ù Quoting Rich Willbanks from a message to Bob Rudolph  ù 
RW> upper 20% of the money earners are paying something like 80% of the 
RW> taxes (federal, mostly income tax).
Considering that the top 1% of the global population controls 80% of the 
wealth, that doesn't sound too bad. And it doesn't seem to be hurting them 
any.
RW> Most people don't see it like this.  They think "rich" people get 
RW> that way by winning a lottery or something as easy.  I would have 
RW> thought the debacle of the luxury tax would have made some people 
RW> realize this.
Statistically, this is sort of true. 99% of rich people are that way because 
of
their heritage (daddy was rich). As I've posted before, social and class 
mobility is pretty much a myth in our society.
RW> There is something even bigger, when deciding if a person, or family, 
RW> is living below the 'poverty line' any government assistance is not 
RW> included.  IOW, if you are making $500 a month with a family of 5 you 
Except when you consider that the poverty line is @ $15k for a family of 
four. 
That's about how much I make for myself and my dog. I happen to know plenty 
of 
young, single mothers who live like spartans out of guilt for their young 
kids 
and thankfully just scrape by with the help of welfare. Ever seen how much 
hospital bills cost these days? About five times the poverty level for 
something rather routine..
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