by Outcast_Searcher » Fri 01 Apr 2011, 13:26:42
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MarkJ', 'M')any of the stats supposedly proving the middle class is shrinking are due to numerous poor choices,.
For example, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are often due to lack of budgeting, spending, saving and investment discipline.
+1
If the political left REALLY wanted to win the "war on poverty", focusing on some financial, budgeting, smart shopping, and above all work ethic programs in public schools would do FAR more than all the wealth redistribution programs they constantly push.
I don't like, for example, banksters making billions via lobbyists and corrupt congressfolk, while taking massive bailouts, for example, any more than the left. The same goes for corporate welfare, corporate corruption, etc.
But constantly blaming the upper middle class small business job creators and wanting to "fix everything" by raising taxes and (naturally) spending every nickel in sight on ever MORE social programs eventually hurts the poor the MOST, due to the eventual pressure this always puts on the dollar (i.e. long term inflation).
Also, the delusion that if you just confiscate the wealth of the really successful folks it will magically fix anything fundamental for the long term is just madness. Those folks and their productivity will just go elsewhere.
. . .
It is a fact of life that in an information based economy, that outsized incomes go to people who have lots of education and can take advantage of the information (via risks and work).
Again, instead of complaining about it -- how about massive improvements to basic EDUCATION to make a MUCH more level playing field?
How about FREE college education to those who EARN it by doing very well in their K-12 program to level the playing field? (We'd get it back several times if the bulk of people were highly productive)? Anything else is meaningless tinkering around the edges.
For the left who will now scoff -- how much progress has the many decade "war on poverty" actually made? I'd say the net results have been NEGATIVE, despite all the good intentions.
Mindless wealth redistribution short term (repeated endlessly to cries of "it's not enough!!" = MASSIVE FAIL. Time for a new plan.
Given the track record of the perma-doomer blogs, I wouldn't bet a fast crash doomer's money on their predictions.