- Aug 4, 2009
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- 142,407
- 2,615
One way to see the distribution of wealth in the U.S. is to imagine a group of 100 people who have a $100 between them. Evenly distributed each would have one dollar of wealth. Alas, that is far from the actual distribution. According to the most recent study, Currents and Undercurrents, by the Survey of Consumer Finance (Federal Reserve, Department of Treasury, 2006) wealth is distributed accordingly:
50 individuals at the bottom have a nickel. ($0.05 times 50 = $2.50)
The next 40 each have $0.70 of wealth (40 times $0.70 - $28.00).
The next 9 each have $4.00 of wealth (nine times $4.00 = $36.00)
The last richest individual has $33.40 (one time $33.40).
Read more: See the Distribution of Wealth in US (McCain, Obama, cost) - Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Conservatives, Liberals, Third Parties, Left-Wing, Right-Wing, Congress, President - City-Data Forum
And you are guaranteed, or should have guaranteed, equality in outcome??
Nobody is asking for equality of outcome..
However, if we need more revenue......should we go after the person making five cents or the person making $33.40?
If the person making $33.40 wants us to continue programs that enable him to accumulate more wealth....why should we?