full time employed eligible for top up payments and subsidies.
I am working "full time" for 20 hours a week, many of those I work alongside are on the same sort of hours, I am retired with a pension, my wages are extra, the majority of my fellow workers receive benefits, while Asda and mother company Walmart get richer and richer.
I thought I knew more than this until I opened my mouth
The widening gap
gmc;1477112 wrote: The trouble with American capitalism is they took the moral foundations of capitalism and rewrote the book to completely ignore them and then fooled everybody in to thinking there wasn't any in the first place. Sadly we follow suit in this country but with posher accents. Our politicians are aware of ality think they have it and don't want any mor
"Moral foundations of Capitalism" ?
That would be a very small book.
"Moral foundations of Capitalism" ?
That would be a very small book.
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
- DH Lawrence
The widening gap
I'm not even sure there is an official definition between Full Time & Part Time. For instance, there is an adviser in our office who works a 30 hour week, and is classed as Part Time. I am Full Time, with a 37 hour week.
The company also employs Zero Hour advisers, as & when required (such as to cover advisers who have to take an extended time off sick, or to cover a backlog), but they are paid the same Pro Rata rates as the Full Time ones. However, I should add that unlike many others that rely on Zero Hour Contracts, the company does have a very high work ethic & doesn't use them exploitatively.
The company also employs Zero Hour advisers, as & when required (such as to cover advisers who have to take an extended time off sick, or to cover a backlog), but they are paid the same Pro Rata rates as the Full Time ones. However, I should add that unlike many others that rely on Zero Hour Contracts, the company does have a very high work ethic & doesn't use them exploitatively.
The widening gap
LarsMac;1477121 wrote: "Moral foundations of Capitalism" ?
That would be a very small book.
Actually it's quite a tome, still readable despite being written in the 1770's. As an American you might find what he has op say about the colonies interesting.
Smith: Wealth of Nations, Book IV, Chapter 7 | Library of Economics and Liberty, Ch.7, Of Colonies
That would be a very small book.
Actually it's quite a tome, still readable despite being written in the 1770's. As an American you might find what he has op say about the colonies interesting.
Smith: Wealth of Nations, Book IV, Chapter 7 | Library of Economics and Liberty, Ch.7, Of Colonies
The widening gap
Capitalism via enforced Colonialism is an obvious result of oppression, but I wonder what the result might be if we were to encounter some totally undeveloped primitive tribe now, benignly introduce them to the ways of the outside world (i.e. without any enforced conquests or anything - just a visit) & then leave them alone how long they would remain to be content in the lifestyle they had enjoyed for centuries.
The widening gap
It takes money to get elected, so only the rich can afford to be politicians. Is it actually surprising that they would then pass laws to make themselves richer?
The widening gap
Saint_;1477137 wrote: It takes money to get elected, so only the rich can afford to be politicians. Is it actually surprising that they would then pass laws to make themselves richer?
They pass laws to make the companies and individuals that got them elected, keep more of the money that they will inevitably profit from. Its an ever increasing circle of wealth and profit, with the politicians tagging along picking up the crumbs - albeit substantial ones - for a few political favours along the way.
Then there is the myth that the rest of us will gain from the trickle down effect. Any trickle will have evaporated through taxes before we get our hands on it and if and when we do, we will be taxed on it further.
The system by design will always have a "have" and "have less" but we have an extreme divide now. Research shows, bigger than at any time in modern economic history
They pass laws to make the companies and individuals that got them elected, keep more of the money that they will inevitably profit from. Its an ever increasing circle of wealth and profit, with the politicians tagging along picking up the crumbs - albeit substantial ones - for a few political favours along the way.
Then there is the myth that the rest of us will gain from the trickle down effect. Any trickle will have evaporated through taxes before we get our hands on it and if and when we do, we will be taxed on it further.
The system by design will always have a "have" and "have less" but we have an extreme divide now. Research shows, bigger than at any time in modern economic history
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
The widening gap
It is supposed to work for the good of everybody, in the past the very rich created schools and housing to better their workers situation, the increasing wealth did filter down.
We have now reached a tipping point were the whole point of becoming rich is to get richer, the problem is that once the very poor have no spare cash the system fails.
Then the desperately poor will need to take the wealth from the rich by force just to survive.
There are places like that in the world right now, where ultra rich live side by side separated from poverty by walled security controlled areas, many are newly rich third word countries, but also it is becoming more common in 'advanced' countries like the USA and UK.
We have now reached a tipping point were the whole point of becoming rich is to get richer, the problem is that once the very poor have no spare cash the system fails.
Then the desperately poor will need to take the wealth from the rich by force just to survive.
There are places like that in the world right now, where ultra rich live side by side separated from poverty by walled security controlled areas, many are newly rich third word countries, but also it is becoming more common in 'advanced' countries like the USA and UK.
I thought I knew more than this until I opened my mouth
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The widening gap
Snowfire;1477097 wrote: The widening gap
The biggest mistake the world has made since ¦.. well ¦.. a long, long time is not taking Gorbatjov seriously. He offered the world a continuance of global balance with a superior, political philosophy that would have rapidly (I think) improved the lives of Soviet citizens: an improvement that would have surpassed the west and encouraged it to follow the Soviet example.
Instead, we are left with a tiny handful of timid, ineffective “do-gooders and Islamic terrorists to lead us out of capitalist treachery: not a very good example for the rest of us to follow but it's all that we have. :-1
The biggest mistake the world has made since ¦.. well ¦.. a long, long time is not taking Gorbatjov seriously. He offered the world a continuance of global balance with a superior, political philosophy that would have rapidly (I think) improved the lives of Soviet citizens: an improvement that would have surpassed the west and encouraged it to follow the Soviet example.
Instead, we are left with a tiny handful of timid, ineffective “do-gooders and Islamic terrorists to lead us out of capitalist treachery: not a very good example for the rest of us to follow but it's all that we have. :-1
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High Threshold
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- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 2:20 am
The widening gap
Bruv;1477140 wrote: ..... Then the desperately poor will need to take the wealth from the rich by force just to survive.
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Precisely. Kaos.
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Precisely. Kaos.