Hard work = $250,000 ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Hard work = $250,000 ?
376
Fri, 10-24-2008 - 9:07am

I’ve read repeatedly that the $250,000 is hard earned money that the government has no right to tax. Personally, I don’t believe that hard work consistently results in high salaries and I’m not convinced that people who make more money work harder or deserve more than most people. Most people, I believe, do work hard and most people are rewarded with 25,000 – 45,000 salary. Not all some hard workers make more and some make less. What do you think? Is the Just World view valid?

http://www.princeton.edu/~rbenabou/beliefs7csend.pdf

most people have a strong need to believe that they live in a world that is just, in the sense that people generally get what they deserve, and deserve what they get. When confronted with data that contradicts this view they try hard to ignore, reinterpret, distort, or forget it —for instance by finding imaginary merits to the recipients of fortuitous rewards, or assigning blame to innocent victims.

Because of their imperfect willpower, individuals constantly strive to motivate themselves (or their children) towards effort, educational investment, perseverance in the face of adversity, and away from the slippery slope of idleness, welfare dependency, crime, drugs, etc. This is another recurrent finding from the sociological evidence. In such circumstances, maintaining somewhat rosy beliefs about the fact that everyone will ultimately get their “just deserts” can be very valuable. Furthermore, if enough individuals end up with the view that economic success is highly dependent on effort, they will ultimately represent a pivotal voting block, and set a low tax rate. Conversely, when individuals anticipate that society will carry out little redistribution, the costs of a deficient motivation to effort or savings are much higher than with high taxes and
a generous safety net. Each individual thus has greater incentives to maintain his belief that effort ultimately pays, and consequently more voters end up with such a world view.

For instance, data from the World Values Survey shows that only 29% of Americans believe that the poor are trapped in poverty, and only 30% that luck, rather than effort or education, determines income. The figures for Europeans are nearly double: 60% and 54% respectively. Similarly, Americans are more than twice as likely as Europeans to think that the poor are lazy (60% versus 26%).

Indeed, 59% of Americans agree or strongly agree that “in the long run, hard work usually brings a better life”; this view commands much less support in Europe, ranging from 34% in Sweden to 43% in Germany.

Is the “American dream,” according to our theory, just a self-sustaining collective illusion?

http://www.princeton.edu/~rbenabou/beliefs7csend.pdf

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Sun, 10-26-2008 - 9:57pm
You realize that you are whining about whiners which makes you one of them - right?

uCruiser.com Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2008
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 2:03am

With all this whining about how it isn't fair that people make more than $250,0000, about why can't I make it if they do??.....Since they make so much it's only fair that they share it with me........It's like we have turned into a country of 2 year olds!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 7:03am
Actually I'm not whining!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2007
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 7:07am

I think the point you are missing is that there are a lot of Americans out there who work hard every single day and they do not even come close to making 250K.

Jess


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2008
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 8:09am

My whole premise is that hard work does not bring high pay.


What are you suggesting that the average American do to make more money? The only things ruled out so far on this thread are long hours, sacrifice, etc


WOW, this is NOT directed at you, but I am amazed at how many Americans just don't get it


You are correct that hard work IN AND OF ITSELF will not necesarily bring high pay.........THANK GOODNESS !


If it did, we would have a nation of mop wringers & burger flippers, and would not lead the rest of the world in innovation/creation of many incredible products


WHAT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN CAN DO -


1) Recognize that the higher-paying salaried jobs USUALLY require an advanced degree

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 9:03am

>>If it did, we would have a nation of mop wringers & burger flippers, and would not lead the rest of the world in innovation/creation of many incredible products<<

Yikes!

uCruiser.com Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 9:08am

Not all doctors and lawyers make 250+.

Not all hard-working business owners make 250+

I don't think all 250+ have passion for their work. Some were just born on third base, so to speak.

Sacrificing vacations isn't going to bring the average person closer to 250+

uCruiser.com Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 9:19am

It is not "circular reasoning".


Jobs are worth what someone will pay you to do it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 9:32am

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Wow, till now, I've been enjoying reading this thread.

 


 


I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-18-2005
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 9:32am

<>


Done and Done....


that is the situation we currently have.....and have had for a LONG time.


BO is just proposing tht we make the gap more dramatic...


-Kristen

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