[lit-ideas] Re: Deep Poverty at Record Levels, Where's That?

  • From: Ursula Stange <Ursula@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:20:05 -0500

Lawrence, 'stupid' was my word. Get your own word.
And, anyway, my comment wasn't stupid. The GDP ppp is an average. Look at how high on the list Saudi Arabia is. You think that means that the average Saudi lives high on the hog? Look where Equatorial Guinea is. You think the average Equatoguinean has enough to eat? So how does the GDP relate to poverty within a system? (Maybe you're still mesmerized by trickle-down economics?)
And anyway, that the American divide between the rich and the poor is so large (and growing) is not merely an economic problem. It's a moral problem. Countries with much smaller GDP's manage much more equitability. Rich Americans just don't work and play well with others. 

If I'm somehow misreading your original intent, do let me know.
Ursula


Lawrence Helm wrote:


Ursula.
There are certain criteria used by economists to make comparisons among the nations. GDP per person is one of them. Read up on it. Keep that old knee from jerking. If you do you may not say so many stupid things. 

Lawrence.

-----Original Message-----
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ursula Stange 
Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 9:54 AM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Deep Poverty at Record Levels, Where's That?

I won't address your whole note, Lawrence. It would be too depressing

(and probably pointless -- anyone who could write that first paragraph

and think they are discussing the divide between the rich and the poor

is truly beyond the pale...), but your second paragraph is just plain

stupid. What possible relevance does the GDP of the poorest nations in

the world have to do with poverty in America?

Best,

Ursula

Lawrence Helm wrote:

>

> The “gulf between rich and poor in the United States” is baloney. Who

> cares? Why should I care if my CEO retired on $800,000? I retired on

> plenty. I have a nice 2200 square foot, two-story house, a large

> study, a view of the mountains out my study window, and everything

> else I need. Are we so greedy that we think we ought to get the

> $800,000 year retirements – or incomes? That’s bunk.

>

> You report that the “deep poverty” level is $5,080 ought to be put

> into perspective: Consider that the American poverty level is higher

> than the GDP per person of 100 of the 229 World nations on the

> following list:

> https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html




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