If everyone would rich, everyone would just raise the prices of their products and then all of a sudden we will have just as many rich people as we had before. If a nation allowed everyone to be rich, then our resources would be drained rather quickly.
we are rich compared to the third world, i have more than £5 (about $10 for you americans)and that makes me richer than most other people on the planet. But compared to people in the uk £5 is almost nothing.
Everyone can be rich in the sense that markets create innovations that improve the quality of our lives. We're all rich in a sense as compared to how the average human lived hundreds of years ago, due to the creations made possible by capitalism.
@guitargold77 If I'm not mistaken, Jay Leno is a car fanatic. He doesn't need cars, but he loves having them. Also, rich people spending their money, even on stupid things, is good for the economy.
@saintoccasionally 400 have more than 150 million combined* ie the few at the top are mindblowingly, staggeringly rich, while the vast majority are poor ie is this fair and maybe something is wrong with this system
@thesouluniversal "The vast majority are poor." That is false. But the real question is this: How much of someone else's money am I entitled to? The answer is none. I am entitled to everything I can earn.
@saintoccasionally ok Im not sure, maybe I oversimplified, if you include those living in debt or just getting by day-to-day.. depends how you would define poor. Agree with your following point in general, but the problem is alot of people are being exploited.
@saintoccasionally exploited, I mean for eg underpaid and overworked, unnecessarily so, while the boss rakes it in. For example the Nike sweatshops, but I see it happening locally too, the higher the unemployment rate gets, the more desperate people get and the more employers take advantage of that to pay them less(sometimes illegally) to bolster their own personal profits.
@thesouluniversal That vast majority aren't poor. Most people are fine, they just need to manage their money better. Having rich people are good, those 400 invested their money(risked it) and created jobs. It also allows for the price of certain goods and services to remain affordable. A Dodge Viper is expensive so the rich afford it but at the same time someone of lesser money can afford a used Grand Am.
@whyamimrpink78 Im not against having rich people, but of the extremeskewed distribution of wealth.Im wary of uber-rich coorporations whose power now allows them to sway government policy so that they can pollute & pillage & exploit, those cars btw are now made largely by machines to cut costs, not people, & jobs are sent abroad where labour is cheap. As the rich become richer and the poorer, poorer, less & less people can afford to spend, this is bad for the economony
@thesouluniversal economonomy even ;p so yeah, the danger is of the distribution of wealth becoming even more extreme, its been brought into sharp focus with the crisis, people losing their jobs and homes, while many of these rich have benefitted from it (thats not a dig its just a fact). On a side-note, its because of giant coorporations that were still driving petrol fuelled cars rather than environmentally friendly- they bought up the patents to protect their income from oil
@thesouluniversal Enviromentally friendly cars are more expesnive to build thus more expensive to buy and really are not that much better. In some ways they are worse for a lot of people. Jobs are shipped out and machines build things now because people want cheap products. That is a societal problem. And the rich can't have all of the money, they give it back when they invest it. When they are forced to give it back they cut jobs and benefits......
@thesouluniversal .....Coorporations invest their money and take the risk and when they are allowed to do so they will keep doing it thus creating jobs. When the government comes in and gives money away or taxes them then the economy becomes uncertain so they stop investing. It is simple. Allow the private sector to work and it will be fine. Enviromental friendly cars will be created and sold if they are affordable and useful.
@whyamimrpink78 They wont be created and sold because the patents have been bought to prevent that ever happening as I said before, this is a sad fact. Its not in their interest, even though it would make the world a healthier place for their children, they would lose their income from oil, which is more imortant to them. We live in an age where wars are waged over oil, its serious business. I understand why jobs are shipped out and machines built, bigger profits
@whyamimrpink78 not always cheaper items, also designer items, extremely expensive items aswell. As for taxes, surely they should be paying their fair due of taxes just like everyone else? Yet they have better accountants, money hidden away in tax havens, etc. Its natural and good business sense to do so, so I dont blame them. Is it right though. Its the government cutting benefits because theyre broke, apparently. Well someones got the money...
can't people who make money keep it? Why do I have to pay for roads that losers use. Please explain to me, oh wise progressive masters, why the kid who studies in public school gets the same degree as the weed dealer. Why do taxes rise but less is done to uphold infrastructure that some government acronym quickly built 50 years ago. Did the last remnants of big business creativity succumb to cancer? Where has the value of money gone? Oh... and what's the weather? HAARP says 76 deg. and sunny.
@quidnick why the kid in public school gets the same degree as the weed dealer? whats that suppose to mean? why couldnt the kid in public school sell weed? im sorry i just didnt get that
I want to ask Moore if he can spare a bedroom in his waterside mansion. Though I'm not envious, I am pissed that someone can be so hypocritical with a straight face!
Question: Why do people on the right resort to using the word "communist" to describe any discussion at all around socio-economic change?
Example:
"It's interesting. Over the last few years we've witnessed what is essentially an implosion of the entire financial system as we know it. The aftermath is a seismic shift in our very understanding of how the economy was supposed to function. And the aftermath? A train-wreck. Do you think we should maybe change something?"
Why is having a stable middle class "socialism"? Why is raising taxes "socialism"? Why is anything in modern America that is even slightly progressive immediately defined as "socialism"? You people have no idea what socialism is, or why it was even imagined.
@dominsu This is a relatively new phonemon in politics, sorta this generation's 'red scare' equivalent..it's just a trend created by right-wing politicos to scare people off of compassionate and highly sensible legislation. The haves do not want the have-nots to have a better quality of life because it would a)undermine their sense of superiority b) possibly make their slice of the pie a tiny bit less oversized and c) they are in the organ-grinder monkeys for corporate monopolies.
@moonlily1 Is it sensible to call theft "taxation" and have it normalised decades later to the point where people see it as compassionate to increase it?
@AboveDeception Ya, we all know how government can function without tax revenue. Truth be told I'm actually sick of having laws, a police department, hospitals, roads etc. I'd rather keep the 20% and fend off marauding hoards with a stick.
@CullTheLivingFlower See you are afriad of people, not realising that most are good and would be even better behaved if govt had not been spending their money for them for decades thus reducing their own responsibility. 10% of welfare taxation makes it to the people who need it- you think thats efficient. Limited govt is not a call for anarchy but rather a call for a handfull of people to not have over 30% of GDP at their disposal as that breeds corruption.Youre the idiot!
@AboveDeception It's one thing to criticize how tax revenue is spent, it's another to call it theft and thereby imply it should be done away with. Or perhaps I misunderstood, are you in favour of theft? If not, then you would render any sort of government entirely impotent and thereby plunge society headfirst into anarchy., which a shitty, inefficiency government is infinitely better than.
@CullTheLivingFlower there was no federal income tax until 1913. We had plenty of infrastructure before then. State taxes are ok, but the federal income taxes dont even go towards infrastructure, they go to failing federal welfare and warfare. both are unproductive and the money would be better off if you and I could keep it and spend it wisely.
@jfn1103 You called taxes theft, stop trying to weasel out of it. If it's theft then it's theft on the state level as well.
So either you were being wholly disingenuous when you made your initial comment, or you're in favour of government-sponsored theft as long as it's state, not federal.
Capitalism created the middle class, not socialism. And sorry, we've been trying your progressive politics for over a century now, and they've only caused damage. Your ideas aren't new or cutting edge just because they're called "progressive".
@dominsu Thank you... you are of the few reasonable people on youtube. Nothing pisses me off more when some right winger labels me as a socialist for simply proposing the idea that a little government intervention can be a good thing.
@dominsu I know something that is progressive that I think a lot of people that are for socialism would disagree with, raise the voting age to 26. In the past people at 18 worked jobs, owned property and paid taxes so they were more intelligent. Now people don't do that until the after college and more. That is one huge problem right now, young idiots are voting even though they don't work or pay taxes, and I am 24 years old.
@dominsu we dont have a stable middle class. Having a stable middle class would be great though. You have to justify the spending before arguing about taxes. Socialism does not work, as you would probably agree. Ron Paul 2012
@dominsu Let me explain socialism, when you get right down to it socialism is favoring equality over freedom and capitalism is favoring freedom over equality. So any "slightly progressive" program that is favoring equality over freedom is leaning towards socialism. So they are not socialist per say but they are leaning towards it, and honestly Im very much against that
This wouldn't rub me the wrong way if it was coming from someone in an audience at a town hall meeting. But coming from a round table involving four people whose annual income is likely well into the six figure range (if not seven) it is a bit annoying to say the least if not outright offensive.
In a capitalist system there cannot be rich people (1%) without poor people. The money in the system goes whether justly or unjustly goes to the top 1% or "job creators"
Does anybody else think that money is something that we no longer need? I am much more in favor of a resource based economy as described by the Zeitgeist movement. For the most part, there is no such thing a scarcity on this planet. It's just the system in place that tells us this. If everyones basic needs were fulfilled and the people had more free time to pursue what actually interests them in life, then the desire for many to be rich would diminish greatly.
@travshorts Do you have even a grade level understanding of basic economics? ... guess not. "There is no such thing as scarcity on this planet" - Please never make it to a point where you get to make decisions for other people. Nearly every single resource ON THIS PLANET is scarce. By the year 2050 some estimates put global population at nearly 20 billion!!! and we already don't have enough trees, water, oil, land, food production etc.etc etc. Every second every resource becomes more scarce.
@SauceCaptain I said for the most part. I'm also talking about the fact that it is time to completely change our methods of production and consumption so we don't use up every last bit of resource x or y. Sure, if we continue on the same path we are now, our resources will vanish. And yeah... my grade level understanding of basic economics has led me to think that we need to think differently. Don't get upset. Just show me some solutions.
@SauceCaptain There wouldn't be scarcities if resources were not overconsumed and they were evenly distributed. There is enough of everything for everyone, but a lucky few are slurping down everything and throwing away the leftovers while others go without the very basics. I think thats what that person meant. although a fair and non-competitive economy will never happen because, frankly people like to feel better than others and believe they are specially deserving of their luxuries.
I have a roof over my head, a warm bed, food in the fridge and all the information of the world at my fingertips. Sustainable by working 25 hours a week.
I feel way more wealthy than some multi-billionaire who never has time to spend on their hobbies and family.
It really is a question of "stop being depressed and start being awesome" which, granted, is no easy task if you are used to feeling depressed.
If everyone was rich money would be pointless and valueless. There would be no incentive to work or create. People are rich due to the fact they are talented, smart, or skilled at something everyone wants to hear, watch, or see. If you don't have any of the 3 characteristics you are shoveling shit for rich people. I think the only profession where you don't need any of the 3 and where you can make money, legitimately, is politics. That's why politicians are scumbags, lowlifes and immoral.
@wovokanarchy Money is a means of determining human behavior, because it is the equivalent of all that is necessary (and unnecessary- luxury goods) for human life. It shapes desires, the way of thinking and consuming. It became an absolute value. there is no "rich" just "richer then.." Money is the equivalent of everything then anything can be bought. Everything has a label. That given that you have way more money then others makes you very powerful. You can influence everything.
@seezarorest So more money=more power. If you are rich then your children inherit your money. They may be imbeciles (like Bush) but they still are rich. Since they have money they still can pay other people to think for them.They will still go to Harvard,and they will still get the best job,and get to be president.Because money buys everything remember.Because not everyone can be "the richest" that means that the richest people are a closed club that supports/protects it's interests
Mikey Moore is a neo-marxist. He was born in an upper-middle class family. He has never wanted. Now he feeds off of other peoples misery and peddles propaganda. He twists the truth to make millions and only appears to friendly audiences so he can't be challenged. He portrays himself as being from Flint but he's from Davidson - and upper middle class suburb. He suffers from from classic "white liberal guilt" as he idolizes the poor - but continues to get rich off of them.
That's idiotic. Moore is clearly anti-globalist, certainly not a marxist of any stripe. When Moore was growing up, Flint was a prosperous city. Moore, like his father, worked on the assembly line of a GM plant, just like the vast majority of the city of Flint. So what if he lived in a suburb? He was born in Flint, went to school in Flint and worked in Flint.
@subg88 - Sorry. You're full of shit. I grew up in Flint. I remember when Moore worked for the Flint Voice. They had a Friday night radio show on WWCK 105FM. I knew a guy who was into the Voice - they're Marxists. Moore grew up in Davidson - not Flint. I lived in Flint when he filmed Roger &Me, had family who worked in the shop. Moore takes 10% truth and spins it with 90% BS to make it sound plausible. Spin your disinformation elsewhere. lol!!
So because he worked Friday night at the Voice and your friend is a Marxist that makes my statements untrue?!? Which of my points does that address? None. Therefore your argument is illogical BS.
@subg88 - You claim Moore went to school in Flint - lie, he went to private schoolsuntil High School and graduated from Davidson High - which is not in Flint. You claim he worked at GM like his father - lie, he never worked for GM. At the time of Roger&Me, Flint had a population of around 150K - most people did not work for GM - lie. Flint, like many cities, was "prosperous" at one time or another. GM declined for many reasons. He is a neo-marxist and a pathological liar.
@redlegagent You forgot hypocritical two faced liar that claims to rally support for the plight of the common man when he himself has ammased tens of millions of dollars of personal wealth, while giving nothing back to the community he has fed off of. You left that out.
@OfficialTedWilliams Rupert Murdoch invented the gutter-grade tabloid and that made him super rich and I can assure you that in no way benefits society
Actually what he said was everyone becoming rich is a fantasy. Context, not words are important in speech.
We can't all be rich, but we can all have basic rights to a chance at trying. Even if we fail, we should have a certain standard of life so our children can have a chance at success.
Personally it means people can all be healthy enough to work (healthcare), have chances at success (education and social mobility), and a secure future or insurance (social security and welfare).
At least Bill Maher and Michael Moore don't make their money putting people out of their homes and sending their jobs to whatever sweatshop republic will take them.
"This is a perfect example of communist teachings" Hahaha what a disgrace. Not only did no one in the video say that it was a "fantasy" but they are completely right. Because of genetics, where you are born, what family you are born into, there will always be underachievers. Its people like there person who put up this video that are the cancer of america. Ignorant sheep. "communist teachings" hahahah what a joke.
WALLA! FACTS are IF your honest, moral and ethical. You WILL fall behind the rest of the capitalist criminals that don't play by any rules.. A true sub culture full of sub humans!
But there is a silver lining. Crime will triple, anarchy's coming..not IF..Its when.
i fucking hate the Ron Paul supporters. They're like "I'm in the 25% of the 99% who believes that the only thing keeping me from being in the 1% is the government."
The government is protecting a lot of the 1% who in no way deserve that money (government contractor ceos come to mind)
And no intelligent person would think that the government is the only thing keeping them from being wealthy.
However some people, it is, because they may have a good idea, but they can't get it off the ground because of regulations only massive, established corporations can possibly follow.
I realize I'll never be rich, because I'm lazy as hell.
define " rich " . a million ? ten million ? a billion ? The top 400 are billionaires . They have so much money that they can afford accountants to hide their stash ! Mike Moore is doing Ok.....he has excelled in his chosen feild. He makes a product .
And Goldman Sachs " makes " money ......which is a fallacy . You cannot " make " money, you can only get it from elsewhere .....off someone else.......ie YOU .
You can actually 'make' money, but only in a fiat currency system. This is done mostly through the fractional reserve banking systems where banks loan out more money then they actually have, but it works unless all the sudden their customers come and want their money *see "Bank Runs"*
however, the government allows this because they instated the FDIC, which gives banks the ability to attract capital (savings/checking etc.) because there is no risk of them going bankrupt (bailouts).
@Dethreid I guess our definitions of " making money " do not match ! If banks are fully regulated, FRB might work . In the current economic climate, I believe FRB is a recipe for disaster ( ie ....what has already happened to the global finacial system ) . JF Kennedy did not think the current system worked well. I am in agreement with JFK ! Our current financial system needs a MAJOR kick up the backside. Greed is killing us !!!
I disagree with this video. While I reject all aspects of liberalism I do think that a lot of what is going on is for a purpose. The problem is were directing it at people who did things because of human nature. Greed in the private sector is good why? It creates jobs:) Greed in the public sector bad why? It kills businesses and their own colleagues for that matter. Were all pissed so lets go after the government.
PS we should stop listening to michael moore on economics to
"-do the things that would give us the Mddle Class back, like heavy taxation, forced collectivism and unquestionable government control brought on by an anachronistic adherence to Marx's cultlike philosophy of mass murder and totalitarianism."
"400 rich people have more money than 150 million American's combined" Well, you don't seem to be doing too bad for yourself Mr. Moore. Maybe Romney wasn't talking about the 400 you speak of, maybe more along the lines of YOUR riches, eh?
@probrojeffro your 100% right. if you could only see the house that "mr 99%" lives in on torch lake michigan, believe me NO ONE in their right mind would ever listen to this underknowledged, over grown pile of horse dump!
This is why I hate celebrities. They think they know everything. We, as the public have to put up with their preachy shit everyday. I'd like to see Bill bring an actual person on his show, like a mom working 2 jobs to feed her 3 kids or a man who has to live off of disability who can barely find a job let alone want to be rich. We'll see how fucking important this dumbass discussion is to them. I'm tired of seeing yet another highly paid snob who doesn't give a shit. Fuck them.
@corycashatt90 And what brilliant insight do you expect from this "actual person"? I think that mom will say exactly what was being discussed here: she'd love to be rich, but as long as that's not a realistic goal, she'd just like to comfortably make ends meet.
How is everyone going to be rich? Society can do with out professional athletes and supermodels; it can't do without construction workers, trash collectors, firefighters, nurse's aids, daycare workers, ambulence drivers, teachers...how are those people going to get rich? How did Hermain Cain get rich in the pizza business without cashiers, cooks, and delivery people? and if everyone had yachts and private jets and 5 homes, the overconsumption of resources would do us in.
@moonlily1 Define rich. If I worked as a cook but worked a job I liked, was able to afford a decent reliable car, a nice home and have a nice family and hobbies, that is rich to me. I don't need millions to do that. The problem is is that people can't do that because of high taxes and regulations don't allow them to. They can't afford a decent car or insurance or a nice home.
@whyamimrpink78 ... The reason why people can't do that is not because of taxes and regulations (btw what regulations are you talking about?), it is because as a cook, you will never have enough income to afford these things. The minium wage has had an extremely small increase while the cost of living has skyrocketed.
@mgrey24 You have just mentioned on of those regulations, minimum wage. Federal minimum wage is hurting small businesses. I worked at a truck stop for years and started when federal minimum wage was $5.15/hr. That place gave raises to cooks that worked there for years. When it moved up to $7.25/hr they couldn't afford to give out any more raises because the had to pay new employers to do dishes at that rate. Remove the federal minimum wage....
@mgrey24 ....and ad a local or state one. $7.25/hr is too high for small town Iowa or Nebraska but that rate is too low for LA or Boston or Dallas. Plus, the federal minimum wage is a form of communism that the founding fathers didn't want. If minimum wage was lower that cook would get a raise and make more money the longer and harder they work but he can't due to regulations.
@whyamimrpink78 You are making a huge assumption that all business will give out raises cause they want to. I worked for a small business....it was always work harder and at the end of the year...bonus and raise.....I did that, met the goals...it the answer was "company didn't make enough $", "be lucky you have a job"...ect. The owner of the company was doing very well...ie...he saw us as slaves....that attitude needs to change for your theory to work.
@whyamimrpink78 You liberals are all the same, you feel that the company can afford it but in reality they can't. You don't know that because like all liberal you never ran or worked in business.
@moonlily1 that's were individuality steps in. Not everyone is as smart as the next person or as hardworking and doesn't want to be rich. Some people even think that being rich would lead them to bad things. Now you could argue that construction workers and firefighters work hard which they do. Its just that it is easier to acquire those skills then that of a doctor or ceo, or professional athlete. so yes i agree that it is impossible by human individuality for everyone to be rich.
@MrRangersfan123 That is not my argument. The economy is structured that only a very small number of professions can make you rich. It is not only that not everyone cannot or wouldn't want to do those jobs that make you wealthy, but we would be in a heap of trouble if no one wanted to do those jobs that do not. A professional athlete may have more unique skills than an EMT technician, but in the grander scheme of things their job has far less value to society.
@moonlily1 Construction workers, trash collectors, firefighters, nurse's aids, daycare workers, ambulence drivers, and teachers hopefully have that job because it is in their self-interest. If someone wants a lot of money, and has a plan, that's great. But true wealth is spending your precious time doing what you enjoy!
@moonlily1 I could be the asshole who suggests robots as a replacement for the working class, but you would find that many people, with full optimism clamour to do the jobs we find 'harsh'.
@impossibe2629 where do you get that from 'not everyone can be rich'? That's simplistic logic, either-or-thinking. Either you love everything about capitalism or you are a communist; either you think america is perfect and the best country on the planet, or you hate america and should move to china. This is not a nuanced argument, or even a remotely meaningful one.
@unfad1ng Maybe. But at least they're pointing out how other super rich people have fixed the system so you and I can't get into the club. These 4 traitors should be kicked out! haha
Are you an idiot? Complaining about inequality shows humility and it is a fact that not everyone can be rich. If everyone was rich it would be communism.
no it does not. Complaining about inequality whilst you yourself being rich and not doing anything about it is just hypocritical.
And if you think communism means everyone is rich then you are truly an idot of the worst kind.Communism means everyone is poor.
Capitalism means everyone is rich but in difeerent proportions. Everyone in america is already rich, ask the average zimbabwean and he will tell you. It depends on how you define rich
@unfad1ng As rich as those four are in comparison to the average American, they are not super rich. The American Dream has been so far perverted to the extent that everyone thinks they can be rich, which isn't possible.
Rich is a relative term, of course everyone can be rich, everyone in America already is.
Its possible for everyone to become as rich as these people, its highly unlikely but it is possible, just a 100 years ago people couldnt dream of working only 8 hours a day and still being able to afford a house and the diference beetween your average american a 100 years ago and your average american now is greater than the difference beetween these people and average americans.
If you define rich as the top 1% then of course everyone cant be rich but if its defined not compared to others but of actual wealth then everyone can be rich. you seem to think of rich as being a millionaire or something but in some countries being rich only means that you can afford your own car.
Your average american is rich when compared to most people in the world.
@unfad1ng Lol what? Dont u understand that its inpossible for an entire group to become rich? Someone in the group will always have to work for the others wealth. Wealth is also a form of authority which have power connected to it. If everyone had the same wealth, omg....we would all be equally powerful?!
it is possible for an entire group to be rich, its just that when that happens people do not realize that they are rich, they look at the superrich and think they are poor.
America is that way, you have a country were there is a problem of people eating to much instead of too little, imagine how happy any random african would be if that was the case, random african looks at average american and wishes he was rich enough to be able to afford all that.
@bill Mahar - your view of what makes someone 'rich' is skewed... being rich is not an 'act' it's a state of success. Wealth takes hard work as well, so whats wrong with telling people hey, work hard and you'll be rewarded!
@Michael Moore - sure, get rich then tell everyone watching you "your smoking something if you think your going to ever be rich" (im paraphrasing) you DO realize those '400' people are PEOPLE right?
@jtaylor12080 ... are you saying all richs come from inheritance? I really don't want to personally insult anyone, so I'll just say: that's an ignorant assumption.
No I'm not trying to insult you I'm just saying your assumption is "Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular" (straight from webster)
I know a man personally who headed a company from practically nothing to a mutli-million dollar/yr company in only half his lifetime, thats hard work.
@Radioswim Most riches do come from inheritance, though. It's inherent to capitalism that in order to make money You first need to invest. You need some capital.
Having money in the first place is the only fool-proof way to make money. Hard work? Yes, it is very necessary. But to go from rags to riches, hard work alone doesn't cut it - You need connections or luck. Hard work is necessary IN ADDITION to luck or connections.
@jtaylor12080 not to mention he employs (the last time I checked) nearly 600 people. I'd have to ask him their networth/revinue numbers of late, as I'm not sure. I know they are healthy though.
Is there a good chance that everyone can make it at being rich? No, but that's not to say they shouldn't try. I was only saying it's stupid to tell a mass group of people that they CAN'T. It's uninspiring, and just plain mean.
I dont know what fantasy world this poster is living in if he think this is communism. No sir, its not communism, its a little something called reality, you should join us here, its pretty nice most of the time.
Reading the pro Moore people on here I just have to say--the man has gotten rich off your stupidity. I am told I know nothing about economics, but what have you people stated that even shows a remote sense of money and how it works? Nothing. One blithering fool claiming Keynes is God when not a single modern economist sites him as worthy anymore. and other people who believe Obama that the rich are hoarding their wealth. This country is doomed by the likes of all of you. useful idiots all.....
why you bitchin about Michael's weight? Lots of rich people fat, lots of middle class fat, and lot's more poor people fat here. It's the poor man's diet especially. Potatoes, ramen, potatoes, ramen, corn. Veggies and fish have gotten expensive. Meat is outrageous now.
Moore is a fat twaddle. There he was bitching about GM in his first "movie" and he was driving around in a Jap make car--and wondering why GM was closing plants. Thats all anyone needs to know about Moore. A self serving hypocrite.
bill maher doesn't have to worry about being rich, HBO keeps him well paid and classy, and look at Michael Moore for someone who criticizes the fact that people can't get what they want like a roof, to be fed, to educate their kids, well he doesn't look like he's missing to many meals does he, it is so easy for these guys who have jobs, fame, money and etc to then go and say oh well other people deserve this too but we can't and won't do anything but comment on it, becasue we are fine
America of all countries should not have the huge income disparities that it does. Do you have any idea how many homeless families and kids live in this country now? It's epidemic. You don't see them because they live in cars, shelters (if they can find one that isn't full), and motels. These people don't aspire to be rich, they just want a decent roof over their head - a goal that's slipping away.
I have nothing against being rich. I would rather be rich than poor. I just don't believe in getting rich at any cost. It's not my main goal in life. If I happen to make money at something I love doing, all the better, but I'm not going to go to great lengths to make a fast buck.
@bicrank I'm not sure what your getting at. Are you criticizing me just because I don't care about getting rich? And you don't always have to go to great lengths. Some people practically have it handed to them, through inheritance or winning the lotto. Many musical artists are rich, but I really don't think someone like Kurt Cobain thought he was going to get wealthy. He just played his music, and it happened. So your right, I don't have big money. But giving a shit is a different matter.
There is always a price to paid for money--whether through invention, hard work or the work required to inherit the money. As is often said by those who do inherit money, it takes more brains to hang onto it than it does to make--which is why there are very few "old money" families versus new money.
I speak from direct knowledge. Both my wife and I come from "known" families. My father lost his inheritance, my wife will inherit a fortune. She paid the price for that inheritance.
Let's get real. 100% of us can't be rich. Who will scrub your floors, and wipe your ass? We need someone to be poor to serve the rich. That's why the rich never pays a fair wage for a day's work. You'll never come back.
You are always paid exactly what you are worth in a capitalist society. Then the government interferes and some people are paid far more than they are worth. Labor is like any other commodity--the more there is, the less it is worth. If you are very smart, gifted and properly educated, you will make money. If not, then you wash cars.
@bicrank You are not paid what you are worth. You're paid whatever your employer is willing to pay.
I worked as an network engineer in the USA making $60,000+ per year. I and my staff was replaced by workers in India who did the same job at $157 per week. Would any engineer in America accept that low pay??? Nope. So the employer outsourced the job to make more money for the shareholders.
He was willing to pay you what you were worth. If you were worth more, than you should have gotten it from someone else. Or, if you were so valuable, started your own business and made yourself rich!
@bicrank The clients like most resources are limited in scope. I worked creating networks for banks and financial institutions. What did you want me to do. Steal the largest banks from a network and start a small business? Boy, your illogic is laughable.
@12quillemall5321 It's not capitalism, it's globalism. You cab thank Democrats for that, and a few "Republicans" such as Newt Gingrich. It's also the reason why the whole world is being invited into your country and your job network. Moore and his ilk never met white man they like. They would all prefer you to go away.
@12quillemall5321 my info isn't relayed any where. I don't use large banks. Your knowledge is too narrow, thus your limited value in the market place. Spread yourself out some more. Although, speaking from experience, a network is a network is a network. I am not illogical. I am very logical. You are in a global market place thanks to the net. You, therefore, must adapt or die, so to speak.
for someone to be rich presupposes that someone, and actually hundreds of thousands, will be poor. the rich got that way though extracting wealth in 3 main ways: extracting wealth from consumers (which is not inherently immoral), extracting wealth from natural resources (which usually immoral, though not always), and finally by extracting wealth of the the surplus value of their worker's labor (which is inherently immoral because it is wage slavery)
For someone to be rich certainly does not presuppose someone else being poor. You are poor when you are ignorant. Henry Ford was filthy rich, and several million of his workers lived a middle class life--which put them in the upper 95% in income world wide. Americans are lazy and as a result on their way to the poor house.
@davemusicfactory Well that makes sense, because you are very stupid. Judging by the syntax structure, grammar, and complete lack of syllogistic logical argument.... I would say that holding such a ignorant, simplistic view of the world is unsurprising coming from you. I am not trying to insult you for just the sake of it but know this; your dead reckoning is so far off to port that you circling the drain of intellectual comprehension. And because of this you are beyond rational dialog.
@thesparitan Yeah, well, dude, anyone like you who likes Mike Moore is a pinhead. And maybe not even smart enough to be a pinhead. Your rambling speaks volumes about how uneducated you actually are. Anyone deluded enough to think you can get something for nothing is either seriously IQ challenged or mentally ill.
I graduated from a top 20 university in 1981. I don't care what they are teaching you now a days, Keynes was a socialist as England is socialist, then and now. It doesn't work, which is why the Western World is collapsing economically. You cannot reward sloth and have giant government and expect prosperity. The systems in force for the last 60 years have spent the accumulated capital of the Industiral age--now all we have left is to force countries to take our worthless money.
Truth! The college bubble is dismaying. People are practically buying a house that cannot be inhabited whilst living with parents! The incentives of going to college are winding down...Is a degree for classes that we can self-teach ourselves worth a life in debt? That is what we tackle in this video with clips from the Milwaukee Rally!! View it at OfficialCypherSon
If everyone would rich, everyone would just raise the prices of their products and then all of a sudden we will have just as many rich people as we had before. If a nation allowed everyone to be rich, then our resources would be drained rather quickly.
Bobloblawman 7 hours ago
Michael Moore has more personal weath than 97% of Americans. Fact
rxc128 9 hours ago
we are rich compared to the third world, i have more than £5 (about $10 for you americans)and that makes me richer than most other people on the planet. But compared to people in the uk £5 is almost nothing.
doombybbr 1 week ago
Everyone can be rich in the sense that markets create innovations that improve the quality of our lives. We're all rich in a sense as compared to how the average human lived hundreds of years ago, due to the creations made possible by capitalism.
dubified89 1 week ago
the rich are insane, Does Jay leno need 400 cars? Did ed mcman need a 30 room mansion? Was his head so large it wouldnt fit in a 2 bedroom ranch?
guitargold77 2 weeks ago
@guitargold77 If I'm not mistaken, Jay Leno is a car fanatic. He doesn't need cars, but he loves having them. Also, rich people spending their money, even on stupid things, is good for the economy.
BigdogWitBigdog 2 weeks ago
@BigdogWitBigdog id rather see the economy grow by ten million people who couldnt afford a can of beans yesterday buy a cpl today
guitargold77 1 week ago
@guitargold77 Yes, but when rich people buy things they have more money to do so thus are creating jobs and supplying more money.
BigdogWitBigdog 1 week ago
400 have more than 150,000,000. So?
saintoccasionally 2 weeks ago
@saintoccasionally 400 have more than 150 million combined* ie the few at the top are mindblowingly, staggeringly rich, while the vast majority are poor ie is this fair and maybe something is wrong with this system
thesouluniversal 2 weeks ago
@thesouluniversal "The vast majority are poor." That is false. But the real question is this: How much of someone else's money am I entitled to? The answer is none. I am entitled to everything I can earn.
saintoccasionally 2 weeks ago
@saintoccasionally ok Im not sure, maybe I oversimplified, if you include those living in debt or just getting by day-to-day.. depends how you would define poor. Agree with your following point in general, but the problem is alot of people are being exploited.
thesouluniversal 2 weeks ago
@thesouluniversal What do you mean by exploited?
saintoccasionally 2 weeks ago
@saintoccasionally exploited, I mean for eg underpaid and overworked, unnecessarily so, while the boss rakes it in. For example the Nike sweatshops, but I see it happening locally too, the higher the unemployment rate gets, the more desperate people get and the more employers take advantage of that to pay them less(sometimes illegally) to bolster their own personal profits.
thesouluniversal 2 weeks ago
@thesouluniversal That vast majority aren't poor. Most people are fine, they just need to manage their money better. Having rich people are good, those 400 invested their money(risked it) and created jobs. It also allows for the price of certain goods and services to remain affordable. A Dodge Viper is expensive so the rich afford it but at the same time someone of lesser money can afford a used Grand Am.
whyamimrpink78 1 week ago
@whyamimrpink78 Im not against having rich people, but of the extremeskewed distribution of wealth.Im wary of uber-rich coorporations whose power now allows them to sway government policy so that they can pollute & pillage & exploit, those cars btw are now made largely by machines to cut costs, not people, & jobs are sent abroad where labour is cheap. As the rich become richer and the poorer, poorer, less & less people can afford to spend, this is bad for the economony
thesouluniversal 1 week ago
@thesouluniversal economonomy even ;p so yeah, the danger is of the distribution of wealth becoming even more extreme, its been brought into sharp focus with the crisis, people losing their jobs and homes, while many of these rich have benefitted from it (thats not a dig its just a fact). On a side-note, its because of giant coorporations that were still driving petrol fuelled cars rather than environmentally friendly- they bought up the patents to protect their income from oil
thesouluniversal 1 week ago
@thesouluniversal Enviromentally friendly cars are more expesnive to build thus more expensive to buy and really are not that much better. In some ways they are worse for a lot of people. Jobs are shipped out and machines build things now because people want cheap products. That is a societal problem. And the rich can't have all of the money, they give it back when they invest it. When they are forced to give it back they cut jobs and benefits......
whyamimrpink78 1 week ago
@thesouluniversal .....Coorporations invest their money and take the risk and when they are allowed to do so they will keep doing it thus creating jobs. When the government comes in and gives money away or taxes them then the economy becomes uncertain so they stop investing. It is simple. Allow the private sector to work and it will be fine. Enviromental friendly cars will be created and sold if they are affordable and useful.
whyamimrpink78 1 week ago
@whyamimrpink78 They wont be created and sold because the patents have been bought to prevent that ever happening as I said before, this is a sad fact. Its not in their interest, even though it would make the world a healthier place for their children, they would lose their income from oil, which is more imortant to them. We live in an age where wars are waged over oil, its serious business. I understand why jobs are shipped out and machines built, bigger profits
thesouluniversal 1 week ago
@whyamimrpink78 not always cheaper items, also designer items, extremely expensive items aswell. As for taxes, surely they should be paying their fair due of taxes just like everyone else? Yet they have better accountants, money hidden away in tax havens, etc. Its natural and good business sense to do so, so I dont blame them. Is it right though. Its the government cutting benefits because theyre broke, apparently. Well someones got the money...
thesouluniversal 1 week ago
can't people who make money keep it? Why do I have to pay for roads that losers use. Please explain to me, oh wise progressive masters, why the kid who studies in public school gets the same degree as the weed dealer. Why do taxes rise but less is done to uphold infrastructure that some government acronym quickly built 50 years ago. Did the last remnants of big business creativity succumb to cancer? Where has the value of money gone? Oh... and what's the weather? HAARP says 76 deg. and sunny.
quidnick 3 weeks ago
@quidnick why the kid in public school gets the same degree as the weed dealer? whats that suppose to mean? why couldnt the kid in public school sell weed? im sorry i just didnt get that
Prymer55 3 weeks ago
I want to ask Moore if he can spare a bedroom in his waterside mansion. Though I'm not envious, I am pissed that someone can be so hypocritical with a straight face!
quidnick 3 weeks ago
Question: Why do people on the right resort to using the word "communist" to describe any discussion at all around socio-economic change?
Example:
"It's interesting. Over the last few years we've witnessed what is essentially an implosion of the entire financial system as we know it. The aftermath is a seismic shift in our very understanding of how the economy was supposed to function. And the aftermath? A train-wreck. Do you think we should maybe change something?"
".... Shut up Commie!!!"
TheCasualObservers 3 weeks ago
Why is having a stable middle class "socialism"? Why is raising taxes "socialism"? Why is anything in modern America that is even slightly progressive immediately defined as "socialism"? You people have no idea what socialism is, or why it was even imagined.
dominsu 3 weeks ago 26
@dominsu This is a relatively new phonemon in politics, sorta this generation's 'red scare' equivalent..it's just a trend created by right-wing politicos to scare people off of compassionate and highly sensible legislation. The haves do not want the have-nots to have a better quality of life because it would a)undermine their sense of superiority b) possibly make their slice of the pie a tiny bit less oversized and c) they are in the organ-grinder monkeys for corporate monopolies.
moonlily1 3 weeks ago
@moonlily1 Is it sensible to call theft "taxation" and have it normalised decades later to the point where people see it as compassionate to increase it?
AboveDeception 2 weeks ago
@AboveDeception Ya, we all know how government can function without tax revenue. Truth be told I'm actually sick of having laws, a police department, hospitals, roads etc. I'd rather keep the 20% and fend off marauding hoards with a stick.
...christ, people can't be this stupid.
CullTheLivingFlower 1 week ago 4
@CullTheLivingFlower See you are afriad of people, not realising that most are good and would be even better behaved if govt had not been spending their money for them for decades thus reducing their own responsibility. 10% of welfare taxation makes it to the people who need it- you think thats efficient. Limited govt is not a call for anarchy but rather a call for a handfull of people to not have over 30% of GDP at their disposal as that breeds corruption.Youre the idiot!
AboveDeception 1 week ago
@AboveDeception It's one thing to criticize how tax revenue is spent, it's another to call it theft and thereby imply it should be done away with. Or perhaps I misunderstood, are you in favour of theft? If not, then you would render any sort of government entirely impotent and thereby plunge society headfirst into anarchy., which a shitty, inefficiency government is infinitely better than.
CullTheLivingFlower 1 week ago
@CullTheLivingFlower there was no federal income tax until 1913. We had plenty of infrastructure before then. State taxes are ok, but the federal income taxes dont even go towards infrastructure, they go to failing federal welfare and warfare. both are unproductive and the money would be better off if you and I could keep it and spend it wisely.
jfn1103 5 days ago
@jfn1103 You called taxes theft, stop trying to weasel out of it. If it's theft then it's theft on the state level as well.
So either you were being wholly disingenuous when you made your initial comment, or you're in favour of government-sponsored theft as long as it's state, not federal.
CullTheLivingFlower 5 days ago
@dominsu
Capitalism created the middle class, not socialism. And sorry, we've been trying your progressive politics for over a century now, and they've only caused damage. Your ideas aren't new or cutting edge just because they're called "progressive".
s9z9s 2 weeks ago
@dominsu Thank you... you are of the few reasonable people on youtube. Nothing pisses me off more when some right winger labels me as a socialist for simply proposing the idea that a little government intervention can be a good thing.
scw3967 2 weeks ago
@dominsu Labeled as socialism, and defined as communism. you are absolutely right.
Mluna792 2 weeks ago
@dominsu I know something that is progressive that I think a lot of people that are for socialism would disagree with, raise the voting age to 26. In the past people at 18 worked jobs, owned property and paid taxes so they were more intelligent. Now people don't do that until the after college and more. That is one huge problem right now, young idiots are voting even though they don't work or pay taxes, and I am 24 years old.
whyamimrpink78 1 week ago
@dominsu we dont have a stable middle class. Having a stable middle class would be great though. You have to justify the spending before arguing about taxes. Socialism does not work, as you would probably agree. Ron Paul 2012
jfn1103 5 days ago
@dominsu Let me explain socialism, when you get right down to it socialism is favoring equality over freedom and capitalism is favoring freedom over equality. So any "slightly progressive" program that is favoring equality over freedom is leaning towards socialism. So they are not socialist per say but they are leaning towards it, and honestly Im very much against that
thepolice911copeland 1 day ago
This wouldn't rub me the wrong way if it was coming from someone in an audience at a town hall meeting. But coming from a round table involving four people whose annual income is likely well into the six figure range (if not seven) it is a bit annoying to say the least if not outright offensive.
CSAlmanac 3 weeks ago
this from a rich guy..
usaf317 3 weeks ago
In a capitalist system there cannot be rich people (1%) without poor people. The money in the system goes whether justly or unjustly goes to the top 1% or "job creators"
apacheslim 3 weeks ago
Does anybody else think that money is something that we no longer need? I am much more in favor of a resource based economy as described by the Zeitgeist movement. For the most part, there is no such thing a scarcity on this planet. It's just the system in place that tells us this. If everyones basic needs were fulfilled and the people had more free time to pursue what actually interests them in life, then the desire for many to be rich would diminish greatly.
travshorts 1 month ago
@travshorts Do you have even a grade level understanding of basic economics? ... guess not. "There is no such thing as scarcity on this planet" - Please never make it to a point where you get to make decisions for other people. Nearly every single resource ON THIS PLANET is scarce. By the year 2050 some estimates put global population at nearly 20 billion!!! and we already don't have enough trees, water, oil, land, food production etc.etc etc. Every second every resource becomes more scarce.
SauceCaptain 4 weeks ago
@SauceCaptain I said for the most part. I'm also talking about the fact that it is time to completely change our methods of production and consumption so we don't use up every last bit of resource x or y. Sure, if we continue on the same path we are now, our resources will vanish. And yeah... my grade level understanding of basic economics has led me to think that we need to think differently. Don't get upset. Just show me some solutions.
travshorts 4 weeks ago
@SauceCaptain There wouldn't be scarcities if resources were not overconsumed and they were evenly distributed. There is enough of everything for everyone, but a lucky few are slurping down everything and throwing away the leftovers while others go without the very basics. I think thats what that person meant. although a fair and non-competitive economy will never happen because, frankly people like to feel better than others and believe they are specially deserving of their luxuries.
moonlily1 4 weeks ago
I have a roof over my head, a warm bed, food in the fridge and all the information of the world at my fingertips. Sustainable by working 25 hours a week.
I feel way more wealthy than some multi-billionaire who never has time to spend on their hobbies and family.
It really is a question of "stop being depressed and start being awesome" which, granted, is no easy task if you are used to feeling depressed.
CHRLPTRSN 1 month ago
If everyone was rich money would be pointless and valueless. There would be no incentive to work or create. People are rich due to the fact they are talented, smart, or skilled at something everyone wants to hear, watch, or see. If you don't have any of the 3 characteristics you are shoveling shit for rich people. I think the only profession where you don't need any of the 3 and where you can make money, legitimately, is politics. That's why politicians are scumbags, lowlifes and immoral.
wovokanarchy 1 month ago
@wovokanarchy Money is a means of determining human behavior, because it is the equivalent of all that is necessary (and unnecessary- luxury goods) for human life. It shapes desires, the way of thinking and consuming. It became an absolute value. there is no "rich" just "richer then.." Money is the equivalent of everything then anything can be bought. Everything has a label. That given that you have way more money then others makes you very powerful. You can influence everything.
seezarorest 1 month ago
@seezarorest So more money=more power. If you are rich then your children inherit your money. They may be imbeciles (like Bush) but they still are rich. Since they have money they still can pay other people to think for them.They will still go to Harvard,and they will still get the best job,and get to be president.Because money buys everything remember.Because not everyone can be "the richest" that means that the richest people are a closed club that supports/protects it's interests
seezarorest 1 month ago
@seezarorest And your point being?
wovokanarchy 1 month ago
It's absolutely true that not everyone can be rich.
The problem is people are brainwashed to believe that to be happy, they have to be rich.
UnknownXV 1 month ago
Mikey Moore is a neo-marxist. He was born in an upper-middle class family. He has never wanted. Now he feeds off of other peoples misery and peddles propaganda. He twists the truth to make millions and only appears to friendly audiences so he can't be challenged. He portrays himself as being from Flint but he's from Davidson - and upper middle class suburb. He suffers from from classic "white liberal guilt" as he idolizes the poor - but continues to get rich off of them.
redlegagent 1 month ago
@redlegagent I couldn't agree more. Thumbs up for you sir.
Faerlon123 1 month ago
@redlegagent
amen
nowaytogofranco 1 month ago
@redlegagent
That's idiotic. Moore is clearly anti-globalist, certainly not a marxist of any stripe. When Moore was growing up, Flint was a prosperous city. Moore, like his father, worked on the assembly line of a GM plant, just like the vast majority of the city of Flint. So what if he lived in a suburb? He was born in Flint, went to school in Flint and worked in Flint.
subg88 1 month ago
@subg88 - Sorry. You're full of shit. I grew up in Flint. I remember when Moore worked for the Flint Voice. They had a Friday night radio show on WWCK 105FM. I knew a guy who was into the Voice - they're Marxists. Moore grew up in Davidson - not Flint. I lived in Flint when he filmed Roger &Me, had family who worked in the shop. Moore takes 10% truth and spins it with 90% BS to make it sound plausible. Spin your disinformation elsewhere. lol!!
redlegagent 1 month ago
@redlegagent
So because he worked Friday night at the Voice and your friend is a Marxist that makes my statements untrue?!? Which of my points does that address? None. Therefore your argument is illogical BS.
subg88 1 month ago
@subg88 - You claim Moore went to school in Flint - lie, he went to private schoolsuntil High School and graduated from Davidson High - which is not in Flint. You claim he worked at GM like his father - lie, he never worked for GM. At the time of Roger&Me, Flint had a population of around 150K - most people did not work for GM - lie. Flint, like many cities, was "prosperous" at one time or another. GM declined for many reasons. He is a neo-marxist and a pathological liar.
redlegagent 1 month ago
@redlegagent You forgot hypocritical two faced liar that claims to rally support for the plight of the common man when he himself has ammased tens of millions of dollars of personal wealth, while giving nothing back to the community he has fed off of. You left that out.
SauceCaptain 4 weeks ago
if you invent something that benefits society then you become rich
OfficialTedWilliams 1 month ago
@OfficialTedWilliams Rupert Murdoch invented the gutter-grade tabloid and that made him super rich and I can assure you that in no way benefits society
irishgodfatherchris 1 month ago
what did michael moore smoke?!? he is richer than himself than 1 million ppl combined ... so stop complaining against the "super rich"
MoSxyxnr24 1 month ago
Actually what he said was everyone becoming rich is a fantasy. Context, not words are important in speech.
We can't all be rich, but we can all have basic rights to a chance at trying. Even if we fail, we should have a certain standard of life so our children can have a chance at success.
Personally it means people can all be healthy enough to work (healthcare), have chances at success (education and social mobility), and a secure future or insurance (social security and welfare).
Simple.
Neosaigo 1 month ago
michael moore is worth 50 million because of his propaganda. why doesn't he cough up some of his dough?
bennmurray25 1 month ago
Comment removed
bennmurray25 1 month ago
At least Bill Maher and Michael Moore don't make their money putting people out of their homes and sending their jobs to whatever sweatshop republic will take them.
hwbanger 1 month ago
"This is a perfect example of communist teachings" Hahaha what a disgrace. Not only did no one in the video say that it was a "fantasy" but they are completely right. Because of genetics, where you are born, what family you are born into, there will always be underachievers. Its people like there person who put up this video that are the cancer of america. Ignorant sheep. "communist teachings" hahahah what a joke.
TheFlowHD 1 month ago
I think Chris Rock's distinction between "rich" and "wealthy" was the best and simplest ..
NexisFilms 1 month ago 16
@NexisFilms should add in the quote too "Shaq is rich, the white man who signs his cheques is wealthy."
SirTimbo 1 month ago
@SirTimbo
Yes , I was too lazy , thanks !!
NexisFilms 1 month ago
@NexisFilms In economical terms rich is having lots of money and being wealthy is having lots of things.
guigui1992 1 month ago
@guigui1992
Hehe, it's all relative really !
Chris Rock again : "If Bill Gates woke up tomorrow with Oprah's money , he'd jump out a fucking window !!"
NexisFilms 1 month ago
The way to wealth in our wonderful oligarchy!
LIE
CHEAT
STEAL
RINSE
REPEAT
WALLA! FACTS are IF your honest, moral and ethical. You WILL fall behind the rest of the capitalist criminals that don't play by any rules.. A true sub culture full of sub humans!
But there is a silver lining. Crime will triple, anarchy's coming..not IF..Its when.
THOSE WHO LIVE BY THE SWORD???
5% MARGIN OF ERROR
holmeed 2 months ago
i fucking hate the Ron Paul supporters. They're like "I'm in the 25% of the 99% who believes that the only thing keeping me from being in the 1% is the government."
Freethinker12341 2 months ago
@Freethinker12341
The government is protecting a lot of the 1% who in no way deserve that money (government contractor ceos come to mind)
And no intelligent person would think that the government is the only thing keeping them from being wealthy.
However some people, it is, because they may have a good idea, but they can't get it off the ground because of regulations only massive, established corporations can possibly follow.
I realize I'll never be rich, because I'm lazy as hell.
Dethreid 1 month ago
@Dethreid lol..whats ur point. are u agreeing wiht me ?
Freethinker12341 1 month ago
define " rich " . a million ? ten million ? a billion ? The top 400 are billionaires . They have so much money that they can afford accountants to hide their stash ! Mike Moore is doing Ok.....he has excelled in his chosen feild. He makes a product .
And Goldman Sachs " makes " money ......which is a fallacy . You cannot " make " money, you can only get it from elsewhere .....off someone else.......ie YOU .
tasman763 2 months ago
@tasman763
You can actually 'make' money, but only in a fiat currency system. This is done mostly through the fractional reserve banking systems where banks loan out more money then they actually have, but it works unless all the sudden their customers come and want their money *see "Bank Runs"*
however, the government allows this because they instated the FDIC, which gives banks the ability to attract capital (savings/checking etc.) because there is no risk of them going bankrupt (bailouts).
Dethreid 1 month ago
@Dethreid I guess our definitions of " making money " do not match ! If banks are fully regulated, FRB might work . In the current economic climate, I believe FRB is a recipe for disaster ( ie ....what has already happened to the global finacial system ) . JF Kennedy did not think the current system worked well. I am in agreement with JFK ! Our current financial system needs a MAJOR kick up the backside. Greed is killing us !!!
tasman763 1 month ago
I disagree with this video. While I reject all aspects of liberalism I do think that a lot of what is going on is for a purpose. The problem is were directing it at people who did things because of human nature. Greed in the private sector is good why? It creates jobs:) Greed in the public sector bad why? It kills businesses and their own colleagues for that matter. Were all pissed so lets go after the government.
PS we should stop listening to michael moore on economics to
Reido2828 2 months ago
"-do the things that would give us the Mddle Class back, like heavy taxation, forced collectivism and unquestionable government control brought on by an anachronistic adherence to Marx's cultlike philosophy of mass murder and totalitarianism."
NiceGuyCody 2 months ago
@NiceGuyCody
yeah, that always works
unfad1ng 2 months ago
"400 rich people have more money than 150 million American's combined" Well, you don't seem to be doing too bad for yourself Mr. Moore. Maybe Romney wasn't talking about the 400 you speak of, maybe more along the lines of YOUR riches, eh?
probrojeffro 2 months ago 2
@probrojeffro your 100% right. if you could only see the house that "mr 99%" lives in on torch lake michigan, believe me NO ONE in their right mind would ever listen to this underknowledged, over grown pile of horse dump!
torchlakemi 2 months ago
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GO TO MY CHANNEL & see the song that predicted OWS!! 6 months before it happened!!!
heytootssweet 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Bill Maher is a communist.
impossibe2629 2 months ago
This is why I hate celebrities. They think they know everything. We, as the public have to put up with their preachy shit everyday. I'd like to see Bill bring an actual person on his show, like a mom working 2 jobs to feed her 3 kids or a man who has to live off of disability who can barely find a job let alone want to be rich. We'll see how fucking important this dumbass discussion is to them. I'm tired of seeing yet another highly paid snob who doesn't give a shit. Fuck them.
corycashatt90 2 months ago
@corycashatt90 And what brilliant insight do you expect from this "actual person"? I think that mom will say exactly what was being discussed here: she'd love to be rich, but as long as that's not a realistic goal, she'd just like to comfortably make ends meet.
KryzMasta 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
"It's Galactic!!! X) "
thanx,
""Haarpocracy...
Have a HAARP Day!
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0d0i0a0n0e0L0a0 2 months ago
How is everyone going to be rich? Society can do with out professional athletes and supermodels; it can't do without construction workers, trash collectors, firefighters, nurse's aids, daycare workers, ambulence drivers, teachers...how are those people going to get rich? How did Hermain Cain get rich in the pizza business without cashiers, cooks, and delivery people? and if everyone had yachts and private jets and 5 homes, the overconsumption of resources would do us in.
moonlily1 2 months ago 35
@moonlily1 Define rich. If I worked as a cook but worked a job I liked, was able to afford a decent reliable car, a nice home and have a nice family and hobbies, that is rich to me. I don't need millions to do that. The problem is is that people can't do that because of high taxes and regulations don't allow them to. They can't afford a decent car or insurance or a nice home.
whyamimrpink78 1 month ago
@whyamimrpink78 ... The reason why people can't do that is not because of taxes and regulations (btw what regulations are you talking about?), it is because as a cook, you will never have enough income to afford these things. The minium wage has had an extremely small increase while the cost of living has skyrocketed.
mgrey24 1 month ago
@mgrey24 You have just mentioned on of those regulations, minimum wage. Federal minimum wage is hurting small businesses. I worked at a truck stop for years and started when federal minimum wage was $5.15/hr. That place gave raises to cooks that worked there for years. When it moved up to $7.25/hr they couldn't afford to give out any more raises because the had to pay new employers to do dishes at that rate. Remove the federal minimum wage....
whyamimrpink78 1 month ago
@mgrey24 ....and ad a local or state one. $7.25/hr is too high for small town Iowa or Nebraska but that rate is too low for LA or Boston or Dallas. Plus, the federal minimum wage is a form of communism that the founding fathers didn't want. If minimum wage was lower that cook would get a raise and make more money the longer and harder they work but he can't due to regulations.
whyamimrpink78 1 month ago
@whyamimrpink78 You are making a huge assumption that all business will give out raises cause they want to. I worked for a small business....it was always work harder and at the end of the year...bonus and raise.....I did that, met the goals...it the answer was "company didn't make enough $", "be lucky you have a job"...ect. The owner of the company was doing very well...ie...he saw us as slaves....that attitude needs to change for your theory to work.
jwace 1 month ago
@whyamimrpink78 You liberals are all the same, you feel that the company can afford it but in reality they can't. You don't know that because like all liberal you never ran or worked in business.
whyamimrpink78 1 month ago
@whyamimrpink78 except you know warren buffet, but what does he know about business...
mgrey24 1 month ago
@mgrey24 oh and of course Steve Jobs and Bill Gates lets not forget them.
irishgodfatherchris 1 month ago
@moonlily1 We can only hope for the day robots do ALL the dirty work. (not AI robots of course, that would be like having slaves imo)
yoanar2 4 weeks ago
@moonlily1 that's were individuality steps in. Not everyone is as smart as the next person or as hardworking and doesn't want to be rich. Some people even think that being rich would lead them to bad things. Now you could argue that construction workers and firefighters work hard which they do. Its just that it is easier to acquire those skills then that of a doctor or ceo, or professional athlete. so yes i agree that it is impossible by human individuality for everyone to be rich.
MrRangersfan123 3 weeks ago
@MrRangersfan123 That is not my argument. The economy is structured that only a very small number of professions can make you rich. It is not only that not everyone cannot or wouldn't want to do those jobs that make you wealthy, but we would be in a heap of trouble if no one wanted to do those jobs that do not. A professional athlete may have more unique skills than an EMT technician, but in the grander scheme of things their job has far less value to society.
moonlily1 3 weeks ago
@moonlily1 Construction workers, trash collectors, firefighters, nurse's aids, daycare workers, ambulence drivers, and teachers hopefully have that job because it is in their self-interest. If someone wants a lot of money, and has a plan, that's great. But true wealth is spending your precious time doing what you enjoy!
quidnick 3 weeks ago
@quidnick I agree entirely, though most people do not love their jobs and do them to get by.
moonlily1 3 weeks ago
@moonlily1 I could be the asshole who suggests robots as a replacement for the working class, but you would find that many people, with full optimism clamour to do the jobs we find 'harsh'.
quidnick 3 weeks ago
How in in the fuck can these highly paid self important egotistical snobs know what an average American wants?
corycashatt90 2 months ago
@corycashatt90 they really are divorced from reality.
cassidy99ful 2 months ago
So...Bill Maher and Michael Moore are cheerleaders for the communist party? And actual Americans believe communism is better than capitalism? Wow
impossibe2629 2 months ago
@impossibe2629 where do you get that from 'not everyone can be rich'? That's simplistic logic, either-or-thinking. Either you love everything about capitalism or you are a communist; either you think america is perfect and the best country on the planet, or you hate america and should move to china. This is not a nuanced argument, or even a remotely meaningful one.
moonlily1 2 months ago
4 super rich people complaining about inequality and the fact that others wanna be rich? WTF, what a bunch of arrogant assholes
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@unfad1ng They think they know everything because they are celebrities, all celebrities do that stupid shit. lol
corycashatt90 2 months ago
@corycashatt90
yeah celebrities can be assholes, especially the rich ones who do not want others to be rich
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@unfad1ng Maybe. But at least they're pointing out how other super rich people have fixed the system so you and I can't get into the club. These 4 traitors should be kicked out! haha
babamuna66 2 months ago
@unfad1ng
Are you an idiot? Complaining about inequality shows humility and it is a fact that not everyone can be rich. If everyone was rich it would be communism.
coolbanana165 2 months ago
@coolbanana165
no it does not. Complaining about inequality whilst you yourself being rich and not doing anything about it is just hypocritical.
And if you think communism means everyone is rich then you are truly an idot of the worst kind.Communism means everyone is poor.
Capitalism means everyone is rich but in difeerent proportions. Everyone in america is already rich, ask the average zimbabwean and he will tell you. It depends on how you define rich
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@unfad1ng As rich as those four are in comparison to the average American, they are not super rich. The American Dream has been so far perverted to the extent that everyone thinks they can be rich, which isn't possible.
TheSobek 2 months ago
@TheSobek
Rich is a relative term, of course everyone can be rich, everyone in America already is.
Its possible for everyone to become as rich as these people, its highly unlikely but it is possible, just a 100 years ago people couldnt dream of working only 8 hours a day and still being able to afford a house and the diference beetween your average american a 100 years ago and your average american now is greater than the difference beetween these people and average americans.
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@TheSobek
If you define rich as the top 1% then of course everyone cant be rich but if its defined not compared to others but of actual wealth then everyone can be rich. you seem to think of rich as being a millionaire or something but in some countries being rich only means that you can afford your own car.
Your average american is rich when compared to most people in the world.
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@unfad1ng Of course, but I think Mitt Romney's audience similarly defined rich as being a millionaire.
TheSobek 2 months ago
@TheSobek
well its possible for everyone to become that rich but not right now. in the future
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@unfad1ng Lol what? Dont u understand that its inpossible for an entire group to become rich? Someone in the group will always have to work for the others wealth. Wealth is also a form of authority which have power connected to it. If everyone had the same wealth, omg....we would all be equally powerful?!
Artimusoxidus 2 months ago
@Artimusoxidus
it is possible for an entire group to be rich, its just that when that happens people do not realize that they are rich, they look at the superrich and think they are poor.
America is that way, you have a country were there is a problem of people eating to much instead of too little, imagine how happy any random african would be if that was the case, random african looks at average american and wishes he was rich enough to be able to afford all that.
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@bill Mahar - your view of what makes someone 'rich' is skewed... being rich is not an 'act' it's a state of success. Wealth takes hard work as well, so whats wrong with telling people hey, work hard and you'll be rewarded!
@Michael Moore - sure, get rich then tell everyone watching you "your smoking something if you think your going to ever be rich" (im paraphrasing) you DO realize those '400' people are PEOPLE right?
Radioswim 2 months ago
@Radioswim Inheritance = "Hard Work"
jtaylor12080 2 months ago
@jtaylor12080 ... are you saying all richs come from inheritance? I really don't want to personally insult anyone, so I'll just say: that's an ignorant assumption.
No I'm not trying to insult you I'm just saying your assumption is "Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular" (straight from webster)
I know a man personally who headed a company from practically nothing to a mutli-million dollar/yr company in only half his lifetime, thats hard work.
Radioswim 2 months ago
@Radioswim Most riches do come from inheritance, though. It's inherent to capitalism that in order to make money You first need to invest. You need some capital.
Having money in the first place is the only fool-proof way to make money. Hard work? Yes, it is very necessary. But to go from rags to riches, hard work alone doesn't cut it - You need connections or luck. Hard work is necessary IN ADDITION to luck or connections.
Money can push things into success. See Xbox.
~Sylv
Sylvine 2 months ago
@Sylvine
theres plenty of people that has gone from rags to riches
unfad1ng 2 months ago
@jtaylor12080 not to mention he employs (the last time I checked) nearly 600 people. I'd have to ask him their networth/revinue numbers of late, as I'm not sure. I know they are healthy though.
Is there a good chance that everyone can make it at being rich? No, but that's not to say they shouldn't try. I was only saying it's stupid to tell a mass group of people that they CAN'T. It's uninspiring, and just plain mean.
Radioswim 2 months ago
I dont know what fantasy world this poster is living in if he think this is communism. No sir, its not communism, its a little something called reality, you should join us here, its pretty nice most of the time.
GeirGunnarss 2 months ago
Recently Newt Gingrich (disconnected from reality, also see elitest)
said to the occupy wall street movement
"get a job, right after you take a bath."
Yes, must be nice to imagine, that I could someday afford water.
frogofzion 2 months ago
Reading the pro Moore people on here I just have to say--the man has gotten rich off your stupidity. I am told I know nothing about economics, but what have you people stated that even shows a remote sense of money and how it works? Nothing. One blithering fool claiming Keynes is God when not a single modern economist sites him as worthy anymore. and other people who believe Obama that the rich are hoarding their wealth. This country is doomed by the likes of all of you. useful idiots all.....
bicrank 2 months ago
wanting to be is false consciousness...
silvermaniamania1 2 months ago
why you bitchin about Michael's weight? Lots of rich people fat, lots of middle class fat, and lot's more poor people fat here. It's the poor man's diet especially. Potatoes, ramen, potatoes, ramen, corn. Veggies and fish have gotten expensive. Meat is outrageous now.
beastshawnee 2 months ago
@beastshawnee
Moore is a fat twaddle. There he was bitching about GM in his first "movie" and he was driving around in a Jap make car--and wondering why GM was closing plants. Thats all anyone needs to know about Moore. A self serving hypocrite.
bicrank 2 months ago
bill maher doesn't have to worry about being rich, HBO keeps him well paid and classy, and look at Michael Moore for someone who criticizes the fact that people can't get what they want like a roof, to be fed, to educate their kids, well he doesn't look like he's missing to many meals does he, it is so easy for these guys who have jobs, fame, money and etc to then go and say oh well other people deserve this too but we can't and won't do anything but comment on it, becasue we are fine
MAnnaconduit1 2 months ago
America of all countries should not have the huge income disparities that it does. Do you have any idea how many homeless families and kids live in this country now? It's epidemic. You don't see them because they live in cars, shelters (if they can find one that isn't full), and motels. These people don't aspire to be rich, they just want a decent roof over their head - a goal that's slipping away.
meg3325 3 months ago
I have nothing against being rich. I would rather be rich than poor. I just don't believe in getting rich at any cost. It's not my main goal in life. If I happen to make money at something I love doing, all the better, but I'm not going to go to great lengths to make a fast buck.
pwoods100 3 months ago
@pwoods100
Whether it's "fast" or slow, the acquisition of serious money requires going to great lengths which is why you don't have it and never will.
bicrank 3 months ago
@bicrank I'm not sure what your getting at. Are you criticizing me just because I don't care about getting rich? And you don't always have to go to great lengths. Some people practically have it handed to them, through inheritance or winning the lotto. Many musical artists are rich, but I really don't think someone like Kurt Cobain thought he was going to get wealthy. He just played his music, and it happened. So your right, I don't have big money. But giving a shit is a different matter.
pwoods100 2 months ago
@pwoods100
There is always a price to paid for money--whether through invention, hard work or the work required to inherit the money. As is often said by those who do inherit money, it takes more brains to hang onto it than it does to make--which is why there are very few "old money" families versus new money.
I speak from direct knowledge. Both my wife and I come from "known" families. My father lost his inheritance, my wife will inherit a fortune. She paid the price for that inheritance.
bicrank 2 months ago
Let's get real. 100% of us can't be rich. Who will scrub your floors, and wipe your ass? We need someone to be poor to serve the rich. That's why the rich never pays a fair wage for a day's work. You'll never come back.
12quillemall5321 3 months ago
@12quillemall5321
You are always paid exactly what you are worth in a capitalist society. Then the government interferes and some people are paid far more than they are worth. Labor is like any other commodity--the more there is, the less it is worth. If you are very smart, gifted and properly educated, you will make money. If not, then you wash cars.
bicrank 3 months ago
@bicrank You are not paid what you are worth. You're paid whatever your employer is willing to pay.
I worked as an network engineer in the USA making $60,000+ per year. I and my staff was replaced by workers in India who did the same job at $157 per week. Would any engineer in America accept that low pay??? Nope. So the employer outsourced the job to make more money for the shareholders.
That's the new capitalism in America.
12quillemall5321 2 months ago
@12quillemall5321
He was willing to pay you what you were worth. If you were worth more, than you should have gotten it from someone else. Or, if you were so valuable, started your own business and made yourself rich!
bicrank 2 months ago
@bicrank The clients like most resources are limited in scope. I worked creating networks for banks and financial institutions. What did you want me to do. Steal the largest banks from a network and start a small business? Boy, your illogic is laughable.
12quillemall5321 2 months ago
@12quillemall5321 It's not capitalism, it's globalism. You cab thank Democrats for that, and a few "Republicans" such as Newt Gingrich. It's also the reason why the whole world is being invited into your country and your job network. Moore and his ilk never met white man they like. They would all prefer you to go away.
bicrank 2 months ago
@bicrank It's the reason why your personal information is relayed globally. You thought you had a problem with identity theft. Just wait.
12quillemall5321 2 months ago
@12quillemall5321 my info isn't relayed any where. I don't use large banks. Your knowledge is too narrow, thus your limited value in the market place. Spread yourself out some more. Although, speaking from experience, a network is a network is a network. I am not illogical. I am very logical. You are in a global market place thanks to the net. You, therefore, must adapt or die, so to speak.
bicrank 2 months ago
for someone to be rich presupposes that someone, and actually hundreds of thousands, will be poor. the rich got that way though extracting wealth in 3 main ways: extracting wealth from consumers (which is not inherently immoral), extracting wealth from natural resources (which usually immoral, though not always), and finally by extracting wealth of the the surplus value of their worker's labor (which is inherently immoral because it is wage slavery)
rich only exists in contrast to poor
kwballzandy 3 months ago
@kwballzandy
For someone to be rich certainly does not presuppose someone else being poor. You are poor when you are ignorant. Henry Ford was filthy rich, and several million of his workers lived a middle class life--which put them in the upper 95% in income world wide. Americans are lazy and as a result on their way to the poor house.
bicrank 3 months ago
i just want a roof over my head that doesn't drain my bank every month.
Chopchopchop 3 months ago
i just want enough for whisky...food...and that's it.
tedwilli9 3 months ago 11
@tedwilli9 You're a homeless piece of shit
jowbowcow 2 months ago
The American Dream is an almost unachievable dream.
Blackman1000ify 3 months ago
bill and mike been smoinking somthing from the day there were born.
we dont have hbo thank god.
mike just mad he has money but still have a fat wife.
and dope bill get dumb hot chick becuse he has money
it to bad they hate the best country .
i,m one of the 90% ythat love the u.sa and thank god for the 1 %
davemusicfactory 3 months ago
@davemusicfactory Well that makes sense, because you are very stupid. Judging by the syntax structure, grammar, and complete lack of syllogistic logical argument.... I would say that holding such a ignorant, simplistic view of the world is unsurprising coming from you. I am not trying to insult you for just the sake of it but know this; your dead reckoning is so far off to port that you circling the drain of intellectual comprehension. And because of this you are beyond rational dialog.
thesparitan 3 months ago
@thesparitan Yeah, well, dude, anyone like you who likes Mike Moore is a pinhead. And maybe not even smart enough to be a pinhead. Your rambling speaks volumes about how uneducated you actually are. Anyone deluded enough to think you can get something for nothing is either seriously IQ challenged or mentally ill.
bicrank 3 months ago
@bicrank Sorry I stopped listening after "pinhead"
thesparitan 3 months ago
@thesparitan
I graduated from a top 20 university in 1981. I don't care what they are teaching you now a days, Keynes was a socialist as England is socialist, then and now. It doesn't work, which is why the Western World is collapsing economically. You cannot reward sloth and have giant government and expect prosperity. The systems in force for the last 60 years have spent the accumulated capital of the Industiral age--now all we have left is to force countries to take our worthless money.
bicrank 3 months ago
@bicrank Oh wow you graduated form a top 20 university, WOW. That speaks poorly for the university system.
thesparitan 3 months ago
I dont wanna be that rich just as rich as michael moore and bill maher.
thesoulpilots 3 months ago 16
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OfficialCypherSon 3 months ago
lol, he wants all of them to be rich? that's what Karl Marx said...<