I look around and see people with money

[Snoggera]

using their money to maintain the status quo. That wouldn't be a bad thing, but a lot of people attained moneyed status in questionable ways, and don't deserve, in my opinion, to keep it. Others, in my opinion again, have been overpaid, and need to continue that overpaid lifestyle to keep their houses, maids, and mistresses (or misters).

Athletes. Movie Stars. CEO's.

Why the fuck should they make so much money?

They shouldn't.

Sure, it's impossible for two people to be the best athlete in the world. Is that a reason for them to be paid 15 million dollar signing bonuses, and get paid millions when they no longer even are part of the team? I'm part of a team, and get paid, reasonably speaking, well. I can't imagine walking into the directors office and saying that even if they fire me, I should get paid for the next two years.

Cheney is STILL getting paid, in a roundabout way, by Halliburton.


Even those who profess to be liberal don't seem to be generous with either their money or their mouths.

I'm about through with arguing this point.

Any contraindications?

[molly]

1. I will reiterate what I have SCREAMED here

for a very long time.

NOT ALL PEOPLE WITH MONEY ARE BAD - JUST AS NOT ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE POOR ARE GOOD!

Don't judge based on monetary value - judge on acts of the heart. Otherwise, you will be judged as the green eyed monster.

[Snoggera]

4. I agree

but where is the money?

I see that Kerry outspent Bush for the month of May, and Bush has spent, supposedly 3/4's of his current cash. I also see that state by state, and candidate by candidate, the dems are trailing in donations.

People need to contribute all they can now, before the convention.

It's going to be a lean month between the end of July and the end of August.

[molly]

9. The liberals with money give in more ways than one

the rest of us give what we can. I am married - unemployed - when I give, I give my husband's money. I don't ask, I just give what I can. I get an allowance based on household need. We have 2 residences - why the F should I explain this to you.

Tom Carper - here in Delaware - beat Roth, a VERY long time encumbent - with at least HALF of Roth's funds - check it out.

Quit trying to beat everyone up - we all do the best we can and in many different ways.

[Snoggera]

12. Quit trying to beat everyone up

I'm not. That's a mistaken impression, no doubt given by my inability to properly express the intentions of my idea.

[JanMichael]

2. If $500,000 was the max income you could bet your ass that NBA players...

...would STILL be NBA players, and actors would still be actors, because that $500,000 is still for just playing a game and pretending to be someone that you're not.

Nothing much would change.

Except that the gals/guys working behind the food counter would have a better life.

[Snoggera]

5. You have that right!

Man, I like your thinking!

[wyldwolf]

3. ahem

Athletes. Movie Stars. CEO's.

Why the fuck should they make so much money?

Because there are those willing to pay it. Free enterprise. Marketplace.

[Snoggera]

8. It's not free enterprise when those

who control the output also control the demand. How do they control the demand, you ask?

progaganda and manipulation of desires.

I used to go see the Mariners, not too many years ago, for $5.50 a game. What do they cost now?

The average fan is being relegated to watching tv for sports, unless it's high school or NAIA.

[wyldwolf]

11. Manipulation of desires?

:eyes:

Nevermind. I see where this is going.

[Snoggera]

13. That response says nothing to what was being discussed

but says a lot about you.

[wyldwolf]

14. as does your post #8

[Snoggera]

15. Okay, friend, I'll take the bait

what does post #8 say about me?

[wyldwolf]

16. no bait intended. You have your views on money and so do I.

See ya!

[skooooo]

6. In Some Countries, there are salary caps...

For example, in Germany, you can only make so much a year. Those people don't starve or go without. I'm not sure it's a bad idea.

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. I'd never heard that.

How much is it?

People should also realise that many of the examples given here of people paid vast amounts (sportsmen, actors) would go and work in other countries if their salaries were significantly limited in the USA, just as, for instance, UK pop stars did in the 60s and 70s.

[skooooo]

19. I'm not sure how much it is...

...but a German friend of mine told me that. He was in law school, so I'm sure he knew what he was talking about. This was in the late 1980s - probably the cap has been upped quite a bit since then.

[HornBuckler]

7. It Is Funny

I Know A Lot Of Wealthy Liberal Minded People. Well, They Vote Liberal Anyway. Most Wealthy Folks Don't Spend Their Money Like I Would Spend Their Money - But That's Why They Are Wealthy And I Am Not.

Donating To A Campaign Is OK But That Money Would Be Better Spent On Charity.

[JaySherman]

17. I'm inclined to agreed with you.

I have no problem with atheletes and actors being rewarded handsomely for what they do. But I do have a problem with that fact that they're paid enormous sums of money for doing something that, while requiring unique skills, is in the big picture essentially meaningless. Would that we paid our teachers, firefighters, and policemen that much. This while so many other families are forced to choose between food and gas, or to skip medical treatment because they can't afford the bill. The free-market should be allowed to work, but let's make sure everyone's basic needs are met before we pay our entertainers 6, 7, and 8 figure salaries. Let's have universal health care, a living wage, and affordable housing first, then these guys (and gals) can earn whatever they want.

CEO's are another story. I admit I have a strong anti-CEO bias, born out of what I see so many of the bastards doing to our world. These individuals should have a primary responsibility to their shareholders, employees, and environment, not to lining their pockets. I think that CEO salaries should be capped at some percentage above the average employee salary (Don't ask me how much. I'm not an economist). No stock options or other special 'benefits' either.

edit: Better yet, how about capping CEO salaries based on the minimum wage?

[Tamiati]

18. Too much money

"Better yet, how about capping CEO salaries based on the minimum wage"?

Jay S, I love the way you think & that idea in particular ....that is really the crux of it....

There are just too many who are not willing to look at the little guys who are trying to survive on minimum wage...hell even in the midwest you can't survive on that.....

But we are here to discuss this in a caring manner.....

Where are the rich???? How do they show that they care about their fellow man's plight of poverty??