Income inequality and how it impacts life in the USA.

Posted on Jun 05 in our economy, personal stories, wishesby TalinaPrint

I have got to admit, I envy those of you living outside the US sometimes. Today I am just not loving our consumer driven corporate America. There are just too many greedy people out there looking to use one another to get ahead in life, this leaves the rest of us going without and struggling.

Do any of you ever stop to think of the massive divide between incomes these days? Many are making millions annually and I even read that “the United States has one of the highest levels of income inequality“. I don’t doubt it for one second! (want to see it on a graph?)

I was just wondering how many Americans earn at least a 6 figure income and how that would compare to the rest of the population. I couldn’t find any statistics but I am sure it is just sickening, it reminds me of a blog post I just read about life and working.

Do you work to make a living or do you work to build a life for yourself? Think about the question for a moment and try to see the various meanings behind it. Sorry, I don’t mean to give you a brain overload this early in the morning, I am just on a roll.

Those working to make a living are often only working to get by, most of their waking hours are spent on the job and sadly there isn’t much time for enjoying life. N and I have been in this category for a long time now. It is an exhausting state to be in and knowing that you spend all your time at a job that only just covers the bills is demoralizing for anyone.

Working to build a life for yourself is the opposite of working to make a living. When you are making a life for yourself you get to enjoy the little moments and focus on the day to day joys. Your time is spent focusing on the important things in life, family, home etc. Many stay at home moms find themselves in this category while their men are in the other category.

Maybe I am just dreaming here but shouldn’t it be easier to provide for your family and also enjoy the moments in life? Why aren’t more people concerned about this? Working 50-60 hour work weeks for measly pay is not that fair, especially when so many other people are making so much more money for less work.

I guess I am just rambling on here but the income inequality in the US just strikes a nerve for me. Maybe it is because of our financial dealings right now. Oh, I guess I should update you…

The mechanic confirmed that our engine was shot, a new one would cost 5-6 thousand and a used engine would cost 3-4 thousand. We havn’t made a decision about what we want to do yet.

Also, Evansville offered N the job and sent over a potential contract for us to look over. It it is for oh, about half of what the job opening salary was posted as, which means they offered him about $2000 more than what he is already making here. This is disappointing news for us. They will only cover $1500 in moving expenses (which will come out to about $3000) and we don’t really know if a $2000 raise and a lower cost of living are incentive enough to pick up and move 1500 miles away.

In general we are just tired of the contract negotiations, they limit and impact other decisions we make about our life. Plus every time we enter negotiations we find we are just being low balled and taken advantage of, you know so the company can save money or whatever… Too bad the companies never kick back any of their fortune to the little guys, it would sure help us live better.

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6 Comments

• maiden53 says:

  June 5, 2008 at 2:15 pm

  T~ I am sorry that your car is going to be so expensive to recover. I am sorry that N didn’t get a better contract offer. I am so with you on the economy! There IS a diff of making ends meet and trying to make a life. I am sure that you and N will be able to come up with the right decision on what direction the two of you will be taking – when two great brains think alike, anything is possible!

  maiden53s last blog post..A Summer Day In June
• teeni says:

  June 5, 2008 at 2:43 pm

  Wow. And that chart is from 2005 data – I imagine with gas prices today that those bottom lines would actually be turning down and not rising the slightest bit as they show in those graphs. It’s disgusting.

  Sorry the car seems so expensive. Rebuilt engines are worth considering though. I think my ex husband had one of those done when he got a good deal on a totalled car body and it served him well for years. But granted, these are important decisions and you have to take your time and consider everything.

  That really stinks that they didn’t offer N more. How to they get off only offering him half of what the salary was posted as? I’m sure he wouldn’t have sunk so much time and effort into interviewing for that kind of monetary gain. Sheesh. Well, I guess there are things to consider there too. As you said there is less cost of living. But, also, if you decided you hated it there and wanted to move back, that could be hard.

  Yikes, Talina – you have so much thinking to do and decisions to make. I don’t envy you at all. My brain is hurting for you. But I’ll support whatever decisions you and N make for yourselves and help in any way I can. Hugs to you. Keep us posted!
• Janelle says:

  June 5, 2008 at 7:22 pm

  I agree with you 100%! I was just talking today about how things would be so much different in our lives if our bills did “tell” us how to live. They say money can’t buy happiness, well it sure can’t hurt? I would be much happier if I could what I want and not what I need to do.

  Janelles last blog post..Welcome Back!
• witchypoo says:

  June 5, 2008 at 9:48 pm

  Tell N that negotiations are just that. They lowball you at first, then you counter offer. Just like buying a car or a home.
  And I feel that there is a concerted effort by government ot eliminate the middle class in the US and Canada.

  witchypoos last blog post..The Queen
• Hyphen Mama says:

  June 6, 2008 at 2:58 pm

  Oh my gosh! I have so many opinions, but will not air them here! I agree w/ witchy… he must negotiate and keep visualizing the whole package as he wants it. My BFF’s husband is an engineer and just spent 2 weeks negotiating his salary with a new company. He got what he wanted. Of course they’ll lowball and see if they can get him for less. THEN it’ll be worth the move that you’re already gearing up for.

  I’d let the car go. Sell it for whatever you can make and use the money towards a used vehicle, or bank it for the move. 3-4 thousand for a rebuilt/used engine is insane!

  Hyphen Mamas last blog post..Meme Friday
• corrin says:

  June 7, 2008 at 3:46 pm

  I know my husband and I both work full time and both blog, and we don’t come close to a 6 figure income. That’s with an MBA and a paramedic’s certification!

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