GETRUNTAH

Next Time Someone Argues For Trickle Down Economics Show Them This

In her Huffington Post article, Kathleen Miles suggests that the "Next Time Someone Argues For Trickle-Down Economics, Show Them This."

February 6, 2014

Conservatives like to say that "a rising tide lifts all boats." In other words, if an executive makes $20 million a year, his income will eventually trickle down into the rest of the economy and ultimately benefit poor people.

But that theory hasnt exactly proven true. The highest-earning 20 percent of Americans have been making more and more over the past 40 years. Yet no other boats have risen; in fact, theyre sinking. Over the same 40 years, the lowest-earning 60 percent of Americans have been making less and less.

Imagine the lines below as tides. As you can see, one is rising, while the others are falling (and one is stagnant):

The chart comes from the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequalitys recently released 2014 report. The researchers looked at rising poverty and inequality in the U.S., particularly since the 2007-2008 recession.

Other studies have shown a correlation between bigger tax cuts for the 1 percent and income inequality. In the U.S., the top earners have made more money in the last 60 years as the top marginal tax rate has been slashed and as the rising dominance of Wall Street has allowed a few to make enormous profits.

An OECD study in 2013 found that the U.S. had the highest income inequality in the developed world. Out of all nations, only Chile, Mexico and Turkey had higher levels of income inequality, according to the study.

So what does this all mean in actual dollars? It means that more than half of U.S. wage earners made less than $30,000 in 2012, which is not far above the $27,010 federal poverty line for a family of five. Meanwhile, the top 10 percent of earners took more than half of the countrys total income in 2012.

In other words, a rising tide has lifted a few big boats and washed the rest aside.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/06/rich-richer_n_4731408.html

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Never forget this

Although we strive to get others on our side, heres a good reminder from the late Richard Carlson that applies to IT and information security that we should always keep in mind:

"The sooner we accept the inevitable dilemma of not being able to win the approval of everyone we meet, the easier our lives will become".

Speaking of building your confidence and independence, here are some new articles Ive written that can help:

Four steps to become a leader in IT problem-solving

Prioritize your IT tasks and finally conquer your to-do list 

Working in IT? Simple steps to get users on your side

In IT planning, try zero-based thinking

Getting hired in IT: How to stand out

As always, check out my website for links to all of my other information security-related content.

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New Wendling at Stuart Ngs this weekend

What? Is it convention time already? Nope, its a new thing at Stuarts. He used to invite a few people to come over to Torrance if you were around town and check out his entire book selection (Ive never had the pleasure, though my brother Louie has and he raves about it). Now, Stuarts upped the ante by holding the first open house for the holidays. For you folks in L.A., the weekends of December 9-10 and 16-17, hes opened a new 1000 sq ft showroom for everybody to visit. Thats a picture of it above. More info here.


Claire Wendling. DESK. 64 pages of pencil drawings and sketches of animals and imaginary creatures and monsters. Exclusive to this edition are three new drawings, a Foreword by Mike Mignola, and a new biography of the artist (her first published biography in English)

Theres a new Claire Wendling book out. Their getting delivery at the showroom today and will be available this coming weekend. Everyone who comes by can pick up a copy. So, make plans, give yourself an early Christmas gift (I mean, really. Who else can give you the books you really want other than yourself, eh?).


Last weekend was a huge success. The place must have been mobbed. They got so busy they couldnt even run back to the house to grab the camera to take a snap. So,heres a photo from a few conventions ago of Stuart (left) and brother Steven (at right sporting a vintage Paper Biscuit shirt featuring dream girl Nina). They are good people. Oh, and them books are nice to have too.

Stuart Ng Books

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No Im not back back I just wanna tell you about this Citi Bike post

Hi!  Just poking my head out of the vacation hole for a moment to bring you this announcement:

As Citi Bike continues to begrime New York City by expanding its service area further uptown and deeper into Brooklyn, Ive been visiting these neighborhoods and showcasing the top-notch Cat 6-ing opportunities now on offer to my fellow bike share enthusiasts.  To that end, on a rainy day not too long ago, I flitted back and forth across Central Park and the East and West Sides of Manhattan.  Here is the resultant post, which just popped up on their blog:

Should you find yourself in town over the Labor Day weekend let this serve as your template for a cultural binge.

And with that, Im returning to the recesses of my vacation hole, and Ill see you all back here on Tuesday, September 6th with regular updates.  (Assuming I can find my way out, that is.)

Happy Whatever,


--Wildcat Rock Machine

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