Do you see any way to balance the financial inequality in our world today?

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   Cas Merchantposted 10 years ago

   Do you see any way to balance the financial inequality in our world today?
   
   The rich people seem to be getting greedier by the day, while the poor are struggling to make it THROUGH the day. It is so blatently unfair! Do you see any way to begin to right this wrong, or will it continue forever? Where do you see it all heading?
   
   

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2. 75

   d.williamposted 10 years ago

   Yes, there is a solution, but we will never see it come to pass.
   First everyone has to realize that this planet was not designed for the benefit of a select few greedy and self serving people.
   We make laws for everything from 'Abortion rights' to 'Zoo regulations'. 
   There should be laws governing fair and equitable distribution of wealth. 
   Any country (as well as every family unit) has a finite amount of income earned, so we must learn to live within that amount or pay dire consequences.
   When laws protect the wealthy, Corporate America, and greed in general, we are allowing those few to take exorbitant amounts of money out of circulation, bleeding our economy dry to wither and die.
   There should be caps placed on corporate profits, private bonuses-retirement benefits-and hoarding by the few who hold the control of all finances.
   The greedy will never allow this to happen,and those aspiring to take more than they need will join them in that objection to hoarding.
   The GOP is now filing suit against the US government for "hoarding" ammunition that they can possibly use against the people in the case of an uprising of the people against the government.   But they fight to maintain the right of individuals and monopolies to hoard money, take away rights from employees, exploit the planet for profit, cause mass pollution of the limited resources of the planet that is vital to sustaining life.
   The shifting of human values toward humanitarianism, instead of placing such value on the greed of a few, must be addressed in relationship to the needs of the entire planet population, not the select few. 
   And especially the need for humanity to begin facing the realities of our individual life expectancy, basic human needs, and just plain common decency.

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      Cas Merchantposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Extremely well said! Have you thought about writing a hub about this? If not, you should...it was an excellent answer!

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   2. 75

      d.williamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i already have but not too many people agree with me - they just call me names like communist, fascist, liberal, progressive, crackpot - you know, all those derogatory names for people like me- non conservative and free thinking

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      CalebSparksposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There is nothing "fair" about "distributing" someone's wealth to other people. Also, your idea that income is finite is misguided. More wealth and prosperity can be created by those who work...if left alone by government regulation and "distribution.

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      d.williamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      i didn't say "distribute" anyone's wealth?every economy has a finite $$ amount. If not we can just print enough to pay off the nat'l debt.  It is the hoarding 2 the point of damage that i refer to. excessive greed is not good for any economy.

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      CalebSparksposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You just contradicted yourself. You are proposing that the government should prevent rich people from doing what they please with their wealth. Hope for financial gain is what builds the economy. Why else own a business if you can't profit from it?

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   6. 75

      d.williamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      profits R a good thing.  hoarding is not. Removing $$ from circulation 2 excess will collapse any economy. We need a complete new view of capitalism with focus on needs of people - not corporations

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   7. 0

      CalebSparksposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think we can agree that a partnership between corporations and the government has created monstrous problems. However, it gets sticky when you try to force someone to use their own wealth in a certain way.

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3. 95

   chef-de-jourposted 10 years ago

   The best way to start would be for all governments to review their TAX relationships with the corporate giants, and get them to pay a fair share of tax to the country they get business from. At the moment the UK is trying to get Google and others to admit that they are exploiting loopholes in the tax rules. Google has an office in Ireland and claims that because of this they don't have to pay full taxes in the UK - ok I've simplified it but the message is clear. They make zillions of dollars profit but the UK does not get a fair share of that in reasonable taxes. Google is not alone.
   
   Corporate tax dodging is rife and it should be a priority of heads of governments to tackle this issue. I wonder why it isn't a top priority? Because it would cause anxiety amongst big business and that would unsettle the markets.
   
   
   There are political forces in every system in every country that do try to redress the imbalance between the greedy rich and the deserving poor.but they're in the minority. Most governments are set up to thwart the passing of truly radical bills and laws so the few privileged can remain at the top of the 'democratic' pile. You'll find many sponsors of political parties and lobbyists have interests of their own to maintain!!
   
   Democracy where are you!! Covered under a pile of ****.
   
   The corporate and stock market system is such a monster these days that it would take a huge shock to unsettle it. Even the banking crisis of 2007/8/09 didn't have a terminal effect.
   
   BUT, some pioneers and campaigners really do work hard against the currents of commercialism and greed to get as much out of the system for the poor that they can. They try to promote such things as co-operatives, associations, even charities but they're often stigmatised as socialists. Ooops!
   
   Capitalism is a cruel system. I wish we had a better alternative. Karl Marx tried to change things back in the day when he witnessed the poor working classes of London and decided to write a book about it. Equality was what he wanted, a level playing field for all. Communism grew out of that idea and we've all seen the results of such a mindset. Communists become fascists somewhere along the line and that's not what we want!!
   
   We have to play with the hand we're dealt and change the pack only if there's no other alternative.
   
   I'd love to see obscene profit taxed more.
   Millionaires and billionaires to be stopped storing their wealth off shore.
   More help for old poor people.
   Less money spent in the name of security and defence!!

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      d.williamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I must say you have a better grasp on expressing yourself than i do. Kudos for your comments.

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      CalebSparksposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Taking away the freedom (through Communism) to grow and earn wealth will effectively cause people to cease working, producing, and innovating. Why work hard to be successful when the government will reward your work by capping it and extreme taxing?

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   CalebSparksposted 10 years ago

   It is true that greed is present everywhere you look in the world. It is also true that many good people are treated wrongly when it comes to employment and money. However, I think it is important to point out the difference between wealth that is gained by WORK and wealth gained through UNJUST means.
   
   Many people have indeed grown rich through deceit, cheating, and illegal activities. This is wrong and should be recognized as such. However, many MORE people have become wealthy by perseverance and hard work. Many have begun with very limited resources and by careful attention and a lot of sweat have spent decades becoming financially successful. This should be applauded. Where would most of the workers in the world be had they not been hired by a "rich" business owner or company?
   
   The next time you come in contact with a "rich" person, why not ask them how they got their wealth rather than assuming that they must have cheated someone. Many of the so-called "rich" have given MILLIONS from their own resources to charities and to help people. When you take away the hope of receiving gain through work, you will see a nation crumble.
   
   Becoming financially successful by hard work, initiative, and patience is not something for which to be ashamed. The people who should be ashamed are those who aim to take wealth from those who have earned it and distribute it to those who have not earned it.
   
   The fact is, many of the people that complain about the "greedy rich" are just lazy losers that lack the character and initiative to change their financial situation.
   
   
   P.S. -- In case you are wondering...I am not a "rich guy". I have just been reared to  value hard work and justice.

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      d.williamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Ur views R 2 narrow. Greed is NEVER good. It doesn't matter how wealth is accumulated, when hoarding it hurts others does. Most people don't want something 4 nothing, just the chance at earning fair wages.those few who take advantage can't B factored

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      CalebSparksposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with people having a chance to earn what they're worth. Many corporations and businesses have taken advantage of poor workers. My point is that it's wrong to steal---even if you are the government.

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5. 58

   taburkettposted 10 years ago

   You have defined rich as greedy and poor as a victim.  However, in many social situations, it is the opposite.  A poverty cycle is filled with many situations where individuals who are considered poor do not put forth the effort to improve.  However, under your description, the only thing keeping the poor from equality is the greed of the wealthy.  Your perception appears to be solely biased such that no recognition of the responsibilities of your defined poor is acceptable to you.  This is the typical definition found in the socialist and communist manifestoes where distribution is controlled by the government.  These governments have been shown to oppress more that any capitalist based state where people are free to choose their destiny.  In the capitalist state, each individual is capable of achieving through lawful and moral advancement.  Through their own innovation and skill development a person in the capital society can extend their income as far as they desire by acquiring the skills necessary to increase their economic status.  It is innovation and hard work that have always provided the best avenue for economic advancement.  Therefore, the suffering poor need to acquire the skills of the rich if equality is to be achieved.  Without skill advancement the poor will remain poor, no matter how much the leaders of society desire them to become equal.  In order for society to actually be equal, then equal work, equal participation in government, equal responsibility, and equal honor is required.  There has never been such a society, and there never will be because there are too many takers who wish to keep the scales unbalanced in these requirements.  Currently, it is those who wish to create a New World Order that wish to keep the scales unbalanced by taking from those who produce to give to those who do not.  I see this heading into the destruction of society as immoral institutions continue to spread chaos within the communities by jamming racism, class-warfare, and welfare reform through the welfare state that keeps the poor enslaved under the guise of protection.  The welfare state plays a key role in the rejection of advancement and promotion of inequality in economic and social well-being of its citizens.  This is done by invoking bureaucracy that embellishes complacency rather than productivity.  This is the model used by the USA.

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6. 68

   LandmarkWealthposted 10 years ago

   Yes, get the gov't out of the business of trying to socially engineer the marketplace.  The more the gov't through fiscal and monetary measures attempts to create social economic equality, the less you will get.  You cannot lift people out of poverty by bringing other people down from success.  Wealth is created through innovation and productivity.  It is not redistributed. 
   
   In fiscal terms, The more punitive the tax code is towards those who create the most wealth, the less they will pay.  There is always away to shelter income and wealth from taxation.  The more punitive the tax system is, the more incentive there is not to invest resources which would ultimately create growth for all.  Look at the income tax system in the US.  We hear a lot about the so-called greedy paying their fair share.  Yet, the top 0.01% of taxpayers already pay more than the bottom 80% of taxpayers.  That is the most disproportionate the tax code has ever been.  Has that helped the poor...Not at all.  Because the gov't will never and has never helped lift the poor out of poverty through social policy.  All they will do is give them enough to stay poor and dependent on gov't aid.   Which only benefits elected officials who promise the aid to get re-elected.
   
   On the monetary side, central banks have actively destroyed the purchasing power of currency over the last century.  The US dollar has lost more than 90% of its purchasing power since the Federal Reserve was created.  Current Fed policy helps wealthy people who own things like commodities as assets appreciate, while hurting the poor who must consume them and don't benefit from the increase in investment value.
   
   People need to start to realize that in a free society, there will always be inequality.  There will always be people who are willing to work harder and make more sacrifices than others.  Some will simply be smarter and more innovative.  The issue is not inequality, as much as it is the standard of living for those at the bottom.  That will only improve from proper economic incentives and letting markets lift people out of poverty.  That requires capital investment.  And a punitive policy towards the creation of wealth does not create equality.  It creates disincentive.   
   On the topic of greed...I always find it a funny accusation.  Somehow it's never greedy to expect someone to turn over to you that which they created freely through their own hard work and dedication which you have nothing to do with.

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well SAID!

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   Marisaupaposted 10 years ago

   True fairness is being free from bias and injustice. As such, it would be unfair to punish the achievers purely out of a sense of "compassion" for underachievers.
   
   It would be unjust and unnatural to strive for a balanced distribution of wealth across populations. Work, risk and dedication must have their own rewards in order to advance us as a species. This is a cold and brutal reality, but it is a reality nonetheless.
   
   The fact that there are rich and poor is not a wrong that needs to be addressed. It is a fact that needs to be accepted.

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