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How much Americans make in wages

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Re: How much Americans make in wages

#71

Post by octorian »

mirimir wrote: post #64
redbeard0x0a wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One problem with the aggregate household income being added up is there isn't an accounting for worked hours (basically doubling the hours by having 2 people working for a company). A different, but simple comparison would be to take minimum wage in 1968 ($1.60), adjust for inflation ($11.62 - 2017) and then compare to our current minimum wage ($7.25). So had minimum wage been tied to inflation, it would be right aro…

Arguably you're not doubling the hours. Because decades ago, women worked at home, but weren't paid.

And then you should also factor in the value of the work women did at home, and weren't paid for. Because they're now having to pay someone else to do that work, which reduces the effective income gain of them working.

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#72

Post by darpa_escapee »

mc32 wrote: post #61
sascha_sl wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not everyone has the means or luck to "escape poverty". I really don't like your implication that it's just "their fault" if they're worse off than you. In a system that is designed to exploit "low skilled" labor. "Codependent" is a really weird choice of word too.

I have a member as described. Extra money and effort are wasted on them. Some people do have a good head on their shoulders and just need _some_ help, but not a “subsidy”. Like I said, younger sibling needs some help? Sure. Need some money to tide over rent this one time, ok. No recurring stream though.

Statistically, there are far more earnest people who are hard on their luck than there are people who are pathological grifters.

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#73

Post by niij »

dzonga wrote: post #39

but hey capitalism, is the greatest invention since we discovered we could wipe our behinds. Problem, with America is there's a lot of embarrassed 'to-be' millionaires. Once everyone accept it's okay to be average and life a average lifestyle safe-guarded by the a social net, a lot of people will be lifted from poverty.

The numbers indicate that the population has been growing increasingly unequal. Do you think the US has moved more towards free market capitalism or away from it? Does the result support your original argument?

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#74

Post by mac01021 »

anoncoward111 wrote: post #69
aaomidi wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well he's not considering in a lot of the other cities that have the same problem. Example: Philadelphia and its suburbs.

Additionally, there's only 144m people employed in the USA according to BLS, so 70 million is half the country :)

Except that 70 million probably contains a lot of people not in the workforce. So it's not "apples to apples".

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#75

Post by mac01021 »

aaomidi wrote: post #62
atburrow wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

21.5% is not what I would consider “most of the population”.

Well he's not considering in a lot of the other cities that have the same problem. Example: Philadelphia and its suburbs.

Even without considering other cities, we're starting to stretch the definition of "a select few"

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#76

Post by anoncoward111 »

mac01021 wrote: post #74
anoncoward111 wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Additionally, there's only 144m people employed in the USA according to BLS, so 70 million is half the country :)

Except that 70 million probably contains a lot of people not in the workforce. So it's not "apples to apples".

Then assume 50-60% are working and include the addition multi-million person metropoles I left out like BOS PHI PHX etc

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#77

Post by briandear »

walrus01 wrote: post #49
jurassic wrote: post #32

I feel this a lot in my own family. I’m in tech at a fairly privileged BigCo. Siblings work retail gigs for a small fraction of what I bring home. I’ve had raises and bonuses equal to what one of my siblings makes in a year.

"The authors write that "the incomes of the top 1% collectively made up 11% of national income in 1980, but now constitute above 20% of national income, while the 20% of US national income that was attributable to the bottom 50% in 1980 has fallen to just 12% today. Further, "while average pre-tax income for the bottom 50% has stagnated at around $16,000 since 1980, the top 1% has experienced 300% growth in their inc…

However the top 20% pay over 80% of the taxes.

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#78

Post by refurb »

anoncoward111 wrote: post #40
mac01021 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most?

I mean, do you want a specific number? Because if you go to the Wikipedia page for "List of US Metropolitan Statistical Areas", you'll see the following Amarillo TX population: 265,000 NY, LA, CHI, DAL, HOU, DC, MIA: 70,000,000

Houston is a place where $60k is enough to buy a house.

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#79

Post by jacobolus »

briandear wrote: post #77
walrus01 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The authors write that "the incomes of the top 1% collectively made up 11% of national income in 1980, but now constitute above 20% of national income, while the 20% of US national income that was attributable to the bottom 50% in 1980 has fallen to just 12% today. Further, "while average pre-tax income for the bottom 50% has stagnated at around $16,000 since 1980, the top 1% has experienced 300% growth in their inc…

However the top 20% pay over 80% of the taxes.

“You might be so broke you need to work two jobs and still can’t afford healthcare, education, or rent. But look on the bright side: you pay less taxes than the guys who have all the money!”

Re: How much Americans make in wages

#80

Post by white-flame »

notyourwork wrote: post #42
kough wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of curiosity, do you subsidize your siblings? I'm going to be in the same situation and I'm not sure what I'm going to end up doing but I think I'm going to end up doing it.

Keep your family and money separate. It usually always ends poorly otherwise.

I think the two terms used by you and the parent don't always overlap neatly: "your family" and "those you love"
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