Is all wealth truly "earned"?

[Nym90]

Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it
Lemme tell ya, them guys ain't dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb

Awesome song! I love 80s music; Dire Straits was especially good.

[Gabu]

I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it stickin' in the camera
Man we could have some fun

I'm a big fan of Dire Straits.

[Gustaf]

BS...what do they mean contribute nothing to society?

The fact of the matter is that without financial services the economy would be nowhere as efficient as it is and we'd all be a lot poorer.

[Mikem]

BS...what do they mean contribute nothing to society?

The fact of the matter is that without financial services the economy would be nowhere as efficient as it is and we'd all be a lot poorer.

I think the main problem is that for some reason people don't equate finance with rich people.  They don't understand that the capital for everything comes from rich investors.  I think the concept is just above most people's understanding of how the economy works, they want to picture wealthy people as miserly old monty burns style men who are out to scam the world.

[English]

Agree. Social Mobility is not all that great in my opinion. If you're a lazy dimwit born into a rich family you're still likely to turn out richer than an intelligent person born into poverty.

[Gustaf]

BS...what do they mean contribute nothing to society?

The fact of the matter is that without financial services the economy would be nowhere as efficient as it is and we'd all be a lot poorer.

I think the main problem is that for some reason people don't equate finance with rich people.  They don't understand that the capital for everything comes from rich investors.  I think the concept is just above most people's understanding of how the economy works, they want to picture wealthy people as miserly old monty burns style men who are out to scam the world.

I don't think it's beyond people's capacity to understand, but it's easier to ignore facts than to face them in many instances.

[JohnG]

Strongly Disagree.  The investor provides the capital for new companies to start or existing companies to expand.  These companies in turn provide employment.  The employees’ produce and sell goods and services, that make money, some of which is given to the investor. 

How do you determine who contributes more to society?  Who has contributed more, the individual Peace Corps worker or Bill Gates?
 
John G

[JohnG]

Money is the root of all evil

Send $9.95 for more details.

[Defarge]

Lean towards agree.

[Democratic Hawk]

I don't have a problem with people earning money if they work hard for it, it's the people who make money doing bugger-all that's where I object

Dave

what the heck is bugger-all?

Bugger-all  = Nothing at all

Dave

[Mikem]

I don't have a problem with people earning money if they work hard for it, it's the people who make money doing bugger-all that's where I object

Dave

what the heck is bugger-all?

Bugger-all  = Nothing at all

Dave

Well what do you define as nothing, I think it has been clearly established in the thread that provinding economic capital is definately something that is of value.  How do you do nothing and still make money?  It doesnt happen except on late night infomercials.  Investing is not bugger-all, it is something, and although some find it difficult to believe, it can be harder than digging a hole in the dirt.  It takes a lot of skill, and risk.