Wednesday, December 4, 2024
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Wednesday, December 4, 2024 |
Respondents Annual Household Income
Respondents Total Debt (including mortgage)
Respondents Net Worth
Do you own your own business?
Do you consider yourself to be more:
"I believe what the bible says, To
whom much is given, much is required. I believe the rich have a responsibility
to help take care of the poor. Some of the salaries that rich people
have, they will never spend it all in their lifetime. They should.
The system of government we have is designed to keep the rich, rich
and the poor, poor, and designed to keep the rest of us paying the
bills, dangling a carrot in front of us, to make us think we're
going to get rich if we work hard. Not true."
"I have conservative ideas. I'd
like less government intrusion in my life, for starters..."
"Actually, I consider myself
socially liberal and fiscally moderate."
"I consider myself to be
conservative when it comes to anything regarding our government or
constitution. In just plain life, I often find myself with some
fairly moderate views." Do you think that "the rich" stole their money from the poor:
"It depends upon the specific case.
Those that have used their sweat to ascend the ladder of success
have my admiration. However, I abhore those that have stepped on
others while climbing that ladder."
"I think that if someone uses illegal
or immoral means to achieve their wealth, then it is ill-gotten
gain, and it will come back to haunt them. What ever we sow, that
will we also reap."
"Some did, especially large
corporations, and Big time politicians."
"There are some rich folks who have
stolen from the poor, then again many haven't. Those who have will
be held accountable eventually."
"I think some rich steal their
money or are dishonest in the ways that acquire their wealth. I
would not though say all of the rich are that way. I have met people
that are wealthy that haven't done anything but work smart, hard and
honest to get their money."
"The rich get rich by working hard.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool."
"Some who play the corporate
executive stock options game have stolen money from stockholders.
But not from the poor because they did not have any money in the
game."
"Most wealthy people work long and
hard hours to build wealth and maintain their wealth."
"These days I think many
businessmen robbed from the people who invested in their public
companies. Why do they get to walk away with millions while our
stock goes from $1000 to $0 in a matter of days?" "I don't think that they stole
it. I think that the rich know the ins and outs, if there's a loop
hole they have been through it. I also think that they have a good
head on their shoulders for taxes." "I know there are
"rich" people that share their wealth with those less
fortunate (not just their money but also their knowledge). It seems,
however, that there are more that don't consider bringing anyone
along with them...and that discourages me." Do you envy the rich?
"Yes & No, I would like the
opportunity to become wealthy, but not at the expense of using
others to get there."
"Because this is the only heaven
most of them will ever know. Jesus told the the rich young ruler, to
sell all that he has and give it to the poor, and take up his cross
and follow him. Then he said it would be easier for camel to go
through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the
kingdom of heaven."
"I tend not to envy the rich
because it's a waste of time. Many really don't know how to be
responsible for the wealth they happen to have. Many also idolize
their wealth and allow it to control them. Also, for many, even with
the wealth they have, they STILL aren't happy. When I hear stories
of people such as Wynona Ryder being arrested for shoplifting, I'm
continually amazed. The actress would've been able to walk into that
particular store (or any other) and purchase whatever she wanted.
The situation is sad. I may not be "rich" according to the
world's standards, but I'd rather be where I am right now, on my way
to better financial health. Material things can be nice, even great,
but if you don't know how to be a good steward over what you're
blessed with, what good is it to have those things?"
"Lots of money often brings lots of
worries."
"They work hard for their
money--and have obviously learned to keep more of what they earn.
The rest of us just need to figure out how to do just that."
"It's my opinion that rich people
aren't any happier than the average person is - they just have a
different set of problems."
"No envy. Everyone has the
opportunity to build wealth. It seems that in our country more
people are interested in watching TV and complaining than improving
their financial situation."
"I envy the rich who are satisfied
with their state. Not those who are on the continual quest for more.
I envy those who do not worry excessively about making ends
meet."
"Rich goes beyond having money. It
also encompasses how joyful & content one is in their
lives." Who are you more angry with?
"One of the greatest Oxymorons is
"Criminal Justice". I have watched my 403b diminish in
value while Corporate CEO's misrepresent true value in order to
justify their ridiculous salaries. I have no qualms with a man who
has built a company earning a large sum. The fact is most of the
CEOs have ascended to their lofty thrones not by their own sweat,
but by the sweat of others."
"I am angry with both; however, the
CEO should be punished more because he stole from more people."
"Our system of government isn't
fair, regarding punishment, when a CEO steals, if he's connected
properly, When he goes to prison, He can go to a country club, When
average guy robs a convenience store, sometimes it is out of
desperation, or ignorance."
"It doesn't matter whether a person
is "poor" or "rich", if you do wrong to others,
you do wrong to others, and you should pay the price. Too bad our
society tends to be 'captivated' with fame, power, affluence, etc.
and the rich/wealthy/affluent are allowed to transcend the law many
times, while the poor aren't allowed the privilege."
"Both are wrong!"
"The gunman might ruin a couple of
people's lives, but the CEO might ruin thousands."
"Like a CEO needs more money?" "I think a CEO who steals is
someone who has serious issues with money--like there's never going
to be enough. Money is money--it can be earned. The guy who robs a
convenience store at gunpoint has issues as well. But both people
need to learn that money is a way of exchanging items. You can earn
it, so go out and do just that!" "The CEO affects the individual
lives of people. The robber only affects the bottom line of a
business and not really that since they would just raise prices to
compensate." "They are one in the same.
Thieves!" "Both are crooks and both do
their stealing violently, one physically the other mentally." "The CEO. Assuming the
convenience store robber doesn't use the gun!" "At least you can see the gun
and you know what's happening. You don't trust the man with a gun at
the convenience store with your savings." "That's a tough one so I just
went with my 1st instinct...the CEO. (Provided, of course, that the
robber at that store doesn't kill anyone.)" "I'm angry at both. Either way
both are robbing someone. Trying to gain without putting in the
work." "Both should be sent to a
maxmium security prison for the rest of their worthless lives." How many more times the money of the lowest paid employee is a fair amount for a CEO to earn (total compensation)?
"It depends on the company, job
requirements, education requirements, etc."
"That's up to owner's of the
company and no one else."
"Someone who motivates members of a
company to achieve difficult goals and improve deserves to be paid.
However, at the same time, the workers deserve to have increases as
well. In time, the manager will always be paid more than the
workers." "I think, When a CEO make an
obscene salary, it should be spread around to the rest of
employees." "I guess it depends on his job
responsibilities." "It would depend on the type of
business and the size of the company." "The bonus thing is what bothers
me. At my company, the lowest paid get $100 which is less than their
weekly or daily salary while the big shots can get their whole
annual salary or more as a bonus. How is this fair? I think everyone
should get the same percentage of what they make per week, year etc.
as a bonus." "I think all persons should be
compensated adequately for the work they perform. And that, of
course, should be in line with the level of responsibility, and
talent, of each person in the company. I think salary should
definitely be tied up to performance. Otherwise, how can you find
out if someone doesn't measure up?" "CEO pay should be related to
their performance (new revenues or new lower expenses, etc) during
his/her reign not other employees pay. The same way other employees
are paid, on their performance." "I don't have a problem with
people in higher positions with more responsibility &/or more
education required getting paid more. What I have a problem with is
people in those positions who cheat or steal from others in the
company." "I don't know. I believe it all
has to do with responsibility." "Every situation is
different." "This number would vary
according to size of company and/or nature of business." Do you think that there should be a maximum salary that people can earn?
"We live in a free country that is
run under the free enterprise system, to cap salaries is
socialistic, NOT COOL!!!" "Whatever someone is capable of
making is what they deserve." "I selected 'don't know', but
I'm beginning to think that this may be the way to go. There's
nothing wrong with being compensated for your job, especially for a
well-performed job, but to pay a person incredibly inflated amounts
just doesn't seem justified. Then we wonder why some persons act
childishly." "This is a tough one. In certain
professions, like professional sports, I think the players are given
salaries that are too high. As for CEO's, maybe they shouldn't be
offered so many stock options and just given a salary like the rest
of us." Do doctors and lawyers make too much money?
"While they work very hard and
deserve their pay, the cost of their services is far too high for
the "working poor" without quality insurance."
"Generally, doctors and lawyers
make less money than they are thought to make. I do disagree with
"Jackpot Justice" where a class action case is filed
allowing the damaged parties to receive a token amount while the
attorneys receive a huge amount for handling the case."
"They are paid what the market will
bear."
"Most of them are not worth the
money they charge."
"Nowadays doctors don't make very
much because of all the expenses and insurance they have to pay.
Lawyers on the other hand tend to do business on the dishonest
side."
"They do work that the average
person cannot do. I would definitely be worried if someone thought
doctors and lawyers make too much money."
"Doctors and lawyers GO TO SCHOOL
to "specialize" in what they do. Not only that, but many
doctors don't make what they used to due to HMOs."
"Doctors make a lot of money, but a
huge portion of it goes towards their malpractice insurance. I do
think some lawyers make too much. I don't think it's fair for them
to charge you for an hour when you talk to them on the phone for 5
minutes."
"I think that there should be a
ceiling price for all Drs. and hospitals to charge. And I think that
if people are going to try to sue you, than if they lose they should
pay both sides attorneys. That ought to stop alot of foolishness. I
know you didn't ask me that."
"Lawyers should make less of a %
off of people." "Let me clarify. Doctors...No.
Lawyers...Yes! Definitely!" "Doctors earn their money while
lawyers leech off what others have earned to get their money." Do you make enough money?
"I don't think we ever feel that we
do. In my case, I work for a university. The pay is always better in
the private sector. What irritates me is that I am a Network
administrator, I am responsible for all the computing needs on
campus. If I do not do my job, no one else can do their's. I am the
one called in at night and on weekends. The Chancellor comes in at
all hours of the afternoon and runs personal business from his
office. He is a figurehead, he earns five times my salary."
"If I had any excess, I would share
it with the poor."
"No, but then again, I'm not in the
career field I want to be in."
"Come on - I'm a teacher! Education
is touted in the US but the money paid to teachers makes a joke of
that touting!"
"At the moment, I am happy with
where I am at money-wise. It may not be much, but my work makes me
incredibly happy!"
"I am working to improve my
financial situation with my home based business and my full time
job."
"For what I do, I think I make a
fair amount of money. Am I paid what I am worth? No. That's why I am
going back to school to change careers."
"A few more dollars a month would
be helpful. I could buy a house this year instead of in a few years,
and not worry about my daughter's future education as much."
"We always would like more." "Of course, we're human. We'd
like more, but we're content with what we have as well." "My husband and I make more than
enough. In fact, if my pension was not linked to my wages, I would
have turned down my last wage increase. It was a big one and I have
marginally more responsibility than previously. I am not putting in
the 30% more work that this wage increase reflected. This sticks in
my mind and I think of it often. In fact, its a burden. Maybe I'm
nuts but that's how I feel." "I can enjoy life with what I am
paid." Do you think that fines for breaking the law, traffic tickets for example, should be based on a person's income? The more someone makes the more they should pay for breaking the law.
"Fines should be based on the
damage one causes to others. A man who steals a pack of bologna to
feed his children should be made to work of his debt to the
shopkeeper. The Enron CEO should lose his pension just has he has
caused the retirement savings of others to disappear." "It seems to work. If someone
who makes $1 million a year gets a $100 fine, it is peanuts to him.
What incentive is there for him to obey the law the next time. vs.
someone who makes $20,000 and gets the same $100 fine. The impact to
the other person is dramatically more." "Personally, I think that the
more a person CHOOSES to break the law, the more they should
pay." "I am not sure about this. I
think fines are set so that everyone pays the same thing if they
commit the same offense. I think that makes sense. As a person who
works in a court office (I am a law clerk), I can tell you that some
fines don't make sense in my book--it's cheaper to pay a fine for
not restraining your child properly than it is to pay a speeding
ticket. Figure that one out." "I am not sure about this. I
think fines are set so that everyone pays the same thing if they
commit the same offense. I think that makes sense. As a person who
works in a court office (I am a law clerk), I can tell you that some
fines don't make sense in my book--it's cheaper to pay a fine for
not restraining your child properly than it is to pay a speeding
ticket. Figure that one out." "Punishments should be the same
for everyone for the same offense (dream world - huh? LOL)." "I worked at a bank that had the
traffic accounts. It was amazing to see how much came in everyday. I
would hate to see that the rich were punished this way. I think that
would be a double standard--but then again isn't that how they got
rich?" "So the welfare person pays
nothing I don't think so. All pay the same or do the time." Do you resent "the rich"?
"I love the rich! I aim to be
one of them someday, that's for sure!" "Live and let live." "I would like some of the privileges
they enjoy, but it doesn't make them any better, any happier,
doesn't stop them from getting diseases or stop them from
dying." "I resent rich people who have
things handed to them and who never appreciate what they have. I
don't resent someone who is rich who worked for their money and was
smart with how they invested it. I admire those people." "I resent the fact that I so
badly want to know how to get on my feet. And they whimper because
something so silly didn't go their way. I also resent them when they
give the air that they think they are above the laws." "Just because they have more
money than I have does not mean they are happier than I am or more
contented." Do sports and movie stars make too much money?
"They are also treated differently
in our justice system."
"We the people are the ones who
allow it to happen, if your heroes are making too much, stop paying
them you cry baby!"
"If people did not pay to see them,
they would not make as much as they do."
"Sports figures, and movie stars
aren't worth the kind of money they make, But it's our society that
make the choices to pay the kind of money to see the games and buy
the products that are advertised."
"In some cases, yes, especially
sports figures. This might sound callous, but there's always someone
'waiting in the wings' to replace a performer. Athletes are athletes
first, who happen to also entertain us, not gods. The same goes for
movie stars, whose primary job is to entertain us."
"I think it is silly how much
sports people make but if the owners want to pay them that amount
then they are free to do so."
"They have unique talents that
people are willing to work for, whereas most jobs can be done by
most anyone."
"We pay for entertainment, and we
intrude in their lives. Isn't that enough of an exchange on the part
of movie stars and sports figures?"
"They get paid what other people
are willing to pay them."
"I think professional athletes make
way too much money. They play a game. Yes, they do risk injuring
themselves, but so do many other people who make minimum wage. They
are having fun and making millions for it. I think some movie stars
make too much money, but then again they are giving up their privacy
by being in the spotlight and they should be compensated for that in
some way. At least they can buy privacy if they want it." "This is America Go for
it!" "I only gave this answer because
their jobs do have them off for months at a time sometimes with no
salary. My instinct is to say that they do make too much money.
However, I'm a little biased. My husband is in the entertainment
industry & I wouldn't tell anyone to take back a dollar of what
he's made. LOL" "Yes, even though their
dedication to being the best is something they put work into for
years. But in relation to much more responsible jobs or even jobs
such as our nations security forces they are overpaid." "Some of them do for sure, but
they quickly find a reduction in salary if they don't draw in the
money for the company they signed with." If you work hard do you deserve
the all the money you earn,
"Yes, but I also have a
responsibility to give back to the poor."
"It would be nice to at least get
most of it."
"Absolutely. Pay for performance is
the way to go."
"Absolutely. Why should anyone be
penalized for their intiative and ambition."
"If you didn't steal it!"
"You must be talking about taxes, I
think you should never have to pay more than 5% of what you earn. No
loop holes no how many children you have. Just a flat 5%" Do you want to be rich?
"I want to be comfortable."
"I rather would like to be wealthy
in every area of my life: financially, mentally, spiritually and
emotionally." "ABSOLUTELY!" "Too much responsibility - LOL.
I'd like to be comfortable." "Absolutely. With wealth and
being debt free gives one peace of mind. With wealth a person can
contribute their time and money to worthy causes and help many
people." "I think I would be very smart
with my money if I was rich. I've seen a lot of people spend all
their money without thinking of the future." "I want my bills paid when they
come in. Robbing from Peter to pay Paul is really getting old. Do I
want to be rich? Not rich. I just want to know what I'm doing, and
how to improve on it." "Why not?" "....And I am. Richness isn't
fully dependent on money. I think being rich has more to do with
being content where you are than it does with how much money you
have." "I am rich. I have more money
than I ever dreamed possible. A job I love, a very happy marriage
and great family and colleagues. I have happiness, peace of mind and
contentment. Does it get any better than this? That to me makes me
rich." Do you think that the rich cause most of the financial problems of the poor?
"The system as it now functions
contributes to a myriad of problems that affect the poor. However,
the rich do not cause most of these problems. A lack of education
and motivation cause more people to be poor than all other
factors."
"A lot of the poor look at the rich
with envy, rather than figure a way for them to better themselves,
and increase what they currently have."
"No. Some of the poor are doing a
great job on their own as a result of the choices they've made. that
goes for some of the rich also. Life is choice-driven, and if you
make bad/poor financial choices, you should take responsibility for
them, regardless of your socio-economic level."
"The poor are poor because they
allow themselves to be." "I think the poor cause most of
the financial problems of the poor."
"Society, the government, has taken
the initiative away from many people with their handouts and
subsidies."
"That's a good question. It's going
to be all politics, when it's said and done. I think that the charge
cards should have a ceiling price. And then they should honor that
price til that item is paid off."
"I think that a serious lack of
financial education combined with a fear of discussing finances at
home and the advent of credit has lead to generations of people who
don't know how to handle money. There are actually college freshman
who don't know how to balance a checkbook, pay the bills, or
budget...yet know how to handle a Visa. Uh...Do we see a
problem?"
"Most poor people who stay poor do
so by making poor choices. The rich cannot cause you to stay poor.
only a fool can do that."
"Not all but a lot."
"I think most financial problems
are a result of unwise choices by the individual. Perhaps it is the
life that the rich project that convinces less capable persons that
they deserve "a piece of the pie.' It is not their fault,
however that those persons buy into it. On the other hand, if more
charity was displayed by those that have excess (I stress again, not
just money but also knowledge), then perhaps there would be less
poverty." Do the rich pay enough tax?
"There should be no income limit
on paying Social Security taxes." "The so called middle class pays
the taxes." "The rich have more ways of
avoiding taxes." "They have ways to get around
it." "I think the rich are punished
for being rich." "I think (but could not prove)
that there are many tax shelters out there for the rich that are not
available to the poor. I would assume that they would also have
better accountants." "WE all pay too much tax!" "Some wealthy individuals pay
too much in taxes - and then there are those that rape the system-
and don't pay their fair share in essence - the HONEST pay too
much." "I think we all pay enough tax
and that the government should figure out a way to work more wisely
with the money they have, rather than taxing us more." "Everyone who really pays
attention to to tax system knows that the top 5% of wage earners,
pay more than 50% of the total taxes." Who pays more in taxes?
"The poor pays social security
taxes on a 100% of their earned income which the rich pays only a
small fraction."
"The rich pay more in dollar
amounts, but the poor pay a larger percentage of their
earnings."
"Poor. Only because there are more
of them."
"ON a percentage of personal
income, the poor pay more; however based on dollar amount, the rich
pay a far greater amount."
"The rich, especially the super
rich, have more loopholes available to them, not to mention the
offshore ways they avoid paying taxes."
"The Rich. That's because they make
more money. The more you make the more you pay in taxes. It's all
relative."
"Everyone should pay the same
percentage in taxes on gross income (business or personal). Or there
should only be sales tax. That way the more you spend the more you
pay. Saves the environment (less wasteful consumerism); and if you
have more money you tend to spend more."
"The poor pay less tax in overall
money because they have so much less, but that money represents more
of what they actually need to survive. the rich are just
embellishing an already well-feed existence."
"The rich pay outrageous taxes! So
does the middle class. You should see the homes of some poor
people--makes me sometimes wish I were on welfare!"
"The rich on an individual basis
but as a group of course the poor."
"THE HONEST."
"I think the rich pay more, but
then again, they can afford more financial help to find the tax
loopholes."
"Neither, the middle class pays
most of the taxes in this country proportional to income."
"The Middle working class." Do you think that the rich have an obligation to help society?
"We all have the obligation to
help society." "But they should do it out of
free will, not because they are forced to do so by the
government." "When you are blessed with
riches, you have a greater responsibility to help those less
fortunate than you." "We all have an obligation, but
do we WANT to?" "They should be thankful for a
society that enables them to become rich." "Yes. But, so do the poor! We
all do what we can, when we can, how we can." "No. No one helped them get
rich. Why should they?" "I think this is an obligation
for the gifts that they have received from God." "Every member of society has an
obligation to help in whatever way they can. Being rich or poor has
nothing to do with it. That is the basic obligation of living in any
society." "The rich should want to help
society, but we will get the society that we produce & we will
all be held accountable for our actions." "I don't think they are
obligated, but it's nice when they do." "No one should be forced in to
anything only if they want to." "I think everyone has an
obligation to help society. Where would this world be without the
help of others?" "Through charity but not Through
the government supported programs...ie taxes, welfare, etc." What's your definition of rich?
"I don't think that you need a
huge net worth to be rich. I would be satisfied with enough to buy
at least part of my dreams, with enough money to support myself when
work is no longer feasible." "I answered this question based
on rich just having a financial definition. (i.e.-how much money one
has determines how rich they are) However, I think the question in
itself is flawed. (NO offense. LOL) Like I've said...rich has more
to do with being content where you are rather than how much money
you have. Until someone is content where they are, they will never
be happy...regardless of how much money they have." "Rich only in the financial
sense."
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