400 Americans have combined $1.27 trillion

[2-0-Sixx]

Another way of looking at it...

Forbes richest 400 have more wealth than 140 countries

 

[2-0-Sixx]

I'd say zero.

Here is the complete list:

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/54/400list08_The-400-Richest-Americans_Rank.html

Another question is how many black people are on the list? I haven't gone through the entire list but I believe there are 2-4 total (Oprah Winfrey the richest african american at #155). Also worthy to note the richest African americans are almost always rich from being in the entertainment business.

 

[Mr. Nice Guy]

That depends on the person and their circumstance. A person working out of town, were no alternative forms of transportation are avilable needs a car if he hopes to keep his job. Now granted, he can say screw the job and find something closer, therefore eliminating the need for a car, but who is to say this is an option?



What I think he was getting at is once you make X amount of money, it isn't doing anything for you. Basically it's like smoking hella weed. You can only get so high in one setting that continuing to put something in the air is a waste.



Actually this is something you need to reconsider. Compare the mortality rate of a person who survives on a few dollars a day to those who are above the poverty level (lets just say middle class) and those who are on this list. Who has the highest mortality rate? Moreover, are the mortality differences between the middle class and uber rich large or are they similar?



I have no idea I didn't come with it.

Fair enough.

I think the basis of the disagreement is in our interpretations of the definition of need.

Otherwise his selection of 500 million still stands as totally arbitrary and without any substantive merit. I don't see any logic behind arguing "people don't need X amount of money so they should be forced to give some away, still leaving them with more than they need" which interestingly places the scenario back in the exact same position of someone who has more than they need, only now not as much more.

 

[Mr. Nice Guy]

ok

LOL


Just when I thought maybe I was underestimating you, you come out of nowhere and totally redeem yourself with a great post such as this one.

:dead:

 

[Mike Manson]

Nobody needs a TV or a car either.

At least try to maintain some consistency in your logic.

Shit even using your faulty logic nobody needs 500 million, no one needs 50 million, no one even needs 5 million. In fact many people live on a few dollars a day, proving we each only "need" a few dollars a day to survive. Why are we stopping at 500 million?

I would also love to hear how you even arrived at 500 million as the cutoff point lol

I was just trying to make a point without having to come up with some sort of math solution for the number posted. I stated 500 mil, so nothing has to change in America, rich fuckers can still be rich fuckers...

 

[Mike Manson]

What I think he was getting at is once you make X amount of money, it isn't doing anything for you. Basically it's like smoking hella weed. You can only get so high in one setting that continuing to put something in the air is a waste.

Exactly.

 

[swoop187]

Nobody needs a billion. Whatever people have above let's say 500 million should be used for public schools, social services, etc.!

Using that ideology, if you have more then I do I'm justified in sticking your ass up and taking it.

 

[swoop187]

I'm getting sick of the socialists and communists crying because others have used capitalism to get rich.

I mean, God forbid if someone has more then you do.

The difference between those "evil rich bastards" and you liberals, communists and socialists is the fact that those "rich bastards" took risks in life while the liberals, communists and socialists DID NOTHING to get ahead in life.

Lets also not forget that these wealthy people are the ones who put FOOD on your table.

Hate them all you want but all they have to do is move their business and money elsewhere and you crybabies are up shit-creek.

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

That depends on the person and their circumstance. A person working out of town, were no alternative forms of transportation are avilable needs a car if he hopes to keep his job. Now granted, he can say screw the job and find something closer, therefore eliminating the need for a car, but who is to say this is an option?

Just to put things in perspective, thousands of people take trains from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the likes to go work in NYC daily.

So a car as a necessity is still up for debate.

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

I'm getting sick of the socialists and communists crying because others have used capitalism to get rich.

I mean, God forbid if someone has more then you do.

The difference between those "evil rich bastards" and you liberals, communists and socialists is the fact that those "rich bastards" took risks in life while the liberals, communists and socialists DID NOTHING to get ahead in life.

Lets also not forget that these wealthy people are the ones who put FOOD on your table.

Hate them all you want but all they have to do is move their business and money elsewhere and you crybabies are up shit-creek.

LOL...it goes so much deeper than this. And someone who it on a gangsta rap message board from a city like Chicago would know that. At least, one would assume.

 

[swoop187]

LOL...it goes so much deeper than this. And someone who it on a gangsta rap message board from a city like Chicago would know that. At least, one would assume.

I know all about it.

Chicago is fucking ridiculous.

I'm an evil capitalist that likes to make a profit off of gangsta rap cds, God forbid.

Thats why I'm on these "Gangsta rap message boards"

 

[The Duke of Earl]

Just to put things in perspective, thousands of people take trains from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the likes to go work in NYC daily.

So a car as a necessity is still up for debate.

bay area is diffrent

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

I know all about it.

Chicago is fucking ridiculous.

I'm an evil capitalist that likes to make a profit off of gangsta rap cds, God forbid.

Thats why I'm on these "Gangsta rap message boards"

LOL @ that going RIIIIIGHT over your head. SMH

 

[The Duke of Earl]

no it didn't you liberal hippie there you go with your liberal liberalism ^

 

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Exactly.

Next time you have more weed than you need, remember that if I don't have enough someone should redistribute what you have and give some to me.

 

[Joey]

I'm getting sick of the socialists and communists crying because others have used capitalism to get rich.

I mean, God forbid if someone has more then you do.

The difference between those "evil rich bastards" and you liberals, communists and socialists is the fact that those "rich bastards" took risks in life while the liberals, communists and socialists DID NOTHING to get ahead in life.

Lets also not forget that these wealthy people are the ones who put FOOD on your table.

Hate them all you want but all they have to do is move their business and money elsewhere and you crybabies are up shit-creek.

Some took risks but alot of shit is passed down and kept in the family.....I agree that chances make champions and the ability to make alot of money is available to all......But to say that people have done nothing to get ahead is bullshit......

Both sides have good points but if you cut off the ability to make as much as possible and put a cap on it........People wouldnt get as creative and probably wont work as hard......And therefore there wouldnt be as many jobs available.........But on the other hand 400 Amerikkkans having 1.27 trillion is kinda out of hand....Its that upper 3-5% though that makes this shit spin..........

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Chicago is fucking ridiculous.

Then you should know very well the people in southside chicago have very little chance at success because of the limited opportunities which are provided to them. Lack of decent education, poverty, gangs/violence, broken homes, etc etc etc etc etc. A person born in south chicago does not have the same opportunities of a rich kid on the north side whose parents send them to the best private schools money can buy and further into college, etc.

You can slang gangsta rap CD's all you want good luck making the forbes list with that.

The people on the list are born into certain circumstances that allow them to succeed, or a smaller percentage of them are very, very lucky.

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

Then you should know very well the people in southside chicago have very little chance at success because of the limited opportunities which are provided to them. Lack of decent education, poverty, gangs/violence, broken homes, etc etc etc etc etc. A person born in south chicago does not have the same opportunities of a rich kid on the north side whose parents send them to the best private schools money can buy and further into college, etc.

You can slang gangsta rap CD's all you want good luck making the forbes list with that.

The people on the list are born into certain circumstances that allow them to succeed, or are very, very lucky.

Wait a second 2-0.. according to swoop, that is THEIR fault. They need to do better and stop asking for handouts.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Right, and that is obviously the fundamental flaw with swoop187's way of thinking (or lack thereof).

Further, the chances of even surviving and living past 25 years of age in certain areas of Chicago is a challenge in itself, as the murder rate in some places rival that of violent 3rd world countries. You can be straight as an arrow and bust your ass trying to make it and better yourself and end up dead for no good reason at all.

 

[swoop187]

Some took risks but alot of shit is passed down and kept in the family.....I agree that chances make champions and the ability to make alot of money is available to all......But to say that people have done nothing to get ahead is bullshit......

Both sides have good points but if you cut off the ability to make as much as possible and put a cap on it........People wouldnt get as creative and probably wont work as hard......And therefore there wouldnt be as many jobs available.........But on the other hand 400 Amerikkkans having 1.27 trillion is kinda out of hand....Its that upper 3-5% though that makes this shit spin..........

Who cares how much money these rich folks have?

We don't have a set amount of money in this nation, capitalism allows economic growth which means the "money tree" really does exist.

Now CLEARLY those crybaby pussies that cry about others who have more then them are only doing so out of envy.

Fuck them.

If they have a problem with how shit goes then they can stop buying shit and live on a commune.

Furthermore, these fucks who want the rich mans money feel entitled to it and are willing to do nothing for it.

There is absolutely ZERO basis for the "spread the wealth" argument.