Are We Too Greedy?

[FUNKMAN]

Horde King,

I heard something on the radio today that got me thinking about something i've been suspicious of for a long time.
The Rolling Stones were touring in China and the frontrow seats were drawing 750.00 apiece. Then they stated that 750.00
is the average yearly salary of a Chinese citizen.

I have this theory that the United States has been "hoarding or obtaining" a lion's share
of the world's wealth and it is starting to bite us in the butt. I believe there has to
be someone doing without, somewhere in the world when our country or the citizens in our country become wealthier.


I usually blame the CEO's, Professional Sports that pay their players in the millions, Corrupt
Financial Institutions, etc. But I would also include myself, and other people in the middle class.
We need to have a nice big home in the Suburbs, in-ground pool, vacations twice a year, a computer, TV,
Playstation, and DVD player for every kid, cable modems, satellite dishes.
I think about what a Chinese family comes to own on a 750.00 a year Salary.

To us it seems normal to have these things and we have grown to a certain expectation in this country
on what defines a "comfortable living"

I think about the President asking for 75 Billion to fund the War Effort yet you
have one businessman, Bill Gates who was valued at 70 Billion at one point, I think his
worth has gone down since the Market Crash...

So, i guess my question is: Has the US and it's citizens obtained too much of the world's wealth.
And if so, what affects does it have on the rest of the world.


Thanks, Funkman

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[Meatball]

im not certain...but i dont like what your insinuating here.

spend less time 'wondering' and 'thinking' and more time singing the national anthem and polishing statues of our presidents.

got me you commie ?

just say "Da" if you understand

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[FUNKMAN]

got me you commie ?

just say "Da" if you understand



i'd have to say that this was uncalled for...



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[Meatball]

i dont know what came over me.....i hang my head in shame

( ouch! - banged my head on the keyboard)

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[FUNKMAN]

I think we should be glad that we have all those luxuries Funkman


I guess I am looking for a more educated opinion of World Finance's here...

Please don't take that as an insult because it's not...

I am glad that I have work and am able to provide these things to my family and myself but I just think that we might be living a "too materialistic" life... Not to say that I am right or wrong or that you are right or wrong in your opinions...

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[East Side Dave]

The Rolling Stones are British.

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Big Ass Mafia

[dcpete]

it's based on the political economics of the countries. the united states is based on capitalism and a somewhat laissez-faire way of government. So it breeds wants and a need for capital. Also the united states would be the same as china now without labor union work in the 1800's specifically. they raised the standards and made it so that people could make a decent living.

China was of course communist for a majority of the time. The government had control of the entire economy. In theory this could still work, but their leader was corrupt and greedy so he screwed over 99% of his country. They haven't had the same labor movements that we've had over here, yet. I feel that as the people get more and more rights the average income will go up.

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the praise is pouring in for dcpete. Just look at these qoutes:

IM me at gpigking or suffer a fate worse than death.

[FUNKMAN]

Also the united states would be the same as china now without labor union work in the 1800's specifically. they raised the standards and made it so that people could make a decent living.



DCPete, Thanks for your input. They refer to the world as a Global Market now and all of the different Countries Stock Markets are affected by each other. I believe our Market has the most impact on finances and with all of the recent corruption it makes me think that money is being wrongly taken from others. Is it only us within the US that's affected by it or does it have a global affect.

I know there is corruption in each country but I only read and hear about our own. Except for the big Bank scandal in Japan, I forget which bank.

Then i have this perception that our CEO's, Ballplayers, Actor's, etc are making exorbitant salaries, way beyond the avg salaries of people doing similar work in other countries...

I know it's much more complicated and I am only hitting a few areas. I need to learn more about world economics by reading more but I just happen to be a poor reader and that's why i'm looking for the 'easier" way out by gathering information from the board members...

but it is appreciated!

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This message was edited by FUNKMAN on 3-30-03 @ 9:26 PM

[WRESTLINGFAN]

I am glad that we live in a capatalist based society. Its not about being greedy, its about working hard and sacrificing. Alot of people like to criticize people like Bill ates and Warren Buffet. They took risks and it paid off very well. Imagine if Hypothetically the communists took over the country. Everything you worked for over the years would be taken from you and distributed out.

Communism provides jobs for everybody but the work quality goes down. A perfect example is if you are at a restaurant and you order food and the waiter/waitress takes his/her time to take your order get your food etc. you cant even complain because in a Communist State job security is almost guaranteed, hence no one can get fired.

Communism is a failure, the only commie countries left are Vietnam, Cuba and North Korea. I have no desire to go to any of those countries

Kinda makes you think when the #1 rapper is white and the #1 golfer is black

[TheMojoPin]

Damn right we are. And I'm proud of it.

The whole thing I most horrified of losing in a terrorist attack was all my stuff. I honestly thought ahead that surviving a nuke or bio/chem attack WITHOUT my stuff is a life not worth living. Get me the big knife and gas me first right on the front lawn.

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[Death Metal Moe]

At least we know the towel heads won't try to take our Bacon. They can't eat it with their wacky religious beliefs!

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666%

[TheMojoPin]

Wait, I thought the Jews were the ones who can't dine on swine...

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[HordeKing1]

There is a book that addresses your question from an archeological perspective.

The book, a NY Times Bestseller, is called Guns Germs and Steel. It explains why America for example is much wealthier and has a higher standard of living than Africa, the cradle of civilization.

I don't think it's wrong to enjoy the high standard of living we're all accustomed to. But with that comes responsibility. We should and do feed the hungry in other countries and provide poor countries with billions in aid.

What we don't do, is worry about things that affect the entire planet weather developed or not. Polution (increased dramaticaly under Bush) is a good example.

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[FUNKMAN]

There is a book that addresses your question from an archeological perspective.



What, That's It!
:)

Horde King,

Thanks for the information.

It's too bad for me that i'm a lazy bastard and don't read books.

Regards,

Funkman

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This message was edited by FUNKMAN on 3-31-03 @ 6:03 PM

[grlNIN]

The Rolling Stones are British



Unless im am clued in as to what the conversion of pounds to dollars is......

im with Dave

We Aint A Sect, No This Aint No Fucking Faction
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