Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

marmar

(77,080 posts)
Mon Feb 18, 2013, 06:14 PM Feb 2013

The Lamest Excuses Money Can Buy


Published on Monday, February 18, 2013 by Common Dreams
The Lamest Excuses Money Can Buy

by Paul Buchheit


As we try to grasp the reasoning behind cuts to life-saving programs while billion-dollar incomes and trillion-dollar profits are being made, we must understand that extreme wealth deadens parts of the brain. Empathy and honesty go first. Then rationality, as evidenced by some of the outlandish excuses given by the very rich for their abuses.

Excuses for Inequality

Here's what Goldman Sachs adviser Brian Griffiths said about it: "We have to tolerate the inequality as a way to achieve greater prosperity and opportunity for all."

U.S. wealth distribution has become so extreme that nearly half of America has, on the average, ZERO WEALTH (debt exceeds assets). As for income, the richest 1% seemed to perform the impossible from 2009 to 2011, capturing MORE THAN 100% of the new income gains (income decreased for the other 99%).

As irrational as it might seem to find an excuse for all this, the Heritage Foundation is up to the task, claiming that poor Americans are actually doing quite well with their TVs and air conditioners. Never mind that debt for the poorest quintile of Americans averages $27,000 more than their possessions. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/02/18-2



3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Lamest Excuses Money Can Buy (Original Post) marmar Feb 2013 OP
k&r for exposure. n/t Laelth Feb 2013 #1
So per Griffiths, the poorer you are the more opportunity you have. Scuba Feb 2013 #2
That's It : King_Klonopin Feb 2013 #3
 

Scuba

(53,475 posts)
2. So per Griffiths, the poorer you are the more opportunity you have.
Mon Feb 18, 2013, 08:21 PM
Feb 2013

As for the "achieving greater prosperity" part, that's just for him.

King_Klonopin

(1,306 posts)
3. That's It :
Tue Feb 19, 2013, 06:31 AM
Feb 2013

Plenty of opportunity.
and
Zero actualization.

100% vs 0% is defined as "inequality we have to accept"

"Inequality" ?

Having Everything vs Getting Nothing.

Yup. And the sun is just a little bit bigger than the moon.

Clueless, shameless, heartless and useless POS.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»The Lamest Excuses Money ...