A Question About Market Economics

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Say that we view a good economy in terms of a straight line, that is 180 degrees. In such a hypothetical economy, everyone would have their equal share of production and goods. But no such economy exists, and it is unlikely that it can exist.

Say that we view a bad economy in terms of a right angle, that is 90 degrees. Again, in such a hypothetical economy, no one would have a fair share of production and goods. But no such economy exists, and it is unlikely that it can exist.

But an economy between those two must exist. Imagine, then, that the line defining the right angle could be moved left or right. At what angle would you view the contemporary Western industrial economy of the United States?

The question isn't really that answerable. I can point out that it is not 180 or 90, but frankly, even assessing merit is a difficult issue. (which I assume for the notion of "fair share") I know that different answers can be given.

Different answers can be given, yes. The question tends to be subjective. I am not looking at this in reference to any specific individual, but rather a collection of individuals providing a survey. It is more or less a different way of asking how good or bad the economy is, but minus the extremes of "good" or "bad."

What's your take on this question, then?

It has been estimated, and this has been reported in economic and political literature, that about 20% of the population is given the opportunity to make the decisions that govern economic direction. That leaves the other 80% simply as obedients to the 20% that define and shape the rules.

Given that bit of information, at what angle does our economy operate then? Say that you are one of the 80%? Do you think that the angle would be high enough that you will slip and fall, constantly trying to make your way up the slope?

Well, when 40% of the wealth is in 1% of the populations hands, then the 20% estimate isn't all that bad. The 80%ers are anyone who doesn't have to ask themselves if they are an 80%er. If you have your own house, and a job with benefits, chances are you are in the 20%. But how much influence do you really have? The more money you have, the more influence you have, and all the money is at the top of the pyramid. Just as in all societies, the value system supports those in power. This is why in the United States, our values include complete support for the military, complete opposition to "freeloaders" and third party candidates, a pathological commitment to "protecting the environment" such as recycling and cost cutting green products, and anything else that would assist with the profits of wealthy men. "Our" values aren't ours.

the ironic thing as that the real and true freeloaders are those who own and control corporations that receive government subsidies at taxpayer expense. Apparently their principle is this: profit is to be private, losses are socialized.

ruveyn