Jul 12, 2011 | By Page May
From United for a Fair Economy-
The 400 wealthiest families in the U.S. aren’t just filthy rich, they are downright dirty. Collectively, these households own $1.37 trillion dollars; a number so high that it’s nearly impossible to comprehend. Here are 11 shocking things $1.37 trillion can buy that you can’t:
- The richest 400 households can pay off every student loan for every single student in the entire United States. No more paying for an education, so that you can get a good job so that you can… well, pay off your education.
- The richest 400 could pay your rent, and the rent of every single renter in the entire United States for three years.
- The richest 400 could pay the mortgages of every house in the whole country for 14 full months.
- The richest 400 households can buy every single house that was foreclosed on in 2007 and 2008.
- The richest 400 households could pay the annual salaries of 19 million families for one year. So go ahead, take that year-long, family vacation around the world you’ve always dreamed of.
- The richest 400 can pay off all credit card debt for every single person in the entire United States. Imagine that! No more credit card debt looming over your shoulders!
- The richest 400 households can afford to give a $10,000 bonus to every single worker in the entire country. What would a hardworking person like you do with that extra money?
- The richest 400 can afford to buy a new car for every family in the United States. Meanwhile, many of us must ignore the flashing check engine light.
- The richest 400 can pay for 3 ½ years worth of gas for every driver in the country.
- The richest 400 households can afford to triple the number of teachers in the United States, then give every single one a $30,000 raise. Teachers are being laid off everywhere, their salaries are being cut, and they are suffering. Teacher-to-student ratios in schools are abysmal. But what can we do about it when so much wealth is in the pockets of so few families?
The richest 400 families alone could replace 70% of all money lost in the Great Recession, for everyone! How much money did you, your parents, or grandparents lose in the Great Recession of 2008? 30%, 50% of your portfolio? Not only do the rich still have enough money to fund their wildest dreams, but they can also fund your retirements.
400 richest families
Yes, the statistics are mind-boggling. But I can see our right wing friends immediately jumping on the "that's socialism" bandwagon. They can turn those statistics against us by claiming that we are advocating that the rich give to the poor in these exact ways. Nonsense, of course. But these days the general public is easily frightened, very gullible and looking for simple slogans and answers. Will they take the time to make the inferences that these statistics are meant to show? I hope so but I have my doubts.
What absolutely takes me back
What absolutely takes me back is the pledge that some Representatives in The House have made to never agree to raise taxes. Do they not trust their own intelligence to listen to other opinions and new information?
Why must those who can afford
Why must those who can afford to give and help the most
are the ones who take the most, demand the most and by
percentages give the least and we still see our President
Protecting their interests over the good of America and
and all its people.
Economic Justice
We in the USA have become a plutocracy instead of the democracy we are meant to be. As a result, a large percentage of our citizens are desperate for the basics of life while the wealthiest 400 households remind us of Jesus' parable about wealthy Dives and his disregard for the poor Lazarus.
400 richest families
Wow this is great way to really show us average people what the differenc is...thanks for the resource I will share with our parish! Keep up the great work!
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