Rich-o-meter ... how rich are you? (and some shocking stats)

none

If you can't stop for a second and reflect on how good you have it, if you live in a first world country, relative to the rest of the world, then I won't shed a tear for you when the absolute worst that can happen to you in a first world country befalls you.

Further, if you can't get even a little excited at imagining "lifting up", even if just a little, people who don't have it so good.... well may you deleted

If the above doesn't apply to you, please take no offence. If it does, please, take offence.

none

OY!

Will you two stop throwing cow pats at each other?

Ta.

Englishman.

e-man

I was posting some thoughts and ideas. Then all of a sudden I am attacked out of the blue.

I have removed all my posts in this thread - I wont waste my time.

Good luck

I believe that I can help others at a local level ... and I attempt to do that. Personally, I don't believe every person has to help themselves to sustain it.... I can see where this applies to some instances, but many people are in situations beyond their control. Kind of like a reverse miracle ya know? an evil bolt of lightning! lots of us could be hit by that same bolt, those of us who have made it year after year but have some catastrophe hit .... a health crisis, loss of job, etc. None of this is black and white, neither the problems nor the solutions.

And yes Sixy, let's face it ... we are not a THIRD world country, and frankly the term miracle applies here too, because it is only happenstance that we got to be in this one and not Afganistan, Iraq, any number of African locales....and looking on the other side of the fence.... so I am so much more than thankful for my good fortune for me and my family. At one point in my life (newly widowed, no home or job and pregnant....I was on food stamps and medicare...) today, I am upper middle-class. How did that happen? hard work, mentorship, synchronicity (right place, right time) etc etc. As such, I try to help others through local efforts. I feel guilty about how good I have it compared to others...because frankly, why me and not them?

I also agree with Donkey's points about corporations and how lots of us have bought into a system .... school, college, corporate bull shit ... and for what? I know I feel like I've sold out in many ways....not whining at all, maybe it is my age ... time to consider something new, a fresh approach....after departing JWs, doing all those things felt like rebelling to JWism, now that I've done it I want to try something else...lmao, never satisfied ... where is true contentment and all that blather.

I don't believe it is communistic to want to spread our wealth out some. CG mentions her 28% tax rate and poorer individuals 5% tax rate....what about the 0% tax rate for corporations and rich? cause that's what most of it calculates out to with the various shelters etc.

awwwww, crap, who the hell knows anyway? 

Why was my post edited?

No, it's absolutely necessary if we want to enjoy our wealth in any meaningful way.  Well, I think that is sweet, and shows alot of character on your part.  I do think the guilt is misplaced though.  Empathy, sympathy, fellow feeling, etc would be more appropriate.  You have nothing to feel guilty about, unless there are the bodies of unpaid Peruvian gardeners buried in your back yard.

Donkey. Your "I'm taking my ball home and not playing" antics are getting very tiresome.

For all the right-wingers who haven't got a clue ... this isn't about communism !! duhuh !!!

It's just about a little equality, giving people a chance, not bitching about our lot in life when we have it pretty damn good. Whinging about petrol costing $2 a gallon when for many people that $2 is all they have to live on !

Sheesh.

I can't say that I feel guilty for having it as good as I do, and I don't think that qualifies me as not being of "good character". I will say that I feel badly for those who do NOT have it as good as I do, but I have enough guilt in my life just from my limited JW exposure to last a lifetime without carrying the burden of being born in a country where I could make something of my life if I worked hard. However, I DO contribute every chance I get - also at the local level - although I have given money through my church to help build an AIDS hospital in Africa, too. But, because we are in the 38% tax bracket, plus the 8% tax bracket on the State level, I already give 46% of my income away. I think I am already giving more than my fair share, and I think I have a right to bitch about $2.00 gas - especially after I just wrote a check four times as big as most here on the board - and knowing that that money is going to people who choose to allow me (not by my choice) to support them while they sit on their asses for the rest of their lives and have no incentive to do otherwise because they are HAPPY with their meager lifestyle - as long as it means that THEY don't have to work.

There! I feel much better now!

growedup

NO!  I propose a more equal system.  And as YOU SAID YOU DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS neither do I.

I just choose to live in REALITY, and admit that capitalism ISN'T WORKING.

Donkey, I missed your posts, now they are all gone.  You were not being criticized by all, you know!  GEEZZ, take the good with the bad, man!

OY, I am sick of this!  {{{{{LOVE YOU ALL}}}}}

t

For all you liberals, this IS about communism, and it doesn't work...the human psychi isn't made up that way.  The redistribution of wealth doesn't work and it plain just isn't fair.

Food and Water have value (you can survive with whatever happen)

Gold have non (what if you have only that ?)



The real problem is that this entire world relay on MF's and stupid values, stocks and rates (so communisme or capitalisme, the issue is still the same).



People can produce and exchange for free (the amount they want - and they could even only based it on a database : how many you brough to people - how many people gave to you) ... it is in fact like that already (bank C+/D-) only the values and the rates makes the difference in between fair or not.



Now 255 People owning the whealth of 2,5 billions peoples income is just insane ! Don't tell me they deserve it ? (it is just a non sens). So it is not about crying on people who makes good incomes it is really about Yieling on those who are TOOOOOOOOOOOOO GREEEEEEEEEEDY !



For instance : 40 Millions $ for Julia Robert's or anyone else for a/1 movie is insane (it is a credit she put on your shoulder, and I'm sure that for 10 % (witch is pretty good money already) she would have done the same job ! it is all about saying ... please Julia get serious or get your ass out of the way ! how many potential Julia Roberts in this world ? (More chances for others ... by the way !)



And we could do that for "everything" (What ? do you deserve it ? ok lets check ! how many people will lost for you to win so much for such a little job and how does it affect my own wallet) ... WE ARE THE CONSUMERS ! (it's only a question of value)

Donkey: the comments to you were removed. I do not see how that affected things you had posted prior so that they had to be removed and can only suppose that you are covering up things you have said or else are 'playing the martyr'. Either way, I find the "I'm deleting all my comments" act that you have done several times now a bit childish and pathetic. But hey, that's just my opinion.

Yeru: Can you read?

Simon,

I can indeed read, which is why I made the comments I did.  Capitalism is the fairest economic system we have.

--- Yeru : Capitalism is the fairest economic system we have --- Sorry I can't format my message So : how that ? for who ? ... 75 % of the people in doodoo, 15 % supposed to joined those 75 % at the end, and 10 % spiting on everybody ... (very fair ! HUG !)