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Originally Posted by JayJamJah
It's a satirical statement but I think it's basically true that America has the richest poor people in the world.
I feel like the United States has the smallest division between it's wealthy and it's poor, yes there are a small percentage of the population with a disproportionate amount of wealth, but so many are so generous. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, the unimaginable fortunes they've amassed in America have allowed them to make the lives of millions of people better. Socialist nations do not have the doctors, scientists, engineers and inventors that America has, because here you can be the best or at least compete with the best at anything.
Locally there is a gentleman in our town who has built a recreation center for senior citizens and youth as well as a hall for parties and weddings and it is essentially free for people who live in the community. Kids can use computers get tutoring or just hang out and play games or watch Tv with friends in a safe, comfortable environment. Senior citizens can get car service to go to appointments or run errands. The list goes on, this is a realization of the American Dream that makes so many people's lives better.
I can't speak to you or anyone else's position, but I can sympathize. I've been struggling, I've been poor, but it was in a different time before the extra amenities like cell phones, cable, the internet were all part of the average person's budget. I can relate to feeling like the world was against me and I can only wish that your continuing life experience will be filled with as much good fortune as reward for hard work as mine was.
I love generosity and the spirit of community. I donate a lot of money (relative to my income) to charitable causes because I'd rather give it to them then to the government whose track record is less impressive. That's the problem with taxes, you have to pay them no matter what and that means the government is not accountable.
Personal and societal accountability are the cornerstones of my belief because in my professional and personal experience if you do or don't hold someone accountable you will or will not get the desired results.
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I'd raise a few points here though. That sounds all nice and great though but what about ghettos and communities that are completely broken? They don't have good education, medical care, or any of that. There are many families who don't have a good strong community rely on and as a result only have themselves. If they're living in a ghetto in Los Angeles then themselves simply isn't enough and they can't break out of that cage. They don't have the means to do it alone.
I don't believe the United States is as progressive as it once was either.The United States isn't number one in anything anymore. Education, energy, health - hell it isn't even the most free country in the world. That's Holland. I don't think it's at the forefront like it once was. I think it's lagging behind and I think inequity has quite a bit to do with it.
In regards to wealthy philanthropists - what they do is great and completely commendable but do you think other rich people in society (everyone in Hollywood for instance) donate as much to charity? I think the minority of the rich do - when they do it's great but more often they're buying giant houses and a fleet of cars and grills made of diamonds. They could be doing more with their money that has meaning but they don't.
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Originally Posted by JayJamJah
So is sort of an invisible division however and they also pay something like 98% of the taxes (charitable donations included) collectively so they're not all bad.
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Not so much true anymore though. The Bush tax cuts for instance shifted the burden to the middle class, which is why the poverty rate has grown over the past eight years. They're also reaping all the benefits of society and never have to worry about their own problems. They keep most of their wealth and spend it frivolously while every one else is left to eat dirt. This is what I mean when I say there's welfare for the rich and capitalism for the poor.