Quote:
Originally Posted by Leondros
Sorry Enoch, the bolded is an outrageous statement and shows a lack of understanding to what most low income families truly go through. It is not at all fair to say the barriers to success are small. As someone who went to private school, had my university paid for, and had every leg up in the world, I can say when compared to my peers I certainly was starting from a huge advantage. That advantage cannot be overstated.
Are there cases of low income individuals being able to be successful? Absolutely. But statistics show that they are far more likely to not graduate university.
As for mom and dad working hard, for sure - they should be able to pass some wealth down to their children. However, I believe to an extent anything over and above a threshold should get taxed heavily. Jury is out on what that threshold could or should be.
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I didn't say it wasn't an advantage, in fact I said it was. What I said was, the opportunity exists for everyone to be successful. The opportunity isn't equal, but it is there. And to be clear, I am in no way trying to diminish the struggles that the poor face.
Unlike your experience, I grew up with nothing, and no advantages other than being a 'white male in Canada', which we all acknowledge as being a good one to have. I worked my way through school (5 jobs during my final year in Commerce, for example). I am not saying 'hey, everyone can go do that', I am just saying the opportunity was there for me, despite no financial or familial advantages.
The studies show that most millionaires are self-made - a very high percentage.
Look, life isn't fair. No one is claiming that it is. I was refuting a post that was implying that wealth begets wealth, and that it continually and inexorably separates the haves from the have nots. I was trying to convey that the evidence shows that it is not as cut and dried as they were suggesting.
The bigger point here though, is what actually is the point? What can we do about it? Should families not be allowed to accumulate wealth? (I don't think that is a good solution) Should we redistribute all wealth? (I don't think that is a good solution)