this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2025
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Leftism

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Writing for the outlet, Andrew Lisa explained that Americans hold a combined $160.35 trillion in wealth. To the average person, that sounds like quite the payday, but someone in the top 1% probably wouldn’t see it that way. According to Lisa, “The bottom 50% of the country shares less than 3% of that enormous pie, while the most fortunate 10% gorge on nearly all of it.”

There are approximately 340.11 million people in the U.S. If they all shared that $160.35 trillion, each person would come away with $471,465. Not only is that more than the average person could even imagine, but it only compounds when you consider how it would add up for families. For example, a couple would hold a combined $942,930, and a family of four would have $1.89 million. Because, of course, in an ideal world, wealth would be distributed evenly regardless of age.

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[–] emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This is fucking stupid. If everyone had a million dollars to start people would still want their lawns mowed. And other people would still want more than a million dollars. So your neighbours arent going to pay $10000 dollars to not have to mow their lawn but they still would pay 20. Or maybe up to 100. Starting everyone off on an equal footing wouldnt just magically rause the value of everything, theres plenty of small business owners that make a million dollars and they don't just stop working.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

People would want their lawns mowed but who would mow it? I mean if my family was suddenly millionaires why would I kill myself in the heat for a few bucks a mow. There might be a big landscaping company that makes millions, but the people pushing the mower don't see that. I think you'd see a mass exit of low level workers which would cripple the economy.

[–] LilB0kChoy@midwest.social 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

People would want their lawns mowed but who would mow it

Anybody who likes mowing lawns and is happy to get paid for it.

The thing about having that financial stability behind you means you wouldn't have to work a job you hate to survive. People could pursue the things they enjoy to earn money because they wouldn't be dependent on just that income.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I work for a tech company in Property Preservation, this is my bread and butter. Mowing lawns is not glamorous. There are often issues, pay is often changing and has to be negotiated, having a reliable crew is hard, handling equipment issues with a schedule is a nightmare, it's not a fun happy job. There are people who enjoy it, but it's hard work. With that kind of money you can get skilled up to a job that is less hard on your body, not exposed to the elements, and pays better.

People could pursue the things they enjoy to earn money because they wouldn’t be dependent on just that income.

And I'm telling you that no one enjoys mowing lawns for 8 hours in the Arizona heat or dealing with traffic to drive around urban areas with your equipment, it won't happen.

Then expand this to other jobs. Who is working the drive thru at Wendys for fun? Who is getting yelled at as Walmart Customer Service for fun? These jobs aren't fun, people do them because it's the best way they can survive in their current situation.

[–] LilB0kChoy@midwest.social -1 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

It's cool, you can be wrong, people are wrong all the time.

But I'm sure you're right, people would for sure work at McDonald's for fun. Lol. So obvious you've never had that kind of job.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

When not necessarily being forced to do a thing, people may actually choose to do a thing, because it's no longer survival/crises dependent. And McDonald's is garbage fill-up with no nutritional value being kcal anyway.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

What? Why is the nutritional value of McDonald's even coming up. It seems like you're missing the point entirely.

Everyone seems to be ignoring reality. They're are rough, shitty, low paying jobs. No one will do those for fun, but they are needed. If all those workers were gone one day, the economy would plummet.

You think someone wants to work the front desk at a motel for fun? You think someone is going to load and unload boxes for a supermsrket for fun? Do you think someone is cleaning toilets for fun? Wake up, this is a fantasy.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Because I never did any, let alone all those jobs, amirite*?

Newsflash, when these jobs aren't necessary to survival, especially at 40/week, people will do them to keep busy, interact with diverse people, etc. MAYBE even McDonald's will have a more nutritionally sound diet.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Yeah I can tell you never did any of those jobs. If you did you'd realize how dumb this sounds.

People will start busy and interact with other people though events, hobbies, clubs. You know, not work. No one is getting yelled at in a drive through for fun. There are PLENTY of ways to meet and interact with people and keep busy without have a shit schedule, high pressure, and getting yelled at by the public.

Working those jobs are horrible and there are plenty (like cleaning toilets, or stocking shelves) where you don't even interact with people. Also, you don't get to pick your co workers. They aren't all going to be your friends lol

But if you honestly think someone would work in fast food for fun, you are out of touch and sound like you've lived a pretty easy life to never have to work these hard jobs.

And you keep going back to the McDonald's nutrition.... I don't think you're following the convo lol

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

He screams from his sheltered, privileged bubble. The people you claim wouldn't do it are the ones who will, because we're not afraid of getting our delicate little hands dirty, and our fragile little feelings hurt.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

He screams from his sheltered, privileged bubble.

From the guy that thinks people will work in fast food for fun. I've worked those jobs, I know how shitty they are. You seem to think it's just a buddy hang out. Not only are you privileged you seem out of touch with normal people.

The people you claim wouldn't do it are the ones who will, because we're not afraid of getting our delicate little hands dirty, and our fragile little feelings hurt.

Are you having a stroke? You can get your hands dirty doing hobbies. I do carpentry and hunting. The difference is one is fulfilling and brings me happiness, where the other is a literal job thats purpose is to enrich the company I work for.

Do you like when people yell at you? I was in the USMC for 6 years, I could care less if I'm yelled at, but it's not a fun pass time. If rather be hiking with my dog or going out with my wife. But you seem to think people just love getting yelled at. Probably because you're a Karen that's usually the one doing the yelling lol

I don't know where this idea in your head comes from that people really want to get yelled at and they want to work hard for shit money. People want to grind to the bone up look tough and like a hard worker, to project some image where you're proud that you're taken advantage of. You've drank that corporate kool-aid deep my friend. I bet you think Walmart cares deeply about every employee too.

You seem like the kind of person that has never worked a day in their life and think work is just this fun pass time people want to do so bad. You are out of touch and delusional.

See, this has become work. And I get you'd argue online all day, because you're not afraid to do the work and desperately need that human interaction. I mean, honestly, I'd be surprised if you put the work in to even read this comment in full. It's a lot of words. But I have hobbies and people in my life I enjoy, so I'll block you and go spend time with them. Kinda proving my point in the process.

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 1 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Guess different people are cut from different cloth, then, like some can see past their own preferences and some can't, then.

[–] LilB0kChoy@midwest.social 2 points 1 day ago

Just move on. This is why I chose not to argue with them.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Ok, honestly, I forgot to block you after that comment, but I'm kinda glad. I gotta say one last thing in hopes you see through your own BS.

Yeah, some people have self worth.

If your preference is to give your time to a company, 40 hours a week, for shit pay, doing shit work, getting yelled at, then sure. You have no self worth. You value making the company money more than you value your own time, growth, family, and hobbies. You don't care about yourself, you want to be a cog in the machine so badly.

Me, if I didn't have to work, I would learn new skills. Do my hobbies more. Work out more. Take the time to explore things I never had time for. Spend more time with friends and family. Travel to places I always wanted to see. You now, live and enjoy my life.

That's just me, I value my time and my happiness. I'm sure you'd be just as happy flipping burgers while I did those things.

Gene a great life wasting it to make someone else more happy.

[–] LilB0kChoy@midwest.social 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ok, whatever you say. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well I mean you never once came up with a valid counter point, so I guess we agree there lol

[–] LilB0kChoy@midwest.social 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

We don't. I still disagree with you. I'm not interested in arguing with someone so fragile that they resort to personal attacks when someone tells them they disagree. Have a good day!

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Lol!

I'm fragile? I didn't even attack you and you got so upset you couldn't have a convo anymore. I said it's ok to be wrong, after you provided no counter points, and that got you this upset... The real world is going to be tough for you bud.

I wrote up counter points, never attacking you. You then refused to engage and became childish. You need some self reflection.