400 Americans richer than half of all Americans combined
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 08:38 AM
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400 Americans now have more wealth than half of all Americans combined. You read that right. To hear some observers tell it, we now have four hundred untouchable Mubaraks of our own who have more cash, more stock and more property than 155 million Americans combined.
The richest 1 percent have more wealth now than the bottom 95 percent combined.They're also enjoying the lowest tax rates in their lifetimes.
Here's a scale of the actual distribution of wealth in America (and it's not what most American's think it is).
Print this out and put it somewhere you can see it every day. America used to say that all men are created equal, but this is a chart that says, firmly and finally, that terms and conditions now apply to that statement.
Oh, and you work longer hours and more days for less legal holidays than any other developed nation. Now, back to the grindstone with you.
The richest 1 percent have more wealth now than the bottom 95 percent combined.They're also enjoying the lowest tax rates in their lifetimes.
Here's a scale of the actual distribution of wealth in America (and it's not what most American's think it is).
Print this out and put it somewhere you can see it every day. America used to say that all men are created equal, but this is a chart that says, firmly and finally, that terms and conditions now apply to that statement.
Oh, and you work longer hours and more days for less legal holidays than any other developed nation. Now, back to the grindstone with you.
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seanomelbourne | Mar 14, 2011, 09:08 PM EDT
Dictatorships is where you will find long queues and they are usually right of centre. How many communist states are there burr. I think you should take the burr out of your pants as it seems to be affecting your judgment. To castigate an individual on grammar is ignorant and shows a lack of decorum on your part. Are you an academic snob or just up yourself?
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hancock | Mar 14, 2011, 09:24 AM EDT
Stay in Ireland.
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BurrRobson | Mar 13, 2011, 10:40 PM EDT
Sirpeter, did you finish even grammar school? The top 5% of Americans DO indeed pay over 95% of all income taxes. And I too have visited countries all over the world. And guess what? Living under communism meant poor health care, long lines at grocery stores waiting and overpaying for even poor quality essentials, harsh police policies and NO WAY OUT. Your writing is so poor I can only guess that you are very, very uneducated and ignorant.
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BurrRobson | Mar 13, 2011, 10:36 PM EDT
Dear idjit, You also forgot to post the taxes these people pay. Well in line with their incomes. Or is you message that you want America to become a socialist, entitlement state like failing Ireland? Yep, Ireland is an example we can all feel free to RUN LIKE HELL FROM.
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Irishphotograph | Mar 13, 2011, 07:46 PM EDT
Sarah Palin is the face for these people! She says a few buzz words like faith & values & you are bought!
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Irishphotograph | Mar 13, 2011, 07:40 PM EDT
Capitalism eh!
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armaghabu | Mar 12, 2011, 10:47 PM EST
The GOP election platform for 2012: "We have far to many whiners in this country who expect everything to be equal. Never was never will be. Suck it up."
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Searlit | Mar 12, 2011, 04:07 PM EST
walleyeman, the top 1% hasn't actually done any work in a very long time, if ever. Their "work" consists of sucking up the income from the products made by the actual working people, as well as, all the other services performed by working professionals. I don't begrudge anyone who's worked for their living a right to enjoy the products of their efforts. Things have gotten way out of balance and it is unsustainable. You can't cloak it in the usual flippant remark. It is pure cynicism to say that things can't change. They have gotten worse over the last 30 yrs under republican controlled administrations. They can get better, again.
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walleyeman | Mar 12, 2011, 02:20 PM EST
I started out with nothing and I have most of it left. In all seriousness my father worked a rather menial job for one of Americas wealthiest industrial families. I saw first hand the advantage that money can bring. I also saw that it did not bring them family peace and tranquility. Just the exposure however instilled in me the desire to succeed. I did on my own I might add. I am secure financially have a great family.while I will never be included in this list of 400 I don't begrudge any of them their success. We have far to many whiners in this country who expect everything to be equal. Never was never will be. Suck it up.
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Searlit | Mar 12, 2011, 02:15 PM EST
Further, American taxpayer's money goes to subsidize oil companies and most other large corporations. Then these corporations moved their headquarters off shore to avoid paying taxes. They have also received incentives to do this. Don't forget the many loopholes and safe havens that protect the top 1% from other taxes. Warren Buffet admits his receptionist pays more taxes percentage-wise than he does. With the marginal tax rate for corporations lowered by Ronald Reagan, who also broke the air-traffic controllers union, the Republicans broke the contract with the American people. Just how many ways can you have you cake and eat it, too, and then call it democracy? Corporate America and their GOP yes-men have completely changed the meaning of capitalism by taking away any regulations that would have kept them honest.
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sirpeter | Mar 12, 2011, 07:16 AM EST
McNabb1966..I travel all over the once communist eastern block. I often ask them which did they prefer communism or capitalism,they nearly always say they were better off under communism then they are now. They do say well at least we can speak out about things. That was the only up part. Let me prove to you why Capitalism is all that great. Most of the world is Capitalist ,and most of the world is dirt poor. There is your answer. The USA and Europe hoover up their wealth.
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sirpeter | Mar 12, 2011, 07:01 AM EST
FastEddy..Quoet"The wealthiest 2% pay 95% of all US income taxes, fines, fees, tithes and tributes".Unquoet. Incorrect statement. The 95% is still payed by what is produced by the people who work for that 2%.
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seanomelbourne | Mar 12, 2011, 01:16 AM EST
Don't be to fast eddy if they own 95% of the wealth and pay 95% of the taxes and how do they still amass fortunes.The GOP middle class is either ignorant or brain dead.McNabb you're dumb you can't really be serious with that mindless drivel you have just written.
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olovely | Mar 11, 2011, 11:30 PM EST
Three economists - Thomas Piketty of the Paris School of Economics, Emmanuel Saez of the University of California, Berkeley, and Daniel Mitchell of the libertarian Cato Institute - agreed that all of these figures are true. As of 2009, the net worth of the nation’s 400 wealthiest individuals exceeds the net worth of half of all American households.
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