Who Owns America's Wealth?

[DiggityMcD]

The majority of these types of problems are caused by usury (lending money at interest) and fiat money (money not backed up by tangible assets, etc paper)

[Hokibukisa]

I'm ok with this. My CEO has more wealth than the bottom 90% of where I work, but hes invested that wealth in our company, which is successful and pays all of our salaries. There are other CEOs that also invest their money and lose it, bringing them out of the top 1%. Making lots of money is a risky business for some.

If the government had the money that the top 1% had, guess what they'd do with it?

Pay off the debt? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! They'll use it to fucking blow up the middle east!

[UDSS]

This is reality, this is how the world is build up. Less then 1% control huge about of wealth and power. They are the bourgeoisie ( French for; the owners of capital ) and run our world. Those capitalists are so rich, they can buy anything wile many workers must work 40 hours a week, for a salary between 20.000 and 50.000 dollars a year.

Capitalism is not fair, undemocratic and very bad for humanity. Imperialism is the highest state of capitalism, were nations fight for wealth and power.

[LegalizeMyPot]

it should be illegal to have to much money and if the rich snobs bitch about it we make em live on the streets just like so many other people do.

[jayocular]

this is america,if you dont like our capitalism,then go somewhere else and stop whinning about how people have more money than you.move to russia or better yet china,im sure your beliefs will fit in there.this country was founded on capitalism,so leave it that way. take your hippy indoctrinated beliefs with you.

[WuTangRevenge]

@jayocular Yes, because russia was definitely a communist country after the collapse of the Soviet Union over fifteen years ago, you fucking ignorant scum. Capitalism doesn't mean ogilarchy, and if you don't think it's fucked up that 1 in 8 Americans live in hunger, while the bougie motherfuckers on top lounge with enough money to burn their stove with, then your the indoctrinated one. And oh yeah, just because something is part of our history, doesn't make it the model of perfection.

[WuTangRevenge]

@jayocular This country was also founded on the trans-atlantic slavery, and an inexcusable genocide of native americans. This shit isn't hippie indoctrination, it's fact, something your quite obviously unfamiliar with, go suck Rush Limbaugh off and talk about The Wealth of Nations, if you've even read a book, we don't need your ignorance here.

[WuTangRevenge]

@WuTangRevenge *slave trade

[Benschachar]

Yawn. More anti-corporate b.s. on youtube.

I stopped believing this tripe when I noticed that everyone in the trailer park had satellite television. You say that wealth has been concentrated even more now, tell me how many households owns two cars, a television, and a garage compared to thirty years ago. The thing you people never understand is that wealth is not a zero sum game, if I earn 5 bucks does that make everyone 5 bucks poorer: no so you can take your marxist tripe and shove it.

[Rico8458]

part of the cause for this are laws that are passed which favor the already rich. if you pass laws that make things equal then wealth will also become equalized.

[nasaguy]

And what SHOULD the appropriate distribution of wealth be? "Everybody shares equally?" I assume people wouldn't go for that, as it's "too extreme" ... but then what SHOULD the distribution be? No one can answer that. So how do these people know that what we currently have is wrong? Concentration of wealth at the top is nothing new. Videos like this fan the flames of class warfare without actually saying anything useful.

[coll1976]

So......fucking......what.

[creativewriter101]

So what you seem to be telling me is if I by acts of hard work and sacrifice get to the top 1% of the people then what am I suposed to do give it you people who have yet to earn it.

I earn the money I have and hate to take it from others. I don't always donate and donate less no that I know that I am being forced to.

The answer to better charities is for people to concent to it not to be forced.

[Mwaterfall]

creativewriter101:

You are right! We must as a society reward hard work.

The only problem is - Money is seen as the ONLY means to rewarding hard work! There is also promotion, honoring people, and granting other societal benefits.

Taxing people is necessary for roads, government industries, and paying politicians for their services. I can't see how a country can do away without taxing!

Could it be why the rich are so much against TAX, is because of SELFISHNESS and GREED???

Peace

[SoooooRich]

Just so you know, the history of this country suggests that we haven't always had an income tax to support everything.

The U.S. started out with only taxes on sugar, tobacco and carriages (the equivalent of cars today). After the war of 1812, the U.S. even removed that and went to imposing a tariff on imports.

So please forgive me when I beg to differ with your "everyone must be taxed" attitude.

Instead of accusing the rich of greed, can we then accuse you of ignorance of history?

[Mwaterfall]

SoooooRich

Wish I was sooooo rich like you... but maybe I would be soooo high that I hardly would know or experience what is going on on the low end of the scale... So maybe its God's will I keep informed

Questions: Do you not think that government should intervene into our free market system when monopolies raise prices and take buy out people's small businesses???

How should the "evils" or shall I say, greed of capitalism be dealt with then???

Peace

[SoooooRich]

First, answering your question: That question is somewhat of a double edged sword. In short, I will say yes. Government should intervene if there is truly a monopoly - meaning there is no equivalent alternative, because part of government's role should be to promote competitive markets.

Where we may differ is over what to do when government "intervenes". My view is to adhere to our anti-trust laws. "promoting" competition - not government stepping in and "being" our competition.

[SoooooRich]

The other half of that sword is in many instances, companies only became monopolies via government assistance in the first place. So it is a delicate balance.

Lastly, my username is merely that - a name. Don't read too much into that. Don't assume me to be removed from matters of financial hardship anymore than I would assume you are an actual waterfall.

[Mwaterfall]

Ok SooooRich, I'm Mwaterfall...

I have more questions:

Don't you think that government should at least own certain essential means of production, like all utilities?

All land and natural resources belong to all humanity. So should government allow one person to monopolize the ownership of acres of land, providing its undeveloped and not used for business purposes or a residence?

Seeing the greed of Capitalism, don't you think a house lot should not exceed a certain number of feet?

[SoooooRich]

First let me commend you for not being insulting. Questions are good.  Now for my answer...

No. I do not think government should "own" means of production. Government is merely our tool, designed - when used properly to create, interpret and enforce our laws. It's role also extends to the protection of our freedoms - which means the military.

See how small of a list that is? That's what's meant by limited government. I don't want government running businesses. They suck at it anyway.

[SoooooRich]

All land and resources do not belong to all humanity. That's why we have "private" property rights, and why you'll get arrested for trespassing if they catch you violating them.

The subject of monopolies on land get's complicated. I constantly study capitalism. I have not formed an educated opinion on this but I default to whatever gives the greatest freedom to the individual.

I do suspect though that there is a point where

like business, a competitive market is no longer being promoted.

[SoooooRich]

I've never liked this word "greed" mainly because it lacks interpretation of the definition. Who decides what is more than what you need? I could argue that you are privileged to have a computer and therefore don't need it.

If you own more than one car, I could argue that you could share one car rather than having two. Or even more ridiculous - just ride a bike.

[SoooooRich]

Now I have a question for you...

Based on your posts, I have not yet determined if your stance is pro-government, or pro-freedom. You appear to share more views of the left, so correct me if I am wrong.

Here's my question...

Given that the United States was founded running from a high taxation without representation government, why do liberals think the solution to todays ills are higher taxes?

Common sense would indicate this to be in opposition to freedom - since that's why we're here.

[Mwaterfall]

SoooooRich

From your question, I think you need to "understand" the "evils" of Capitalism, before you can understand certain liberals wanting taxes. You see, at times, monopolies grow in power and this causes alot of small businesses to close down. Also, the have a control in pricing and exploiting small laborers. The poor REALLY suffer, and are bogged down with expenses... so they can never meet up societies expectations. Thus, for these liberals, taxes, especially on the rich is necessary

[SoooooRich]

"The problem with socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money." - Margaret Thatcher

There are "evils" in everything, capitalism as well as poverty. This isn't rocket science. I don't like monopolies either. We agree there, but I disagree that government is the solution. It almost never is.

Were you aware that during the depression, the unemployment rate dropped from 9 to 6.3% on it's own. When the government decided to "help" is when we hit double digit unemployment?

[Mwaterfall]

Antitrust laws are good, but with trusts and clever monopolies, it is difficult to prove violations; for there are alot of loopholes and complications in the market system. The thirst for profit has always been able to satisfy itself behind the rules

When dealing with the economy, WE ARE DEALING WITH PEOPLE'S MEANS OF SURVIVAL. Remember that! Thus, Government must intervene not only militarily, but economically ensuring a free and "FAIR" market

Now, I know your concern over Washington...

[SoooooRich]

I totally disagree. No ned to explain about the means of survival. That's obvious. Can you name me one significant contribution that has come from communist governments in the last 100 years?

Light bulbs? Nope. Planes, Nope, Advanced medicine? You get the gist. There is no "perfect" system, yet there is no government so far discovered that can hold a candle to the creativity and freedom that is unleashed as a result of free enterprise.

Military intervention? God, you sound communist.

[Mwaterfall]

becoming the nations dictator on how an economy should be run. But when we are dealing with "life and death situations" such as, providing food, nurturance , and care to the populous, should not government be the tool to intervene in the economy??? Or, would you leave it to the monopoly that only cares about profit? Why not the government "for and by the people," have the control over "life and death" situations???

When a man cannot find a job and he is poor that is a life and death situation

[SoooooRich]

I'm glad you mentioned not finding a job. Ever thought about why that is? Where do you think most companies have moved their operations? Overseas perhaps? Why? I'll tell you...

Because there is this anti-capitalist sentiment (seemingly shared by you as well) that imposes punitive taxes all under the auspices of "fairness". As a result, you take the nation backwards to create the same environment America ran from in the first place - high taxation without representation.

[Mwaterfall]

I guess you have to see it like this:

If there is to be no government intervention on the economy, then there needs to be antitrusts laws that has no loopholes; that are perfect! And we no that is impossible!

On the other hand, if government intervenes and plans the "essentials" of the economy over businesses, then there needs to be a democratic government completely "for and by the people." That is possible! The government only becomes a dictator when there is no democratic rule

[SoooooRich]

You just contradicted yourself. You said there needs to be antitrust laws with no loopholes, then you say it' impossible to have laws that are perfect - uh, that's what I told you in the beginning.

There is no such thing as this perfect utopia that liberals are searching for. Even the communist society you seek to create has failed. Many, many times.

I cannot understand someone who thrives for failure. Capitalism isn't perfect, but it's the best alternative to anything you can name.

[Mwaterfall]

Even if you had the choice of two evils, which one would you prefer???

An essential economic' monopoly run and controlled by a few dictators; or,

A government, representing you and all the people, running and controlling the "essentials" of the economy. The government doesn't have to be big to do this! I agree, the government shouldn't be so big

However, antitrust and competitive laws are not working! The economic downturn today, is evidence of this

Peace

[SoooooRich]

First off, you have your definitions wrong. An economic monopoly does not constitute a political dictatorship.

Secondly you contradicted yourself yet again. You say the government doesn't have to be big to do this - yet our government is HUGE and liberals vote to grant it more control. More tax money, and now control over your health and well being.

The economic downturn is not due to antitrust laws at all. All the monopolies you can name don't add up to the 3 trillion deficit of the govt

[easygoldmoneyfast]

There's a another good way to make money is called chattotext for more info go to

easygoldmoneyfast . com

i just started and i am already making money

easygoldmoneyfast . com

[collapseofthedollar]

boo hoo move to communist north korea

[ScotterS69]

but I think the other question is, how much more wealth is there because of those top one percent. Those are the people who bring you iphones, plasma tvs, video games, movies, resteraunts, computers, etc.

They are rich because we wanted them to be. We demanded their products. Honestly, those top 1% have done a lot of good... minus hedge fund traders.

[rroyer3]

Actually, the top 1% are mainly bankers and the like. They are people that have absolutely no positive impact on society. Good try though

[travisnielsen]

and those people wouldn't exist without the bottom 90% to buy their shit.

[ScotterS69]

Don't worry, I totally understand that the top people are dependant on trmendous bottom people spending. However, if those people are spending there is clearly a demand for the product they've provided.

We have accepted the prices we were shown and paid for them. There is no doubt corporate greed out there, but I do feel that for the most part corporations have benefited societies demands.

Remember, benefiting societies demnads does not always benefit society.

[Se7enBeatleofDoom]

@travisnielsen Must of the people in the top 1% are born or marriage into it. Fuck you Capital pigs!

[jayocular]

@Se7enBeatleofDoom ahh,is someone jealous of the rich?maybe some were born into it,but their family worked hard and made the sacrifices that alowed that to happen.thats the magic of our countries capitalist foundation,if you work hard and suceed,you can be wealthy,anyone can.if you dont work hard and be lazy,you become a leftist hippy or ghetto trash that cries about spreading wealth and give me this assistance or give me this free and those damned evil rich people owe me.get a life and a job.

[Se7enBeatleofDoom]

@jayocular You know why the north won the civil war because the wealth is spread out more in the north for more people can become wealthy. Capitalism greatest threat is it self because the some of the wealthy don't want others to be a threat to them. That why rockefeller hist workers killed who spoke out. That why going to college cost so much to keep people down. And don't say anything about sacrifices to me i am part of long line of military families. And they sacrifices for the 1%.

[jayocular]

@Se7enBeatleofDoom no system is perfect,and yes some do become greedy.i am also aware of certain jobs that should get more than they do such as military.i served 4 years in the army myself,and think they deserve more since they put their lives on the line.however,that is thanks to the government,not capitalism.the greed can also be fount in non capitalist systems like socialism and communism too,so you cant blame capitalism on a bad handful since most of the system works.

[Se7enBeatleofDoom]

@jayocular I was not talking about money i was talking at least getting the care they need. But according to the government taking care of wounded warriors that they sent to the front line is consider socialism. But we are the one paying there paycheck so i say if a congress men get his leg blown off we should deny him care. Because his check is from the American people so it is socialism in there own words.

[jayocular]

@Se7enBeatleofDoom also keep in mind hippy that the rich are the ones who employ you,give to charities,pay 95% of this nations taxes and invest into the market that keeps this country going,so dont demonize the sucessful you indoctrinated piece of shit.just so you know,i am poor too,but im in school with goals that i intend to keep and i dont want to support pieces of lazy garbage that dont want to work with my taxes.

[Se7enBeatleofDoom]

@jayocular Your calling me a Hippy if i do not believe in wasting my self away to make someone else Richer. Greed any made people suffer all the way back in the roman times all the way to Nazis Germany. Sexual slavery is a capitalist system and so the drug Trade. It was not for world leaders making profit they would not a lot of wars in the dawn of time. Hell according to a guest on fox news Jesus Christ would be consider a communist now a days. LOL

[jayocular]

@Se7enBeatleofDoom if our capitalist system is so bad,why do more people flee here from other countries than any other country claiming we are the land of oppurtunity?capitalism is that oppurtunity they speak of.u create a succesful buisnes,u get rich.if u are that employee helping your boss to get rich,then go to school and follow his same path.dont blame the rich for ur failure and besides,who are we to hold people down from being successful?its none of your bis what rich do with their money

[Se7enBeatleofDoom]

@jayocular They move to the US because 1% starts the wars and the drug trade . People attack sweatshops in china yet there government is not the ones who founds them it is American's and westerners who founds them to save a buck with human suffering. It was not for the OIl i doubt the US or the rest of the world would have gave a damn about Saddam invaded kuwait. And tell that to the workers Rockefeller Massacre not just his workers but there families as well.

[neglesaks]

"Those are the people who bring you iphones, plasma tvs, video games, movies, resteraunts, computers, etc."

No, those that do are the engineers and entrepreneurs who are employed and financed by these top 1%.

[ScotterS69]

I am an engineer. I am always impressed by the organized structure of corporations. I have no problem with individuals being at the top, and I will strive to be up there as well. Not because I want to be rich, but because I want to be as contributing to society as I can be. Remember, they are rich because you have demanded what they can supply. You have helped them become rich because the exchange was mutually benefitial. They are rich becuase they have made people happy.

[neglesaks]

Scott, your post has some problems.

First, if you want to bring up contributions to society, you have to balance the good and the bad out. Not all corp do stuff thats good and desired by consumers. Pollution is one obvious example of a bad.

Second, no, being rich is not equivalent to satisfying consumer desires, but usually due to being (politically) well-connected, which is incidentally the most significant thing your account glosses over.

[panther9mm]

neglasaks, I agree about the polution because there are no laws which protect against pollution.

But the second one I don't agree with. The well connected people are the ones who help society out the most. Obama is well connected, and he helps out the whole world to make it a better place.

[panther9mm]

They are rich because they forced their products on the people. Apple has expoited the poor into buying all those iphones and ipods. Sony has exploited the poor into buying all those 60 inch plasma tvs. If you haven't noticed, the media controls you into buying all those things because capitalism is evil. They do it just to make a profit while people in africa are starving. The rich make people poor.

[panther9mm]

The rich people forced the poor people to buy those iphones, plasma tvs, and video games. They are forced through the media with those commercials.

Thank god we have the government which gives money to the needy.

[diaverde09]

Thanks alot federal reserve.

[EarnInternetMoney]

We own America's Wealth....join me for free now for the great programs that i advertise in my website...and start earning money with my support...any IMs and questions are welcome

Alex

[kn9kmc]

What we have here is Socialism for the rich and Free Enterprise for the poor !

[vdubs4life1964]

I want a printing press for Christmas so I can make money also.

[Leeroy002]

lol. why? you be better off owning a bank. they can make money by lending loans to people and they don't have to have any cash in there banks to do so! saves you time on processing paper and ink into cash.

[DescentToCocytus]

... and?

[freedomfighterone]

That was back in 2006. I'm sure the top 1% have even more wealth now.

[ScrewAttackEurope]

I'm sure they've lost quite a bit recently though.

[neglesaks]

Think again. Remember the massive bailouts and bonuses being handed out to the bankers lately?

[ScrewAttackEurope]

Well we live in a fucked up world where people are rewarded for incompetence.

[jsallston]

That is so fucked up.

[lolmercier]

The top..hum...but who are they ?......: secret societies

free mason,illuminati,skull&bones,b­ildeburg,colombia,

trilateral commission

[wnxsilance]

forclosure**

[wnxsilance]

That comment you made thErusteDhunnY is idiotic, you just showed that you are a apathetic individualist who doesnt care about society.

Statistics show countries with the highest HDI(Human Development Index) & overall happiness are those with the least disparities in wealth.

You should care allot about this video, Americas economy is currently in the dumpster. You're saying you dont care about the 10,000 Americans losing their homes to forclsu

[monsoonostrich]

education costs money in most countries. That is why doctor's children can afford to train to be doctors, and so on for lawyers. Unless someone is exceptionally intelligent and gets a grant to go to university, higher education is not a reality for everybody. Rich people produce rich people who produce more down the line, and, barring entrepreneurs the system keeps flowing. It is the middle class who economically support nations, the people who work and succeed but never to a rich level.

[thErusteDbunnY]

who cares what other people own?  Take care of yourself, your family, and your friends and STOP bitching about other people.

Get an education and contribute something to society.

[GrowMarijuanaSeeds]

No one is bitching, taking care of one self is not the right answer. The reason why we as humans are "successful" is because we are good at working with each other, together !

Humans are social creatures... taking care of yourself and your family while disregarding the realities of the world in which we live in does not solve anything.

Now the point with this video is to help people see whats going on... the people at the top of the pyramid arent honest working citizen, that you can be sure of.

[tvsam]

Here it is folks! Your smart conservative and pinko liberal bitch at each others throats! Take pictures

[thErusteDbunnY]

tvsam, i dont even understand what that means. why dont you go play somewhere else; grownups are talking.

[tvsam]

You stupid idiot (who I caught ass fucking a twelve year old in a gay roman bath house). You go where the adults are, and that way, you can leave the children alone. Enjoy butt fuck prison, ice head.

[thErusteDbunnY]

Quote:"the people at the top of the pyramid arent honest working citizen, that you can be sure of."

Why? U havent shown anything that would indicate what U claim is true. U condem the rich for harming the poor. To U, the mere fact that they ARE rich proves their guilt.

What would U advocate? Stealing from 'em? Imprisoning 'em? Killing 'em?

This video is sensationalism and spectacle. It neither proves anything nor proposes anything. "help people see whats going on" is almost a lie

[abram730]

Great idea thErusteDbunnY. Take the money, lock them up and put them to death. Sounds like a plan.

Stealing is how they got their money and Iraq is a great example. Great plan thErusteDbunnY.

[WeylandYutaniInc]

people love to blame other people for their problems. if it's not black Americans crying about slavery and equality, its poors white crying about inequality.

face the facts if you want more money & power then get a better Education. and stop blaming innocent people.

[oldjoe5]

It's super rich people whining about taxes and the dummies who fall for their propaganda praising the folks with boots on their necks.

[i689]

that is bs

[horris2]

We should strive to be their? And what responsibilitys does one have when who gain great power.

With great power come...............

[drakehater]

The way I see it is we should strive to be inthe top 1%

[oldjoe5]

I assume you are not in the top one percent in your match class. If the system benefits one out of a hundred (and it is actually less than that) and screws the remaining 99, you don't have a democracy

[abram730]

Are you capable of mass murder? If so the top 1% could be a goal.

[EvilMuppet1979]

Its not "American Wealth" its "Individual Wealth". Just because someone has more money than you doesn't give you the right to take it. Communism is an enemy of freedom and human rights. Communism rewards the lazy and bad workers by stealing from the better ones and sharing it out!

[WeylandYutaniInc]

Amen brother we must fight Communism and it's evil economic system.

[Hellfireblogs]

What's this? Rich people have more money than poor people? I didn't know that. Let's turn Communist right away!

[Trekkerjon]

The top 1 per cent have been gaining on the rest since

the Reaganaut era. It has to do with the structure of corporate capitalism and not "free markets."  Individual labor is at a disadvantage dealing with collectivized capitalism.

[jackson32]

"Individual labor is at a disadvantage dealing with collectivized capitalism."

That's a very good point. A lot of this relates to central banking and fiat money, with inflation the asset rich gain over the asset poor, and too much inflation tends to hollow out the middle class as it did in countries like Argentina. Ironically I believe the greatest equality in income comes about under laissez faire capitalism.

Ron Paul 2008

[Trekkerjon]

== Ironically I believe the greatest equality in

== income comes about under laissez faire capitalism. In which the only form of enterprises allowed would be co-ops, sole proprietorships, and partnerships?

[jackson32]

"In which the only form of enterprises allowed

would be co-ops, sole proprietorships, and

partnerships?"

I'm not sure what your saying. I'm unfamiliar with these ways of owning a business.

[Trekkerjon]

== I'm unfamiliar with these ways of owning a

== business. These were the forms generally available when Adam Smith wrote his "The Wealth of Nations.

[interpolagent]

A Clue for Starters? Hahaha... You must be some PHD in economy then, huh, Ardia? Quite desperate to prove something... Well, American Government propaganda against American Government make a lot of sense then... What a joke!

[stevetiffany]

ARDIA, I can't even tell what your position is, other than to be disagreeable.  Now it sounds like you believe the Fed of the early '90s was actually some kind of leftist cell trying to rile the masses by issuing dry reports.

Marx, Lenin, Mao... Greenspan?

[ARDIA]

So you took government propaganda unknowingly and posted it under your nick.

Just like to clear that up.

[stevetiffany]

ARDIA, it says "households" because that was the unit used by the U.S. government report on which it was based. My little video just illustrates their numbers. If the focus on households makes it tripe and propaganda, blame the Federal Reserve.

[ARDIA]

This is propaganda. It says households. Lower income households have less people in them (single mothers anyone?) and less people working per household even when they have large numbers. There are over 10 more different ways i could expose this tripe for what it is but that should be enough for a simple post. Read "Basic Economics" by Thomas Sowell and get a clue for starters.

[stevetiffany]

For 2004 figures that don't exactly correspond but are interesting nonetheless, go here: www.federalreserve.gov(slash)p­ubs(slash)bulletin(slash)2006(­slash)financesurvey.pdf

[stevetiffany]

Since a lot of Americans who think of themselves as middle class would be in that top 1% worldwide, I hope they don't bring back the guillotine. But I also fail to see any need to eliminate the estate tax.

[maaate]

now translate this into worldwide figures. It's even more obscene.

Bring back the guillotine!!

(please watch Madame Lash from australia)

[hidenfire]

okej how bad is it now? how dos the curve look

[britoca]

disgusting. What an utopia capitalism is