I feel left out

[Spexxvet]

For First Time It Takes A Billion To Make Magazine's List Of The Richest Americans

And I'm not even a millionaire...

This is another case of the rich get richer. Here's one reason from here:

...
In 1960, the tycoons of America paid a marginal tax rate of 90 percent, which came to an effective rate of about 50 percent after all deductions and credits.

...
Now billionaire tycoons pay an effective tax rate of about 15 percent, or none at all if their accountants and tax attorneys are clever enough.
...

[xoxoxoBruce]

No, that's not the reason you're not even a millionaire. It's because you don't make enough money.......or your spouse has a credit card.

Now billionaire tycoons pay an effective tax rate of about 15 percent, or none at all if their accountants and tax attorneys are clever enough.

And, of course, they'll still draw their social security checks when they hit 65.

[wolf]

The obvious solution is get a better accountant.

The less obvious is to find ways to be content with what you have, rather than wallow in the envy at what others seem to have.

You can also seek opportunities to improve.

[WabUfvot5]

Are you saying you don't pay taxes wolf?

[wolf]

I probably end up overpaying my taxes. I do not have an accountant. In fact, this year was the first that I had tax preparation software. It did not find any interesting or hidden deductions for me.

But I still got a refund. I know it's my money, and I paid the government for the privilege of letting them use it for 12 months and all, but there is just something special about getting that rainbow-colored check in the mail, even if I do miss the punch-card holes that used to be in it.

[bluecuracao]

Originally Posted by marichiko

And, of course, they'll still draw their social security checks when they hit 65.

But only from salaries.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by wolf

...
The less obvious is to find ways to be content with what you have, rather than wallow in the envy at what others seem to have.
...

All I want is a big screen TV and a second bathroom (for a family of 5). And this chair (The Jerk).

I'm not wallowing in envy. I just think our country would be better off with a smaller gap between rich and poor.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

I'm not wallowing in envy. I just think our country would be better off with a smaller gap between rich and poor.

This is a country where our lower class still owns atleast 1 car, cell phone, and color TV on average. Mexico has a huge gap between rich and poor, our gap is tolerable. There will always be a gap between the rich and poor, especially in a capitalist society, thats how the distinction is made.

[Happy Monkey]

First, there are plenty of poor people without cars and cell phones. Just look at the buses. And do you really need to specify "color" TV? Your "capitalism yay!" cliche is a couple of decades out of date.

Second, all of that is worthless if you have no health insurance in today's society.

That's where the real distinction between rich and poor is made these days.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

First, there are plenty of poor people without cars and cell phones. Just look at the buses. And do you really need to specify "color" TV? Your "capitalism yay!" cliche is a couple of decades out of date.

Second, all of that is worthless if you have no health insurance in today's society.

That's where the real distinction between rich and poor is made these days.

1: I didn't say that all poor ppl have cars. And sometimes ppl choose the bus or train over driving, every member of my family owns a car and we have still ridden the bus rather than drive in Dallas.
2: Yes I do need to specify "color" TV because black and white TVs are less expensive. And that is the term that most surveys use.
3: I wasn't necessarily promoting capitalism (I never said that I approve of our capitalist society)...I actually admire what Karl Marx was trying to do with communism. And wish that it had been successful but our current communist countries and the USSR are examples of how ineffective communism is on a large scale. Not that capitalism is much better but atleast members of a capitalist society have a better chance of changing things. Which we have done throughout our history.
4: I know many people who have/ have had no health insurance, and I would not and they would not consider themselves poor. I have health insurance and I consider myself poor. Even if you don't have health insurance...you can still recieve health care.
5: I am not including the homeless in any of my arguments...they are a different class altogether.
6: Please do not misread my post and then make a poorly developed hostile response to it.

[Stormieweather]

I have no health insurance. Does that mean I'm poor?

[Elspode]

And don't forget, Spexx, that those billionaires use all that extra tax free income to stimulate our economy, which benefits us all. For example, Jose might not have his own pickup and weedeater for his lawn service. LaShawna might not have that Merry Maids position. My own son might not have that pizza delivery opportunity.

Yes, billionaires and their tax free income are the backbone of this country. Don't forget..the Trickle Down theory does *not* refer to urine!

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Stormieweather

I have no health insurance. Does that mean I'm poor?

Not if you never get sick.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

1: I didn't say that all poor ppl have cars. And sometimes ppl choose the bus or train over driving, every member of my family owns a car and we have still ridden the bus rather than drive in Dallas.
2: Yes I do need to specify "color" TV because black and white TVs are less expensive. And that is the term that most surveys use.
...
6: Please do not misread my post and then make a poorly developed hostile response to it.

My response was primarily to the old "US poor are living like kings with their cheap consumer goods! Look - COLOR TVs!" cliche that is so often used to dismiss class issues.