how is income distribution in the United States fair?

Answer 1

It isn't. The gap between rich and poor has been increasing at an alarming rate.

Since the rich own the government, they set the policies that make the situation worse and worse.

For those above who talked about people earning the money they have, I say hooey. They are profiting from the thousands of people who actually do all the work, and don't get paid very much.

People at the top take huge salaries and 50 million dollar bonuses -- they don't "earn" that money. That money is the result of the work that all the underpaid employees do.

The problem is further exacerbated by the increasingly unfair tax system in which those who do the least work and have the most money, pay less and less tax, and all the people who do the work and are barely making it pay.

And more of that tax money goes right back into the pockets of the rich, and less and less of it goes to help the poor, or provide services to the rest of us.

Answer 2

Last time I checked, actually EARNING a paycheck was fair, versus sitting on your ever-widening ***, doing nothing and still receiving compensation, enter welfare. Capitalism is the fairest economic system there is. It is important to realize that there will always, without question, be people that suffer economic hardships. However, a system that would make income distribution "equal" would harm many more people than it would help. Innovation and technological progress would cease to exist because there would be no incentive to pursue it. You could make the same amount washing dishes as you could being a doctor. If that were the case, why would anyone go through the rigors of medical school just to earn a wage they could make washing dishes? Capitalism minimizes the amount of people that suffer all the while giving those same people the ability to change their situation if they so choose. The onus rests on them, not the government to make that happen.

**To the person that answered first:

If people earning an income bigger than average are "hoarding" money, what do you call the guy that knocks off a liquor store for $300 instead of earning their income like the rest of us, an honest businessman? People like you like to sit in your tower and pretend that your so much more enlightened than everyone else, when it reality, you're obviously jealous of a level of prosperity you've been unable to reach thus far. Those people earned their money and can do with it what they please, end of story. Your perceptions are so skewed, it's laughable.

Answer 3

supply and demand normally equalizes the market place so that the persons with most skills make more than those with less.
But we don't have a normal system. It is disrupted by the flow of excess cash into the hands of those with the most money.

No it is not welfare in the sense the poor are robbing the rich but the other way around. through special tax breaks, lawyer influenced legislatures and the lobbying in the congress and state houses, money is now diverted to special interest groups
to the detriment of all citizens.
The rich can reside in luxury in the mountains and by the sea
with no fear from nature. If their home is destroyed they receive welfare payments from the government to rebuild.
This will be the second time in less than five years taxpayers will support their lavish lifestyles.
As a disabled person, I am penalized by the tax system and have joined the other 4 out of 5 who cannot find jobs. These are just a few of the ways the system is failing. Now there is a push by cities to take the water from rural areas because of population growth. You have to be rich to live the rural life,
and they get special treatment, cheap grazing on public lands, cheap water, payments to not grow crops, and special tax incentives. Religions get free, untaxed land, and contributions support preachers in lavish lifestyles. What is that if not welfare for the rich? Time for a change isn't it?

Answer 4

It's not fair because a lot of that income was inherited and it is much easier to build on already existing wealth than start from the bottom and work your way up. Many of the country's richest people like Donald Trump and Bill Gates built up on already existing wealth. This garbage about how hard work alone makes you rich and successful is not true. There's more to success than just that. Plenty of people work hard all their lives and have little or nothing to show for it. Success is also determined by being in the right place at the right time, knowing the right people, not always playing fair or nice, and all too often, being born into the right family. Those of you who continue to believe it's hard work that makes you successful probably have heard that from people whose parents paid for their college education.

Answer 5

You could argue that it isn't. Without getting too complicated either. Everyone isn't born into the same opportunities, etc. That alone affects it. Is it fair that someone worked extremely hard for 20 years for a company then the company lays the person off? No.

But life isn't "fair" is it?

Answer 6

Who decides what is "fair?" Better to have a system where everyone can compete in the open marketplace and succeed or fail on their own merits. This is what the US is supposed to be, and hopefully someday will be again.

Answer 7

it is not. if you work hard and earn your money some lib wants to take all half your money and give it to some idiot who feels they do not have to work, because they are owed something. there is no crime in getting rich. there should be a crime from stealing money from those who work hard for it.

Answer 8

its fair b/c most people earned there own money, even if its from somethign stupid like inhertance, or being an actor. thats thats why its fair, every one has a chance to make it if they apply them selves. poor people make themselves poor.

Answer 9

how is hoarding all the money you can get your hands on fair?

Answer 10

it's not, noone ever said it was, did they?