Distribution of Wealth

The video “9 Out Of 10 Americans Are Completely Wrong About This Mind-Blowing Fact” I found to be shocking and enlightening.  I had no clue that the distribution of wealth in this country was that unjust.  That the poverty line is that high or that the middle class resembles more of the lower class when compared to the rich or the top 1%. 

It is unfair that those who work two to three jobs of grueling work are getting paid significantly less than a CEO or an actor or writer.  The movie stated that it would take the “average” worker more than a month to earn what a CEO makes in one hour.  A movie star makes millions for a few months of work when an average worker makes only several thousands of dollars for a few months.  Take a look at the men and women fighting in the military for our rights and freedoms.  They sacrifice their freedoms for ours.  They are shipped out into un-ideal living conditions, obtain very little sleep and our in a constant worry for their lives and the lives of their friends.  When they wake in the morning they do not know if they are going to comeback in one piece, yet they continue on.  The average monthly salary estimated for 2014 of an enlisted soldier that has served for less than two years is $2052.5.  Surprisingly there is a 1.8% increase than the previous year.  This is just not right.  I’m not saying that these CEOs and actors or anyone in those classes don’t work hard or didn’t work hard to get to where they are now, but they are not working as many hours and are not putting as much labor into their work or risking their lives.  It is actually really ironic I think.  All the other classes are actually paying these CEOs and actors or anyone in the top 20% or top 1% salary.  If it wasn’t for supply and demand (which the company’s make damn sure there is enough of) or a want to go see a movie, they would not be paid.  I find CEOs, lawyers, actors, investors, are actually all exploiters. They are all exploiting the needs and wants of people.  So no, I am not completely content with the way our country is structured with the distribution of its wealth.  The wealthy in this country just continue to get even wealthier while the poor just continue to stay poor.

Almost all of us are completely guilty of jading ourselves to the harsh reality of our country.  We are jading ourselves because it is not made to be well known the way wealth is distributed in this country.  This is not a topic that is discussed or well-advertised.  Clearly, when 9 out of 10 people did not know the reality of the wealth distribution, there is something wrong.  This is not a common knowledge and people need to be educated on this topic.  This is the best kept secret.

There a lot more opportunities available for the rich than there are to the poor.  Higher education is more available to the rich due to a socio-economic status.  They are able to afford schooling and given the quality of education they received in the primary and secondary schools, equips them much better for college.  The poor are at a disadvantage compared to college acceptance and affordability.  This inequity shows itself in availability of jobs.  The poor need to work two jobs to afford their bills and college.  This takes a lot of time away from focusing on school which in turn makes it harder and a longer process to graduate.  This illustrates why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

            In conclusion I was very dismayed to learn about the wealth distribution from this YouTube video.  I was also very surprised to see how many people didn’t realize it as well.  I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one that did not understand this fact.  What is even more troubling is that I don’t see anyone trying to fix it.

"2014 Military Pay Scale - Effective January 1st, 2014." 2014 Military Pay Scale. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. <http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp>.