For those who think the rich give enough: The gap between rich and poor in the US is greater than it has EVER been — more than in some banana republics — and taxes ON THE RICH are lower than they have been in decades; furthermore, they pay a considerably smaller percentage of their income than middle-class taxpayers. The peak earning power of the minimum wage was in 1968; corrected for inflation it should be more like $13.00; laborers working wages have been flat or declining in real terms for decades while the 1% own a larger percentage of the wealth of this country than the bottom 60% combined.The New Deal and Great Society programs, which were wildly successful at building a strong middle-class, which in turn builds a free society and growth, have been gutted.It’s all actually pretty clear: the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and there are more of them.Pope Francis is right: “…some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting.”
Just an aside I guess, but many, many, folks give hours, hundreds or thousands, as volunteers, instead of giving cash. That’s because many of them don’t have the “cash”, and yes, are liberals who believe in giving, of themselves, their time and love, not just the excess money.
In not too many years the USA is going to have the same Gini Coefficient as Mexico. It will be a country by and for the one percent. Do you think American democracy will survive that?
Americans spend 80 percent more on health care than the rest of the G8 thanks to greedhead one percenters. They have the lowest average life expectancy and the highest infant mortality rate in the OECD.
America has the highest infant mortality rate in the OECD and lowest average life expectancy. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that fifty million Americans do not have health insurance and cannot afford it. Americans spend 18% of GDP on health care. The rest of the G8 cover everyone for 10.5%. If America had Canada’s system it would not have a deficit.
Gypsy8 over 10 years ago
“…..Donations by the 1% are astronomical….”.Call it “conscience assuage” money.
Pilgrim77 over 10 years ago
Meanwhile, the chair His Holiness sits on, if sold at auction, would feed the poor children of Brazil until 2055 at least!
Gypsy8 over 10 years ago
You are a great American!
Motivemagus over 10 years ago
For those who think the rich give enough: The gap between rich and poor in the US is greater than it has EVER been — more than in some banana republics — and taxes ON THE RICH are lower than they have been in decades; furthermore, they pay a considerably smaller percentage of their income than middle-class taxpayers. The peak earning power of the minimum wage was in 1968; corrected for inflation it should be more like $13.00; laborers working wages have been flat or declining in real terms for decades while the 1% own a larger percentage of the wealth of this country than the bottom 60% combined.The New Deal and Great Society programs, which were wildly successful at building a strong middle-class, which in turn builds a free society and growth, have been gutted.It’s all actually pretty clear: the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and there are more of them.Pope Francis is right: “…some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system. Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting.”
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
Just an aside I guess, but many, many, folks give hours, hundreds or thousands, as volunteers, instead of giving cash. That’s because many of them don’t have the “cash”, and yes, are liberals who believe in giving, of themselves, their time and love, not just the excess money.
Norton99 over 10 years ago
If you were a Christian, you would know the parable of the widow’s mites.
Norton99 over 10 years ago
If you were a Christian, you would know the parable of the widow’s mites.
Norton99 over 10 years ago
There’s no point in even suggesting that you might be a Christian.
rossevrymn over 10 years ago
It was “unfettered capitalism.”
bernardgarner over 10 years ago
In not too many years the USA is going to have the same Gini Coefficient as Mexico. It will be a country by and for the one percent. Do you think American democracy will survive that?
bernardgarner over 10 years ago
Americans spend 80 percent more on health care than the rest of the G8 thanks to greedhead one percenters. They have the lowest average life expectancy and the highest infant mortality rate in the OECD.
bernardgarner over 10 years ago
America has the highest infant mortality rate in the OECD and lowest average life expectancy. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that fifty million Americans do not have health insurance and cannot afford it. Americans spend 18% of GDP on health care. The rest of the G8 cover everyone for 10.5%. If America had Canada’s system it would not have a deficit.