Income inequality is about to get worse, according to David Segal's article in Sunday's New York Times. Those of us not in the beneficiary column, the article suggests, had better start thinking of which "artisanal services" we can provide. In short, we need to identify what the rich need and start making those widgets tout de suite.
Paraphrasing Professor Caplin of NYU, Segal wrote:
"While it's noble to focus on how to spread wealth around, it might be wiser to think of ways the poor and middle class could cater to the economy's biggest winners."
The Republican Party has staked out a position where anything to the left of extreme selfishness is on the slippery slope to socialism. But it hasn't occurred to Democrats to counter with the more real scenario of creeping aristocracy.
And what do we hear from the White House? Talk about compromise, common ground and caution.
The administration keeps saying that the American people want a meeting of the minds -- they want the parties to work together. Do they really think that means at any cost?
Americans want Social Security to be there when they need it. They want their homes and their jobs back. They don't want their kids fighting on foreign soil so they can cater to the "biggest winners" when they get home. And, yes, they don't want more money going to fat cats in gigantic financial swindles while their own and their children's opportunities are taken away.
If we don't keep sending that message to Washington, then we will become a country of winners and losers, aristocrats and serfs.
Kathleen also blogs at comebacksatwork.com and bardscove and is on Twitter: @comebackskid.
Since you obviously don't have the time to proof read your own posts I would suspect you'd never take a moment to look up the definition of "Aristocracy".
Def. of Aristocracy: government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class
The Republicans voted today against 'tax cuts' for the 'largest class' with the 'least' amount of money, jobs and privilege because they are fighting for $700 Billion Dollars in tax cuts for the 'smallest and most privileged class' of individuals in this country.
Nay, they voted against 'tax cuts' for ALL AMERICAN's up to the first $250k of income because they are seeking an additional $700B in tax cuts for those that make MORE than $250k.
Your priorities, like that of the Republican party, needs an adjustment.
The problem is the excesses of our relatively unbridled corporate capitalist system. But should you dare to bring that fact to attention only invites people on the right to label you as a Socialist or (heaven forbid!) a Communist.
But can we have an adult conversation on the topic? Only in your dreams...
John Cheney 88
IF YOU VOTED REPUBLICAN LAST MONTH, GUESS WHAT?
When Bush took office we had a $230B surplus and the Clinton administration had paid down a record $223B in our National Debt. So outside of the false wars perpetrated by the Bush Administration, what happened to the surplus? You could argue that it subsidized the Bush Tax Cuts that were never paid for. Can you say "redistribution of wealth"... UP.
Trickle down economics is a fallacy. George H. W. Bush had it right the first time... Voodoo Economics. Businesses are not going to hire anyone if they will not be able to make X dollars above an beyond what they will pay that person. They won't invest in developing new products or produce more products to purchase because there's no DEMAND. There's no demand because there's no money in the pockets of those who actually spend it in the economy and not in the revolving door known as Wall St.
Say us boomers are spoiled, but it was great to see Dad spend long years at the same job, retiring with a good pension, which was protected by unions, and bought us our middle class ways. If I remember correctly, the business owners were still able to live in their gated communties and mingle with their other capitalist buddies, own yachts and travel extensively throughout the world to make deals and enjoy foreign cultures.
So, what would be wrong with living in a win-win economic situation again? If working and middle class people have money, they spend it and the rich pocket a sizable amount of cash.
There is a big lie on the right that the Dems want to take our guns. The GOP are crafty to use this as a campaign tool but once they have succeeded in handing our nation over to the rich it will be the GOP puppets in power who surge to disarm us so we can't take back what has been stolen.
Think about it...GOP is already talking about a border fence. That works two ways...it can also lock us in. They are talking about changing the constitution they claim they love, to suit their ideology. But once they have control of government they can also eliminate the first and second amendment and as many others as may stand in the way of the wealthy's stranglehold over America.
With billions in China and India they don't need us to consume anymore. They just need us to provide those services they want to extend their luxury...and we will take what ever they feel like offering so we can feed ourselves. Forget about the American Dream...the GOP is bringing a new dream back to this continent...slavery.