General Discussion

DanTex

(20,709 posts)

184. That doesn't add up.

Mon Aug 31, 2015, 01:30 PM

Aug 2015

There are about 7 billion people in the world, and about 300 million in America. 7 billion means that there are only 70 million people in the top 1%, so even if all Americans were richer than everyone else, still only about 25% or so of us would be in the top 1%.

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This message was self-deleted by its author [View all] Recursion Aug 2015 OP

How can 75% be 1%? The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #1

75% of 350 million can easily be 1% of 7 billion Recursion Aug 2015 #2

Here we go again ... TBF Aug 2015 #7

Yes, we pretty much all agree the 1% need to give up something to help out the 99%, right? Recursion Aug 2015 #8

Well, no. 1% is easy to say and remember, but the reality is that the vast majority of the Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #194

Well, hell: welcome to the club, then Recursion Aug 2015 #196

I'm still not in that club. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #208

I get that, but when we discuss US politics The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #11

How do you react when a person in Beverly Hills says "$500K isn't much here"? Recursion Aug 2015 #13

The difference is that the person in Beverly Hills is living in the US, The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #23

You may be; I never was Recursion Aug 2015 #26

Because the discussion on DU is mainly about US politics, and whether The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #34

My reaction is that they've chosen to live in a very expensive place, SheilaT Aug 2015 #27

that's simply false. cali Aug 2015 #109

What is? (nt) Recursion Aug 2015 #113

Actually it can't tkmorris Aug 2015 #40

Hey, if we factor potential extraterrestrial beings we might even be it the 0.01 or 0.001% whatchamacallit Aug 2015 #42

1% of 7B is 70M. 75% of 350M is 262.5M. You can't fit 262.5M into 70M. DanTex Aug 2015 #187

It's 312 and 7.2, first off Recursion Aug 2015 #190

60% of the US cannot possibly be in the global 1%. It's a mathematical impossibility. DanTex Aug 2015 #198

The entire US population fits in about the top 12% of the world income distribution Recursion Aug 2015 #207

I'm not doing any special pleading, I'm just doing simple math. DanTex Aug 2015 #212

So take your numbers, which sound like the IMF's Recursion Aug 2015 #216

Don't worry, one day you will learn how to admit to being wrong and making mistakes. Rex Aug 2015 #219

75% of Americans are in the top *14%*; the global top 1% holds the top 12% of the USA muriel_volestrangler Aug 2015 #233

I don't have numbers, but I highly doubt that 75% of Americans are in the top 5%. DanTex Aug 2015 #234

LOL! Do you expect some kind of epiphany from the OP? Rex Aug 2015 #214

Are you suggesting that it's only valid to look at global figures? Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #3

Are Nigerians and Bangladeshis somehow not people? Recursion Aug 2015 #5

Wow. Where on EARTH did you get that from my post? Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #33

"There are times when a global approach is called for and there are times when it is not." Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #6

As I mention is my Reply to Recursion... Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #39

An increase in the Federal minimum wage would increase global inequality Recursion Aug 2015 #66

"global 1% line" Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #119

Well, welcome aboard: "The 1%" is a nearly meaningless concept Recursion Aug 2015 #122

Not when comparing apples to apples, it isn't. (nt) Lizzie Poppet Aug 2015 #125

So we should only look at wages globally and not the cost of living globally that people face? cascadiance Aug 2015 #137

Honest answer. Americans can only control U.S. policy regarding income. Yavin4 Aug 2015 #166

Yes, but it takes a certain amount of effort to maintain our national position jberryhill Aug 2015 #183

Our consumption of resources does not equate to impoverishing populations overseas. Yavin4 Aug 2015 #188

How does it not? Recursion Aug 2015 #211

I suppose next you'll be telling us we should be satisfied with frozen tortellini. nt Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2015 #4

LOL Bettie Aug 2015 #16

Now THAT'S really funny! WillowTree Aug 2015 #52

Heh angel823 Aug 2015 #83

*snort* Recursion Aug 2015 #102

I like tortellini 6chars Aug 2015 #229

Well it's all relative lunatica Aug 2015 #9

You know how we tell rich Americans that sharing the wealth is ultimately to their advantage? Recursion Aug 2015 #14

That was what I'm trying to say. lunatica Aug 2015 #35

You know how we share the wealth with countries with poorer people? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #205

Yeah, that's been the history so far Recursion Aug 2015 #210

So what's their average wage compared to ours? nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #217

Last I saw roughly a quarter nominally, or a half by PPP Recursion Aug 2015 #220

So they need to double again still. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #223

They do; they probably will Recursion Aug 2015 #227

The vast majority of Americans comprise America's 1%. Fuzzy math? merrily Aug 2015 #10

No. The vast majority of Americans comprise *the 1%*. The global 1%. Recursion Aug 2015 #12

Yet, you know most references on DU to the 99% are to America's 99%. merrily Aug 2015 #17

Why should they do that? Beverly Hills people only compare themselves to other Beverly Hills people Recursion Aug 2015 #20

Same way I reacted when a poster said $250K a year was not really that much. merrily Aug 2015 #168

I tell him to move out here to Ohio. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #209

We do give up wealth ohheckyeah Aug 2015 #172

So, what is your point? Bettie Aug 2015 #15

Why not the worldwide economy? Recursion Aug 2015 #18

"Can you see that you're doing that too?" Bullshit. You have no idea what I am doing. merrily Aug 2015 #22

Most of my income, in this week's case, but that's not important Recursion Aug 2015 #24

" Do you believe the 1% should give up some wealth to support the 99%, or not?" merrily Aug 2015 #31

So, every discussion must Bettie Aug 2015 #32

No solution. The goal is to just get people to shut up and support free trade. jeff47 Aug 2015 #63

OK. Bettie Aug 2015 #74

Well, no, I'm pretty pessimistic about the TPP Recursion Aug 2015 #115

Except you've spent months arguing the TPP is needed to help the world's poor. (nt) jeff47 Aug 2015 #145

Nope Recursion Aug 2015 #150

You know, memory loss is a serious medical condition. You should get that looked at. (nt) jeff47 Aug 2015 #155

Indeed you should. I've never once said I support the TPP Recursion Aug 2015 #160

Ahhh. It all makes sense now. Arugula Latte Aug 2015 #200

Free trade is what keeps the third world mired in poverty. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #215

The poster seems to be angriest with US populists. merrily Aug 2015 #19

I'm honestly confused here Bettie Aug 2015 #36

About what? Recursion Aug 2015 #60

No longer confused Bettie Aug 2015 #88

The poster is a major fan of free trade agreements. So US populists are a problem. jeff47 Aug 2015 #69

I read recently on DU that referring to someone as a Third Wayer is name calling, much merrily Aug 2015 #80

What has lifted them up? Most of the global income gains have gone to the poorest 75% pampango Aug 2015 #226

Semantics tkmorris Aug 2015 #21

No, no, no, 1000 times no. You are 100% wrong there. Recursion Aug 2015 #29

No they really aren't tkmorris Aug 2015 #44

So the FAR HIGHER cost of living we face that REQUIRES higher wages to live where we live... cascadiance Aug 2015 #144

"The actions of middle class Americans are exactly as callous and exploitative..." - here is where jonno99 Aug 2015 #173

"liable to make most objective listeners question your motivation" His posting history merrily Aug 2015 #104

Sounds like you are trying to diminish the injustice perpetrated against the many in this country Facility Inspector Aug 2015 #25

We are *ALL OLIGARCHS* Recursion Aug 2015 #30

OK. So What's your solution? The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #37

The solution is for the 1% to give up some wealth to the 99% (nt) Recursion Aug 2015 #45

And how would suggest this be done? The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #54

Well taxation and redistribution is a pretty time-honored way Recursion Aug 2015 #57

And you'd like to start at the bottom of that 1%. (nt) jeff47 Aug 2015 #64

Me? No. I'd rather start way the hell up at the top Recursion Aug 2015 #71

Except the policies you explicitly support start at the bottom of that 1%, and jeff47 Aug 2015 #73

Which policies are those? Recursion Aug 2015 #97

The ones you actually argue for over and over again, instead of the ones you make up now jeff47 Aug 2015 #142

I am confused, this person said he has NEVER supported TPP or spoken in favor of free randys1 Aug 2015 #170

Why can't you do a search? merrily Aug 2015 #182

I thought you had to be a paid member to search randys1 Aug 2015 #218

No, just search my username and TPP Recursion Aug 2015 #232

Free trade is bullshit, it ALWAYS means more money for those at the top and less for randys1 Aug 2015 #239

I was not aware of that. Advanced search never worked for me anyway. merrily Aug 2015 #237

Oh.. if randys1 is on mobile he won't see the search box Recursion Aug 2015 #240

I am all in favor of offering more foreign aid to poorer countries. The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #92

Me too. That's one great way for the 1% to give up some money for the 99% Recursion Aug 2015 #95

wow Facility Inspector Aug 2015 #48

The oligarch and wealth inequality jeepers Aug 2015 #76

^^ That Recursion Aug 2015 #99

No, we are still slaves of the oligarchs PowerToThePeople Aug 2015 #138

Such bullshit to equate Gates and a fast food worker or a WalMart checker on SNAP and Medicaid. merrily Aug 2015 #175

Seriously? Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #231

That is exactly what the poster is doing, but that is their entire act and show all in one. Rex Aug 2015 #133

IN AMERICA- a significant number of the "1%" are people who work hard and EARN their paychecks... KittyWampus Aug 2015 #28

And I am sick of disingenuous arguments. $25,000 is WORTH a lot more in some places and stillwaiting Aug 2015 #38

No, that's $25K by purchasing power parity Recursion Aug 2015 #47

I'm going to need a link for that claim. stillwaiting Aug 2015 #51

Meh, the TPP is at best a band-aid Recursion Aug 2015 #53

Purchasing power parity, $25,000 = the top 1%. I've never seen anything regarding that. nt stillwaiting Aug 2015 #55

World Bank is probably the best source for that Recursion Aug 2015 #58

Your link requires a subscription. I can't access it. stillwaiting Aug 2015 #62

It is. Just google "global 1% income level" (nt) Recursion Aug 2015 #65

I'm not finding information that breaks it down by cost of living. stillwaiting Aug 2015 #85

Add "PPP" to your search term Recursion Aug 2015 #108

Unnnnn, I'm not seeing where US PPP is way above all othes at 25k, there are few places a SINGLE... uponit7771 Aug 2015 #222

Well I agree PPP also has problems Recursion Aug 2015 #225

I don't think the OP has the ability of typing anything but disingenous OPs. Rex Aug 2015 #139

''Sanctimonious.'' Project much? Octafish Aug 2015 #41

Oh, hey, we are in agreement on something. Tell Satan to order a space heater. Recursion Aug 2015 #59

Funny thing, the OP is in India and never talks about how bad the caste system is. Rex Aug 2015 #118

Do you just lie for fun? Recursion Aug 2015 #197

You do it all the time, your OP is a lie and you had to edit just to make it look less like one. Rex Aug 2015 #199

Last response to you without apologizing for that lie Recursion Aug 2015 #204

So you won't apologize for lying in your OP? Rex Aug 2015 #206

In general, people don't like to put their life in too much perspective mythology Aug 2015 #43

And yet you live in India while drawing US salaries one for you and a larger one for your wife. Bluenorthwest Aug 2015 #46

I do Recursion Aug 2015 #50

What a nasty response. And I did not speak of local currency but of local pay rates. Your household Bluenorthwest Aug 2015 #70

What a nasty three years you've spent stalking every post I made Recursion Aug 2015 #77

And yet you are married to your wife who gets paid by US rates. You keep spewing shit at me Bluenorthwest Aug 2015 #90

I *never* "spew shit" at you Recursion Aug 2015 #93

You never "spew shit"? GummyBearz Aug 2015 #147

A. I did not mention that fucking article, you did. B. You keep claiming your household is not paid Bluenorthwest Aug 2015 #163

+1 demmiblue Aug 2015 #185

That shopping trip was $70 total Recursion Aug 2015 #201

How far would $70 go in a poor household in India? n/t demmiblue Aug 2015 #228

It's about two weeks salary at the median wage here, why? (nt) Recursion Aug 2015 #230

The rupee thing didn't fake you out? merrily Aug 2015 #136

I have to admit, Recursion, one doesn't often see your argument on liberal message boards. Scootaloo Aug 2015 #49

So, as I keep asking, how do you respond when a person in Beverly Hills says $500K isn't "rich"? Recursion Aug 2015 #56

Until you resolve the income inequality in this country..... virtualobserver Aug 2015 #78

Reading this thread shows me this question has been ably answered multiple times Scootaloo Aug 2015 #79

The only argument in the OP seems to be that US populists are sanctimonious. merrily Aug 2015 #158

All we need to do is find the person who's the worst-off in the world Orrex Aug 2015 #61

As I mentioned elsewhere in this thread, this discussion reminds me The Velveteen Ocelot Aug 2015 #100

Totally right-wing. demmiblue Aug 2015 #112

I'm tired of sanctimonious people pretending the US is a third world country. GeorgeGist Aug 2015 #67

Well we definitely have the population of one Recursion Aug 2015 #68

What a crock of shit PowerToThePeople Aug 2015 #72

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2015 #75

That comparison is by purchasing power parity Recursion Aug 2015 #81

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2015 #89

I don't know but my guess is that it's kind of a visual pun on Obama's Shepard Fairey logo Recursion Aug 2015 #98

Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2015 #123

YOU are the damned logically challenged. ALWAYS this. HughBeaumont Aug 2015 #82

Not a bad rant. malthaussen Aug 2015 #91

As is? It doesn't. HughBeaumont Aug 2015 #148

I think the problem is schadenfreude. malthaussen Aug 2015 #171

Net wealth not income determines if you are a 1 percenter. WDIM Aug 2015 #84

I think you are having an episode of guilt complex. demmiblue Aug 2015 #86

No, he's having an episode of "I want more free trade agreements jeff47 Aug 2015 #96

Screw your hair shirt politics. Many of us live month to month. Throd Aug 2015 #87

The "one percent" terminology rose in popularity during the Occupy movement, which of course had its Brickbat Aug 2015 #94

Recursion... Rex Aug 2015 #101

Yes, Rex? (nt) Recursion Aug 2015 #103

. Rex Aug 2015 #106

People actually rec'd this. True, not many, but still. SMH. nt merrily Aug 2015 #105

Sad ain't it? Rex Aug 2015 #110

And, of course, this post has nothing to do with the primaries. merrily Aug 2015 #116

No, it really doesn't. To my knowledge neither Clinton, Sanders, O'Malley, Webb, or Chafee address Recursion Aug 2015 #120

Of course not. None of your anti-populist posts have a thing to do with the primary. merrily Aug 2015 #128

Basically, yes: my main concerns will be equally unmet by all candidates Recursion Aug 2015 #131

Your incessant bashing of those on this board who refer to the 99% or self identify as populist is merrily Aug 2015 #141

Well I would say the OP is nervous about the election Rex Aug 2015 #121

"Nervous"? I am pretty confident my preferred candidate is going to lose Recursion Aug 2015 #124

They probably never had any true hardship in their lives. demmiblue Aug 2015 #129

Yeah, that must be it (nt) Recursion Aug 2015 #152

+1 demmiblue Aug 2015 #157

I'd guess that who they plan to vote for in the primaries has merrily Aug 2015 #203

I feel your pain. malthaussen Aug 2015 #107

Explain the paradox then Recursion Aug 2015 #111

Careful, now, I have never taken a position on Beverly Hills lawyers. malthaussen Aug 2015 #146

As tkmorris points out in #40, your numbers can't work out muriel_volestrangler Aug 2015 #114

There's a lot of different ways to count it; I'm using the World Bank Recursion Aug 2015 #117

I've never used "the 1%" or heard anyone else say it in the context of anything BUT within the US RiverLover Aug 2015 #130

I agree, you chose to hear that phrase very selectively, and the branding of the movement Recursion Aug 2015 #132

"Chose to hear that phrase very selectively" my ass. merrily Aug 2015 #167

And CNN was quoting a World Bank economist muriel_volestrangler Aug 2015 #135

Our 1% lives in gated, walled communities. Trump's vision is America behind walls, gates & tariffs pampango Aug 2015 #126

America is a gated, walled community (nt) Recursion Aug 2015 #127

Not nearly to the degree it was before FDR opened trade and JFK/LBJ opened immigration. pampango Aug 2015 #180

When a centrist claims to want to redistribute the US's wealth to the world... DisgustipatedinCA Aug 2015 #134

They're deeply concerned about issues of poverty... in lucrative outsourcing locations. /nt Marr Aug 2015 #189

globalists DustyJoe Aug 2015 #140

I agree. hunter Aug 2015 #142

money DustyJoe Aug 2015 #164

Did I say that? hunter Aug 2015 #213

+1000000000000000000000 randys1 Aug 2015 #238

Having low income or no income does not always mean WDIM Aug 2015 #149

There's a piece I now can't find Recursion Aug 2015 #156

While some of the issues H2O Man Aug 2015 #151

It's my fault Recursion Aug 2015 #153

This message was self-deleted by its author merrily Aug 2015 #161

Concern trolling about something that is not true is all the OP wanted. Rex Aug 2015 #154

The opening post did not raise issues, but insults. merrily Aug 2015 #165

Right. H2O Man Aug 2015 #169

Maybe it is doing exactly what it was meant to do. merrily Aug 2015 #177

America is spreading the wealth untrue Aug 2015 #159

Workers? Kind a slip of the tounge yeah? You mean factory owners right? Rex Aug 2015 #162

I get that. untrue Aug 2015 #178

Oh ha! Rex Aug 2015 #224

How is this any different in nature from Fox News's "scold the poor" approach, bullwinkle428 Aug 2015 #174

IT is exactly what Foxnews does about poor people owning refrigerators. Rex Aug 2015 #176

It's different because the numbers in the OP are more obviously wrong than Fox News muriel_volestrangler Aug 2015 #186

So what is your point? davekriss Aug 2015 #179

lol, right. "Free trade" is about helping poor people. Marr Aug 2015 #181

The holier-than-thou poutrage accompanying the OP was a nice touch though. Arugula Latte Aug 2015 #202

That doesn't add up. DanTex Aug 2015 #184

I think the 1% is a confusing concept booksandpencils Aug 2015 #191

The richest 1% of India is about 12 million people Recursion Aug 2015 #195

If that's the cutoff, then no I'm not, so meh to you. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2015 #192

While true, this argument is also used to quell criticism of wealth inequality, Oneironaut Aug 2015 #193

Nope. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #221

So this is now the new Hillary campaign slogan? "We ARE the 1%" 99th_Monkey Aug 2015 #235

No, all the candidates fail to address this more or less equally Recursion Aug 2015 #236

Oh good goddamn. Hissyspit Aug 2015 #241