Inequality - Cap Wages?

[jakswan]

Following on from Corbyn's rant on income inequality.

Might be worth some of the lefties checking in with this site first:-

http://www.globalrichlist.com/

[Humph Warden Bennett]

FWIW I don't begrudge Bill Gates his billions because he really did change the world. Without Bill, we would not be "here".

As for Corbyn, that made no more sense than did Bill Clinton's "Let's make America young again".

[Brownie]

I am inclined to agree with Humph;  I've no objection to, and don't resent, anyone being rich and the implication that being rich automatically equates with greed and selfishness is ludicrous.

Much as I like Corbyn, he is something of an anachronism and what he said was naive (imo).  He's entitled to state his idealistic opinions, which I find quite endearing, but if he did come to power, he would be unable to put them all into practice anyway.

[jakswan]

I am inclined to agree with Humph;  I've no objection to, and don't resent, anyone being rich and the implication that being rich automatically equates with greed and selfishness is ludicrous.

Much as I like Corbyn, he is something of an anachronism and what he said was naive (imo).  He's entitled to state his idealistic opinions, which I find quite endearing, but if he did come to power, he would be unable to put them all into practice anyway.

If you follow my link you will find that you are rich.

I used to think Corbyn was a nice chap but terrible politician, watching him on Marr yesterday he seemed to evade most questions, possibly makes him a better politician but less likeable.

[Brownie]

Jakswan, I am well aware that monetary wealth is relative;  I'm certainly well off compared to those who have absolutely nothing and cannot put food on the table, have no warmth or shelter and are short of water.   I am grateful to be so fortunate.  When I spoke of 'rich people', I was meaning millionaires!

It's important for all of us to discreetly give what we can afford and to do anything we can. 

[Udayana]

FWIW I don't begrudge Bill Gates his billions because he really did change the world. Without Bill, we would not be "here".

As for Corbyn, that made no more sense than did Bill Clinton's "Let's make America young again".

Of-course we would be "here", there would just be some other billionaire instead of Gates, or maybe Jobs would have been even richer. Luckily Gates seems to realise this and has used some of his wealth for philanthropic purposes.

Otherwise, why do people already rich enough to live like kings need billions and millions in the bank? Why doesn't the money they have invested go around reasonably efficiently to eliminate poverty?

At the end of the day this is not to do with absolute amounts of money, but about how money and power are used to maintain political control.

[jakswan]

Jakswan, I am well aware that monetary wealth is relative;  I'm certainly well off compared to those who have absolutely nothing and cannot put food on the table, have no warmth or shelter and are short of water.

You are likely well of compared to 90% of the world.

When I spoke of 'rich people', I was meaning millionaires!

If you have a scale of richest to poorest if you are in the top 10% then you are rich? Or are rich people those that have more than you?

[Brownie]

We are all rich compared to others who have less, jakswan.  I think that was the point you are making.  Most of us in this country are extremely fortunate.

However there are poor people in our society who cannot make ends meet, go to bed early because they can't afford to charge up the electricity and have to go to food banks.  It doesn't help them too much to be compared to those in other countries who don't have fresh water or access to medical treatment and are technically worse off.   

It's a bit like you or I being in hospital with a painful broken leg in traction and told we should be grateful we are not like the patient in the next bed who has two broken legs - it would hardly help us or them.

What solutions to world poverty do you have, I'd certainly be prepared to listen.

[jeremyp]

I used to think Corbyn was a nice chap but terrible politician, watching him on Marr yesterday he seemed to evade most questions, possibly makes him a better politician but less likeable.

I would question the idea that a good politician is one who knows how to evade questions. A good politician is one who can get people to engage with issues and effect change. Corbyn is totally ineffective which makes him a terrible politician.

[jakswan]

I would question the idea that a good politician is one who knows how to evade questions. A good politician is one who can get people to engage with issues and effect change. Corbyn is totally ineffective which makes him a terrible politician.

Who do you think is a good politician?

[jeremyp]

Who do you think is a good politician?

Tony Blair was a good politician. So was Margaret Thatcher, even John Major for a while. I'm struggling to think of any contemporary examples.