Class Warfare may end with Decisive Outcome

The Off-Topic forum for anything non-LDS related, such as sports or politics. Rated PG through PG-13.
_Some Schmo
_Emeritus
Posts: 15602
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:59 pm

Re: Class Warfare may end with Decisive Outcome

Post by _Some Schmo »

Ceeboo wrote:You would have to look very hard and for a very long time - but I guess anything is possible. :smile:

Peace,
Ceeboo

I'm not suggesting it would be easy or anything...
God belief is for people who don't want to live life on the universe's terms.
_canpakes
_Emeritus
Posts: 8541
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:54 am

Re: Class Warfare may end with Decisive Outcome

Post by _canpakes »

Water Dog wrote:
Chap wrote:I am glad that I am not poor in America, for I would feel scared.

In 1776, the U.S. was among the world's poorest nations. In less than two centuries, we became the world's richest nation by a long shot. Americans who today are deemed poor by Census Bureau definitions have more material goods than middle-class people as recently as 60 years ago. Dr. Robert Rector and Rachel Sheffield give us insights in "Understanding Poverty in the United States: Surprising Facts About America's Poor" (9/13/2011). Eighty percent of poor households have air conditioning. Nearly three-fourths have a car or truck, and 31 percent have two or more. Two-thirds have cable or satellite TV. Half have one or more computers. Forty-two percent own their homes. The average poor American has more living space than the typical non-poor person in Sweden, France or the U.K. Ninety-six percent of poor parents stated that their children were never hungry during the year because they couldn't afford food. How do these facts square with the statement that "our society creates poverty"? To the contrary, our society has done the best with poverty.

Ah, the Heritage Society. Always good to see their stuff.

Here's an example to look at: a married couple with one child, earning about $19,000 per year.

Per the luxury amenity list given above, they own a window AC unit purchased new at Walmart, for $89.00 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Haier-5-000- ... 3=&veh=sem)

They have a cheap LCD TV, and didn't wait until Black Friday to buy it for $70 - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sceptre-19-C ... 3=&veh=sem

They also own a refrigerator, even bought it new for $289.00 - https://www.searsoutlet.com/Frigidaire- ... d=37508483

They even have a $500 car - https://www.iseecars.com/used-cars/used ... 0336608713

(this is under $1000 as one-time purchases, to own all of these items)

And... ohmigawd - they even have a cell phone!. Even though this is the planet's most ubiquitous electronic device, currently at 6.8 billion subscriptions worldwide, everyone knows that owning a cellphone is the mark of being economically successful. At least the Heritage Foundation and Fox News will tell you so.

Regardless of all that, this family has, at best, about $1580.00 per month before any taxes, to address the following needs:

- rent
- food
- utilities
- medical care
- insurance
- clothing
- daipers
- gas or fares
- other luxurious household sundries such as soap and toilet paper

Given that this family has so many of the 'non-poverty-indicating' items on Hertitage's list above, how shall we classify this couple, economically speaking, and with regard for their place within the infrastructure and requirements of the US?

Should any sort of assistance or incentives be available to them?
_MeDotOrg
_Emeritus
Posts: 4761
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:29 pm

Re: Class Warfare may end with Decisive Outcome

Post by _MeDotOrg »

Two graphs from the New York Times.

The first shows the relative wealth of the upper 1% compared to the bottom 90%.
Image
The second is the is percentage of large campaign contributions.
Image
Fewer people control more of the wealth, and fewer people control exert greater influence on the democratic process. Not a recipe for a happy ending.
"The great problem of any civilization is how to rejuvenate itself without rebarbarization."
- Will Durant
"We've kept more promises than we've even made"
- Donald Trump
"Of what meaning is the world without mind? The question cannot exist."
- Edwin Land
_moksha
_Emeritus
Posts: 22508
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:42 pm

Re: Class Warfare may end with Decisive Outcome

Post by _moksha »

The juxtaposition of a Republican Congress and Presidency is much like Sauron managing to regain the One Ring.
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
_moksha
_Emeritus
Posts: 22508
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:42 pm

Re: Class Warfare may end with Decisive Outcome

Post by _moksha »

Latest information about logistical planning for the War on the Poor.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/01/white-house-ramps-up-its-war-on-the-poor?
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
_Doctor CamNC4Me
_Emeritus
Posts: 21663
Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:02 am

Re: Class Warfare may end with Decisive Outcome

Post by _Doctor CamNC4Me »

moksha wrote:Latest information about logistical planning for the War on the Poor.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/01/white-house-ramps-up-its-war-on-the-poor?


What, specifically, from the article do you want us to read and understand? Did Paul Ryan literally salivate over the plan? Since this is a war, what weapons are the poor using?

Is hyperbole what we really need to understand the GOP's tax plan?

- Doc
In the face of madness, rationality has no power - Xiao Wang, US historiographer, 2287 AD.

Every record...falsified, every book rewritten...every statue...has been renamed or torn down, every date...altered...the process is continuing...minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Ideology is always right.
Post Reply