Hello everyone,
Many apologies for my delay in getting this up and beginning our conversations. I've been down with the flu and then there was some snow and wind ..............hope everyone has been able to stay warm. Waiting to see all your introductions
I thought it might be fun to start with a conversation prompted by a video piece on income inequality. I'm a big fan of John Oliver who has a new HBO show that discusses interesting contemporary issues with a measure of humor, irreverence, and some profanity. This 14 minute clip is on income inequality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfgSEwjAeno&noredirect=1
Here are some issues this raised for me; what does Obama suggest that American stands for here? Why is it so toxic to discuss income inequality? Oliver argues that it is very peculiar that in a democracy, policy makers have been so very successful in passing legislation that disproportionately benefits the wealthy. what is his explanation for this and what do you think of this idea? How do we make sense of the poll where Americans recognize incredible inequality in wealth but also believe that people can get ahead (mobility) if they just work hard enough.
feel free to weigh in on any or all of these.
hahah "inequality is a bit like cinnamon, you def want to have a little bit of it to spice life up a bit, but too much of it can be very dangerous" what an awesome analogy.
ReplyDeleteI did find the testimony of Senator Rubio interesting. "We have never been a nation of haves and have nots. We are a nation of haves and soon to haves. Of people who have made it and people who will made it" I think that might be the answer to why it is so toxic to discuss inequality. Because people have completely different views. As a senator representing and taking this stance is not how everyone sees the country. Not EVERYONE makes it. It is a proven fact.
Oliver mentions that 60% of American's believe that if you work hard you will make it.
Glad you liked it. I think there is something very profound in rubio's statemtn about not being a nation of haves and have nots. could it be that even those who don't have see themselves as soon-to-be haves and so identify as haves? Poor and working class people don't typically identify as have nots - therefore since no one really believes they are without, we can't talk about the problems of inequality. also, there is the fear that talking about it pits one group of americans against another.
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