George F. Will: Inequality is a good thing

[yortsed snacilbuper]

Lifestyles improve for all when the rich get richer

Every day the Chinese go to work, Americans get a raise: Chinese workers, many earning each day about what Americans spend on a Starbucks latte, produce apparel, appliances and other stuff cheaply, thereby enlarging Americans’ disposable income. Americans similarly get a raise when they shop at the stores that made Sam Walton a billionaire.

By George F. Will

link

[vixengrl]

1. Inequality is a good thing for George Will

so long as he's on the right side of the divide, and has clear social messages about just who he needs to suck up to. George Will writes grammatically enough, but I'm afraid he should have a prettier mouth if he wants to put it out there that way. I'll be in the backroom sharpening pitchforks and tarring up some torches.

Believing that we all benefit when someone out there is exploited is the ideological basis of slavery, and not surprising from a clue-deprived know-it-not who has boostered for rape culture and climate change denial as if fully believing that someone somewhere better hurt to keep the status quo quo-ing. He's set the bar so low for himself we will never fully grasp when he has hit self-parody.

[immoderate]

2. Well stuck!

Torches and pitchforks, oh my! But that's what he's asking for.

--imm

[ND-Dem]

3. americans' income has gone *down* as china's rose, george. maybe you missed it

because the guys you shill for still pay you well.

[Sherman A1]

9. Well,

There is that, but hey, he is on a roll........

[Donald Ian Rankin]

11. Which period are you defining as "While China's rose"?

A cursory search of the internet (disclaimer: IANAE) suggests that American's median income rose steadily throughout the last part of the 20th century, stabilised in the 21st and is now falling slightly, but is still well above where it was in 1985.

[ND-Dem]

13. .

[jwirr]

16. I know what real income means - what is a nominal income?

[daleo]

24. Income that has not been adjusted for inflation is referred to as nominal income

In time trend data.

[jwirr]

26. Thank you. Makes the graphs even more relevent.

[ND-Dem]

28. Nominal = the actual dollar amounts (not inflation adjusted). The denominated value of the

money.

[Art_from_Ark]

4. This is the guy who gave a briefing book that was stolen from the Carter campaign

to Ronald Reagan. That's all I need to know about where this guy's priorities lie.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/12/03/277267/-George-Will-Admits-Role-in-Pres-Carter-s-Stolen-Papers

[JHB]

10. That garbles Will's role in that (which he's used to dismiss it)...

Will isn't the one who purloined the book. That was someone either working in the White House, or who came into the WH on normal business (for example, for the president's daily briefing).

Will was Reagan's "sparring partner" when they practiced the debates, and they used the briefing book to map out what Reagan should emphasize, gage what Carter's responses would be, and sketch out responses so Reagan would have them ready to roll out (including the "there you go again" quip).

Will, however, never disclosed that he was working so closely with Reagan's campaign. After the debate he gushed on camera at how Reagan was "like a thoroughbred". It wasn't exactly a surprise that he would say something like that -- he was there as a conservative commentator -- but he played the part of outside observer when he was an active participant.

[Warpy]

5. Take a look at sales figures, even Wal Mart is losing money these days

US workers have been beggared beyond the ability to buy what those "cheap" Chinese workers produce, Mr. Will.

Congratulations! You supply side voo doo idiots have managed to choke off the demand side for everything but the encrusted tchotchkes the wealthy are snapping up.

Schmuck.

[ND-Dem]

15. +100

[jwirr]

17. Absolute truth. Thanks Warpy.

[d_b]

6. Not clicking shit to that clown

[Enrique]

7. fascinating theory

he should call it "trickle down economics"

[MrScorpio]

8. I can't wait until it's great for guillotine makers as well nt.

[Scootaloo]

12. Psychopathic bastard.

Someday he'll tie that bow tie too tight, and we'll be down one asshole with two first names. Can't happen too soon.

[smirkymonkey]

29. I would love to be the one to tie it tighter.

Miserable bastard.

[Blue_Adept]

14. Let's hope he remembers this when old white men are marginalized

Which is happening quicker and quicker, and he damn well better be around when it does so he can have a major sad.

[Marr]

18. I swear, it must be so easy to be a 'conservative intellectual'.

This is the one trick they do, over and over and over. They take some fundamental, societal problem (usually one that benefits the 1%), and then describe how it's ideal just as it is, and perfectly in balance with the universe.

It's one of the laziest types of thinking I've ever encountered. It's just well-dressed apathy.

[daleo]

25. It is what theologians did for the church, for centuries

"The greatest world in the greatest of all possible worlds."

Many economists and pundits of today are essentially doing apologetics for capitalism. Business schools perform the same function as seminaries did, back in the Middle Ages.

[Octafish]

19. The Traitor George Will said that?

The great DUer MinM explains:

http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/10025377894#post101

[moondust]

20. Wow.

And why not tyrannical slavery, right George? Why pay them anything at all if you have the guns and stuff to force them to do whatever you want? Let's do it!

Only this time around YOU and your children and their children all get to be the slaves, George. K?

[hifiguy]

21. Hey, asshat, Johnny Cash wants a word with you,

so to speak:

[logosoco]

22. The items produced cheaply in China are not a boon to poor people here.

In the long run they are not really affordable when they have to be replaced sooner or more often. Low income folks are much better off staying away from Walmart, especially when it comes to clothing. Buying from thrift stores is much better. Clothes from Walmart rarely hold up long enough to even make it there!

[KamaAina]

23. More like "George F. Won't"

[FiveGoodMen]

27. "Lifestyles improve for all when the rich get richer" Ahh, no.

The comforts of the rich depend upon an abundant supply of the poor.

-- Voltaire