Where is the left?

Yeah, probably not written as clearly as it should have been.

What I believe in is something I call "basics" of life and everyone should have them. Nonetheless, it is not my job to ensure that other people have them.

 

Government should be small and effective. It should matter if you break the law. We have the worst of worlds now--a large, ineffective bureaucracy.

 

But you have neither.

 

The extreme right--what would you call them? Friends?

 

What would you do about this...?



We've had four decades of American workers experiencing stagnant incomes, with many older workers and those with outdated skills actually having reduced incomes. Is it any wonder that many Americans are relying on government because they have difficulty providing for themselves and their families?

 

I live in Los Angeles and see it firsthand. There are plenty of current studies on poverty and income inequality in CA if you are willing to research. I am fortunate to earn a good living and to have raised my kids in a safe neighborhood. The irrefutable fact is Dem control combined with abundant resources does not produce a healthy, thriving society. Results show the opposite. Im not defending Reps, they are not much better.

https://www.businessinsider.com/california-has-highest-poverty-level-in-the-us-census-bureau-2021-9

 

You are correct. California has the highest poverty rate in the US.

The supplemental poverty measure was implemented by the Obama administration to better capture and record true poverty based on cost of living as well as social program funding. It’s one of the few things that administration did right.

The standard measure is virtually worthless because it depends on income alone. Thus someone in Alabama making $12,000 annually may own a home and eat out twice a month. The person in CA making $12,000 is living in their 1983 Oldsmobile and eating most of their meals out of a dumpster.

 

Life is sometimes unfair, but it's not the role of government to provide for families. Altruism is great when you're being altruistic with other people's money. But how often do you see individuals promoting more government handouts donating more of their own money to provide for the needy. Instead of asking about a politician's income wouldn't it be better to ask about how much of that income they personally contribute to the needy?

 

I did. I used your article from 10 yrs ago, and compared the stats (same measure) to 2022, and it shows 35% reduction in poverty. Its quite impressive, and I am glad you brought it up.

These numbers show that they have something to brag about, and CA also had a massive budget surplus. In the meanwhile the deep Southern States have not been able to reduce their issues.

I live in SE Florida and Miami is the least affordable city in the nation. Yes, its less affordable than LA. I don't spend my days complaining about it though.

1. Miami

• Median household income: $44,581
• Median home price: $610,000
• Share of income: 87.39%

 

What do you think about this...?



I often make more money off my investments in a single day than some full-time workers make in an entire year. We're running the risk of workers turning on the capitalist system.

 

The solution doesn't have to be government handouts. In fact, I think the solution shouldn't be more SNAP, etc.

We see the angry, fading middle class turning to radical politics on the left and the right. If people can't take care of themselves, they turn against the government.

What is the relevance of this? We have a huge problem of people falling out of the middle class that threatens the stability of our political system.

Who is asking a pols' incomes?

 

You still don’t realize that the income you receive from investments is a large cause of the productivity/pay gap you seem to advocate against.

Self incrimination without an ounce of self awareness.

 

You certainly can't be seriously asking this in light of the continued demands for Trump's tax returns.

 

I agree. The income inequality is at an all time high and it is going to affect us in a big way.

 

As long as the laws we are discussing are reasonable. There there is no victim, there should be no law.

 

Well said. I laughed, but felt guilty afterwards!

 

Having abundant resources makes the results even more egregious. Recent studies show it is still the highest in the nation. I will take a look at your source.

 

Ah .. when you said you thought everyone should have the same "principles" (aka, ideology) as you, I thought that's what you actually meant. Glad to hear you're not just another jihadi!

Meantime, can you give me some examples of how you put your life behind your "principles"?

 

When you say you're basically prepared to die for your ideology, what else are we to assume?

 

Yes it is still a wonder. People can move to cheaper locations, move in with family or friends, etc. There are many ways to skin a cat. Welfare is just one of them .. and shouldn't be, when those other options are available. The problem welfare has created, is entitlement to a lifestyle - rather than survival. There's a universe of difference.

 

Stockholders are part owners of the business and deserve to get paid for putting their money at risk.

 

People don't 'fall' out of the middle class. They consume their way out of it ... aided and abetted by the overlords seeking a universal underclass.

 

Yes, that’s one way to look at it. You are not wrong. But the poster I responded to thinks the worker should be getting a bigger share. The solution he keeps asking others for is for him to stop taking money he thinks workers deserve not the owners. He’s causing the problem he keeps asking others to address.

 

The problem with your thinking is the word "ideology". I do not have an ideology. What I have are basics of life. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not an ideology, it is a right. Morals, ethics, principles, and humanity is not an ideology, it is the difference between being a good person and not being a good person.

No ideology, basisc of life.

 

No assumptions. If I do not stand up for what I believe is right, I am not worth anything to anyone.