http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110223/ts_yblog_thelookout/separate-but-unequal-charts-show-growing-rich-poor-gap

The Great Recession and the slump that followed have triggered a jobs crisis that's been making headlines since before President Obama was in office, and that will likely be with us for years. But the American economy is also plagued by a less-noted, but just as serious, problem: Simply put, over the last 30 years, the gap between rich and poor has widened into a chasm.

 

 

 

Capitalism baby.

Capitalism baby.

 

It may not be perfect, but it is the best the world has to offer.

Maybe those who do not like capitalism could try the system they have in Libya, Somalia or North Korea.

Capitalism baby.

 

What would you rather prefer ace? Please enlighten us.

I don't really care one way or another, but this thread is case & point why I think Jesus would probably choose a form of socialism.

I don't really care one way or another, but this thread is case & point why I think Jesus would probably choose a form of socialism.

 

To some extent I agree with you then to another extent I'm not so sure. I mean most Christian principals stress personal responsibility in everything you do and finances are a place a lot of people struggle with personal responsibility and that struggle makes their financial situation worse than it has to be.

To some extent I agree with you then to another extent I'm not so sure. I mean most Christian principals stress personal responsibility in everything you do and finances are a place a lot of people struggle with personal responsibility and that struggle makes their financial situation worse than it has to be.

 

Agreed. That's a very good point that I think many overlook.

To some extent I agree with you then to another extent I'm not so sure. I mean most Christian principals stress personal responsibility in everything you do and finances are a place a lot of people struggle with personal responsibility and that struggle makes their financial situation worse than it has to be.

 

Good post HT721. Very valid points.

Good post HT721. Very valid points.

 

Do I need to post the Stephen Colbert sermon again. One of the most powerful I have seen. A Christian's Personal Responsibility is to take care of the poor. When you talk about personal responsibility are you talking about YOURS or SOMEONE ELSE'S? You can't in any way get away from his sermon in the temple when he read from the scroll of Isaiah or when he talks about the least of these in Matthew 25. Sure be responsible, be personally responsible for ridding the world of poverty, for taking care of the poor, hungry, thirsty, prisoner. I am all about personal responsibility - MINE. And Jesus tells me to do these things. The early church 'held their possessions in common' - communism??

 

I don't mind capitalism, but there is not a morality to the market. That is the purpose of government to see that we have a well regulated economy. Right now, we have an economy that focuses on one end of the spectrum and actually hurts the other end. Unless you are a tech dude, the American dream of becoming wealthy, or even rising out of your present circumstances is diminishing. We have let the haves run the ship for too long and look where we are now.

Do I need to post the Stephen Colbert sermon again. One of the most powerful I have seen. A Christian's Personal Responsibility is to take care of the poor. When you talk about personal responsibility are you talking about YOURS or SOMEONE ELSE'S? You can't in any way get away from his sermon in the temple when he read from the scroll of Isaiah or when he talks about the least of these in Matthew 25. Sure be responsible, be personally responsible for ridding the world of poverty, for taking care of the poor, hungry, thirsty, prisoner. I am all about personal responsibility - MINE. And Jesus tells me to do these things. The early church 'held their possessions in common' - communism??

 

I don't mind capitalism, but there is not a morality to the market. That is the purpose of government to see that we have a well regulated economy. Right now, we have an economy that focuses on one end of the spectrum and actually hurts the other end. Unless you are a tech dude, the American dream of becoming wealthy, or even rising out of your present circumstances is diminishing. We have let the haves run the ship for too long and look where we are now.

 

Personal Responsibility is definitely a two way street. But if you believe in free will then you also believe in letting others make their own choices. I'm all for everyone being responsible for themselves and me being personally responsible for helping the poor, that's why I give to various charities throughout the year and volunteer my time in various programs to help the less fortunate. I don't do it for praise most don't ever know any of the things I do on that nature and I rarely talk about it, but I do it for my own personal responsibility. God blessed me with an education, financial stability, and the good sense to manage my money, so I have my own responsibilties that come with those blessings.

It sounds to me Ace like you're saying you want to practice personal responsibility for others because they're too stupid to do be personally responsible themselves.

Personal Responsibility is definitely a two way street. But if you believe in free will then you also believe in letting others make their own choices. I'm all for everyone being responsible for themselves and me being personally responsible for helping the poor, that's why I give to various charities throughout the year and volunteer my time in various programs to help the less fortunate. I don't do it for praise most don't ever know any of the things I do on that nature and I rarely talk about it, but I do it for my own personal responsibility. God blessed me with an education, financial stability, and the good sense to manage my money, so I have my own responsibilties that come with those blessings.

 

Agreed again.

 

Matthew 6: 6 - But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

I think that this issue is much more complex than simple "personal responsibility" or "capitalism". The point of the chart is to show the discrepancy between the growth of the wealth of the top earners versus the growth of the middle and low earners. At play here is the increase in costs as well. It is an interesting discepancy, and the answer is not simply that capitalism is good only for the wealthy. Nor is it that the middle and lower levels are not responsbile. Wages, in particular, have not grown at any significant rate in far more than just the last 2-3 years. The wealthy, despite the ups and downs of our economic cycles still have shown far greater growth in their accumulation than any other segment. What is the answer? I don't know. But ignoring the obvious, or eschewing the data as anti-capitalism is wrong.

It sounds to me Ace like you're saying you want to practice personal responsibility for others because they're too stupid to do be personally responsible themselves.

 

What I am saying is that it is not for me to judge whether someone else was responsible or irresponsible. What I need to worry about is whether or not I am obedient to Jesus commands to take care of my brother and sister. Jesus doesn't say, Just take care of those who were responsible, he says take care.

 

Giving to charities and volunteering are great, but neither of those change circumstances or systems that actually harm people. It gives them some short-term reprieve, but the system we have set up now is harming the poor and working class. Good Christians need to work to change the system.

What does personal responsibility have to do with income?