Wealth is at the root of many of our current social ills. I suggest a possible solutuon is to CAP all individual income at $10,000/month or $120K/yr. This solves endless issues and funnels billions back into companies or jobs VS corporate exec's, and a very limited few. You have to ask yourself if anyone needs to make more than $500/day? When every other country instituted National Health Care, it required that they control costs, reduce and cap salaries. It was predicted that doctors would walk away in disgust, YET... this did not happen. Weeding out those in it for the money mainly coudl be a good thing. Only a handful of individuals with uber wealth have used this for the common good. (out of 300 Billion poeple)
The question is the wrong kind of question if you think about it. It presumes to come from a perspective of not having enough. The thing that is striking about it is that wealth doesn't get handed out (except in the few inheritance cases). Someone had to work real hard and smart for some time doing something in order for it to materialize as a byproduct of something they love doing anyway.
I grew up in a household where my stepfathers networth was 20 million, you would never know about it though. I didn't for years. He grew up in the depression and worked hard. Got an education and worked hard. Helped start a business with 2 other guys and worked hard. He spent spare time going to school. His entertainment was reading, or taking clients out to dinner. He didn't own a car until he retired because he had a company vehicle. He was disgusted with the idea of purchasing a vehicle since it was a poor investment choice. He viewed everything as an investment, either a good one or bad one. We didn't have the latest and greatest gadgets and brand name clothing. We never lacked for anything, but the marketers had no sway in the house. He is the norm for the wealthy people that I know, not the exception.
If you want to excel, just show up and work. Most people stop at just showing up.
The real question should be, why do you feel you don't have enough and why? Leave others out of that question and see about the results.
just because you weren't breastfeed doesn't mean its not healthy to do so.its always more natural and healthy for the child i mean you dont see animals who breastfeed coming up with different ways to feed their offspring...its natural and suppose to happen.however in your situation and many other humans situations these days, there are alternatives, which are not necessarily bad but the number one choice is always breast milk duh its the whole reason women have breast in the first place.now in regards to if you breast feed your child will always be healthier until they are adults thats a far fetched idea. when we become independent and make our own decisions in life yes we will be fat or skinny because of our choices but a baby doesn't have a choice so as a parent we make these choices to feed our children to make them grow and healthy. you can do so by using breast milk or formula. its just more natural to use breast milk that's all.women who can should be encouraged to do so and not be lazy and just use formula. i have a sister who works full time and goes to college full time and still manages to breastfeed , the upside to living in this century is the technology we have to help us such as breast pumps . they are given out for free at WIC.she tells me how hard it is to do it because you have to pump all the time but she believes its only right for the child. it isnt the childs fault my sister works and goes to college, but my sister does it to better both of their futures. i believe every women has a choice how they feed their child and so do the fathers. But you can not say that breast milk will make them skinny and healthy when they are adults because once the child has a choice it will probably eat crap just like the rest of Americans. as human adults we always have a choice.
There's such a thing as too much wealth when it's used for selfish reasons. If you have billions and are not giving away to those in need, that is far too much wealth.
No, because we all have different levels of what's "enough" - and most people probably don't have a sense of what's enough - they just want MORE. We can judge "wealthy" people's spending all we want, but compared to the average person in the world, if you make more than $1 a day, you are wealthy.
Having said that, I think we should all think about ways that we can share our money with the community or those less fortunate. Even if you think you are not wealthy, a small donation here and there would do wonders for a child who is without food, for example.
Yes, I do believe that someone can be too wealthy. It's important to take care of your own needs and those of your family and have an adequate nest egg. But after that it's all fluff. Rather than hoard money I'd rather let it go.... out to help someone in need.
It depends on the person, I expect. The more money you have, the harder it is to figure out how to use it well, and keep it from causing enmity with friends and such.
Margaret, You nailed it! I could not have said it better myself. Our entire country needs to change its view of almost everything. No one here anymore is willing to accept being just happy....everyone measures success by what the neighbor has. They peer out the window of their cheaply built albeit, MASSIVE home and envy the "Jones" new Lexus. It is ridiculous! These people need to face facts. In any society, not everyone can be rich. Our jobs go overseas...why? Because we are all to good to work at a factory....unless of course that factory pays as much a being a doctor....and " I had Better not get dirty". Then we wonder why things cost so much. We get upset at large corporations for moving operations overseas. Why wouldn't they? They cannot afford not too..we are simply too expensive.People in other countries are happy to have a lower paying job and live a moderate life. More of us should be.
Personally I think it should expire for everyone, but they should do something about the marriage penalty and the AMT. The Bush tax cuts lessened the marriage penalty for middle class couples that make similar incomes by quite a bit. I wrote about it a while ago here: http://www.wisebread.com/the-marriage-penalty-of-taxes-in-america-how-do...
Great comments! Wonderful additions to the drive vs. fly debate - in particular, the point made by several of you about the potential need for a rental car if you choose to fly to your destination. That is certainly a significant expense to factor into the equation. Keep 'em coming!
Yes, there is such a thing as "too much" wealth. Some gain wealth to just have it; it's more about being sensible and sensitive to the world around them. Seriously, one can't "live" on $32 million a year? That more than some make in several lifetimes...those are the people I'm talking about.
No, you can't be too wealthy. It's great that we live in a free country where we have the liberty and opportunity to earn. If we start putting parameters around how much is too much, we lose our freedom.
Alan Greenspan is not the brightest person. His quote "tax cuts with borrowed money" proves this. The federal government does not borrow money to cut taxes. The federal government simply takes a pay cut when it cuts taxes.
The federal government is borrowing money to pay for entitlement programs. The solution is simple. Give the people back their money, and cut spending.
I see no mention of how out of control the spending has become in Washington. There's no reason we should be running a deficit. It's absolutely irresponsible of our elected officials to misuse our tax money, and that includes spending more than they have. We need to reduce spending to rein in the deficit, not raise taxes. I also think it's disingenuous for Obama to be such a deficit hawk when he is the one who raised the deficit and debt to unprecedented levels.
Look at the bright side - all this time you have available to spend with the people you love! You may as well find a way to earn income doing what you most love and enjoy doing and that way you do not even get tired and enjoy each day!
I know I found that and love it.
Making money doing what you love and being able to be with your family all the time was the best thing that happen to me.
I believe that it is possible to be "too rich." Beyond a certain point, the money controls your life. Bill Gates is a good example. He and his family need bodyguards to prevent kidnapping attempts. The only way to have a normal life, is to either be anonymous, or stay below a certain point.
Once I have enough to enjoy a "normal life," do charity work, and leave something for the future, I don't need more. I don't even want it.
Well, there was some thought about creating a VAT like they have in other countries. It would tax consumption and also production and distribution, but it would so at a fairly "fair" rate such that income tax rates could be reduced, though probably not eliminated. Also, because the rich are generally pretty smart about money, they would figure out how to avoid paying that consumption tax/VAT by either ordering things online, or getting things from outside the country/duty-free/whatever.
I'm actually still in favor of it, but I don't think it'll ever catch on in the States.
if u have time and a yard to do so.farming healthy food takes time and skills.
Wealth is at the root of many of our current social ills. I suggest a possible solutuon is to CAP all individual income at $10,000/month or $120K/yr. This solves endless issues and funnels billions back into companies or jobs VS corporate exec's, and a very limited few. You have to ask yourself if anyone needs to make more than $500/day? When every other country instituted National Health Care, it required that they control costs, reduce and cap salaries. It was predicted that doctors would walk away in disgust, YET... this did not happen. Weeding out those in it for the money mainly coudl be a good thing. Only a handful of individuals with uber wealth have used this for the common good. (out of 300 Billion poeple)
The question is the wrong kind of question if you think about it. It presumes to come from a perspective of not having enough. The thing that is striking about it is that wealth doesn't get handed out (except in the few inheritance cases). Someone had to work real hard and smart for some time doing something in order for it to materialize as a byproduct of something they love doing anyway.
I grew up in a household where my stepfathers networth was 20 million, you would never know about it though. I didn't for years. He grew up in the depression and worked hard. Got an education and worked hard. Helped start a business with 2 other guys and worked hard. He spent spare time going to school. His entertainment was reading, or taking clients out to dinner. He didn't own a car until he retired because he had a company vehicle. He was disgusted with the idea of purchasing a vehicle since it was a poor investment choice. He viewed everything as an investment, either a good one or bad one. We didn't have the latest and greatest gadgets and brand name clothing. We never lacked for anything, but the marketers had no sway in the house. He is the norm for the wealthy people that I know, not the exception.
If you want to excel, just show up and work. Most people stop at just showing up.
The real question should be, why do you feel you don't have enough and why? Leave others out of that question and see about the results.
just because you weren't breastfeed doesn't mean its not healthy to do so.its always more natural and healthy for the child i mean you dont see animals who breastfeed coming up with different ways to feed their offspring...its natural and suppose to happen.however in your situation and many other humans situations these days, there are alternatives, which are not necessarily bad but the number one choice is always breast milk duh its the whole reason women have breast in the first place.now in regards to if you breast feed your child will always be healthier until they are adults thats a far fetched idea. when we become independent and make our own decisions in life yes we will be fat or skinny because of our choices but a baby doesn't have a choice so as a parent we make these choices to feed our children to make them grow and healthy. you can do so by using breast milk or formula. its just more natural to use breast milk that's all.women who can should be encouraged to do so and not be lazy and just use formula. i have a sister who works full time and goes to college full time and still manages to breastfeed , the upside to living in this century is the technology we have to help us such as breast pumps . they are given out for free at WIC.she tells me how hard it is to do it because you have to pump all the time but she believes its only right for the child. it isnt the childs fault my sister works and goes to college, but my sister does it to better both of their futures. i believe every women has a choice how they feed their child and so do the fathers. But you can not say that breast milk will make them skinny and healthy when they are adults because once the child has a choice it will probably eat crap just like the rest of Americans. as human adults we always have a choice.
I think when you start defining yourself with money, that's when you've become to wealthy.
There's such a thing as too much wealth when it's used for selfish reasons. If you have billions and are not giving away to those in need, that is far too much wealth.
No, because we all have different levels of what's "enough" - and most people probably don't have a sense of what's enough - they just want MORE. We can judge "wealthy" people's spending all we want, but compared to the average person in the world, if you make more than $1 a day, you are wealthy.
Having said that, I think we should all think about ways that we can share our money with the community or those less fortunate. Even if you think you are not wealthy, a small donation here and there would do wonders for a child who is without food, for example.
Yes, I do believe that someone can be too wealthy. It's important to take care of your own needs and those of your family and have an adequate nest egg. But after that it's all fluff. Rather than hoard money I'd rather let it go.... out to help someone in need.
I don't think you can be, and I'd love to try to be super-rich to find out! (For research purposes only of course ;)
tweet http://twitter.com/CarmaSez/status/25910694946
Why not raise the rate from $250,000 to $500,000 to help out the small business person. The hightest tax would start at 500,000 rather than 250,000.
It depends on the person, I expect. The more money you have, the harder it is to figure out how to use it well, and keep it from causing enmity with friends and such.
if the money was earned ethically and through hard work, I'd say "no"
Margaret, You nailed it! I could not have said it better myself. Our entire country needs to change its view of almost everything. No one here anymore is willing to accept being just happy....everyone measures success by what the neighbor has. They peer out the window of their cheaply built albeit, MASSIVE home and envy the "Jones" new Lexus. It is ridiculous! These people need to face facts. In any society, not everyone can be rich. Our jobs go overseas...why? Because we are all to good to work at a factory....unless of course that factory pays as much a being a doctor....and " I had Better not get dirty". Then we wonder why things cost so much. We get upset at large corporations for moving operations overseas. Why wouldn't they? They cannot afford not too..we are simply too expensive.People in other countries are happy to have a lower paying job and live a moderate life. More of us should be.
Personally I think it should expire for everyone, but they should do something about the marriage penalty and the AMT. The Bush tax cuts lessened the marriage penalty for middle class couples that make similar incomes by quite a bit. I wrote about it a while ago here: http://www.wisebread.com/the-marriage-penalty-of-taxes-in-america-how-do...
Great comments! Wonderful additions to the drive vs. fly debate - in particular, the point made by several of you about the potential need for a rental car if you choose to fly to your destination. That is certainly a significant expense to factor into the equation. Keep 'em coming!
Yes, there is such a thing as "too much" wealth. Some gain wealth to just have it; it's more about being sensible and sensitive to the world around them. Seriously, one can't "live" on $32 million a year? That more than some make in several lifetimes...those are the people I'm talking about.
No, you can't be too wealthy. It's great that we live in a free country where we have the liberty and opportunity to earn. If we start putting parameters around how much is too much, we lose our freedom.
Yes someone can be too wealthy, as one persons wealth is anothers poverty. If someone is making too much, someone is spending too much.
There are some good articles about this and credit counselling at nomoredebts.org . I highly recommend checking them out.
Alan Greenspan is not the brightest person. His quote "tax cuts with borrowed money" proves this. The federal government does not borrow money to cut taxes. The federal government simply takes a pay cut when it cuts taxes.
The federal government is borrowing money to pay for entitlement programs. The solution is simple. Give the people back their money, and cut spending.
I don't believe you can be "too" wealthy. You can have wealth as long as wealth doesn't have you.
I see no mention of how out of control the spending has become in Washington. There's no reason we should be running a deficit. It's absolutely irresponsible of our elected officials to misuse our tax money, and that includes spending more than they have. We need to reduce spending to rein in the deficit, not raise taxes. I also think it's disingenuous for Obama to be such a deficit hawk when he is the one who raised the deficit and debt to unprecedented levels.
Look at the bright side - all this time you have available to spend with the people you love! You may as well find a way to earn income doing what you most love and enjoy doing and that way you do not even get tired and enjoy each day!
I know I found that and love it.
Making money doing what you love and being able to be with your family all the time was the best thing that happen to me.
I believe that it is possible to be "too rich." Beyond a certain point, the money controls your life. Bill Gates is a good example. He and his family need bodyguards to prevent kidnapping attempts. The only way to have a normal life, is to either be anonymous, or stay below a certain point.
Once I have enough to enjoy a "normal life," do charity work, and leave something for the future, I don't need more. I don't even want it.
Well, there was some thought about creating a VAT like they have in other countries. It would tax consumption and also production and distribution, but it would so at a fairly "fair" rate such that income tax rates could be reduced, though probably not eliminated. Also, because the rich are generally pretty smart about money, they would figure out how to avoid paying that consumption tax/VAT by either ordering things online, or getting things from outside the country/duty-free/whatever.
I'm actually still in favor of it, but I don't think it'll ever catch on in the States.