Most Americans say that it is mainly just a few people at the top who have a chance to get ahead and that the money and wealth in this country should be more evenly distributed.
The vast majority of Democrats and most independents say wealth should be more evenly distributed, but Republicans are closely split.
The above is from a New York Times poll and is truly a very sad commentary on America today.
Really, only a few people at the top have a chance to get ahead? How did they get to the top in the first place? If they are at the top, what chance are we talking about?
I see this view as a reflection of the constant drumbeat from the American left demeaning America and actually Americans over the last several years. Clearly the left has won the propaganda battle. And why should we be surprised? Let’s see, which message sounds better to you, “Others have too much, it’s not fair, you deserve more.” Or “If you work hard and make positive life decisions, you will get ahead.”
You see, to accept this redistribution point of view as fact is to give up on America and the initiative, creativity, fortitude, and resilience of the American people.
America has come through tough times that make the 21st century pale in comparison, but suddenly all hope is lost, we are victims, life is unfair, opportunity is gone, and we seek our salvation in the redistribution of wealth.
Is this what you believe?
Here is a good picture of the millionaires in America and how they accumulated wealth. Do you honestly believe you deserve a share of what they have accumulate and that other Americans don’t have the opportunity to achieve the same wealth?
Americans, you are being misled, conned, bamboozled, manipulated and insulted. Either that or you are stupid, lazy, dull, unimaginative, lack creativity, fear risk, are shortsighted and irresponsible … which is it?
From CNBC.com
Climbing stock markets and rising real estate values helped create nearly 500,000 new millionaires in the U.S. in 2014, according to a new report.
The study, from market research and consulting firm Spectrem Group, found that there are now 10.1 million households in the U.S. with $1 million or more in investable assets, excluding the value of their primary residence.
That’s up from about 9.6 million in 2013, and tops the prerecession peak of 9.2 million in 2007. It’s the highest number since Spectrem began tracking the data in 1997.
The number of households worth $5 million or more also set a new record, jumping to 1.3 million from 1.24 million in 2013. And there are now 142,000 households worth $25 million or more, up from 132,000 in 2013.
While the rich are indeed getting richer, what’s most notable is that more people are becoming wealthy. Since the millionaire population plunged in 2008, the U.S. has gained or added back more than 3.5 million millionaires.The result? There are now more than twice as many millionaire households than there were in 1996.
“The number of wealthy households is at the highest level to date,” said George H. Walper Jr., president of Spectrem Group. “Given the record levels in the financial markets in 2014, a significant recovery in real estate and investors’ perceptions of the increased value of their privately held business, it is not surprising that we see these record levels.”
Walper added that while the wealthy are feeling prosperous and confident, they are “still looking over their shoulder at the policies being developed in Washington that could influence interest rates, tax rates and overall economic policies.
The average age among the millionaires was 62, suggesting most have built up their nest eggs over a lifetime. Among those worth $25 million or more, the average age was 65, but most are still working—1 in 5 owns or started their own company, and 70 percent work more than 40 hours a week. Two-thirds are part of dual-income households.
More than 80 percent of those worth $25 million or more give at least $10,000 a year to charity, and 21 percent give more than $100,000 a year to charity.
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I do not buy into the inequality notion. I grew up in a small town, and we were not rich. But when I hear people who feel slighted it bothers me. Education and work ethic are important, and also accountability. The american dream is not about making Millionaires. It is about making a better life, but not at the expense of the working people or the bosses. We need to be accountable for our actions, and I have never felt slighted because I didn’t make a 6-figure salary.
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Sadly Mike you are in a minority these days. The constant rhetoric (quite intentional of course) has convinced many Americans they have been short-changed and are entitled to more from others.
What better way to assure your election than to convince people you are going to give them more and then keep them voting for you so they don’t lose what you gave them.
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The citation you provided says it all: “… Most Americans say that it is mainly just a few people at the top who have a chance to get ahead and that the money and wealth in this country should be more evenly distributed. …”
It depends on what survey respondents think “get ahead” means. And, it is likely because they don’t know how they can influence/achieve economic mobility.
One of my favorite exercises in a prior corporate position was to conduct the 401(k) presentation on the 1st day of employment, at lunchtime. We had people out there in the audience who were 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62. The session was titled: “Will you be a 401(k) Millionaire”? I spent the hour discussing with people, on their first day at a new employer, how they too could become a millionaire – how much to contribute, how to invest, how long it will take (Rule of 72, etc.). Before each person left, I got confirmation from each and every one that yes, if this was a priority for them, it was attainable – simply through disciplined, very long term savings and investing in a 401(k) – if not here at this new employer, then the next, or through an IRA (or non-qualified annuity).
I often wonder how many pursued that as a goal. Surely, some who were 52 or 62 probably thought it impossible – at their “advanced” age. But, I tried to enlist them to look out for their new co-workers – as each was sent out with the same message and with an assignment to talk up financial resilience.
But, I never really cared if they did – it was enough that they knew how to achieve economic mobility through a regular wage earning job.
I also delivered a similar message when discussing the educational assistance plan – how to leverage that program for those who did not have their degree or who had aspirations. A “paycheck insurance” message was deployed with regard to life insurance and disability income coverage – just in case fate interrupted their efforts.
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I did many similar presentations and lots of different kinds of communications and often wondered if they made any difference. I pretty sure not much, but there were a few.
Recently a women on Facebook who used to work for me more than 20 years ago commented on a blog post I put there about the importance of saving and having a nest egg. What she said amazed me. She thanked me for teaching her the importance of saving and said following my advice saved her family when her husband had a major illness that severely strained their finances.
I guess sometimes the message does get through and is appreciated.
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