Corporate Greed vs Government Waste
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There are two forces that are the basis for the disappearing middle class.
1- Corporate Greed (including wall street)
2- Government Waste ( nothing more than wall streets partner)
Those who support the left politically are concerned with corporate greed through monopolies and the exploitation of the human work force and our planet. This is a real threat to the working middle class. The BP oil spill is a most recent example but the monopoly found in the agriculture industry and the exploitation of workers in sweat shops to bring the Walmart style low prices is another.
Those who support the right politically are concerned with big government control and the many ridiculous programs that do little if anything at all to make the world a better place. This too is a real threat the the working middle class. So many tax dollars wasted. Greed and favoritism play a part here too through bailouts and only a select few being awarded government contracts. Click here to view the best Gif ever that shows government programs at work.
Get money out of politics.
Saving the Middle Class should be our first and foremost priority. As I said in a previous hub, it is the Middle Class that provides the bulk of the labor force as well as pay the bulk in tax dollars. See Middle Class to ZERO!
It is the middle class that is the most educated and skilled. As the middle class shrinks, more unskilled and uneducated workers will become part of the poor. Two resulting problems are increased. Corporate greed and government waste both flourish. Fighting life being poor is tough on everyone, not just the poor. With more poor people, there will be an increase of a screaming population, screaming for more useless government hand outs and screaming for more cheap goods
With a shrinking middle class, corporate greed and government waste will both continue to flourish. Notice when that happens, sweat shop goods become more in demand and more government hand out programs are designed to help the poor. Taxes WILL rise to keep up the hand outs or bailouts going, plus many good paying jobs will be lost to slave labor off shore.
The middle class must fight for the balance. We can no longer be left or right politically but rather we need to be united on the main issues that are destroying the middle class. We need to
First- understand the two problems that need resolved in order to save the middle class lifestyle.
Second- we need to fight to keep the middle class alive and well.
Government should govern and not be so much involved with our social issues. Many social issues would be better dealt with through community service clubs and the like where waste is minimal. Corporations have to realize they have a responsibility to improve the planet and the people of the planet too.
The power money can have to the super rich and also to Big Government, are the two main concerns. I believe that the working middle class has to fight both Greed/Power tripping corporate monopolies, as well as HUGE/Wasteful Government.
On the backs of the working middle class the giant companies climb.... and on the backs of the working middle class wasteful Governments ride.
Crises of Capitalism - Paradigm Shift is Required NOW!
It is a privilege to live in a country where you are free to think, have the right to build a business of your choice or choose a career working for someone else. That privilege is being spoiled by extremist on both sides. Extremism from both sides is where hate breeds. In the middle there is no hate. In the middle there is both reason and gratitude!
Rich or poor financially, true wealth is found when you find gratitude and inner peace! With the noise extremists make on both sides we seem to have lost touch with gratitude and thus inner peace is harder to obtain.
The quote "Power Corrupts. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" should always be our motto to remain true to improving life. Pioneering the new economy is not the leaders responsibility, nor is it the owners of large corporations. The responsibility is ours. The buck stops with us. We in the middle have to unite, fight both the extreme right and the extreme left. We have to Save the Middle Class before it is too late!
"Someday soon, achieving freedom of mind, body, spirit and physical space will no longer be at the expense of others... we will celebrate and cherish life and our humanity by participating in acts of kindness, partnership and problem solving ...truly a brotherhood and sisterhood of humankind.. we are the miracle..we are the gift.. we are the ones we have been waiting for." see Middle Class To Zero
A another Positive Approach to change see - Economic Shift... Or?
A book not a hub could be written on this topic. I scratched the surface only to shed light on the way I see it. If you see this as being true too, pass this link to others.
Neil Sperling
Port Dover, Ontario Canada.
Hard makin Money.... the Joys
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I agree Neil, it seems the government makes it harder for the small guys, and easier for the big corporations.
Of course it's always about dishonesty, and pay-offs to the greasy legislatores.
In order to keep us divided and their power intact, the politicians(run by big business who finance them) are trying to divert our attention - global warming, immigration issues, imperative vaccination for inexistent viruses, etc.
It is all a game and most people are getting drank on pure water - just the way the government wants it
I agree that continuously taxing the people shows that our leadership cannot manage the national revenues they should be bringing home therefore openly robbing the people.
lightning john - thanks for your comment. "Both" Big Government and Corporate Greed, are the issues we need to address. We simply can not address just one.
Petra - I agree, there are many examples of the control big business has on government (and us) PLUS there are many examples of Government waste and useless programs that don't contribute to a better world at all - it is all so ridiculous. The solution is for the Middle Class to fight against BOTH problems. That's the main thrust of this HUB. We need to ban together to fight BOTH problems.
Dame Scribe - Yip - to make up for Government waste Taxes will go up.... also to to allow Corporate Greed to continue more BP type disasters will happen as well as more jobs will go away... BOTH problems need to be addressed together.
You make up some good points. Here are some I see.
1. Government regulations are making it hard to keep the working class working.
2. BP problem is two fold. First they should have been drilling for oil in a location easier to work with i.e. government regulations. And second point, the government regulations that were there, were not being followed. So governement regulations were not effective anyway.
Keep on hubbing!
I heard a statistic, that the middle class...were people who made 250,000 or more. Am I wrong, in thinking that this amount is more upper class people?
eovery - thanks for the comment. BP disaster was caused from greed... cutting safety corners to save money.
heart4theword- I have no idea what the middle class income stats are! Where you live can make a huge difference as living costs vary greatly. I would call middle class more a life style than an income requirement. That could mean income anywhere from 50,000 - 150,000. Any family who can have two decent auto's, save for retirement and their childrens collage plus afford a holiday a year. That would give them a middle class life style. In some locations a family could do all that on 50,000 a year - other locations it would take a six figure income to do all that. No matter, 250,000 a year is upper middle class in my books.
LOL - that places me in poverty at the moment, however I was in the middle class life style a few years back and hope to get there again soon.
This hub says it all. The only challenge here is that WE are not united. Too many people have just let the gvt run our lives and did not pay attention to what they were doing....It is as if they all slept and time just kept moving on without them....All of a sudden they wake up and the illegals are taking all the jobs cause they can be hired at less money....in fact they are put to work without proper documentation and recently i found our the wealthy are actually hiding them by employing them as farm laborers, housekeepers, factory workers ..... it is a vicious circle. We were united by government FOR the people and by the people and somehow, the people forgot this and let the gvt take over...
As far as the BP fiasco....in the Gulf...the BP is also known in AZ as Border Patrol...the fiasco which I truly believe is one of the prophecies of the Bible coming true...yet man still relies on man and his selfishness and greed...so many are now destitute...over the greed and dishonesty of one company...yet still do not turn to God....
This is an excellent hub, but oh yes, just barely scratched the surface....You should elaborate more on this in other hubs. Thank you for writing this....
wealthmadehealthy - United we stand, divided we fall. Did you pass the hub on? - Also the links to my other hubs herein is a beginning to my elaborating as you suggested. I have more Hubs in thought process too.
I am able to put a link in my site also wordpress...being in MN this past few weeks has been horrific with all the tornadoes, my computer has been shut off and unplugged alot. Imagine that...will work on this ....
That the two evils need to be worked on together is very true. Corruption seems to rule everywhere!
Love and peace
Tony
I think our only way out is to VETO the Congress we currently have. Beginning in 2010 we need to do our homework and vote for candidates who WILL NOT legislate their own brand of morality. Allowing OUR federal government to constantly allocate funds to states and simultaneously require them to enact regulatory actions on their residents will destroy us. Mandatory use of seat belts opened the door. Don't be surprised if in the future there will be mandates on what you can wear, what you can eat and if you can own pets. State's rights are quickly disappearing and slavery is making a comeback.
The middle class today seems to be what the upper class used to be (someone said about $250k being middle class, sounds about right, not even upper middle). However, Obama is trying to turn the middle class into the lower class. That doesn't sound right. Upper, middle and do we call it lower class? That sounds so rude. All I know is if things keep going as they are, we will all be suffering soon enough. Something has got to change, hope we can hang on until Obama's term is up.
I just saw "until Obama's term is up above me". Sorry. I lived through the Bushes. There are no Democrats once they get into office. Once elected Democrats turn into Republicans and there is no need for the republican party except for the RICH. America is business/capitalism and these business people have been terrorizing the Americas for hundreds of years.
The/this government works for WHOM it's supposed to work for.
tonymac - corruption for sure ... and control.
Gawth - you said "Don't be surprised if in the future there will be mandates on what you can wear, what you can eat and if you can own pets." I say we are moving that direction... OUCH!!
Lifeallstar - I agree with micky below you
MickyDee - Has Capitalism has become communism? - control through money rather than military..... and is there any difference?
Our military is directly under BUSINESS. We never went to Cambodia against Pol Pot. We didn't intervene in Yugoslavia. I can go on. "We", our business intervened in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. Was Vietnam about tin, tungsten, or other? Nothing, nowhere, and nobody is safe on earth from business. We live in Socialism for corporations. Bush and his cronies have murdered and covered up murders. And- Bushes cronies are the Dems too. The democrats and republicans are abetting each other. Once elected- a democrat is a republican.
Micky - we think alike - all that said - a part of the solution may well be found in my hubS. At least I see it that way.
Excellent hub, Neil...your points are right on. In the USA, the middle class taxpayers carries the government on their backs. There always the talk of taxing the rich but when numbers are put on it instead of speculation, the middle class rapidly becomes the "rich". As the baby boomers move to more limited incomes, the source of tax revenue will decline for the government meaning they will have to find a new way to tax the same people as the boomers are not replaceable without significant immigration. While immigration replaces the phyical population, it does not replace the revenue per capita in tax flow due to smaller income levels of the immigrant populus. The rich will not be taxed too heavily in that the folks making the tax laws are among their ranks and the poor have no money. That means things like Social Security, Pension Plans, and 401K Plans have a large target on them for heavy taxation at a point when the retiree can do little about it. The governmen in turn then takes that revenue and turns it into more giveaway programs to entice the voting block of the poor. What we need is a damn good exterminator! Thanks for a good write! WB
Neil, believe it or not all govts go after the middle class, as they reckon they work the hardest and earn the most, and have the jobs. It's always going to be the case of "piggy in the middle" for the middle class, and unlike in the game, they can't get out of the middle. In many countries, the top earners have loopholes and exceptions in the tax laws that let them pay less. In some countries some industries pay no tax. Horse breeding and the arts in Ireland pays no tax or very little.
I get hit by it too, we all do. Your car, your business, your home, and the family gets it too. There should be a tax credit system for people, something for some industries or sectors and tax holidays for start up businesses when starting up, so they can get some money made or something. Anyway, great hub, Neil!
Wayne - Thanks for the Great comments.
Cheeky Girl - Of course I believe it "all governments go after the middle class." All my hubs point that out.
They (governments) go after the middle working class because they are the workers and have cash flow.... plus the working middle class are too busy working to take time to stop the government from digging into their pockets.
The very rich get ALL the breaks because they have the time freedom to fight for the tax breaks or the money to buy (bribe) them with votes and campaign money.
The poor get "just" enough to shut them up!
The working middle class need to ban together and fight for economic/political justice.
Great hub and so right on, we need solutions to get our economy going again so that everyone will have a chance for employment and not government handouts. You are so correct to say government should do it's job of governing...they are not doing a good job at that right now I am afraid cheers!
I like the way you see things. Britain has similar problems. The little man, who works hard always seems to come ´last´
Nice going Neil, " With more poor people, there will be an increase of a screaming population, screaming for more useless government hand outs and screaming for more cheap goods" This is the issue that worries me most with the dwindling middle class.....
I used to believe in that line from the movie "Wall Street," when Michael Douglas said, "Greed is good." Of course greed, or let's just say the want for money, is a driving force to continue to innovate, produce, and whatever, which all leads to more money. The problem I see is that what we're experiencing now is a vastly widening gap between the top and the bottom. CEO's are raking in 400+ times what the average worker is getting. And it wasn't always this way. This has been a recently developing trend over the last 30 or so years. I think it's aggregious and wrong. Especially when you get me started on the other perks that line these guys' wallets as well that the regular workers simply don't get. My most recent example was Mark Hurd, the former HP CEO, who took $40 million severence pay after he resigned over falisfying expense reports to cover up an affair with a female contractor for HP, who later claimed she was sexually harrassed by Mr. Hurd. WHAT EMPLOYEE GETS THAT? I put it in all caps because to me its incredulous when CEOs get it wrong, when they screw it up, and then are offered multi-million dollar severence packages (golden parachutes as they are affectionately called). The average employee has to fight just to get an unemployment check.
How we right this is the $64,000 question. I'm on the right, so I don't want to see regulation. But I also don't want to see what the left wants, which is a people entirely dependent. So, where we go from here is anyone's guess.
This is a good hub. I didn't think the American people believed in classes as we do here in the Uk. Sadly it is one of our less savory exports. I will feel happier if I am never in any class. I am trying to set up a business at the moment and buying a franchise.
I find the govt here is good at helping out with things, but the banks won't lend much. The middle class it seems are being squeezed by even the banks. Is it the same there with you? Thank you for a great hub. Was recommended it by my friend Cheeky Girl.
It's so true greed is the root of all evil. Wouldn't it be great if our society made greed an act punishable by law by a severe degree. Greed is against the law and is punishable by ...
If you take half the wealth of all the wealthy you could buy everyone a home, feed and cloth everyone, and have free health care for the world. Just Half of it! They would still be filthy! Filthy rich! What does that say about greed and corruption! The wealthy are so corrupted they don't know up from down any more. The worse thing is they don't deny it, because they do not understand denial!
I really was going to comment but my brother Micky Dee pretty much took care of me, as usual! Looking forward to reading more from you. Peace!! Tom
Its like a child who has no knowledge running a muk.... they need a big fat attitude adjustment and LOSING all priviledges they no longer deserve.
It used to be that one would hear of a company's commitment to the worker,now it's to the bottom line...with the government laying down for lobbiest and whoever contributes the most to their re-election,sigh;)
A rich and rewarding read...wonderful Hub...gives everyone lots to think about, in these troubling times. For those that work hard, come up with new business ideas, that put people to work, should not be TAXED out of this country. Where is the happy medium? But this is still the best country to live in and fight for.
Thanks for adding me to your following list...I in turn now look forward to following you!
Whidbeywriter - Yip - working together at the bottom.... and stop looking up for help or answers.... and also to stop looking up to blame.
Dim Flaxenwick - we will keep working - question is, will we stop giving in to those who think they rule.
C.J. Wright - that is by far the greatest issue as I see it.
Springboard - things are really sick when you look at it... aren't they?
Astra Nomik - class separation is a global affair
katiem2 - greed could be controlled it they made it illegal for anyone to be worth over 100 million dollars... and that gives everyone a chance to live the high road.
Sa`ge - making them give it away is not the answer. The Governments of the globe are just as corrupt.
justom - thanks for dropping by
Mentalist acer - I'm sighing with you
b. Malin - Happy medium would be possible if it was illegal for anyone to be worth more than 100 Million.... one could still live the high road but power would be taken away.
Thanks to you all for reading and commenting.
Neil
Thanks for following me. This is a great hub with information that needed to be said.
Dennis - glad you liked the hub - hope you passed it around.
Thanks
Great hub Neil.......I lean left on some things and right on others, but the truth always seems to be somewhere in the middle.
Just popping by to say hello, Neil. Hope you are keeping well these days! Look after yourself! :)
Coming of Age - Thank you for commenting. I hope the truth "somewhere down the middle" comes of age too! :-)
Cheeky Girl - It always makes me smile when I see you... and I see your comments on many hubs. Your vibes always make me feel good. Big Hug to you my friend... a wet kiss too!
You are so right on this.
for this hub i would contribute that, todays world poor becomes more poorer and rich becomes more richer.
De Greek - thanks for reading and commenting.
Wilsontom - Obviously mate! I think that message comes through already. As I said a book could be written on this - not just a hub
Dark thoughts come to my mind when I think of greedy politicians and business-men (or women). I see this every day: people trying to make a quick buck, often cutting corners, stepping on heads to get higher, etc.
We have to get rid of lobbyists ... they have poisoned our political systems world-wide and nothing can get better as long as politicians listen to them and not the general public.
Cheers for a good blog! (Since you live in Ontario, if you have time read my http://hubpages.com/hub/No-School-for-Kids-in-Cana blog. I would like to know your thoughts on this.
Greed is greed whether by an individual, corporation or government. It is evil. It is satanic. It is the root of all evil. Good Hub.
Excellent hub. I "used the tools above to share". :O)
Mr Happy - Thanks - and I did drop by your hub and comment.
Dave - Thanks for the comment
Sue - hey thanks for the comment and a BIG thanks for sharing my hub!
Excellent veiw, nothing to argue about. We all need to reflect upon that which you mentioned, because you nailed the problem dead on. We need to clean up washington, and that will fix coporate America.
great hub!
CMerit - Thanks for the visit and comment. It is not just Washington my friend! Fixing Washington is only half of the equation!
As I clearly pointed out - The ridiculous controls on "Freedom and Progress" are coming from both irresponsible Governments as well as the unbalanced scale where too much wealth is in the hands of too few.
Power IS corrupting.
The great American dream was not about having material possessions. It was all about the freedom to BE who and what you chose to be. The freedom to build something of value that outlasted your life time.
The American Dream of Freedom was much more than having superficial material possessions and power tripping. The dream was the Freedom to BE.
We need to fight Corporate Greed AND Government Waste!
Fixing Washington is only half of the equation!
Extremism from both sides is where hate breeds. In the middle there is no hate. In the middle there is both reason and gratitude!
Rich or poor financially, true wealth is found when you find gratitude and inner peace!
We need to fight Corporate Greed AND Government Waste!
Thank you for this excellent and thoughtful article. It is very good and I enjoyed reading it.
James - Your hubs are always a informative and thought provoking - your compliment is very much appreciated.
In majority of the countries "middle class" is shrinking due to the reasons you mentioned in your great Hub.
Thank you and thumbs up,
I wish you very happy holidays....
tatjana - yes it is true - the middle class is shrinking globally. Thanks for the thumbs up!
A lot of thought went into the well written piece - Great stuff!
Thanks Sembji - glad you liked it!
This article makes perfect sense to me! Not only is it well written, but the logic is beyond doubt!
Thank you for this thought provoking read!
runabstract - why thank you for the comment and vote of confidence. Much appreciated.
Hello Neil, this is one hub I relate to a lot and you make great sense with it. Thanks for the comment earlier, and please have a wonderful Valentine's weekend. Best wishes and big hugs from this Cheeky Girl! :D XO
cheeky girl - nice of you to drop back again and to leave me a refreshing comment.
Big hug 2 U
I believe, many people, politicians, doctors, engineers, musicians, etc started their professions with great interest, passion and good intention. Greed comes in as their "income" rises and they fail to overcome the temptations. At that stage, the original intention is forgotten.
I certainly agree with you on saving the middle class. Singapore government has done a good job on this. They imported so many professionals, people with good degrees, and threated them very well, so that they stay and continue to contribue to the country's growth.
Great Write, and you got some great comments too!
Ingenira - great comment re: Singapore - thanks for sharing that
Wesman - yes - great comments - I appreciate you taking time to read and comment
Hi, Neil, thank you for allowing me to join your team. I follow the gist of this article, but in the United States, the problem is much more with the right than with the left, politically. As you know the U.S. has less of a socialistic society than do the Canadians. I would certainly like to hear what you think about our current crisis. My take is in several articles, the one that touches most on what you speak of here is
http://hubpages.com/hub/Why-Obama-is-Right-as-to-H
Great Hub and thanks again, Cred2
credence 2 - the problem as I see it is extremists on both right and left.... and those few who are the financial puppeteers who continue to divide and conquer by way of creating the extremists agenda.
So how are we supposed to change this? I just started my career 3 years ago. I am worried I have no future, afraid if I have kids they will have no future. All I see around me are jobless people suffering or milking the system at my expense. Or the rich on the other end controlling my money with fees, taxes and monopolies. I am afraid this coming election will just be the same rhetoric with the illusion of choice; And the same corrupt bunch of "leaders" pushing the same broken policies. What are we suppossed to do?
Anthony - You have good observation skills - I see the same B.S. around me too - as for what we can do....
1- remain positive and proactive
2- always look for ways to beat the system when you can not change it.
3- NEVER GIVE UP
4- as for election crap and Business Leaders crap -- read my hub "Middle Class To Zero" for another perspective to the global mess... and it is global, not just confined to North America.
No comments from here, Neil, you and the rest pretty much covered it.
Good hub though, and thank you for the follow.
sunron7 - thanks for the no comment comment LOL - glad you dropped by
Neil Sperling: Your article shows that even when one thinks that business and government are questionable in their activities and motives there are still courses of action which lead to greater personal and professional happiness and well-being for all.
Thank you for the positive attitude, voted up, etc.,
Derdriu
derdriu - governments and big business are NOT the solutions needed..... thanks again for all
Neil Sperling Hub Author 23 months ago
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