Politics is about choices. The government can choose to punish millions of people for the recession that they did not cause, or inconvenience a few rich people. These rich people have gained the most in the boom years. The richest 1% of the population owns 21% of marketable wealth and the bottom 50% own just 7% of the wealth; and if the value of the dwellings is taken out then that figure stands at around 1%. The proportion of gross domestic product going to employees in the shape of wages and salaries has declined from 65.1% in 1976 and now stands at around 55% (see Table D). Ordinary people just don’t have the capacity to take economic hits.
The ultra-rich could solve this financial crisis | Prem Sikka | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
This is about the UK, but it is probably true everywhere. You know.
(via champagnecandy)
(via champagnecandy)