>>>>>Srdjan, I agree that the perceived rising wealth in recent years was an illusion for most. However, another analysis is that the rich are greedier than ever, more even than during the notoriously greedy '20s. In the prosperous 1970s the top 10% of society took about 33% of the national US income. By 2009 that had risen to 47% and is now well over 50%. Also, in the Reagan era the top 0.01 percent took about 1% of income; by 2007 they were taking 6% and rising fast. The amazing thing is that even with copious history to guide them on the likely consequences, these people seem determined to keep taking.
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>>>>Who exactly are the rich taking income from? I must have missed someone (other than taxes) taking income from me....
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>>>they're taking it from you Tracey.Thats what capitalism is. Your efforts create wealth . Some people get a much bigger proportion of that wealth than others.
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>>PMFJI, This implies a finite amount of wealth, which is an economic fallacy and it ignores the fluidity of movement within the income levels.
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>No I don't think so.
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>traceys work adds value (she hopes) and she gets some reward for this. Thats a dynamic amount not finite. The figures above talk percentages not finite amounts the top 10% now take over 50% of the wealth (johns figures)

I should've looked before I jumped...I meant to respond to John's message.

Nonetheless...Wealth begets wealth via opportunity. Wealthy people have more investment capital and more opportunities to invest than the poor so naturally their wealth is going to increase faster. Thus the expression "the first million is always the hardest".