Wis Public Radio program re: distribution of wealth in U.S.

[Scuba]

At 9:00 a.m. this morning, Wisconsin Public Radio hosted a call-in show on distribution of wealth in the U.S.

You can listen here: http://www.wpr.org/webcasting/audioarchives_display.cfm?Code=dun

The guest was Michael Norton, Associate Professor of Business Administration in the Marketing Unit, Harvard Business School. Mr. Norton spoke regarding a survey of Americans on the topic of distribution of wealth.

Some of the interesting tidbits:

Most of those surveyed thought too much wealth was concentrated in the top one percent.

The top one percent are way, way wealthier than those same Americans believe.

A full 13% of Americans believe they are in the top on percent.

Another 17% believe they will be in the top one percent before they die.

I believe these last two stats are a key part of the problem.


One bizarre caller said, to paraphrase, that most people don't achieve wealth because they would rather sit on a barstool than work. Same caller indicated he knows lots of blue collar workers who own three homes. Guy had to be a plant. The moderator (Kathleen Dunn) challenged him. The guest did not. Had to turn off so I don't know if any subsequent callers called BS on this guy.

I believe there has previously been a posting here on this survey. Anyone?

[RandomThoughts]

1. I was happy to work, did so all my life. Started with a paper route at age 11

Till some idiot had the idea to promote the 'watch your neighbor' 'fear and smear' programs.

And when I would not be mean to some guy because some 'wannabe' said he was bad they smeared me.

:shrug: and after all these years, there is much to be made up for, would have been easy for people to correct it back then, but now it will be much more to correct it.


I don't really hold any grudges, but the fact still remains, I am due beer and travel money and experiences.

:shrug: Why would I go work, when the system already owes me and has not paid that, that would be insane.


However I have to say, the marvelous things I have been privileged to learn and see since then more then makes up for it in any view of existence, but in worldly concepts of work and wealth, I am due beer and travel money, and many experiences.

:shrug:

Song Remains The Same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCroEHESdZs

[HughBeaumont]

2. Horatio Alger Must DIE!

The system is rigged in favor of the few, and your name is not among them, not now and not ever. It's rigged so well that it dupes many otherwise decent, sensible, hard-working people into believing that it works for them, too. It holds the carrot so close to their faces that they can smell it. And by promising that one day they will be able to eat the carrot, the system drafts an army of consumers and taxpayers who gladly, passionately, fight for the rights of the rich, whether it means giving them billions in tax breaks while they send their own children into dilapidated schools, or whether it means sending those children off to die in wars to protect the rich man's oil. Yes, that's right: The workers/consumers will even sacrifice the lives of their own flesh and blood if it means keeping the rich fat and happy because the rich have promised them that some day they can join them at the table!

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Michael_Moore/Jesus_W_Christ_DWMC.html

[Scuba]

3. Yep.

[RandomThoughts]

4. That is the same with religion actually.

So if you follow some religion for some reward in heaven, you really are just being selfish anyways, but it does help for social good.

But really if you do good for some accounting in heaven, shrug, maybe you will get paid maybe not.

Personally I think it is better to try and do better because if feels like the right thing to do.