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OLDMDDEM

(2,152 posts)
32. income inequality
Mon May 12, 2014, 08:00 AM
May 2014

I'm now into my retirement years age-wise and am still working. I do this so when the time comes, social security will be paying me the extra 8 percent per year that I don't draw it that is due me when I start getting it when I turn 70. In other words, my social security will increase by 32 percent when I reach age 70, if I do not start drawing it until then. The Great Recession killed my 401k. If companies value their employees work, the large bonuses going to the top level people would be spread among the workers also. Instead of a $10 million bonus to the CEO, give that person $2 million and spread the rest among the employees. Productivity and morale would go through the roof, creating a circle of more bonuses and better productivity, etc, etc.

If management simply cared. That's all people are asking. It doesn't take much to please the worker. Just recognition of a job well done. A decent pay raise and paid time off, as well as the possibility of merit bonuses is all people are asking. This is really what unions fought for in the 20th century. I used to be a teamster and marveled at how lucky I was to have the benefits I had. That was 40+ years ago. Now, my benefits aren't as good, but still okay. Every year we have had bonuses paid to us and that has helped. People understand that management makes more money but the outrageous bonuses and, in some cases, salaries paid to high level individuals are what exposes the company to ridicule. No one, and I really mean no one, is worth millions of dollars per year. That is a ridiculous waste of money that could have been better spent making the company a better place to work.

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Equality of opportunity, elleng May 2014 #1
Equal income won't remedy income inequality? n/t Skip Intro May 2014 #2
OPPORTUNITY doesn't mean income, elleng May 2014 #4
True. Skip Intro May 2014 #5
do you think if that was done that the most productive of our country now would still oneofthe99 May 2014 #6
No, I don't. n/t Skip Intro May 2014 #11
That's why in my humble opinion equality will never be reached but oneofthe99 May 2014 #15
Wow, yes, I agree. But... Skip Intro May 2014 #17
That's why I wrote the key is to trust your government oneofthe99 May 2014 #19
Key problem. Here's a scary tangent - Skip Intro May 2014 #22
This is just opinion but I blame us the people as much as our government oneofthe99 May 2014 #23
A fine goal, elleng May 2014 #8
interesting thought experiment at the very least... yawnmaster May 2014 #10
Bingo. Yes. It is exactly that - a thought experiment. Skip Intro May 2014 #13
inequality of what? yawnmaster May 2014 #3
You consider yourself a Christian, right? Electric Monk May 2014 #7
. Skip Intro May 2014 #9
Oh, I already knew you weren't here to discuss. I thought I'd try anyway though. Electric Monk May 2014 #12
This message was self-deleted by its author Electric Monk May 2014 #20
Post removed Post removed May 2014 #21
Do what worked before. MannyGoldstein May 2014 #14
Plus one a whole bunch. Enthusiast May 2014 #26
There is no way to ultimately do away with inequality in a capitalist system. Gravitycollapse May 2014 #16
Few of us expect to do away with all inequality. It isn't realistic. Enthusiast May 2014 #27
It's about equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #18
Probably another aspect is to ask - What is the ultimate cost of income inequality? mazzarro May 2014 #24
I can think of several possibilities Prophet 451 May 2014 #25
Do what FDR did - progressive taxes, better safety net, union protections, tighter regulation, pampango May 2014 #28
See: Taxation before Reagan Presidency. WinkyDink May 2014 #29
Heck, it doesn't even have to be about "equality" Adrahil May 2014 #30
Tax wealth, not income. safeinOhio May 2014 #31
income inequality OLDMDDEM May 2014 #32
Basic Living Income RainDog May 2014 #33
from my view Blue_Tires May 2014 #34
What is it about the current system that is working out for you? Starry Messenger May 2014 #35
Pretty much the same as the ultimate solution to social inequality in the US Fumesucker May 2014 #36
Let the workers decide what management gets paid rock May 2014 #37
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