Yeah its insane to me that people are unaware of this or ignore this. I also don't get how the average person can defend the existence of the ultra wealthy.
Issue is - our politics are on rich ppl payroll.
Nothing will change till we make any lobbing illegal with very bad consequences for both parties.
Because they think they will be one some day. They have been sold the myth that with enough hard work you can “pull yourself by your boot straps” and will be the next billionaire. So better defend them now, that will be you in a couple of years. Never mind that the biggest indicator of your own wealth is generational.
As George Carlin said: “they call it The American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it”.
> Because they think they will be one some day.
For me, it's not that I think I will be ultra wealthy. But I have seen over and over where a rule (for example) may start with the ultra wealthy initially, but over time politicians gradually change the scope until it affects nearly everyone.
A few examples would help to advance the discussion.
> where a rule (for example) may start with the ultra wealthy initially, but over time politicians gradually change the scope until it affects nearly everyone.
That’s not an argument in favour of the ultra wealthy, it’s an argument against bad rules. It’s not bad in and of itself that a rule which started with the most advantage is later applied to every one else (e.g. the right to vote).
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You could surely find some saying that they achieved the dream but that's not what people want to hear, therefore not "quotable".
That's because it's not true. That might have been the baseline, but it's not what people were paying due to exemptions and credits, etc.
> I also don't get how the average person can defend the existence of the ultra wealthy.
Average person checking in. Who do you think is shouldering the tax burden? Gen z loudly complaining they don't have enough money for college or a house?
I find the avarice and greed masquerading as morality in the anti-wealthy movement reprehensible. If you're poor in America you have one of the best lives available in human history.
Also, what exactly is the complaint here - specifically? Anyone have a first principles argument for why "the existence of the ultra wealthy" is bad? Everything I've ever seen has been reddit-quality freshmen year drivel.