Income Gaps Hit Record Levels In 2006 — Does it matter?

There is always a show of income gaps whenever new economic data comes out. One major missing piece of data they NEVER include is “How many people who were in the really poor section of the data are still in the really poor section?”

These studies do not take into account the churn of social mobility. Many people and households that start out in the lower groups move quickly into the upper groups. Reading the typical report you would think that poor people are always poor and rich people are always rich and never the twain shall meet. The beauty of the American Dream is that it exists. I used to make a lot less money than I do now. I worked hard. Now I make more and I’m in a different group than I used to be.

You would also likely see a huge correlation in their graphs of the average age of the people within those sections. Younger people make less money. Surprise!

Now I’m not saying poor people don't exist. I’m saying that the same poor people from a few years ago are not necessarily the same poor of today. Some are and some aren't, but I don't think this data is accurate enough to get people marching in the street because of it.

Indefinite Preventive Detention

With Obama proposing Indefinite Preventive Detention without trial will the left finally be taking off their rose colored glasses?

The first line of this article sums it all up with

stunning in its illegality

He doesn’t want to change the policies. He wants to rebrand them. Gitmo is just a tarnished brand and he wants to wipe it away but keep on keepin’ on. A rose by any other name…

The Agitator misses the point

Radley, your heart is in the right place but you missed the point regarding Barney Franke’s online gambling bill.

It’s unfortunate that it takes the promise of tax revenue for the federal government to respect individual freedom. But I suppose that’s the reality of things.

This is typical “end justifies the means” thinking. This is all about revenue. Legalize something so we can tax it? That’s not freedom, that is extending the governments reach during a stressful time.

While we are at it why don’t we just legalize extortion and hits. I’m sure there is lots of money to be made taxing that as well.

I’m for legalizing pot and poker – I just don’t think taxation as the primary motivation is the right way to travel down that road. Its not a moral victory. Its another hand in my pocket.

Its mine I tell ya!

Sometimes you find a gem out there that has been around but you still need to share. Congressman Moran from Virginia stating that you don’t have a right to keep your own money. And in fact explicitly calling for redistribution of wealth.

What he doesn’t seem to get is that our entire economy and national history is based on the premise of personal property rights – both of self and wealth.