The Difference

Most of our society has become oblivious to the concept of need vs. want.  Then there's the fact that the concept of a finished product faded from factory work years ago, not to mention entertainment is now considered to be a service, as well as a necessity.

When we began working for money, wealth was defined by material possessions and how we spend our free time, the concept of a product and service truly got lost.  It is my fervent hope that the Other 1% actually increases in numbers.  An actual product and service based economy would change the imbalance of our current situation.  I don't see that happening, but that would do it.  It's really very simple math.

A few, very few people have most of the money, because the majority prefers to pay and gripe.  If people stopped going to movies and watching sports, the celebrities and athletes would not be millionaires, and the media moguls and team owners would not be The One Percent.

I would love to see more people live above the poverty line, but raising minimum wage isn't the answer.  Far too many folks just can't see what raising the minimum wage will actually do in this country.  First and foremost, always remember, if politicians are for it, it won't benefit the people.  Over half of the representatives in Washington are in The One Percent.  This aristocracy crosses party lines . . .  If minimum wage is raised to $11.00 an hour, that means everything that is assembled or served by folks making minimum wage will go up.  It also means, the rest of the work force will will either insist upon higher wages, or their buying power will be reduced by the increase to cover the increased minimum wage.

Selling hamburgers is not manufacturing and phone plans are not really providing a service.  Manufacturing used to involve making something tangible that was either lasting or met a "needed" purpose.  A genuine product and service economy doesn't actually require money.  The money is for convenience and taxes.  A product and service economy provides a way for everyone to have what they need that they can't actually make or do for themselves.  The auto industry used to be a great example of this.  So was pre-pharmaceutical health care and genuine retail sales, for that matter.

Basically, it's not about the money at all, but rather it's about priorities.  Poor people can be greedy.  Wealthy people can be conscientious.  The only thing that will change this faltering economy, and truthfully, I think it's too late, is for people to stop working for money and start using their G-d given talents to make or trade what they need to live.  I speak from experience, entertainment is not so necessary when you enjoy your life.