Nepotism babies and the myth of American meritocracy

[70sEraVet]

Our economy is rigged to encourage nepotism by ensuring that the already wealthy pass their wealth—and by extension the power that their money buys—to their children. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) pointed out how the tax code is written in order to benefit the moneyed classes. According to a CBPP report, “High-income, and especially high-wealth, filers enjoy a number of generous tax benefits that can dramatically lower their tax bills.”
https://www.alternet.org/nepotism-babies-myth-american-meritocracy/

It's unfortunate that the author of this opinion piece chose to start off with the example of Jamie Lee Curtis. An example of someone who benefitted from movie star parents, to become, herself, a movie star, is not quite as dangerous to a society as someone who, completely devoid of merit, inherits wealth and influence, then proceeds to use that inherited power as if it were his/her natural right.

Still, a good, thought provoking piece.

[lambchopp59]

1. Rampant

Some of the most potentially talented professionals don't stand a chance against this.
Even in liberal enclaves are the spoiled brats I'd relish swapping places with-- not because of some jealousy of them, just so that person could become aware without the blinders on how they screw up others who do have to make it on merit alone.
Everyone got a taste of that soured medicine under TFG. "My daddy gave me a small loan of a million dollars" should have been a deal breaker-- because all that successful businessesman crap was sheer luck of birthright and absolutely nothing more. Let me put it this way:
If I earned (keyword here-- EARNED) income at the same proportion from the cardboard box I slept in and not more than ten dollars left to my name after expenses most of my school career, Pell grants, Perkins loan, 2 scholarships and my now modest holdings vs. being given a million to start? I'd be many times richer than Bezos.
I've watched far too many of the privileged get jealous of the competent and proceed to use their connectedness to ruin them. Those assholes are almost without exception-- the worst kind of republican..