Time to Care

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: muzzleflash

Why do you care so much? Have they personally interfered with your lives?

Show me on the doll where the bad billionaire touched you ...

22,000 children's die a day from poverty, but as long as its not affecting you personally...

No, 22,000 children die from things that occurred while they were impoverished... big difference. If someone is poor but killed by a dictator, it wasn't the poverty that killed them.

Most of the developed world - US in particular, really has no true poverty. No one in the US is living in tin huts, favelas, distended bellies, lacks running water, electricity, etc.

Poor in America means you drive a 20 year old car and may have an Iphone 6.

The OP mentions the world not just the US.

If you die from malnutrition, dirty drinking water, lack of medical care etc, and these things are caused by poverty, then yes poverty very much is responsible.

Many of those people are in poverty because of failed political systems. Dictators, wars, cultural issues, etc. It has nothing to do with that Bill Gates has $100 billion. Of course, it is ironic because he is actually a huge contributor to helping many of those impoverished countries.

Individuals Gates or any billionaire isn't responsible, and Gates has probably done more than most to alleviate poverty.

Criticising the system that generates such massive wealth disparity isn't the same as criticising the individuals that benefit.

Why would you criticize a system that allows people to earn a ton of wealth that they can then give away?

Socialism has people standing in line for bread....

Capitalism has bread waiting for people....

It's not black and white.

No one in their right mind would want pure socialism, it always turns to despotism in extreme forms.

If anyone disagrees with you it seems you immediately turn it into straw man arguments, deflect with half truths, ignoring any part you made mistakes and try to shift the debate so you'll always see your own ideas as Golden when in reality you keep making errors.

You even acted like you were the Master of statistics when in reality that's the biggest abuse of statistics is to claim your supremacy in their use always promoting (coincidentally) your point of view.

There's simply no way to argue with someone like this, it's a huge waste of time because you were convinced you're right and know it all before the debate even began and the debate is little more than a tool to stroke the ego.

If I'm going to pointlessly waste my time achieving nothing I'd prefer better forms of entertainment, thanks.

I completely disagree with you. My reasoning is my Edit add on this post that you may have missed.

I must admit I don't always agree with Edumacated, but dang...he is right. I would definitely say I have never seen in any of his posts ego stroking. If you think so, perhaps you should reconsider and contemplate your life choices that have created the life you obviously despise.

I can be a little snarky...

When you have facts, data, and logic to back your snarkiness...you are not snarking nor ego stroking!

Also I need to add that even if one of us were master of all facts and the harbinger of all truth, it doesn't justify being an arrogant self centered prick that looks down on everyone.

That's bad form and really a result of insecurities.

I will agree and I guess that is why in the past few years I have been disgusted by the pity the poor victim calls from socialists! It is so demeaning and snooty. They look down their noses saying all those poor poor people they need help.

They do but they don't need money tossed at them especially since they have proven by life choices they can't understand financing. They do need educating in life skills...sometimes even the basics. They never should be victimized! They need to be encouraged and strengthened to recognize their personal responsibility in choices.

The baby syndrome of socialism today is sickening and insulting!

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: muzzleflash

Why do you care so much? Have they personally interfered with your lives?

Show me on the doll where the bad billionaire touched you ...

22,000 children's die a day from poverty, but as long as its not affecting you personally...

No, 22,000 children die from things that occurred while they were impoverished... big difference. If someone is poor but killed by a dictator, it wasn't the poverty that killed them.

Most of the developed world - US in particular, really has no true poverty. No one in the US is living in tin huts, favelas, distended bellies, lacks running water, electricity, etc.

Poor in America means you drive a 20 year old car and may have an Iphone 6.

The OP mentions the world not just the US.

If you die from malnutrition, dirty drinking water, lack of medical care etc, and these things are caused by poverty, then yes poverty very much is responsible.

Many of those people are in poverty because of failed political systems. Dictators, wars, cultural issues, etc. It has nothing to do with that Bill Gates has $100 billion. Of course, it is ironic because he is actually a huge contributor to helping many of those impoverished countries.

Individuals Gates or any billionaire isn't responsible, and Gates has probably done more than most to alleviate poverty.

Criticising the system that generates such massive wealth disparity isn't the same as criticising the individuals that benefit.

Why would you criticize a system that allows people to earn a ton of wealth that they can then give away?

Socialism has people standing in line for bread....

Capitalism has bread waiting for people....

It's not black and white.

No one in their right mind would want pure socialism, it always turns to despotism in extreme forms.

If anyone disagrees with you it seems you immediately turn it into straw man arguments, deflect with half truths, ignoring any part you made mistakes and try to shift the debate so you'll always see your own ideas as Golden when in reality you keep making errors.

You even acted like you were the Master of statistics when in reality that's the biggest abuse of statistics is to claim your supremacy in their use always promoting (coincidentally) your point of view.

There's simply no way to argue with someone like this, it's a huge waste of time because you were convinced you're right and know it all before the debate even began and the debate is little more than a tool to stroke the ego.

If I'm going to pointlessly waste my time achieving nothing I'd prefer better forms of entertainment, thanks.

I completely disagree with you. My reasoning is my Edit add on this post that you may have missed.

I must admit I don't always agree with Edumacated, but dang...he is right. I would definitely say I have never seen in any of his posts ego stroking. If you think so, perhaps you should reconsider and contemplate your life choices that have created the life you obviously despise.

I can be a little snarky...

When you have facts, data, and logic to back your snarkiness...you are not snarking nor ego stroking!

Read my post above.

Help him prove his fact about 99.9%.

Dig up any source.

Reality is that you're used to accepting a view that agrees with your view, rather than properly questioning it honestly. That's why you'd accept abuse of statistics (in this case a completely unfactual made-up fake statistic designed to bolster a weak argument).

I will admit that my view is biased. I lived the gypsy life throughout the Rockies and PNW while giving birth to 3 daughters! I met so many others living free but poor and homeless for a myriad of reasons like me, in that decade. The freedom of government and society was not real.

I don't believe anyone has done any unbiased studies on the reality of poverty and homelessness in America. I just know from real life experience...it is not what the government says it is.

Edit add: honestly, just debating with my current hubby, bless his heart, but realized I should clarify that all my research has shown the data and statistics are always connected to a governmental driven budget analysis! Naturally, they are not seeking the truth because the truth of correction is not helping them step up and out. Their own jobs and budgets would suffer if the real issue of actually helping homeless and poverty.

Thus volunteers and charities have my respect, not government agencies.

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: muzzleflash

Why do you care so much? Have they personally interfered with your lives?

Show me on the doll where the bad billionaire touched you ...

22,000 children's die a day from poverty, but as long as its not affecting you personally...

No, 22,000 children die from things that occurred while they were impoverished... big difference. If someone is poor but killed by a dictator, it wasn't the poverty that killed them.

Most of the developed world - US in particular, really has no true poverty. No one in the US is living in tin huts, favelas, distended bellies, lacks running water, electricity, etc.

Poor in America means you drive a 20 year old car and may have an Iphone 6.

The OP mentions the world not just the US.

If you die from malnutrition, dirty drinking water, lack of medical care etc, and these things are caused by poverty, then yes poverty very much is responsible.

Many of those people are in poverty because of failed political systems. Dictators, wars, cultural issues, etc. It has nothing to do with that Bill Gates has $100 billion. Of course, it is ironic because he is actually a huge contributor to helping many of those impoverished countries.

Individuals Gates or any billionaire isn't responsible, and Gates has probably done more than most to alleviate poverty.

Criticising the system that generates such massive wealth disparity isn't the same as criticising the individuals that benefit.

Why would you criticize a system that allows people to earn a ton of wealth that they can then give away?

Socialism has people standing in line for bread....

Capitalism has bread waiting for people....

It's not black and white.

No one in their right mind would want pure socialism, it always turns to despotism in extreme forms.

If anyone disagrees with you it seems you immediately turn it into straw man arguments, deflect with half truths, ignoring any part you made mistakes and try to shift the debate so you'll always see your own ideas as Golden when in reality you keep making errors.

You even acted like you were the Master of statistics when in reality that's the biggest abuse of statistics is to claim your supremacy in their use always promoting (coincidentally) your point of view.

There's simply no way to argue with someone like this, it's a huge waste of time because you were convinced you're right and know it all before the debate even began and the debate is little more than a tool to stroke the ego.

If I'm going to pointlessly waste my time achieving nothing I'd prefer better forms of entertainment, thanks.

I completely disagree with you. My reasoning is my Edit add on this post that you may have missed.

I must admit I don't always agree with Edumacated, but dang...he is right. I would definitely say I have never seen in any of his posts ego stroking. If you think so, perhaps you should reconsider and contemplate your life choices that have created the life you obviously despise.

I can be a little snarky...

When you have facts, data, and logic to back your snarkiness...you are not snarking nor ego stroking!

Read my post above.

Help him prove his fact about 99.9%.

Dig up any source.

Reality is that you're used to accepting a view that agrees with your view, rather than properly questioning it honestly. That's why you'd accept abuse of statistics (in this case a completely unfactual made-up fake statistic designed to bolster a weak argument).

Thanks for demonstrating you didn't watch the video.

The video was about a study done by Heritage Foundation that compared what rich people have vs poor people. They looked at everythign from refrigeration, cars, air conditioning, down to video game consoles....

It showed the percentage of population (both rich and poor) that had those items and also percentage of rich and percentage of poor. Virtually no difference.

a reply to: CynConcepts

You're one of those types, eh? We don't need your pity. And nobody asked for your compassion, either.

The baby syndrome of socialism today is sickening and insulting!

That's essentially like saying I'm Hitler for posting inconvenient facts. And yes, that reply is what I found on page 1. Talk about insults, I couldn't care less. Snowflake me that and snort it?

a reply to: CynConcepts

I agree that most people suck and create even more problems needlessly.

My worry is that the 3,000 people who hold all the political power ($$$) in our pay-to-play political system have grown too powerful. The own the media, the land, etc etc.

All these poor masses rarely have an opportunity to write the laws we all must follow - but these 3,000 tycoons definitely get their way politically most of the time.

There is no decent justification for 7 billion humans serving 3,000 masters. They use lobbies to control our Congress and write our very laws.

That's way too much power in the hands of way too few people. Compound that with how out-of-touch our elites views are and it's a recipe for disaster.

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: muzzleflash

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: muzzleflash

Why do you care so much? Have they personally interfered with your lives?

Show me on the doll where the bad billionaire touched you ...

22,000 children's die a day from poverty, but as long as its not affecting you personally...

No, 22,000 children die from things that occurred while they were impoverished... big difference. If someone is poor but killed by a dictator, it wasn't the poverty that killed them.

Most of the developed world - US in particular, really has no true poverty. No one in the US is living in tin huts, favelas, distended bellies, lacks running water, electricity, etc.

Poor in America means you drive a 20 year old car and may have an Iphone 6.

The OP mentions the world not just the US.

If you die from malnutrition, dirty drinking water, lack of medical care etc, and these things are caused by poverty, then yes poverty very much is responsible.

Many of those people are in poverty because of failed political systems. Dictators, wars, cultural issues, etc. It has nothing to do with that Bill Gates has $100 billion. Of course, it is ironic because he is actually a huge contributor to helping many of those impoverished countries.

Individuals Gates or any billionaire isn't responsible, and Gates has probably done more than most to alleviate poverty.

Criticising the system that generates such massive wealth disparity isn't the same as criticising the individuals that benefit.

Why would you criticize a system that allows people to earn a ton of wealth that they can then give away?

Socialism has people standing in line for bread....

Capitalism has bread waiting for people....

It's not black and white.

No one in their right mind would want pure socialism, it always turns to despotism in extreme forms.

If anyone disagrees with you it seems you immediately turn it into straw man arguments, deflect with half truths, ignoring any part you made mistakes and try to shift the debate so you'll always see your own ideas as Golden when in reality you keep making errors.

You even acted like you were the Master of statistics when in reality that's the biggest abuse of statistics is to claim your supremacy in their use always promoting (coincidentally) your point of view.

There's simply no way to argue with someone like this, it's a huge waste of time because you were convinced you're right and know it all before the debate even began and the debate is little more than a tool to stroke the ego.

If I'm going to pointlessly waste my time achieving nothing I'd prefer better forms of entertainment, thanks.

I completely disagree with you. My reasoning is my Edit add on this post that you may have missed.

I must admit I don't always agree with Edumacated, but dang...he is right. I would definitely say I have never seen in any of his posts ego stroking. If you think so, perhaps you should reconsider and contemplate your life choices that have created the life you obviously despise.

I can be a little snarky...

When you have facts, data, and logic to back your snarkiness...you are not snarking nor ego stroking!

Read my post above.

Help him prove his fact about 99.9%.

Dig up any source.

Reality is that you're used to accepting a view that agrees with your view, rather than properly questioning it honestly. That's why you'd accept abuse of statistics (in this case a completely unfactual made-up fake statistic designed to bolster a weak argument).

Thanks for demonstrating you didn't watch the video.

The video was about a study done by Heritage Foundation that compared what rich people have vs poor people. They looked at everythign from refrigeration, cars, air conditioning, down to video game consoles....

It showed the percentage of population (both rich and poor) that had those items and also percentage of rich and percentage of poor. Virtually no difference.

My hubby and I are considered lower middle class based on income. We live like a king and queen. We have savings for emergencies. We have retirement and luckily a pension that will be rolled over into an ira soon.

We get drunk and ruminate over what is different between us and someone 'rich'. Too be honest, we realize that we are probably enjoying life better than them. Real friends and family and most importantly...no pitchforks on the horizon...YET!

Thru-out my business career, I have made fortunes and pissed it all away into homelessness with alcohol and drugs. Currently I'm riding the crest of the wave financially. But often I remissness about how great it was to just not to give a sh!t about anything. Reality is a question of Perspective...

"Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose"....Pearl

originally posted by: PublicOpinion
a reply to: CynConcepts

You're one of those types, eh? We don't need your pity. And nobody asked for your compassion, either.

The baby syndrome of socialism today is sickening and insulting!

That's essentially like saying I'm Hitler for posting inconvenient facts. And yes, that reply is what I found on page 1. Talk about insults, I couldn't care less. Snowflake me that and snort it?

Personal fact! One of my daughters was being evicted last year on Christmas eve. Now, mind you, she had my grandsons and father there too, they made poor decisions in wanting to live the life of 2 incomes and he rather play vid games, party, and not work. Poor choices certainly.

We assisted with electricity bills due to winter and grandsons. When it came to mortgage we offered my daughter and grandsons live with us. He went on Facebook fund me and a church charity assisted for one month...guess what...he spent the money elsewhere!

My daughter came home christmas eve ( no fooling) with grandsons for a year and has moved out to a more rural area into a 4 bedroom home that is not rent but buying. Life is going extremely well for her now that she recognized that she is responsible for her choices. It was a real happy new year for all of us!

So I am not calling you a Hitler, I am stating that you may be as mislead as the Germans were though. They were not bad, just mislead by proproganda and then, yes, eventually scared for their own lives. Never give up to victimization, because it manipulates you into believing you have no personal choice or control.

originally posted by: muzzleflash
a reply to: CynConcepts

I agree that most people suck and create even more problems needlessly.

My worry is that the 3,000 people who hold all the political power ($$$) in our pay-to-play political system have grown too powerful. The own the media, the land, etc etc.

All these poor masses rarely have an opportunity to write the laws we all must follow - but these 3,000 tycoons definitely get their way politically most of the time.

There is no decent justification for 7 billion humans serving 3,000 masters. They use lobbies to control our Congress and write our very laws.

That's way too much power in the hands of way too few people. Compound that with how out-of-touch our elites views are and it's a recipe for disaster.

If you look at Bloombergs Daily index on Billionaires...their fortunes fluctuate immensely. My point is that I agree that lobby power, pay to play, corporate campaign pacs, ect need to go.

I just cannot support taxing wealthy folks who worked hard. Common sense says that they created those $$$ from smart decisions and hard work. Some did get lucky, but lucky folks don't last long since luck never wins over common sense logic in the long run. It will be a financial disaster for them.

Wealth fluctuates, but if you just outright try to equalize everyone via government (communism) you will still have elites...but they are in government and actually have no financial sense on how to spend and make their investment grow for a profit.

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: muzzleflash

Why do you care so much? Have they personally interfered with your lives?

Show me on the doll where the bad billionaire touched you ...

22,000 children's die a day from poverty, but as long as its not affecting you personally...

No, 22,000 children die from things that occurred while they were impoverished... big difference. If someone is poor but killed by a dictator, it wasn't the poverty that killed them.

Most of the developed world - US in particular, really has no true poverty. No one in the US is living in tin huts, favelas, distended bellies, lacks running water, electricity, etc.

Poor in America means you drive a 20 year old car and may have an Iphone 6.

The OP mentions the world not just the US.

If you die from malnutrition, dirty drinking water, lack of medical care etc, and these things are caused by poverty, then yes poverty very much is responsible.

Many of those people are in poverty because of failed political systems. Dictators, wars, cultural issues, etc. It has nothing to do with that Bill Gates has $100 billion. Of course, it is ironic because he is actually a huge contributor to helping many of those impoverished countries.

Individuals Gates or any billionaire isn't responsible, and Gates has probably done more than most to alleviate poverty.

Criticising the system that generates such massive wealth disparity isn't the same as criticising the individuals that benefit.

Why would you criticize a system that allows people to earn a ton of wealth that they can then give away?

Socialism has people standing in line for bread....

Capitalism has bread waiting for people....

Unregulated capitalism is as dysfunctional as pure socialism.

Fortunately it's not a binary choice.

a reply to: olaru12

I'll take it as a hint to hurry the f*** up with that olaru painting. Just kidding, I wont.

But often I remissness about how great it was just not to give a sh!t about anything.

Right?

Imagine everyone having this opportunity, at least when it comes to the basics like food, clothes, housing and medicine. The potential!

Wait! I can't even... why did you do this? So offensive! Just think about all those people who plan every single step accordingly cuz there's so much to lose.

originally posted by: PublicOpinion
a reply to: olaru12

I'll take it as a hint to hurry the f*** up with that olaru painting. Just kidding, I wont.

But often I remissness about how great it was just not to give a sh!t about anything.

Right?

Imagine everyone having this opportunity, at least when it comes to the basics like food, clothes, housing and medicine. The potential!

Wait! I can't even... why did you do this? So offensive! Just think about all those people who plan every single step accordingly cuz there's so much to lose.

Dude or dudette, I think you need to reread that post again. I may be wrong and only the poster can clarify...but I think you responded with a 180 bias view of the post that I read.

I hardly ever agree with that poster, but found respect in that share. I understand. The phase I didn't give a freak, paraphrased, is honest but not ever a successful personal choice.

to the poster sharing.

originally posted by: Ahabstar
Wealth and poverty are incentives when nothing else matters. You will work harder to better yourself. Just the same as you will work harder to avoid being hungry.

...and the western world has all but entirely removed the natural incentives to motivate people to better themselves and work hard for themselves by subsidizing everything for those too lazy or who think they are unable to provide for their own living. Welfare has caused the wealth gap far more than it has challenged it.

originally posted by: PublicOpinion
a reply to: olaru12

I'll take it as a hint to hurry the f*** up with that olaru painting. Just kidding, I wont.

But often I remissness about how great it was just not to give a sh!t about anything.

Right?

Imagine everyone having this opportunity, at least when it comes to the basics like food, clothes, housing and medicine. The potential!

Wait! I can't even... why did you do this? So offensive! Just think about all those people who plan every single step accordingly cuz there's so much to lose.

Perhaps I deserve your criticism and it wasn't my intention to offend anyone. My life has been a struggle with alcoholism and drugs as did my entire family.

Thankfully I have found Serenity in the love of a beautiful woman, a higher power, and the 12step program of AA and just blind luck. I thank God constantly that I wasn't a casualty and blessed to help others with their demons.

But being criticized on ATS is 'nec refert' there is a comfort in being labeled a "people like you" I have no desire to join the circle jerk cult.

a reply to: muzzleflash

Free toilets and water in stores, government buildings, airports. Free food all over the place. Shelters, churches, food pantrys. If someone took items out of grocery food donation barrels nobody would say anything. I would even say it's higher than 99% in the US. Closer to 100. That doesn't even account for government assistance. It's closer to 100% have access to all those things.

a reply to: CynConcepts

So I am not calling you a Hitler, I am stating that you may be as mislead as the Germans were though. They were not bad, just mislead by proproganda and then, yes, eventually scared for their own lives. Never give up to victimization, because it manipulates you into believing you have no personal choice or control.

Not every billionaire is a direct victim of inheritance. Whatever, who cares. Having a long hard look in the mirror would be misleading, and I'm victimizing everyone with posting the raw data for everyone to see. Happy now?

Thing is, the stock markets can't be entrusted with spending a decade worth of QE, obviously. It's a somewhat systemic issue, and we call it profits from stock-buybacks.
Here's the rub: we wouldn't be having this debate right now if you had experts (like olaru and myself) dump our money in actual markets. That's the fix we needed after 2008, the one we didn't get even if it was supposed to do precisely that.

We are at a point in time, in which we can't even debate Obama's politics without having some entitled wannabe ultra-richs acting all offended. Kinda hilarious tho. Just a moderate Rapepublican after all, wasn't he?

originally posted by: PublicOpinion
a reply to: CynConcepts

So I am not calling you a Hitler, I am stating that you may be as mislead as the Germans were though. They were not bad, just mislead by proproganda and then, yes, eventually scared for their own lives. Never give up to victimization, because it manipulates you into believing you have no personal choice or control.

Not every billionaire is a direct victim of inheritance. Whatever, who cares. Having a long hard look in the mirror would be misleading, and I'm victimizing everyone with posting the raw data for everyone to see. Happy now?

Thing is, the stock markets can't be entrusted with spending a decade worth of QE, obviously. It's a somewhat systemic issue, and we call it profits from stock-buybacks.
Here's the rub: we wouldn't be having this debate right now if you had experts (like olaru and myself) dump our money in actual markets. That's the fix we needed after 2008, the one we didn't get even if it was supposed to do precisely that.

We are at a point in time, in which we can't even debate Obama's politics without having some entitled wannabe ultra-richs acting all offended. Kinda hilarious tho. Just a moderate Rapepublican after all, wasn't he?

I will be honest, your post is confusing me. You are all over the place compared with your initial OP post. I have no problem with data. Shared my own on how many billionaires there are today compared to the first in 1916. Statistically, it is exponentially expanding.

I also stated being a billionaire is not my thing. Quite happy living life without having to take someone else's earnings. I am certainly not going to be cocky and say I am an expert. Expert is not needed. Common sense and logic get you much further.

As far as wannabe ultra rich acting offended? Seriously, don't recall anyone in these posts who have exuded this except those who stated they believed no one should make more than a certain amount.

That is crazy since even within America, one's $$$ are more valuable based on simply on where one is geographically located. For crying out loud that is why legal and illegal immigrants who do not want citizenship but only work...return or send their money home. Just more bang for their buck.

As far as Obama? I admit I cannot see where he is being personified in this discussion. Socialistic government policies have been progressing long before he was born and he is past history to our future.

Sorry, and hope I am not as confusing as your last post, but tried to decipher a response as best I could.


Edit add: for me, it is crazy insane to put a monetary figure on what is rich or wealthy, especially when grouping the world globally. It is way too broad of a stroke.

a reply to: olaru12

Perhaps I deserve your criticism and it wasn't my intention to offend anyone. My life has been a struggle with alcoholism and drugs as did my entire family.

You definitely don't, I was kidding in the spirit of not GAF. Your fault, actually.

Thankfully I have found Serenity in the love of a beautiful woman, a higher power, and the 12step program of AA and just blind luck. I thank God constantly that I wasn't a casualty and blessed to help others with their demons.

God bless, my friend!

But being criticized on ATS is 'nec refert' there is a comfort in being labeled a "people like you" I have no desire to join the circle jerk cult.

Probably just part of the human condition, and it goes a long way to show how entrenched positions have become over time. Those positions involve certain narratives, like "free markets" for example, which is why the whole thing turns sour quickly. The moment you question said narratives, is the moment you're essentially questioning a whole set of belief systems, values and literally incorporated perspectives.

Sympathy biases chime in, stuff gets personal, drama ensues. Rinse and repeat. I have yet to see how this debate turns out differently, is that even possible? Who knows. I'm open for suggestions.

a reply to: CynConcepts

No worries, the feeling is mutual.

I will be honest, your post is confusing me. You are all over the place compared with your initial OP post. I have no problem with data. Shared my own on how many billionaires there are today compared to the first in 1916. Statistically, it is exponentially expanding.

We're on the same page already, shouldn't be so hard to hash out the rest when the time is ready for that. I'll try, but you'll have to stop consuming MSM propaganda ASAP! Let me explain.

As far as Obama? I admit I cannot see where he is being personified in this discussion. Socialistic government policies have been progressing long before he was born and he is past history to our future.

Bailing out the banks wasn't the socialist solution to the problem of 2008. Look up what the actual socialist gubbermint of Iceland did?

It's simple things like this that have me confused with your posts, and I don't blame you. I blame the Doublespeak our MSM weaponizes constantly, which would include this scarecrow called socialism. As if this reignited interest for socialism, or any political activism from the Left for that matter, would be the issue here...
We don't speak the same English anymore, even if we might agree on basic elements in a thread like this. You can see how all those misrepresentations and prejudices literally stand between us, right? We can't even talk about bailouts without having the concept of socialism (or perceptions of a Dem politician for that matter) haunt us.

You're right, bailing out banks was sold as a socialist policy with the intention to support... no, with the intention to save the markets from a crash we're going to see regardless. And they told us "there is no alternative". Well. Those trolls from Iceland possibly knew what was going to happen, which is why they stuck to their social system and didn't bail out banks. And that's the socialist policy in my book.

So yeah, I think it's fair to assume that Obama is somewhat personified in this increasing wealth inequality. This is a direct result of his politics. And I'm only talking about the two main aspects of the term "Socialist gubbermint policies" here, now you know what exactly I'm getting at with doublespeak. It derives terms of meaning, and thus most conversations within that context are nothing more than the exchange of prejudices without any real talk whatsoever, but with lots of emotions. Thanks for making a difference, I hope your interest wasn't misplaced entirely.

originally posted by: CynConcepts

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: muzzleflash

Why do you care so much? Have they personally interfered with your lives?

Show me on the doll where the bad billionaire touched you ...

22,000 children's die a day from poverty, but as long as its not affecting you personally...

No, 22,000 children die from things that occurred while they were impoverished... big difference. If someone is poor but killed by a dictator, it wasn't the poverty that killed them.

Most of the developed world - US in particular, really has no true poverty. No one in the US is living in tin huts, favelas, distended bellies, lacks running water, electricity, etc.

Poor in America means you drive a 20 year old car and may have an Iphone 6.

The OP mentions the world not just the US.

If you die from malnutrition, dirty drinking water, lack of medical care etc, and these things are caused by poverty, then yes poverty very much is responsible.

Around the world poverty exists due to government overreach and policies. Most poverty stricken areas is due to tyrants controlling their populace through governmental bs.

Poverty is less in nations that allow the poverty stricken to become entrepreneurs without regulations.

Poverty exists without any help from government.

The countries with highest quality of life tend to have a balanced mix of free market and state provision.