Government policies of quantitative easing (a.k.a. money printing), crony capitalism, over-regulation, over-taxation and incentivizing dependency continue to widen the gap between American’s rich and poor … which we’re guessing is NOT what Barack Obama meant when he told Joe the Plumber back in 2008 that he was going to “spread the wealth around.”
Or maybe it’s exactly what he meant …
Anyway, the broadening chasm between the haves and have-nots is increasingly visible everywhere … even when it comes to the world’s “oldest profession.”
According to Andrew Zatlin of South Bay Research – who publishes a monthly “Vice Index” that tracks economic activity on gambling, booze and prostitution – the “rich are getting richer” in every way imaginable.
“High-end escorts successfully raised prices,” Zatlin wrote in his most recent report. “Lower-end escorts did not.”
Paying attention, Eliot Spitzer?
Zatlin’s report also reveals that beer sales are falling off more dramatically than wine sales – and low-end gambling has fallen off even as high rollers continue to play.
Why does the wealth gap matter? Easy: America’s economy is driven by consumer spending, and consumer spending is driven by everyday Americans. What should be done to fix the problem? Actually that’s a trick question. There will always be a wealth gap because human beings – while equally endowed by their creator with certain “inalienable rights” – were not endowed with identical abilities.
Still, if government would stop printing money, stop picking winners and losers in the marketplace, start slashing its red tape and start dramatically lowering (and equalizing) Americans’ tax burdens – then we would have a level playing field for capital that equalizes opportunity as opposed to a centrally manipulated marketplace that holds all of us back.
In other words there is nothing government can do to get rid of the wealth gap … but there is plenty it can do is doing to exacerbate that gap.
Oh, and when it comes to prostitution and gambling … a truly free market would not seek to constrain either of these enterprises. Which is why this website has repeatedly argued on behalf of their decriminalization.
16 comments
“Still, if government would . . . start slashing its red tape and start dramatically lowering (and equalizing) Americans’ tax burdens . . . .”
This Libertarian fantasy will never die — and will forever remain a fantasy. The inequality we experience today is primarily a result of lowering taxes for the rich much more than for the rest of us, and “hair of the dog” is not going to make it better.
The EBTzoo is already getting back 100% of what others put in? What’s wrong with everyone actually paying a little something in?
Hell, At least don’t give them money back on taxes that they don’t pay in. That would be a huge start. Mmmm Hmmmm.
“This Libertarian fantasy will never die — and will forever remain a fantasy.”
Yep, just like the fantasy of “good government” will never die and will forever remain a fantasy.
“The inequality we experience today is primarily a result of lowering taxes for the rich much more than for the rest of us, and “hair of the dog” is not going to make it better.”
So which is it Tom? Lowering taxes for everyone or taxing the rich more?
I suspect for you, the answering is taxing the rich more. I can’t wait until your ilk taxes them out of existence and you try to get a job from a poor guy. Of course, you can always go to Uncle Sam and try to get a job or simply settle in to welfare checks without rich people around.
Likewise, the Big Government fantasy is here to stay. But libertarians don’t want to throw you in jail for trying to make a buck.
Is there a pole dancer’s union?
NIMRATA would out-law it.
Eliminate future competition.
Mmmmm – but Nikki has mastered the art of the “JAPANESE SPELLING BEE” for which she could have no equal.
I see now. I wondered why her hands move 90mph when she talks. U R A wise grass-hopper.
…..
I am not familiar with the term.
TBG asks the important questions of FITSNEWS.
“Are those “high end” scripper shoes or “low end” scripper shoes?
—-” low end”, and why are you asking?
Cuz FITS is an expert on *lady’s* footware.
And TBG believes that it is better to be an informed consumer than it…is…
*blinks*
Never mind! No reason really….
Nothing guv can do about the wealth gap? We got the income tax started int he early 1900s and we had the Sherman Anti-Trust Act passed to stop monopolies. The War on Poverty was started by Pres Johnson in the 60s and is a roaring success.
The GOP thinks it is all about laziness by the poor.
Income inequality is multifactorial and has been the subject of multiple studies and doctoral dissertations. Is FITS just too lazy to read? can you do some studying on your own instead of regurgitating the trolls on Fox? I doubt it.
As for prostitution, as long as there are health department checks and clearances, I don’t care what you do with your body.
Government policies of quantitative easing (a.k.a. money printing), crony capitalism, over-regulation, over-taxation and incentivizing dependency continue to widen the gap between American’s rich and poor
Read more at https://www.fitsnews.com/2014/01/07/the-wealth-gap-in-prostitution-and-other-vices/#DycUiJP6QSTPYos5.99
LMAO!!
Hope unemployed and soon to be divorced Spitzer has properly prioritized his vices in his budget. Although rumor has it, he has a no-frills girlfriend to take care of his needs. Weiner’s cyber-sex is probably the cheapest way around it, of all the recent political cheaters. Sanford seems to fall in between with his here today, gone tomorrow booty call. Edwards seems to be laying low at this time..