The Gini Index and US Tax Rates

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Silicon Valley is the one bright spot in an otherwise bleak outlook.

Silicon Valley is more than a spot

[Ali G. 37]

Silicon Valley is the one bright spot in an otherwise bleak outlook and as Booyah mentions its not bullet proof either.

That is changing too. Just saw an article where Asian PC manufacturers predict that in 20 years, US PC manufacturers will go the same way as the US TV and VCR manufacturers disappeared.

[Dan J 277]

Thats a joke right? A better example, and one for the last decade would be : The thieves and back stabbers rise to the top, honest people sink to the bottom.

I'm pretty sure that was suppose to be sarcasm. But with the way some Republicans see the world, if your not making $100,000+ per year you are failure for not working hard enough.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'm pretty sure that was suppose to be sarcasm. But with the way some Republicans see the world, if your not making $100,000+ per year you are failure for not working hard enough.

newsflash - in some of the most populated parts of the country making 100K is no sweat and... it's of no significance at all.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

That is changing too. Just saw an article where Asian PC manufacturers predict that in 20 years, US PC manufacturers will go the same way as the US TV and VCR manufacturers disappeared.

Hardware already has. Most motherboards i've seen are korean or chinese.

[Dan J 277]

newsflash - in some of the most populated parts of the country making 100K is no sweat and... it's of no significance at all.

True, although its necessary in part to compensate for cost of living. A household income of $100,000 per year does put you in the top 20% in the US. At $160,000 per year you are in the top 5% of households.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Well from the responses, I'd say a few people on VJ have no problem with income inequality growing and in fact might even want to see it accelerate.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Of course on the other hand maybe capitalism will rescue the situation. As the middle class dwindles, consumer spending will diminish harming profits. Maybe business leaders will realize they need to promote the middle class and slow their wage growth in order to ramp up their employee's wages.

Or they won't care and we'll become a third world country with an aristocracy. Either way sounds like fun! I'm off to read Make Room! Make Room!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Well from the responses, I'd say a few people on VJ have no problem with income inequality growing and in fact might even want to see it accelerate.

IMO, it is because of the erosion of the unions. Without the clout to negotiate wages beyond market dynamics or government regulations (i.e. minimum wage), labor has no effective means to getting a fair wage, particularly under a corporate model.

My hope is that things will eventually get so bad (income inequality) that people will show a renewed interest in the benefits of organized labor. Unfortunately though, a lot of Americans have a negative view of unions. Another alternative is to see more employee owned companies, but I don't see that ever taking over the job market. Corporate America is our new identity and some people love it.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

IMO, it is because of the erosion of the unions. Without the clout to negotiate wages beyond market dynamics or government regulations (i.e. minimum wage), labor has no effective means to getting a fair wage, particularly under a corporate model.

My hope is that things will eventually get so bad (income inequality) that people will show a renewed interest in the benefits of organized labor. Unfortunately though, a lot of Americans have a negative view of unions. Another alternative is to see more employee owned companies, but I don't see that ever taking over the job market. Corporate America is our new identity and some people love it.

I'd agree with that. Looking back to the 1920's, Unions were effectively destroyed and as you said the 1930's were so bad that people did show a renewed interest in organized labor.

Regarding employee owned companies, in my profession people are beginning to abandon the larger corporate firms and start small "boutique" firms. Time will tell if these smaller companies can begin to wrestle the larger work away from the big guys but I have seen a few positive signs.

Edited February 2, 2010 by Sousuke

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What is your profession Susuke?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Urban Design / Landscape Architecture

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Urban Design / Landscape Architecture

Very cool.

It's funny. Some people here get all paranoid when you ask them about the line of work they do and refuse to tell.

[mawilson 2,133]

How many people can be the google / facebook founders?

You don't need to own Google to run a successful business.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The idea that the hard workers rise to the top is a noble idea, but it simply isn't happening in the US.

Says who? I came to this country less than 15 years ago with nothing but a fresh college degree. My first job sucked but it paid the bills and it offered valuable experience and plenty of advancement opportunities. I stuck it out for 3 years (little too long in retrospect) and then moved into the industry that I am still working in today - some 10 years later. Yes, I've been through a merger and chose a package rather than a move to the northeast. I've changed jobs and moved twice since that merger and have, along the way, just about tripled my salary. In a single decade. I am now looking to take a new role with my current employer - I'm just weeks away from making that happen - which will not only boost my compensation further but also offer a path to a Director level position. As far as I can tell, upward mobility is alive and well in this country.