why is it that the poor get poorer and the rich get richer?

Question

just curious

Answer 1

1. The Poverty Cycle.

2. It takes money to make money.

Answer 2

The most balanced system is capitalist with some "socialist" programs. Some social programs and re-distribution of income are necessary to ensure not just the already rich stay rich. A good example is the estate tax or the renamed death tax. Most estate tax revenue comes from the top 0.14% of Americans – the few thousand people each year with estates larger than $5 million. Yet, many are convined the middle class has beeen paying estate taxes. This is from the IRS website:

Reminder: Most relatively simple estates (cash, publicly-traded securities, small amounts of other easily-valued assets, and no special deductions or elections, or jointly-held property) with a total value under $1,000,000 do not require the filing of an estate tax return. The amount was $1,500,000 in 2004 and 2005. For 2006 through 2008, the amount is raised to $2,000,000.

The estate tax was begun to make sure Americans could more easily rise in class-the American Dream. To make sure that a few only would stay on top. Helping the poor on the bottom was to help them rise in class to become tax paying citizens, thus the government received revenue rather than paying out.

Today, capitalism is at robber baron status-the rich get richer while the poor and middle class get poorer. The gap widens.

Answer 3

The rich get richer because if you have money, you can make money.

The poor get poorer because people are greedy and the government spends billions on nonsense. Essentials (food, housing, etc) while getting an education would go a long way but no one wants to pay for it.

Answer 4

The rich are getting richer, so are the poor.

Todays poor have more than the poor of 50 years ago. They had more than the poor of 100 years ago.

Everyone is getting richer, not just the rich.

....Why do you think that many of today's "poor people" are over weight? Can't afford food?

Why do people keep propagating this myth?

Answer 5

there are a lot of possible reasons for this phenomena. Here are two possible answers.
1: the poor will not save money because of wasteful habits, that means alcohol, drugs etc.
2: The poor cannot save money. They or a family member get ill and the sickness with help from the medical profession wipes out whatever savings they have and leaves them in debt.

Answer 6

Not true in the US. What is good for the rich is good for the poor too. There are a ton of stats that back that up. When big business is kicking, there are a lot of jobs and that pushes all the wages up. If it is true in a market that isn't a free market, it is because of oppression.

Answer 7

The poor lose the desire to get on their feet, the rich well, they have many resourses to keep the money flowing

Answer 8

Because america is too busy giving the money that could be given to the poor to NON americans ( mexicans , blacks , asians whatever ) who decided they want to come here for that better life which simply entails taking the poor peoples money and jobs. America has more concern for minorities and other countries problems Than our own.

Answer 9

One word: GREED!!!!

The rich won't give to charity and the poor just do without the kindness of others.

Answer 10

Our social programs, like health care, education, minimum wage, and welfare, help facilitate keeping the poor poor, as only those with money can afford to keep their working options open, know the right people, and live healthily. Hell, health food is more expensive than junk food, how the hell did that happen???