Nick Hanauer on the TED talk, income inequality controversy

[MindMover]

Kai Ryssdal: There was a story this week about income inequality and politics and the economy that got a decent amount of buzz. A guy named Nick Hanauer -- I should say a rich venture capitalist named Nick Hanauer -- gave a TED talk, those three- or four-minute big ideas talks that started as part of a conference called Technology, Entertainment and Design, TED. They're taped and a lot of them are posted online. But Hanauer's talk from a couple of months ago, about how the wealthy really aren't the engine of economic growth, went viral this week because it wasn't posted on the TED site. Chris Anderson, who runs TED, said it was too controversial politically. The two of them, Hanauer and Anderson, had it out. The video's up on the TED site now, so that part's done.

But we called Nick Hanauer anyway to ask why income inequality raises so many partisan heckles. We reached him -- perhaps appropriately enough -- on a private plane. Good to have you with us.

Nick Hanauer: It's great to be with you.

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/wealth-poverty/nick-hanauer-ted-talk-income-inequality-controversy

[Tennessee Gal]

1. Very important point here:

Hanauer: I think that we need to debate this very important issue of where prosperity comes from. If we can come to a more healthy conclusion, which is that it is the middle class and the success of middle class that animates future and shared prosperity and begin to invest again in that middle class; and for wealthy citizens like me to begin to pay more than our fair share, I think the future is very, very bright. I think you'll see the economy begin to grow quickly again and I think you'll begin to see the median wage grow again and I think the country will be in super shape.

The Obama campaign needs to pound this home.

[MindMover]

2. AMEN......

and that is exactly what is needed.....

INVEST IN THE MIDDLE CLASS

[Warpy]

3. According to the money guy I inherited along with

my dad's portfolio, Hanauer is far from alone. The majority of people with serious money think OWS is right, the system is now completely unsustainable, and that changes have to be made.

Why aren't they being heard? Well, they didn't have the foresight (or interest) in investing in liberal think tanks back in the 70s like the handful of sleazy bastards headed by the Kochs and Scaife did for fascism. We're in the end game of all the rottenness that those think tanks forced on us by the wholesale conversion of people who simply weren't very smart by polished corporate admen at those think tanks.

[Tennessee Gal]

4. Yes, the right has owned the message for far too long.

Mistakes have been made by the left. There is no question about that. Obama, Biden, and Congressional Democrats are now far behind the game in access to getting the truth to the people.

[MindMover]

5. So think tanks are the scourge of America....hmmmm

Not the greedy bastards that donate money and start these tax dodges....

It will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get through the pearly gates of heaven.....


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_think_tanks_in_the_United_States

[Warpy]

6. Did you ever notice that sentences that begin with "So" are strawmen?

Now take him out and have fun playing with him!.

[MindMover]

7. Strawman is a misrepresentation of your position.....and does not start with So....see link

Your position as stated is .....

"We're in the end game of all the rottenness that those think tanks forced on us by the wholesale conversion of people who simply weren't very smart by polished corporate admen at those think tanks."

My point is that your position is to blame someone or something else and not the actual or real entity involved......

We have to start having honest conversations about how and why we are in the shithole we are in....and taking responsibility.....that is a prime objective of OWS....


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man