finance
Money talks; reviewing the global economy, government spending, taxes, and economic policy that affect our social and political future.
Money
They say money can't buy happiness. That is not entirely true. In today's world in America and all around the globe, money is the predominate means to attain the necessities of life. Whether to buy food, pay for shelter, or just about everything associated with existing in today's world all depends on the availability of having enough money to do so. In many instances the lack of financial means puts individuals in very stressful situations. We can conclude having the financial means could very well equate to a person being somewhat happy. This is because when one has financial support behind them the stress level should dissipate. Were not saying that this is true for all individuals but, having money puts a person in a capacity to be able to use that resource to reduce stress associated with not having enough money to pay for such essentials as housing, food, or medicine.
By Dr. Williams8 years ago in The Swamp
Waging Wars
While economists sway to and fro like the ebbing tides of a fiscal ocean, one thing remains solid and unmoving to me. The reality is that income inequality leads to disenfranchisement and unrest in the lower income areas of our country. This has been proven time and time again not only in the history of our nation, but the world itself. In our day and age, money is the prime resource, and when resources are low, tempers run high. Raising the minimum wage is a hot topic among economists; in fact, it’s the surest way to divide a room full of them right down the middle. This issue has seemingly stumped lawmakers on the national level as the nation’s minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour and hasn’t moved since 2009. This policy of procrastination seems to be perpetuated by both major political parties as it is an unpopular fight on all fronts. Though a Gallup poll conducted in November of 2013 reveals that 91 percent of Democrats support increasing the federal minimum wage to $9.00, so do 58 percent of Republicans. They also suggest pinning the minimum wage to the consumer price index, in order for it to keep pace with inflation. That way, as the economy shifts, so would the minimum wage. Prior to 2007, the federal minimum wage had been stagnant for ten years. This oversight has contributed to the current turbulence in our global market. The less money people have to spend, the larger the wage gap becomes, leading to less currency in the market and thus a shrinking economy. Fears that raising the minimum wage would flood the market with currency and lead to drastic costs of living are very shortsighted. There are several steps that must be taken to revive our ailing economy. One of the first steps should be to raise the minimum wage and index it for future generations.
By Eduardo Victor Garcia8 years ago in The Swamp
Millennials Are Too Clever for Mindless Consumerism
We have heard the jokes and seen the articles for long enough, endless headlines all saying variations of the same outdated view that millennials are lazy. Since the start, our generation has been considered careless and mindless, unbothered by anything that doesn’t include social media or sitting down. Being the generation that saw the birth of social media, it is considered our partner in carelessness. Yet little consideration is given to the fact that social media is a factor in the creation of an increasingly liberal and politically active body. You can call us lazy, but millennials are powerful, and here’s some news, we’ve grown too clever for mindless consumerism, forcing producers to become more ethical, more inclusive, and more liberal if they want our money.
By Lucy Harbron8 years ago in The Swamp
Brexit’s Influence on the GBP Exchange Rate
At first, when the referendum came up, many people supported the "Britain should remain in the European Union" position. This is because it is familiar for people to have Britain as a part of the EU. But Brexit is a possibility for the United Kingdom to renew its transatlantic alliance and also could strengthen the role of Britain.
By Andrea Dawson8 years ago in The Swamp
From My Front Porch
Poverty. We all know it's out there but how many people really know and understand what it is and what it's like? According to a 2015 Census report poverty affects approximately 43 million Americans that's about 1 in 7 people. An additional 19 million live in deep poverty, making less than 50% of poverty level income annually. So what exactly is poverty level income? Well according to that same 2015 report the federal poverty level for the continental US is as follows:
By Claudia Sanders8 years ago in The Swamp
When Politicians Don't Really Understand!
I believe that politicians think that they are the only people in the world; they don't really care about anybody else, they just lie and tax the people more. What about taxing the rich more, not the poor? However, that's how they live. They live by taking it all but never giving what they promised; we should've known that they would be trouble, behind that glisten of what looked like a promise.
By Lizzy Arrow8 years ago in The Swamp
Misconceptions
America, land of the free home of the poor. The land of opportunity for the chosen lucky few. Poverty is crippling in America. I understand poverty-stricken families those living paycheck to day after paycheck. Those living and relying on food stamps I understand them because I am one of them.
By Claudia Sanders8 years ago in The Swamp
Taxes
Okay, so I will be the guy who asks the common-sense question about wealth and taxes: If they “hurt the rich” the way that the Occupy Movement says they would, why are all of these wealthy people supporting the party hiking taxes the most? The thing that no one tells you about taxes is that the super-wealthy “one-percenters” love them. They protect their investment by making it that much harder for us, the average person, to cut into their slice of the pie. The best part is that they get the assistance of the Federal Government, who will send armed men to your door and haul you off to jail. Just as King George III viewed taxes as a way to keep his wealth ahead of that of his subjects, the wealthiest political party in the world, the Democrats, protect the wealthy with taxes and overly complex tax codes.
By Mickey Finn8 years ago in The Swamp
An Overhaul of Modern Economics
An idea has been brewing within my mind for some time and a place such as this may be just the arena to share such ideas. The problem I wish to tackle is the obvious lack of equality and meritocracy within the current economic system. However, I have constructed an idea which may help to organize our economy/economies and create a more just and rewarding society.
By Jack Gardner9 years ago in The Swamp
