Taking all these sociology classes I've learned they (I might as well declare it my minor now) always go into deep detail about the inequality of how life is organized. (as well as the opportunities being unfairly distributed) In fact, I really do think that if you actually dig up all the facts and interview scores of people (rather than just feel your way through it, like some conservatives) that the only natural conclusion is that life reinforces profound inequality in all social institutions (family, work, education, religion, etc.) I think on a bigger level, the real question is, what should we do about it? Is life all about self-advancement (with some limited inclusion of family and other like-minded individuals *friends*) or is it about doing the right thing at quite a cost. (in terms of effort and money) If we were to truely level the playing field, we'd only get 10k total. (assuming everyone gets about equal in the world) Ouch.

I think one big barrier to anyone ever wanting to even really take it close to that level of equality is to tackle the problem of real worth. I mean, lets face it, some people are just plain lazy, irresponsible and uneducated right?! Why should someone who is relatively frugal, hard working and intelligent DO ANYTHING for these bums. Shouldn't some people who take the financial risk of investing and toil to make society a better place be rewarded for that effort and patience?! What would be the incentive to do anything? Wouldn't we just end up like the freakin' Soviet Republic!?

Ok, those are good points/concerns. (thanks tinoz) No problem. So obviously some should get more than others. Heck, if your religious, even God does that to a degree. So communism is out the door. So, if your a right fighter, then the thing is, what IS fair? Is having the top 5% owning more than the remaining 95%? Should the top 20% own 80%? Now, these may just sound like just figures so let me put this into context. Lets say you live in a family. (not a difficult stretch of the imagination) Let's say there are 10 people (adult siblings) Should the head of household have 65% of all the food and control. Should the next person in the hierarchy combined with the first have 80% of the frig and giant room while the other 8 only have access to 20% of the money, food and say over what happens? The head of household plans for the rent to be paid but surely doesn't do nearly close to the amount of chores that the other 8 do. In addition, that top person lives in a lush mansion like room while the others live in shared quarters?

It doesn't seem that distinct when you just use that analogy so let me put it to you like this. The median household (group of people) has 62k in wealth. *middle 50% of people* Not too shabby but the median for the top 1% is 12,500,000. (per year) That is a difference of over 200X.

Its not that they are necessarily harder working or even more intelligent. Instead, they put in (lets pretend) $10 worth of effort to get $1000 of result. Now, where does that $990 come from? I'll give you a second.......
underpaid workers! Ofcourse they pay the workers maybe $25 to $30, but still get $970 from the deal. (a measly $700 after those mean bullies make me pay for thier lazy asses via tax) Then, if not happy w/ $700, they try to get $800 by cutting their workforce (downsize) or making things more efficient (via robots or illegals). It shouldn't be a surprise that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. The poor then keep the standard low as they fight amongst themselves for the scrapes, each undercutting another's price so that they could have something.

If they are allowed to operate under the principle of selfishness (as companies are designed to) then why not do it ourselves and give ourselves some basic social rights. (right to life via healthcare) Is that not what we pay our military for anyway? Are viruses and bacteria not as big a threat to us as other countries? If you are trying to "do the right thing" then you shouldn't let a small group of people (a business) do us (the bigger group) so much wrong.

One final note on this: The DSM IV (the psychological disorder book) notes the following about a psychopath:

# Glibness/superficial charm
# Grandiose sense of self-worth
# Pathological lying
# Cunning/manipulative
# Lack of remorse or guilt
# Shallow
# Callous/lack of empathy
# Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
# Promiscuous sexual behavior

(look at thier commericals)

# Parasitic lifestyle
# Lack of realistic, long-term goals (they exist solely for today's profit)
# Impulsivity (see investor behavior)
# Irresponsibility

(look at their disdain for doing what serves the public good)

So, how's the baby?! Geeze. LOL. He's great. He likes to say dadadada a hundred million times. Especially when bored. He says mamamama when he's hurt or sad. He is eating well, though I think he has croup. (look it up) He's a happy baby. My sister has a couple of youtube videos of him. I can't find them for the life of me but this should work my baby nephew
(he's at my mom's there) He can be tough but he's ok. Baby stuff also seems to be overpriced.  (go look at the price of formula and diapers if your ever around there in the supermarket. Toys and clothes seem even more so. My mom helps so that helps. *ironically enough, I"m in better position to pay for it than her, as she is horribly irresponsible w/ money*

I might end up on youtube myself with Ray. I was thinking of an Obama skit as he looks fairly close to him. (same color, height, and use of voice) He sure knows some of his catch-phrases. I was thinking something along the lines of me going up to him and asking him a basic question and Obama, er Ray, turning it into some political speech with me interupting him and saying "what are you talking about....dude, there are no cameras around" when obama, er Ray, breaks into slang or something. It might be funny that I'll have maybe some liberals attack me with conservatives defending me in the comments. :D

I'm all done. Besides, the porcelain throne beckons me. Hehehe. To the smart people: sorry for that reference. To you illiterate ones, you didn't miss out, trust me.