Wealth Inequality

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by danielf

Yes, that's where we differ I suppose. Personally, I feel I'm well off (two salaries, no children), and feel we could contribute a bit more.

Don't get me started, we sent our two kids to private school because thenearby schools arent up to much.

Let's face it: most minimum wage jobs are dead end jobs and the prospects of escaping them aren't that good for the majority of people in them. We don't all have the ability to get a good education and well paying job.

I started off on minimum wage and slowly worked myself up, then loans for education, then decent paying job. It is do-able, but I agree that not everyone can do it. Thats life......there will always be people at the bottom and people at the top, thats true even in socialist 'utopias'.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

I started off on minimum wage and slowly worked myself up, then loans for education, then decent paying job. It is do-able, but I agree that not everyone can do it. Thats life......there will always be people at the bottom and people at the top, thats true even in socialist 'utopias'.

Yeah, and I'm certainly not hankering for a 'socialist utopia', but the topic of this thread is that the disparity between the top and bottom is rapidly increasing. I think that's a worrying trend.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by danielf

Yeah, and I'm certainly not hankering for a 'socialist utopia', but the topic of this thread is that the disparity between the top and bottom is rapidly increasing. I think that's a worrying trend.

On that, we can agree.

[Angua]

Originally Posted by danielf

Yeah, and I'm certainly not hankering for a 'socialist utopia', but the topic of this thread is that the disparity between the top and bottom is rapidly increasing. I think that's a worrying trend.

It is this widening gap which causes the most discontent.

We will always need people at all levels of society. How silly would it be for the shop assistant at the local bargain shop to need a degree?

What has gone wrong is the ridiculous rewards at the top of the tree because of the gravy train merry go round. People who stay with a company for some time will have a genuine connection and contribute positively to that companies future. Where as the "high flyers" will just be there for as much as they can get out of it for the short time they are there.

Whilst at the opposite end of the scale there is little incentive to improve as the workload is not recompensed reasonably. A friend who is now manager of a local toy store (one of three) is only paid a few pounds a week more than NMW for all the extra responsibility. How can this be fair or reasonable?

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Angua

A friend who is now manager of a local toy store (one of three) is only paid a few pounds a week more than NMW for all the extra responsibility. How can this be fair or reasonable?

Thats not fair or reasonable but before we blame the owner of the shops, consider if there might be a different reason for the low wages.
Last year I wanted to buy some more commercial premises. The freehold was reasonable but what stopped me buying the premises was that the council wanted £16k/year rates. The mortgage would have also been £16k/year. The council effectively wanted me to buy them a new building at the same time as I was buying mine. I would have had to come up with £32k/year before even considering utilities/wages/other running costs!
.......and people wonder why wages are low!?

[Hugh]

Originally Posted by Alan Fry

There are just no well-paid jobs out there! The Rich have taken them away to enrich themselfs!

Congratulations - even for you, that is nonsensical.

If they took them away, who did they give them to?

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Congratulations - even for you, that is nonsensical.

If they took them away, who did they give them to?

Not to me as I'am still climbing up chimneys to clean them Sir

[Cobbydaler]

Originally Posted by danielf

Check to see where you are in the income distribution.

Where do you fit in

That seems a bit flawed to me.

It takes account of your Council Tax (which depends on the size of your dwelling & where you live) but not your mortgage/rent (which depends on the size of your dwelling & where you live).

[Jimmy-J]

I started out with nothin', and I still got most of it left.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

That seems a bit flawed to me.

It takes account of your Council Tax (which depends on the size of your dwelling & where you live) but not your mortgage/rent (which depends on the size of your dwelling & where you live).

Yeah. Presumably they're trying to work out tax liability. But, it' s income distribution, not wealth or disposable income. Should still give you a ballpark measure though.

[Angua]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Thats not fair or reasonable but before we blame the owner of the shops, consider if there might be a different reason for the low wages.
Last year I wanted to buy some more commercial premises. The freehold was reasonable but what stopped me buying the premises was that the council wanted £16k/year rates. The mortgage would have also been £16k/year. The council effectively wanted me to buy them a new building at the same time as I was buying mine. I would have had to come up with £32k/year before even considering utilities/wages/other running costs!
.......and people wonder why wages are low!?

I don't disagree, business rents/rates seem to be extortionately high. One does have to wonder at the mentality which would rather get the highest price & then have few takers, or very transient occupants as high costs drive them out of business.

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by Jimmy-J

I started out with nothin', and I still got most of it left.

Ok Steve, Are you still sea-sick

[Alan Fry]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Congratulations - even for you, that is nonsensical.

If they took them away, who did they give them to?

The jobs are still here, but they are less well paid then before, this is what happens when you weaken union power