[Bucco]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I will weigh in on this and probably won't make any friends in doing so. I am of the opinion that "class warfare" is a concept created by the media which has no real meaning and no combatants. I think most people really are simply looking for fairness.

Many wealthy people think it is unfair that they pay what they believe to be massive taxes while much of the money is, in their view, used for wasteful programs, medicare fraud, foreign aid and yes, welfare fraud. Meanwhile many poor and middle class people think it is unfair that they pay a higher percentage of their comparatively modest incomes in taxes than the wealthy, and they think top executives are overcompensated relative to their value to the good of the company.

On the other hand many wealthy people give generously to charity and have an altruistic desire to help people who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances, while many people of lower economic stature really appreciate the people who provide them with jobs and who seem to care about their workers.

Welfare queens are rightly vilified, but so are wealthy people who take advantage of others and don't care who gets hurt in their quest for more fortune or power. Mitt Romney was not disliked by relatively poor people because of his wealth, but, in many cases, because he seemed to speak of them in ways that indicated he did not understand or care about them. Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, the late Sam Walton are, or were, all pretty universally admired and in some cases, beloved by poorer people because they seem to understand the concept of fairness and don't seem to flaunt their massive wealth. George W. Bush and John Kerry ran against each other for the presidency and are both multi-millionaires, and I don't recall their wealth being an issue in their election contest.

I think that people think little about class distinctions if they think they are being treated fairly and given a chance. I remember in the small town in which I grew up, the weathiest, most successful business people were usually among the most respected and admired folks in town. In your hometown, successful wealthy individuals remain pillars of the community in many cases. This is a great country with great opportunity for almost everyone, but in some cases the deck is stacked for or against certain people and that is what causes conflict.

I think since we have disageed in the past, it would be prudent to say that I think your post is great and accurate.....EXCEPT....you knew there had to be an EXCEPT didn't you

This sentence..."I think that people think little about class distinctions if they think they are being treated fairly and given a chance." I would add this.....UNLESS THEY ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED !