We don't hate rich people

[d-ray657]

There seems to be some misconception about the protests going on now with OWS, October 11 and others. The top1% has been the focus of much of the criticism from those groups.

Some have suggested that all this is really about is that those of us in the 99% want what the 1% have.

I see it a little differently - a lot differently. We don't want what they have, we just think that they have enough.

See the real problem I have with the financial elite is that there is never enough to satisfy them. They want more, more and more. It goes beyond having comfort to wanting power.

They're not satisfied with having a successful and profitable company - they want to be able to suppress wages and taxes so that they will receive even more. They don't want workers to get sick, they just don't want to pay for the workers' medical coverage.

They don't necessarily want to damage the environment, but they aren't willing to slow down their acquisition of wealth to prevent environmental harm.

It doesn't matter if they enjoy the lowest tax rates in half a century. They want the taxes lower. Keeping 77% (or 85% of capital gains) is not enough.

They don't want people to be maimed or die using their products, but those pesky safety regulations get in the way of increased profitability.

The insurance elite know that it is good business to provide people with benefits that they have purchased - as long as the losses people suffer don't interfere with the ultimate ROI. Lets not call it death panels when capitalist insurance companies limit benefits, It is simply sound end of life budgeting.

When they swallow other companies and reduce competition, they're just doing good business. If the consumer has to pay more, that's just how the market works.

We don't want what the elites have - we just want them to quit using the rest of us to give them more and more and more.

Regards,

D-Ray

[BlueStreak]

Well stated, Counsellor. After all, isn't that the definition of greed?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greed

Dave

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

There seems to be some misconception about the protests going on now with OWS, October 11 and others. The top1% has been the focus of much of the criticism from those groups.

Some have suggested that all this is really about is that those of us in the 99% want what the 1% have.

I see it a little differently - a lot differently. We don't want what they have, we just think that they have enough.

See the real problem I have with the financial elite is that there is never enough to satisfy them. They want more, more and more. It goes beyond having comfort to wanting power.

They're not satisfied with having a successful and profitable company - they want to be able to suppress wages and taxes so that they will receive even more. They don't want workers to get sick, they just don't want to pay for the workers' medical coverage.

They don't necessarily want to damage the environment, but they aren't willing to slow down their acquisition of wealth to prevent environmental harm.

It doesn't matter if they enjoy the lowest tax rates in half a century. They want the taxes lower. Keeping 77% (or 85% of capital gains) is not enough.

They don't want people to be maimed or die using their products, but those pesky safety regulations get in the way of increased profitability.

The insurance elite know that it is good business to provide people with benefits that they have purchased - as long as the losses people suffer don't interfere with the ultimate ROI. Lets not call it death panels when capitalist insurance companies limit benefits, It is simply sound end of life budgeting.

When they swallow other companies and reduce competition, they're just doing good business. If the consumer has to pay more, that's just how the market works.

We don't want what the elites have - we just want them to quit using the rest of us to give them more and more and more.

Regards,

D-Ray

And who are you to decide what is or isn't enough? The system has clearly been effective in raising the standard of living over the past couple of centuries of most people. No other system has been as effective at increasing the wealth and lifestyle of the people both individually and collectively. Just because the wealthy have more, does not mean that someone else has less. Obama's Solyndra and Sun Power debacles once again demonstrate the inefffectiveness of government central planning. I do not believe that a conspiracy of the elite are out to destroy the proletariat. There is still competition between the financial elite and other business sectors both in the international and intranational spheres.

Business and industry is the only road to freedom and democracy, but only when not shackled by the vicissitudes of an interfering government.

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by bhunter

And who are you to decide what is or isn't enough? The system has clearly been effective in raising the standard of living over the past couple of centuries of most people. No other system has been as effective at increasing the wealth and lifestyle of the people both individually and collectively. Just because the wealthy have more, does not mean that someone else has less. Obama's Solyndra and Sun Power debacles once again demonstrate the inefffectiveness of government central planning. I do not believe that a conspiracy of the elite are out to destroy the proletariat. There is still competition between the financial elite and other business sectors both in the international and intranational spheres.

Business and industry is the only road to freedom and democracy, but only when not shackled by the vicissitudes of an interfering government.

Really? What interfering government, Glass Stegal was recalled or have you forgotten.

They don't want to destroy us, after all who will clean up after them, they just want us to know our place.

[piece-itpete]

One thing I've noticed watching international news is, when laws are changed, they consider if it will attract or repel money coming into the country (Germany, GB, etc).

We haven't had to worry about that for a number of decades. Looks to me like we should start.

Pete

[simi]

The media, and the narrow minded sure don't get it.. You're right, we don't want what the ultra rich have, we just want back what they have stolen from us... Our money, our homes, our jobs, our healthcare, and our dignity.. .

For too long they have ridden on the backs of the people that help make their money for them, and then beat us into the ground thinking we'd just keep taking it.

Well look out mister CEO, the country is tired of being beat, and their moral is going to start kicking your ass. Whether through new regulations, voting out your favorite politician, or tossing your ass in jail for fraud..

Iit doesn't take a genious to see the people standing up now aren't just from the left. Main Street is starting to jump in. Once this movement picks up some steam, which I'm sure it will, things will have to change, or I'm afraid people will start getting desperate and we'll look like Greece before long..

[JCricket]

Originally Posted by bhunter

And who are you to decide what is or isn't enough? The system has clearly been effective in raising the standard of living over the past couple of centuries of most people. No other system has been as effective at increasing the wealth and lifestyle of the people both individually and collectively. Just because the wealthy have more, does not mean that someone else has less. Obama's Solyndra and Sun Power debacles once again demonstrate the inefffectiveness of government central planning. I do not believe that a conspiracy of the elite are out to destroy the proletariat. There is still competition between the financial elite and other business sectors both in the international and intranational spheres.

Business and industry is the only road to freedom and democracy, but only when not shackled by the vicissitudes of an interfering government.

uh, common sense generally prevails with this one.
10 cars, three homes, two yachts, and more money earned in day than I do a in year is more than enough.

We aren't splitting hairs here.

[piece-itpete]

The issue is, who decides? Who are we willing to give such power?

And sure as the sun rises, the rich folks will move.

Pete

[Twodogs]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

The issue is, who decides? Who are we willing to give such power?

And sure as the sun rises, the rich folks will move.

Pete

Or eventually run out of money. That's always been the problem with socialism, or redistribution, or whatever you want to call it. I don't want what the rich have either, nor do I want to go hang out with nasty bastards that defecate in the streets and on police cars. What I want, I wake up everyday and go get.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

One thing I've noticed watching international news is, when laws are changed, they consider if it will attract or repel money coming into the country (Germany, GB, etc).

We haven't had to worry about that for a number of decades. Looks to me like we should start.

Pete

The financial elite have done a good enough job in suppressing wages, that there are actually companies from Europe coming over here looking for cheap labor. I'm sure that's gotta make y'all proud.

Regards,

D-Ray