Read a book?

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Retro ...

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Originally posted by zookeeper It seems like each time I turn on the TV there is another show about rich people and the lives they lead. Seeing these degenerates spend and spend, knowing that they have reached the point of perpetual wealth (meaning they can't go bankrupt, too much money compounding)and how clueless they are about how the world and life works. I believe the US is headed for 2 classes, 1 on the top and 1 on the bottom...no one in the middle. Now I know why the Russian Czars' head was cut off. Wealth stays in certain circles and the rest of us have to fight for a smaller chunk of the pie. I'm tired of paying taxes.

ide rather see mtv cribs or donald trump on tv than somebody livin in the hood with no life. that just the way it is. seeing them have such extravegant lives makes us dream of what it would be like to reach such a point in life. actually gives me a bit of a drive to become like them. to work harder. also, u dont just see rich folk on tv, u see regular, middle-class people on american idol, super nanny, extreme makeover, pimp my ride, amazing race, surviver, etc.

michael jackson was a billionaire and he's almost bankrupt. donald trump was on the verge of bankruptcy in the early 90's owing hundreds of millions of dollars, mc hammer & mike tyson lost all their millions. martha stewart lost hundreds of millions of dollars because of her lying about a measely 50k insider trading scandel. imagine 50k, a less than 1% of her net worth bringing her down. its very possible to be rich and bankrupt. look at the US government.

since our government is not currupt and our economy is the best in the world, there will not be two classes as you said. the only way that could happen would be another Great Depression, or something to that effect. middle class was long established here in the 50's and its taken on such a huge part of our economy that its not going anywhere anytime soon.

america is not 1910's russia. the czar's head was not cut off. he was gunned down with his family in a room where the family was being kept.

but it may be true that the 500 or so billionaires in the world hold an enormous amount of wealth, way more than maybe an entire country may have. in america, i know for sure, there is not a class war. especially like one u suggested at the time of the bolshevik revolution.

u have representation and government services, therefore its every citizens obligation to pay taxes. personally, yea, they suck!!

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Originally posted by zookeeper Now I know why the Russian Czars' head was cut off. Wealth stays in certain circles and the rest of us have to fight for a smaller chunk of the pie.

Look dude, I've got a big screen tv, what more could I ask for from the world?

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Светопресавление
your pearl casting hero

Most middle or low class people seem to be more intent on maximizing their present luxury rather than investing their money in ways that can make them more money in the future. It is this behavior, rather than anything inherent to the system itself, which tends to keep the majority of the wealth in the hands of the people selling them those luxuries.

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Originally posted by Arbiter Most middle or low class people seem to be more intent on maximizing their present luxury rather than investing their money in ways that can make them more money in the future. It is this behavior, rather than anything inherent to the system itself, which tends to keep the majority of the wealth in the hands of the people selling them those luxuries.

In other words, they are, generally speaking, responsible for their own decisions to not use their money wisely. i.e. it's not the fault of the "rich" that many of these middle or lower class people aren't seeing improvements in their financial positions. i.e. "The Man" is not holding them back, rather they are holding themselves back by making dumb decisions.

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Originally posted by Shakka In other words, they are, generally speaking, responsible for their own decisions to not use their money wisely. i.e. it's not the fault of the "rich" that many of these middle or lower class people aren't seeing improvements in their financial positions. i.e. "The Man" is not holding them back, rather they are holding themselves back by making dumb decisions.

That's exactly it. Making 10$ an hour, and putting a lot of that away into mutual funds is the only thing stopping tens of millions of people from enjoying the high life.

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Светопресавление
your pearl casting hero

quote:

Originally posted by Shakka In other words, they are, generally speaking, responsible for their own decisions to not use their money wisely. i.e. it's not the fault of the "rich" that many of these middle or lower class people aren't seeing improvements in their financial positions. i.e. "The Man" is not holding them back, rather they are holding themselves back by making dumb decisions.

while its true that everyone is responsible for their financial activities, you can't ignore the fact that the average american is constantly being bombarded with advertisement for products
they don't need. one way the rich make alot of money (other than investing money to make more money) is consumers spending a shit load of money on products for which the demand is artificially created by manipulative and even at times misinforming adds.

although i dont think TV is the cause for a class war or whatever

if someone complains, i say stop being a victim and do something about it. invest your money or something. in this country, u can do anything. there are so many self-made millionaires now, its not even funny.

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Originally posted by shaolin_Z while its true that everyone is responsible for their financial activities, you can't ignore the fact that the average american is constantly being bombarded with advertisement for products they don't need. one way the rich make alot of money (other than investing money to make more money) is consumers spending a shit load of money on products for which the demand is artificially created by manipulative and even at times misinforming adds.

Please. While I agree that there are plenty of products(and advertisements for said products) which the average Joe really doesn't need, it's not as if someone is holding a gun to Joe's head and making him buy that useless baconwave or vat of Oxy Clean.

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Originally posted by Subey That's exactly it. Making 10$ an hour, and putting a lot of that away into mutual funds is the only thing stopping tens of millions of people from enjoying the high life.

I'm assuming that reply was laced with sarcasm. Whatever, I was making a conclusion based on Arbiter's comments.