Should the wealth be distributed? I don't know. That's a huge question, but my immediate answer would have to be no. You should get what you work for. This country was built on the idea of the American dream - that if you work hard, you should get whatever you want out of life. Should someone who works hard throughout their life get the same privileges and benefits as someone else who does very little? I personally don't think so.

In America, it would seem that people could be whatever they want. We tell children that al of the time, don't we? The sad fact is that very few people actually work themselves out of the socioeconomic level they grow up in. I read a really interesting book by Ruby Payne about understanding poverty, and it shed a lot of light on things that I hadn't thought about or known before. She states that there are 3 different cultures in America - poverty, middle class, and wealthy. Very few people born into poverty move into the middle class. Likewise, very few middle class people move into the wealthy class. There are cultural norms for each, and it is difficult to learn how to cope in a different economic culture than you were raised.

This is such a big issue, that it can't possibly have one simple answer.

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No. The majority of those who are wealthy did it through hard work, good investments, or living a frugal life. I know a janitor at work who has over a million dollars in his retirement account. He has worked there since he was a teenager, and I think he is in his 70's. Why should his wealth be redistributed to people who abuse the welfare system or collect disability when they are perfectly capable of working if they really had a work ethic. Before you flame me, I'm not talking about every poor person out there. I work at a state hospital and see all kinds of people who expect free handouts in life. These are the people that comment is directed at.

Think of it this way -

If you get a christmas Bonus - it has to be taxed - Even though the boss giving it to you already paid taxes on what he earned.


Plus One Person could Do alot of work for a family member - and they could give them a "tax free" gift.
So I Guess taxes on everything is fair -
Fair to Everyone .

Well I don't know how Fair they are - But I Mean like joe shouldn't Have to pay NO taxes , While Sam pays taxes .... KWIM??

As far as wealth Being Distributed -
I have a Strong stance on The Harder you work the More you make .....
So No I don't think my Husband should work his butt off and Make tons of sacrifices along the Way ....and make the same amount as a person who only works 40 Hours a week for years and takes no Step towards Making More money.....

No I don't think the wealth should be redistributed. People who work hard for their money and become wealthy should get to keep it and enjoy it. However, I do think there should be a better safety net for those who are unable to keep up with the cut-throat environment that such capitalism creates. The problem of poverty in the U.S. is embarrassing for such a wealthy country.

Germany has HIGH tax rates and it hurts to look at your pay stub each month. We pay around 50% in various taxes. The spectrum of poor - rich isn't as wide here as in the U.S., and the wealth is redistributed somewhat. However, the safety net is too safe. No incentive to have a strong work ethic, work at McDonald's as a college grad (or mid-career engineer, or whatever), work your way up in a company, etc. On the other hand, the low poverty rate means that the country is safer, there are no homeless (or only homeless by choice), and the average level of education is pretty good.

I like to imagine that there is a happy medium between the two, with fair tax laws and a safety net, but where everyone has to work to earn their keep. No idea where that exists...

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~ mama abroad

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." -Ghandi

check out my culture shock blog: A View from the Outside

This thread freaks me out a little because I recently read Atlas Shrugged. Granted it's fiction, but I could see something like that happening in the future.

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Fixed link: Buffett blasts system that lets him pay less tax than secretary - Times Online

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No. But I think there should be a flat income tax no matter the income level but no income tax at all below the poverty line (which in our area is $30,000 for a family of 4).

0% tax for anything up to $30,000 (for everyone)
A flat income tax for everything above $30,000.

It would be so much easier to do taxes too.
And it wouldn't punish either the poor or the rich .. or the middle class for that matter. Every dollar above $30,000 per person would be taxed equally.

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Are you under the impression that bonuses come directly out of the pocket of your supervisor?

How has your boss already paid taxes on your bonus?

A family member gifting a large sum of money to a child is a completely different animal than getting a Christmas bonus at work. I am sorry, I just don't see the connection...

Why should said child pay taxes on money that has already been directly taxed?

No way.

the fair tax makes so much sense but it will never happen bc politicians need to divide us by our economic groups/tax brackets.

neal boortz's fair tax book:

Amazon.com: The FairTax Book: Books: Neal Boortz,John Linder

it would take care of so many problems-illegal incomes, tax shelters, etc as well as spurring the economy and providing a rebate check for lower income families who cant afford the flat tax.

check it out.

ditto