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Income Distribution in USA - Chart and Graph

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posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 01:26 PM
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reply to post by jjkenobi
 


I don't. I'm a vet living with my parents and my son and in college.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:02 PM
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An average of $31,244 a year?

Well, i invite you all to come to live here in Brazil then. The D Class, which is one of the lowest in Brazil, corresponded in 2007 of about 40% of the population. These people makes up to R$600,00 a month (something around $360 a month). This makes $4320,00 a year. But the Education and Health system here are horrendous, so if these people want to have a education and a health passable in their lives, they're going to have to pay. But, with this wage, of course, they can't. And i'm not even going to talk about Security, Public Transportation, etc.

Today the Brazilian government adjusted the Minimum Wage to R$545,00 (something around $327 a month). Do you guys have any idea what is to live and raise a family with $327 dollars a month on a country that gives you almost nothing back?

A Statistic Department made some calculation last year and discovered that, for a Brazilian to have a passable standard of living, we would need a Minimum Wage of R$ 2.227,53, or $1.338,00 dollars every month ($16.060,00 a year).

So, with this post i meant to say: "Consider yourselves lucky".



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:05 PM
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Originally posted by James1982

Originally posted by topdog30
reply to post by dawnstar
 


Yes I'm really in that top 1%. Nice cheap shot by the way.

So why are you below the mean?



If he posts his, you should too. You know, to show that not once in your life you had an advantage that you weren't responsible for. Maybe parents paying for college, hookup in the family business, that sort of thing (not saying you did, but many do) Whole life story, please.



Grew up in a mobile home in Indianapolis, IN with both parents. My dad is retired US Air Force and my mother was disabled. After my father retired he work as a janitor as he didn't have anything more than a GED, he dropped out of high school at 17 to join the military. I didn't do good in school as I played around to much and thought my athletic ability would make up for my poor grades and land me a scholarship. That scholarship never materialized. I ended up joining the US Air Force myself. While I was in the Air Force I learned how to save money and make it work for me. I started investing my money and created a company so I didn't have to do something I didn't want to. I knew plenty of people who hated their jobs and I didn't want that to be me.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:07 PM
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Originally posted by devildogUSMC
I'm below the mean because I chose to fight for you and the rest of the 1% instead of going right to college. Tell me you worked harder than me topdog. Do you want to share with me?


I'm a Vet as well. What is working hard??? Physical labor??? Been there done that & got the T-shirt. Have fun!



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:25 PM
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Originally posted by topdog30

I'm a Vet as well. What is working hard??? Physical labor??? Been there done that & got the T-shirt. Have fun!


Just because you created a successful business why does that mean that you need to make large amounts of money instead of sharing it with your employees that make your business what it is.

Also you don't know hard work and stress is unless you were an infantry soldier going through the mountains of afghanistan.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:28 PM
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reply to post by CaptGizmo
 



You have to make your own opportunities sometimes. Thats what I did, thats what alot of people do. Why do people assume someone just shows and hands us money? The Ultra wealthy have had that money in the family for a while, but someone had to start making that money. Yes some at that end of the chart were born into it, some also busted their butt to earn it to. Not all of us have things handed to us. I'm not mad about them getting a head start, good for them. Its not the truth, its your opinion. You think I was born into money??? I would have had to pay my way their college if I would have went instead of joining the military. I know what it was like growing up with out a lot of things.

All of the 1% are not arrogant, you just look up at them with such jealousy and anger you think they are. How many people do you personally know that are in the 1%?? You probably assume anyone with money acts like those idiots you see on tv. They don't. If you saw my house, car and me in person you would never know what wealth I have acquired.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:29 PM
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I just want to throw in my thoughts -

(a) It was mentioned that it was unfortunate that people believed redistribution of wealth = socialism. The first error is in assuming that people with money do not deserve to use it as they choose. To break that contract is to redefine the entire system and mark my words it will come collapsing down around you and there will still be filthy rich and corrupt bastards but instead of them having earned it through their ideas and efforts that will have stolen it from the system. If people are no longer free to keep what they earn then they stop trying - there is a remarkable difference between the attitudes of an American and of a person in Eastern Europe. We move faster and get more done because of that attitude and thats what drives a lot of the business and opportunity in this world.

I am all for poor earning more and for the rich earning less but it has to be driven by demand and not force. A rich person with money is no different than any of us - they want their money to go as far as it can and so they pay people what they demand. If the free market says a person at a fast food restaurant makes minimum wage then thats what they will be paid and if a store manager makes $35000 then that is what a person in that role will be paid. The salaries around the positions we see are based off of skills and experience required (the effort you put in drives a higher salaries).

If you were not raised with parents that could afford an education for you and it has diminished your opportunities then you should do everything in your power to ensure that does not happen to your children. Put away more and ensure your children break the cycle. There are, however, countless stories of people coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and making it big.

It isn't just the poor that suffer from this though. I grew up in a decent area (not rich but not poor) and most everyone I graduated with went to college but the vast majority didn't care, didn't have a skill, and didn't have any career interests, and so despite their higher education they still didn't pull down decent jobs.

(b) That said, there IS a banking oligarchy that is draining prosperity out of the United States (and world) that needs to be stopped. The USD has lost over 800% of its value since 1950 and I think the real reason so many people are hurting is not because of the people in the top 10% but because the opportunities which used to exist 60 years ago do not exist any longer, have been shipped overseas, and the values of businesses eroded through the debt system.

I do recognize that if this continues the top 99.99% will be considered poor because the cost of living will be so incredibly high and the prospects of retirement slim to none (laws forbidding multi-family residence only helps fuel the problem). In that regard - we are all becoming serfs and we are being herded in to our villages (urban cities) and away from their castles (in the country) not much has changed there.

So - I'm all for change but lets recognize the real problem and not give up our freedoms for some forced redistribution of wealth and socialism. The freedoms we have are the only thing that has held the bankers off. Socialism (in practice) just hands the keys of power over completely to the bankers and gives them an army to play with.
edit on 2/24/2011 by ararisq because: Fixed wording.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:34 PM
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Originally posted by ldyserenity
Personally some of us are below the mean because (GASP!) we don't let our world revolve around money and or materialism. Some of us have higher goals in life.
And the rest maybe their lesson on this earth does not include having money. Their lesson may be to learn how to survive. Remember whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
edit on 24-2-2011 by ldyserenity because: to add



Some of us in the top 1% don't let our world revolve around materialistic items as well. I wanted to make money so I could have more time. Money buys me time to do what every I want, that was my goal. I'm only here for a short time and I don't want to waste it.

What is your higher goal??



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:46 PM
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Originally posted by tempesillest

Originally posted by topdog30

I'm a Vet as well. What is working hard??? Physical labor??? Been there done that & got the T-shirt. Have fun!


Just because you created a successful business why does that mean that you need to make large amounts of money instead of sharing it with your employees that make your business what it is.

Also you don't know hard work and stress is unless you were an infantry soldier going through the mountains of afghanistan.


You have know idea what I or my employees make. My employees don't make my business what it is. I created the system they follow, not them! I'm the one who makes sure they have a place to work by making sure this business stays profitable. I'm the one who works 12 to 15 hours a day. Not them. Why don't you go create jobs instead of complaining, you can pay your employees what every you want.

I'm glad you're the one who decides what hard work is and isn't. You don't know me or everything I have ever been through. I scored to high on the ASVAB to be an infantry soldier. I have been to Afghanistan.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:53 PM
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reply to post by ararisq
 


I really enjoyed reading what you wrote.

Me saying I was part of the 1% brought out the wolves like I had done something to them.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 02:58 PM
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Originally posted by topdog30
reply to post by ararisq
 

I really enjoyed reading what you wrote. Me saying I was part of the 1% brought out the wolves like I had done something to them.


Did I pass the job interview?



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 03:02 PM
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In addition to my above (lengthier) post - I just posted an article on ATS - The End of the US Dollar? which I think relates to what I was saying above - that the cause of this inequality is not the people in themselves but the system as it was established in 1913 which is an overthrow of the true free market. The first chart in that article "US Dollar Purchasing Power: 1774 to 2008" shows how the banking elite had to continually overthrow the original system that was established until in 1913 they won out for good.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 03:13 PM
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Originally posted by topdog30
I would like to hear your excuses as to why your on the bottom.

So you think that since I'm in the top 1% I should share what I've worked hard for with you? What have you people done to improve your income?


Oh, my dear. How about you keeping what you have, and the rest of us getting all we want, too? (See the Ethical Planetarian Party Platform link in my sig.)

As for "excuses..." I am at the very bottom. I have applied to over 35,000 jobs since laid off in 2006. I am older (54 years old), and am competing with 20- and 30-somethings. It has become a pattern to see the "Oh. She's old" look in the eyes of interviewers when I walk in. So, I guess my "excuse" is that I am not 25 years old.

What would you propose I do to change that?



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 03:13 PM
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Originally posted by ararisq

Originally posted by topdog30
reply to post by ararisq
 

I really enjoyed reading what you wrote. Me saying I was part of the 1% brought out the wolves like I had done something to them.


Did I pass the job interview?



I wish I had a position available. Maybe one day I can hire someone off of ATS so they can report I'm not a bad guy.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 03:18 PM
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Bumping this one just so it remains on my post lists.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 03:23 PM
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Originally posted by Amaterasu

Originally posted by topdog30
I would like to hear your excuses as to why your on the bottom.

So you think that since I'm in the top 1% I should share what I've worked hard for with you? What have you people done to improve your income?


Oh, my dear. How about you keeping what you have, and the rest of us getting all we want, too? (See the Ethical Planetarian Party Platform link in my sig.)

As for "excuses..." I am at the very bottom. I have applied to over 35,000 jobs since laid off in 2006. I am older (54 years old), and am competing with 20- and 30-somethings. It has become a pattern to see the "Oh. She's old" look in the eyes of interviewers when I walk in. So, I guess my "excuse" is that I am not 25 years old.

What would you propose I do to change that?



WOW 35,000 job applications!! Obviously there is nothing you can do to change your age. I'm surprised no one has given you a chance since you're only 54. Are you able to get more training to make your self more marketable? Can you relocate to a different area? What are things you enjoy doing, something you absolutely love doing? Can you turn it into something income producing? Wish I could be more helpful, what kind of area do you live in? Maybe I can create some possible income producing ideas for you.
edit on 24-2-2011 by topdog30 because: missing a word



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 03:56 PM
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Originally posted by topdog30
reply to post by CaptGizmo
 



You have to make your own opportunities sometimes. Thats what I did, thats what alot of people do. Why do people assume someone just shows and hands us money? The Ultra wealthy have had that money in the family for a while, but someone had to start making that money. Yes some at that end of the chart were born into it, some also busted their butt to earn it to. Not all of us have things handed to us. I'm not mad about them getting a head start, good for them. Its not the truth, its your opinion. You think I was born into money??? I would have had to pay my way their college if I would have went instead of joining the military. I know what it was like growing up with out a lot of things.

All of the 1% are not arrogant, you just look up at them with such jealousy and anger you think they are. How many people do you personally know that are in the 1%?? You probably assume anyone with money acts like those idiots you see on tv. They don't. If you saw my house, car and me in person you would never know what wealth I have acquired.


Look I have to apologize to you. I did not mean to rant on you in particular and I do know some of the upper 1% earned what they got and rightfully deserve it if they worked hard for it and made all the right choices. I guess I am talking in general about people such as the many wall street banker barons and families like the Rothschilds.
Sorry if I offended you, I did not intend that.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 04:02 PM
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Originally posted by topdog30

WOW 35,000 job applications!! Obviously there is nothing you can do to change your age. I'm surprised no one has given you a chance since you're only 54. Are you able to get more training to make your self more marketable? Can you relocate to a different area? What are things you enjoy doing, something you absolutely love doing? Can you turn it into something income producing? Wish I could be more helpful, what kind of area do you live in? Maybe I can create some possible income producing ideas for you.


Yup. On the Interweb and in person. I have had about 100 interviews.

I am very well trained in graphics, video production, writing, editing, banking, analysis, and more. I have no car, and get $563 a month - $200 is food stamps, $325 is rent, and $38 is for TP, shampoo, soap, dish liquid, laundry soap, laundry itself, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes, vitamins (no, food stamps will not cover "supplements"), bus fare, and so on.

No real transportation, no real training needed, and what I LOVE to do is graphics, video production and writing. I live in a college town (ivy league) in central NY state. I am competing with college students (who work for peanuts often). I would love to hear any suggestions. [smile]



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 04:17 PM
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reply to post by CaptGizmo
 


Apology accepted. I'm not here trying to cause trouble or poke fun at people for not being wealthy. I was wanting to know why some of the people on here were below the mean. What has happened to cause them to be where they are. WE ALL have to make choices, and these choices lead us to where we are. Some of us have had bad situations happen to us that were out of our control. WE ALL face adversity at times during this life. You're right about those barons and the families who control the show. I know text on a computer screen can not convey the tone of voice the person is using and it can be taken wrong. If I have offended you I'm sorry as well.



posted on Feb, 24 2011 @ 08:58 PM
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reply to post by topdog30
 


Personally, I think your story sounds like pure BS. I don't buy it at all.

Even so, being in the top 1% does not make you rich, let alone wealthy, you are just a successful small business man. Congrats, if your story is true. Chances are that you pay more than your fair share of taxes, and contribute greatly to the economy.

If your business normally does not conduct business across state and federal borders, chances are that you are paying far more federal taxes than you are getting out of the system, and essentially supporting people like Gates and Murdoch. Maybe you don't realize this, because you have been programmed to believe your money goes to welfare cheat, but it is corporate welfare bums who take most of your money.

Then again if you hire numerous illegal aliens, then you are just another crook cheating the system. People like me are supporting your business through our Fed and State taxes.

So what? You work 12 to 15 hours a day, lots of people do that, and they aren't taking home half a mil a year.

You might think you are top dog, but chances are you are some bigger dog's bit#@. People who post with the the type of self entitlement you express here usually are.




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