Does One Person's Gain Come at Another's Expense?

[Magic Man]

Many people play the blame game. They think they are poor because of the damn rich folks.

Is this really true?

To reply to the title: one person's gain doesn't necessarily have to come at another's expense, but we live in a complex society where that ends up being the case a lot.

To reply to the OP: It is true that some rich folks have been twisting the system to benefit them at the expense of 80% of the country for the past 30 years. That's why we have such a large and growing income gap.

 

[Magic Man]

This is true, but we can find alternatives that achieve the desired result.

My whole point is, I don't believe we are shutting the door on anyone.

Successful people many times create their own fortunes, like finding an emerald mine for example.

Income disparity will accelerate in the future. It's not that people are driven down, people on welfare live better than the middle class 40 years ago, it is just that the rich are going to be even richer.

They are not stealing a bigger portion of the pie, they are baking more pies.

They're not baking more pies. I agree that income disparity will accelerate in the future, but unlike you I realize that's a very bad thing that will only lead to some kind of revolution (see the French Revolution).

People are being driven down, people on welfare do not live better than the middle class 40 years ago, but yes, the rich are getting richer despite the rest of the country staying the same. 95% of the new income since the economic collapse has gone to the top 1%.

 

[Magic Man]

Not everyone is a self-starter and capable of self-teaching. Many people need a clear, pre-defined path layed out for them in order to know what to do.

And that's not a bad thing. It's just a different personality. (I'm not implying you were saying the opposite of either of these things.)

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

Many people play the blame game. They think they are poor because of the damn rich folks.

Is this really true?

Yes this is true ! . When 1% of the population control 90+% of the wealth.

 

[Falvlun]

They are not stealing a bigger portion of the pie, they are baking more pies.

Not really. They are investing in pie making. And if you start out with a lot of money to invest in pies, then the way the stock market works, you are going to be able to make a whole lot of money without having to do much of anything of value. You're certainly not making pies.

 

[Curious George]

depends on how you look at it. If you don't look at the big picture, then no. If you do, then yes.

 

[Quagmire]

I don't see were my arguement is limited to one country.

It is limited to the First World though, ie., those countries where, one way or another, everyone gets a shot at success (the mountain of gold I was talking about in my first post).

On the global scale the answer to this: "Does One Person's Gain Come at Another's Expense?" is a pretty obvious yes.

All through recent history, the elevated standard of living experienced by those lucky enough to have been born citizens of First World nations has come at the expense of those born somewhere else.

 

[DallasApple]

I know 2% of the population works hard for their money. The rest are slackers.