Bar Stool Economics

[JMD]

And so how does the gap between CEO pay and employee pay keep people from that opportunity?

It doesn't.

 

[moburg]

It doesn't.

Exactly!

See what they won't say is that they want equality of outcome, not just equality of opportunity.

The opportunity exists for everyone out there. The anecdotal stories of rags to riches that exist out there are the proof that it can be done. The opportunities exist and those people took advantage of them. You can't just sit back and expect those results if you are not willing to put in the hard work.

 

[PeterPan09]

So you're comparing taxing the wealthy to paying your electric bill? Really?

I'm comparing paying MY taxes to paying MY electric bill-extrapolate from that what you choose.

I pay my taxes and I receive services. I may benefit directly or indirectly from those services, but I do benefit.

 

[JMD]

I'm comparing paying MY taxes to paying MY electric bill-extrapolate from that what you choose.

I pay my taxes and I receive services. I may benefit directly or indirectly from those services, but I do benefit.

The problem is the proportion paid to the proportion recieved. I'm sure you can agree with that.

 

[PeterPan09]

And so how does the gap between CEO pay and employee pay keep people from that opportunity?

When the CEO pay becomes an obstacle to creating opportunity for others. If my CEO was making 400 times what his average worker was making, we could not afford to have as many workers, and could not afford to promote as many workers. Luckily, our CEO knows that his success depends on the quality of people that work for him, so his salary isn't so huge that it sucks all the resources out of the company.

I said this on another thread-I'm not at all adverse to people having whatever they want and getting as rich as they want. It's how they got to all that "having" that I find problematic in some cases.

 

[Nie0214]

And they STILL have enough $$ left over after taxes to buy stuff!! Isn't that amazing?? Even with those terrible tax rates, those CEO's can still throw lavish parties, buy $1000 shower curtains and private jets!

When I see the first CEO at Walmart buying cheap shampoo I'll get out my violin. Until then, there's no sympathy here.

Wait, so because I am able to live within my means and put away money for savings and can get a new car and go to Disney for my birthday.. I should pay more taxes? I also refuse to shop at Walmart for my own reasons. I must be a horrible citizen.

PS I probably make WELL less than you would assume.

 

[PeterPan09]

The problem is the proportion paid to the proportion recieved. I'm sure you can agree with that.

Actually no. I have had no problem with paying more taxes as my salary has risen. I've been given the opportunity to be well educated, work hard and earn a decent salary. Sure there are things I haven't been happy about paying for, but overall I believe that investing in my country is a good thing.

 

[JMD]

When the CEO pay becomes an obstacle to creating opportunity for others. If my CEO was making 400 times what his average worker was making, we could not afford to have as many workers, and could not afford to promote as many workers. Luckily, our CEO knows that his success depends on the quality of people that work for him, so his salary isn't so huge that it sucks all the resources out of the company.

I said this on another thread-I'm not at all adverse to people having whatever they want and getting as rich as they want. It's how they got to all that "having" that I find problematic in some cases.

That doesn't address the question I asked.

And I'm sure most CEO are like yours and their interests are inline with the best interests of the company.

 

[PeterPan09]

Wait, so because I am able to live within my means and put away money for savings and can get a new car and go to Disney for my birthday.. I should pay more taxes? I also refuse to shop at Walmart for my own reasons. I must be a horrible citizen.

PS I probably make WELL less than you would assume.

Have you exploited anyone who works for you lately? Raided their pension plan? Fired people while you collected a big, juicy bonus?

If not, then I wasn't referring to you-and I'm fairly sure you're smart enough to know that.

 

[PeterPan09]

That doesn't address the question I asked.

And I'm sure most CEO are like yours and their interests are inline with the best interests of the company.

I think it's fairly obvious to anyone who has been watching the news for the last few years that the jury is still out on the idea that "most" CEO's are like mine.

And my answer did address it, a massive CEO salary eats up profits that could be used to pay or promote other workers-thereby reducing opportunity.

 

[JMD]

Actually no. I have had no problem with paying more taxes as my salary has risen. I've been given the opportunity to be well educated, work hard and earn a decent salary. Sure there are things I haven't been happy about paying for, but overall I believe that investing in my country is a good thing.

No one is suggesting investing in their country is a bad thing. But I believe that investing my money how I choose to, would have a far greater benefit to our country than paying into this giant bureaucracy, only to have them distribute the money for their own political gain.

 

[PeterPan09]

No one is suggesting investing in their country is a bad thing. But I believe that investing my money how I choose to, would have a far greater benefit to our country than paying into this giant bureaucracy, only to have them distribute the money for their own political gain.

We tried that. We were told for years that if we gave the top 1% tax cuts, they would create jobs and invest in our country. I think the six million Americans who have lost their jobs this year would have something to say about how well that worked.

 

[rie'smom]

So, ok, you're middle class right now. One day you're kicking around an idea, you get a patent, a company buys you out or you manufacture it and hit it big. You earned your money honestly but it's ok for others to feel that you owe them?
I know a bunch of wealthy people. My grandfather was one of them. As a child he and his family were dirt poor-they lived near the water and fished for their food because they couldn't afford to buy it. He left school in the 5th grade to work on a boat to support his family. Popee saved his money and after 25 years, he bought a boat. Then he bought another boat after a few years, and several years later, he bought a shipyard. He and my grandmother lived in a 2000 sq ft house, did their own shopping, cooking, and cleaning. They never hurt anyone and helped other people to start businesses with loans. The people were expected repay them and they did. A couple of men did very well and built up companies worth hundreds of millions. My grandfather was thrilled for them. He would not think that he or anyone else was "owed" because of the success these men achieved.
My grandfather was a very decent man and guess what? He'd be ticked off that others thought he was a crook and made his money off the backs of others. He actually worked on one of his boats until he was 70 years old.

 

[Charade]

When you pay your electric bill to receive power, are you paying them back? No, you're paying for a service that you receive. You may not like the price you pay, but you'd certainly like it a lot less if the lights went off.

I fail to see the difference.