Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Mon Jun 2, 2014, 06:03 AM Jun 2014

5 Ways Massive Inequality Is Paralyzing American Society

http://www.alternet.org/economy/5-ways-massive-inequality-paralyzing-american-society



1. A Broken System of Compensation: The Combined Salaries of 350,000 Pre-School Teachers is Less Than That of Five Hedge Fund Managers

Pre-school teaching may be our nation's most important job. Numerous studies show that with pre-school, all children achieve more and earn more through adulthood, with the most disadvantaged benefiting the most.

***SNIP

2. Diminishing Support for Society: The 1% Made More from their Investments in 2013 than the Entire Cost of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Safety Net

America's wealth grew by almost $9 trillion in 2013. The richest 1% own 34 percent of the wealth (Table 6 here or Table 2 here), or about $3 trillion of the 2013 gain.

***SNIP

3. Capital's Long-Term Dominance of Labor: Since 1900, a Dollar of Labor has Grown to $127, a Dollar of Stocks to $1,247

There's a good reason why the super-rich are cleaning up in the stock market. Thomas Piketty explains that, barring war or depression, the return on capital far outpaces economic growth, causing average workers without a stock portfolio to drop further and further behind. A look at stock market growth over 114 years (Page 60) confirms that a dollar of capital is now worth ten times more than a dollar of labor value.

***SNIP

4. The Walmartization of America: A Few Super-Rich at the Top, then Everyone Else

Just like at Walmart, a few big moneymakers are ruling over a great majority of increasingly low-income workers. Low-wage jobs ($7.69 to $13.83 per hour) made up 1/5 of the jobs lost to the recession, but accounted for nearly 3/5 of the jobs regained during the recovery. And it's getting worse. Nine out of ten of the fastest-growing occupations are considered low-wage, generally not requiring a college degree.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
5 Ways Massive Inequality Is Paralyzing American Society (Original Post) xchrom Jun 2014 OP
"Pre-school teaching may be our nation's most important job." Enthusiast Jun 2014 #1
K&R SamKnause Jun 2014 #2
stark reality. cali Jun 2014 #3
K/R marmar Jun 2014 #4
The Oligarchs, Corporations And Banks Own And Control The Politicians That Own And Control Us cantbeserious Jun 2014 #5

SamKnause

(13,041 posts)
2. K&R
Mon Jun 2, 2014, 06:28 AM
Jun 2014

This is;

Disgusting
Evil
Criminal
Wrong
Immoral
Foul
Vile
Depraved
Villainous

This does not bode well for the "Christian Nation" of the U.S.
This does not bode well for ALL the religious blather that is spewed the world over.
This is further proof that religion can not and will not solve any of the world's problems.

This planet needs unity.
This planet needs to unite to solve the problems that the MAJORITY of people face.
Those who caused these massive problems need to be shamed and chastised at every opportunity.
The obscene wealth of these perpetrators needs to be confiscated and returned to the rightful owners.

No one becomes this wealthy by following the law.

These criminals need to be imprisoned for life.

The power of labor needs to be restored.

Science needs to be at the forefront.

Wall Street, all stock exchanges, and world governments need a powerful enema to restore sanity to the planet.

The world's war criminals and torturers should be imprisoned.

I look forward to leaving this planet that is infested by evil, greedy, inhumane humans.

It gives me great sorrow to know how different things could be.





Latest Discussions»General Discussion»5 Ways Massive Inequality...