What Americans think about income inequality in one graph

[ProSense]

Ezra Klein: What Americans think about income inequality in one graph

[uponit7771]

1. ONE of the biggest lie conservatives tell is that the average middle class America is "wealthy" and

...these people don't know they are one sickness or layoff away from being financially insolvent in less than a year.

[Yavin4]

2. I've Had That Very Same Argument Right Here on DU

Some folks are convinced that because they live in the suburbs or own a flat screen or drive a car that they are middle class when in fact all that they are is debtors. And, they're renting their possessions from the banks.

[CoffeeCat]

4. You said a mouthful...

...and it is so true!

We have been cajoled into enslaving ourselves to the banks, the mortgage lenders, the car-finance companies,
the credit-card companies and the student-loan dealers.

Life in the suburbs is a frickin illusion. At least half of those living the high life--are doing it with
borrowed money (at 19 percent interest). Yes, things look pretty. Nice cars in the driveway, granite
countertops in the kitchen and Nike shoes on the kids' feet. However, those things are not paid for yet, and
every month people struggle to pay off their huge debts.

Many people who have flat screens--are hanging on by their fingernails. They're one or two paychecks
away from being out on the streets with that flat screen.

[Yavin4]

5. Then We Wonder Why Banksters Are Soo Much Wealthier Than The Rest of Us

Every nickel paid in interest and fees goes right into their pockets. Every payment on that car, that home, the store credit cards, the student loans, everything a portion goes to the banksters. They bundle up all of the payments and securitize them.

You cannot eat your flat screen.

I made the argument that the true measure of your economic classification is your overall net worth. It's the value of your assets minus the value of your debts. Net worth provides a more precise picture of your overall economic class.

[pansypoo53219]

8. we are wealthy

compared to bangladesh or other 3rd world countries.

[liberal N proud]

3. The rich will not be happy until the yellow section touches the right border

They want it all and they want it now.

[Yavin4]

6. Exactly. They're Shrieking in Horror Over That First Picture

How dare there be any other colors on that spectrum other than bright yellow! Time for another tax cut!

[Ikonoklast]

7. It is whatever I tell you it should be, and you'll shut up and take it.

Yessir, Boss, you're right, you're always right.








And don't forget to tip your hat to your betters.

[Armstead]

9. Ties in with news reports that the strongest market currently is LUXURY GOODS

While the majority of the population is struggling to pay the rent/mortgage, and getting told they have to "sacrifice" because of the economy, those Jolly Rich Folks are going on a spending spree.

[flpoljunkie]

10. This Mother Jones chart shows where the vast wealth lies in our country

[ItNerd4life]

11. Income or wealth? The OP says income but graph is wealth.

It's hard to make a point, when you can't get the facts right. Please change OP.

[stevenleser]

13. It's important for us to get this right because the RW'ers often purposely interchange the two to

confuse the issue.

[bigwillq]

12. Good graphic.

K and R

[polichick]

14. I'm stuck on the fact that people think the top 20% should have 30% - why?

[nsd]

15. The top 20% have to have more than 20%, otherwise they wouldn't be the "top 20%" by definition.

Unless wealth was uniformly distributed, the top fifth is going to have a bigger share than the other fifths. The question is how much more is reasonable. To me, 30% doesn't seem too bad. However, 80% is grotesque.

[polichick]

16. I see your point, but I would've said that wealth should be distributed...

...much more evenly - I know, SOCIALIST! :)

[lunatica]

17. The dark blue shouldn't even be there

Yes. I'm a Progressive Democratic Socialist. I believe the taxes on the other colors should pay to eliminate the blue people entirely by paying for all basic needs.