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Author Topic:   Trickle Down Economics - Does It Work?
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 166 of 404 (659876)
04-19-2012 12:25 PM
Reply to: Message 153 by Dr Adequate
04-19-2012 12:35 AM


Re: Not sure what you're seeing
Also there is evidence that when rich people feel warm (in July, for example) so do poor people. I can show you a graph if you like.
Yes, please do.
It follows that we can keep the poor warm in winter by heating the rich.
How is this in any way analogous?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 153 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-19-2012 12:35 AM Dr Adequate has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 169 by Straggler, posted 04-19-2012 1:08 PM New Cat's Eye has not replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 167 of 404 (659880)
04-19-2012 12:34 PM
Reply to: Message 155 by Straggler
04-19-2012 7:25 AM


Re: Not sure what you're seeing
The income of those on minimum wage has decreased in real terms. However you look at it trickle down has not worked for these people has it?
If I look at it from my own personal experiences: when I was making minimum wage I still lived with my parents and they made a lot more money so trickle down very well could have been working for us.
Straggler writes:
Each person in the US economy has increased their production level by 100%
CS writes:
What does that mean? What does that mean on an individual basis?
It means that the productivity per person in the US has risen 100%
Re-arranging the words doesn't explain it... The meaning, what is it? On an individual basis, what does that mean?
The graph tells you that the proceeds of economic growth are not trickling down. They are accumulating at the top.
I am bemused as to how anyone can dispute this.
I'm just not seeing it. Perhaps you could explain how the graph is telling you that?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 155 by Straggler, posted 04-19-2012 7:25 AM Straggler has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 168 by Straggler, posted 04-19-2012 12:53 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
Straggler
Member
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


Message 168 of 404 (659888)
04-19-2012 12:53 PM
Reply to: Message 167 by New Cat's Eye
04-19-2012 12:34 PM


Re: Not sure what you're seeing
CS writes:
If I look at it from my own personal experiences: when I was making minimum wage I still lived with my parents and they made a lot more money so trickle down very well could have been working for us.
Is that your idea of an counter argument to the economic fact that those on minimum wage have seen their real incomes drop rather than increase?
CS writes:
On an individual basis, what does that mean?
Simply put the GDP of the US is everything produced by all the people and all the companies in the US. Per capita simply means per person. So it is a measure of how much is being produced per person.
CS writes:
Perhaps you could explain how the graph is telling you that?
Productivity per person increases.
The incomes of the richest rise in line with that growth.
This incomes of the other 95% don't.
Therefore the graph tells you that the proceeds of economic growth are not trickling down. They are accumulating at the top.
OR we could consider the UK data which lays it out the same phenomenon more explicitly: Of every 100 rise in Britain’s national income since 1977, the bottom 50% of the population received 12. Meanwhile, the top 0.1% wealthiest received a 14 share.
AGAIN the proceeds of economic growth are not trickling down. They are accumulating at the top.
Is that clearer?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 167 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 12:34 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 170 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 2:18 PM Straggler has replied

  
Straggler
Member
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


Message 169 of 404 (659893)
04-19-2012 1:08 PM
Reply to: Message 166 by New Cat's Eye
04-19-2012 12:25 PM


Analogy
CS writes:
Dr A writes:
It follows that we can keep the poor warm in winter by heating the rich.
How is this in any way analogous?
It gets hotter = GDP per capita rises.
The incomes of the top 5% richest rise = Rich people get warmer
The incomes of the 95% majority rise = Everyone else gets warmer too.
Conclusion that wealth has trickled down = Conclusion that everyone getting warmer is the result of the rich getting warmer (trickle down warmth)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 166 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 12:25 PM New Cat's Eye has not replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 170 of 404 (659904)
04-19-2012 2:18 PM
Reply to: Message 168 by Straggler
04-19-2012 12:53 PM


time for different data
Is that your idea of an counter argument to the economic fact that those on minimum wage have seen their real incomes drop rather than increase?
It was an answer to a direct question, which I quoted just before answering. That the value of minimum wage has decreased doesn't necessarily mean that the person receiving that wage hasn't benefitted from TDE; if for example they still live with their parents who are. Too, being poor doesn't necessarily mean that you are making minumum wage. The value of minimum wage is irrelvant to TDE. And as I said before, its determined by legislation alone.
Simply put the GDP of the US is everything produced by all the people and all the companies in the US. Per capita simply means per person. So it is a measure of how much is being produced per person.
On average. You erroneously said (bold added):
quote:
Each person in the US economy has increased their production level by 100%
If you had 10 people increase production by 10,000%, the other 90 people around them who did nothing didn't necessarily increase their production by 100%, even tho the GDP per capita increased by 100%.
Productivity per person increases.
Okay.
The incomes of the richest rise in line with that growth.
Not always. In the early 2000's, the Top 5% drops while the GDP rises.
This incomes of the other 95% don't.
Sure they do. The median rises and falls right along with the Top 5%. All the peaks and valleys line up.
Therefore the graph tells you that the proceeds of economic growth are not trickling down. They are accumulating at the top.
There's more at the top, but the median is rising with it. Its just at a lower magnitude. It looks to me like whenever the top 5% make more, the median makes more too.
OR we could consider the UK data
One thing at a time, this post is long enough.
Is that clearer?
Yes, thanks. I think the graph is deceiving you.
The title of the graph is "Who Benefits from the United States' Prosperity?"
The answer the graph seems to provide is "everybody except those whose household income equals the minimum wage". I don't think the prediction of TDE is that the government is going to legislate a higher minimum wage. I don't think this graph provides an answer to whether or not TDE works.
Its time for different data. Do you have a link to the data for the UK stuff?

From Message 169:
It gets hotter = GDP per capita rises.
The incomes of the top 5% richest rise = Rich people get warmer
The incomes of the 95% majority rise = Everyone else gets warmer too.
Conclusion that wealth has trickled down = Conclusion that everyone getting warmer is the result of the rich getting warmer (trickle down warmth)
Okay, now lets look at what I actually said:
quote:
Yeah, and then when the top 5% starts taking off, the median goes up along with it. Isn't that Trickle Down Economics working?
If when the rich people get warmer, everyone else gets warmer too, wouldn't that be the warmth trickling down?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 168 by Straggler, posted 04-19-2012 12:53 PM Straggler has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 172 by Straggler, posted 04-19-2012 2:35 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
hooah212002
Member (Idle past 820 days)
Posts: 3193
Joined: 08-12-2009


(1)
Message 171 of 404 (659905)
04-19-2012 2:20 PM
Reply to: Message 160 by Percy
04-19-2012 9:17 AM


Re: A closer look...
In a too-broad sense, yes, I think your definition of poor works. In every day conversation, your definition works. But, IMO, when discussing economics in this fashion like we are, I think it's better to make the distinction that the poor who don't have jobs (for sake of discussion, let's not factor children into this since I think it is safe to say they share the economic status of their parents) are not simply just poor. We should, IMO, also make the distinction on the other end as well. To me, anyone making 6 figures qualifies as "rich", but the guy making $100,000 is poor compared to, let's say, Bill Gates, but they both qualify as rich, right? These sorts of discussions (about raising taxes on the rich etc.) aren't aimed at the mildly rich or those who are doing much better than average, so it would be unfair to also lump them together.
The only reason I even mentioned it was due to my qualm with your comment "many of the poor don't even work". I personally took offense to that, as I considered my family poor growing up and my parents busted their fucking asses putting a roof over our head. Hell, I still consider myself poor, at least internally, even though I know I'm not and I am lucky to have what I have and I have far more than what those who actually are legitimately poor. Yes, there are people who do actually suckle on the teet of government funding, but they are not the status quo and those who genuinely need the assistance are getting hammered because of the mythical "welfare queens". The "poor who don't work" are a small minority and a cheap scapegoat.

"Science is interesting, and if you don't agree you can fuck off." -Dawkins

This message is a reply to:
 Message 160 by Percy, posted 04-19-2012 9:17 AM Percy has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 176 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 3:08 PM hooah212002 has replied

  
Straggler
Member
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


(1)
Message 172 of 404 (659907)
04-19-2012 2:35 PM
Reply to: Message 170 by New Cat's Eye
04-19-2012 2:18 PM


Whan the rich get warm we all get warm....
CS writes:
You erroneously said
Did you really think that I meant every individual person is now producing a 100% more than they were 30 years ago?
CS writes:
Its just at a lower magnitude.
Well duh!!
Average GDP per person has risen significantly and yet almost all of that has gone into the pockets of the rich.
What exactly has trickled down?
CS writes:
It looks to me like whenever the top 5% make more, the median makes more too.
Over a period of time you increase your productivity by 100%
As a result of this increased productivity you receive < 20% increase in income. Do you:
A) Ask yourself who is benefitting from your increased productivity?
B) Thank the rich for trickling down a 20% increase in your income?
CS writes:
Do you have a link to the data for the UK stuff?
See Message 61
CS writes:
If when the rich people get warmer, everyone else gets warmer too, wouldn't that be the warmth trickling down?
Are you fucking serious? No. Of course it wouldn't. That's just mental.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 170 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 2:18 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 174 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 2:50 PM Straggler has replied

  
Straggler
Member
Posts: 10333
From: London England
Joined: 09-30-2006


(2)
Message 173 of 404 (659911)
04-19-2012 2:44 PM
Reply to: Message 153 by Dr Adequate
04-19-2012 12:35 AM


Re: Not sure what you're seeing
Dr A writes:
Also there is evidence that when rich people feel warm (in July, for example) so do poor people. I can show you a graph if you like. It follows that we can keep the poor warm in winter by heating the rich.
CS writes:
If when the rich people get warmer, everyone else gets warmer too, wouldn't that be the warmth trickling down?
I really don't know how to respond to the absurdity of CS's question here.
Is he talking a different language or is he just insane?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 153 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-19-2012 12:35 AM Dr Adequate has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 175 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 2:50 PM Straggler has not replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 174 of 404 (659912)
04-19-2012 2:50 PM
Reply to: Message 172 by Straggler
04-19-2012 2:35 PM


Re: Whan the rich get warm we all get warm....
CS writes:
If when the rich people get warmer, everyone else gets warmer too, wouldn't that be the warmth trickling down?
Are you fucking serious? No. Of course it wouldn't. That's just mental.
Well then just what would be a result of something trickling down? If its not the bottom going up when the top goes up then what is it?
Average GDP per person has risen significantly and yet almost all of that has gone into the pockets of the rich.
What exactly has trickled down?
The parts that caused everyone else to rise along with them.
Over a period of time you increase your productivity by 100%
As a result of this increased productivity you receive < 20% increase in income. Do you:
A) Ask yourself who is benefitting from your increased productivity?
B) Thank the rich for trickling down a 20% increase in your income?
Depends on the situation. I don't see how that represent anything since not everyone increased their product by 100%.
Did you really think that I meant every individual person is now producing a 100% more than they were 30 years ago?
I was asking because it didn't make sense.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 172 by Straggler, posted 04-19-2012 2:35 PM Straggler has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 177 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-19-2012 3:09 PM New Cat's Eye has replied
 Message 211 by Straggler, posted 04-20-2012 2:26 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 175 of 404 (659913)
04-19-2012 2:50 PM
Reply to: Message 173 by Straggler
04-19-2012 2:44 PM


Re: Not sure what you're seeing
I really don't know how to respond to the absurdity of CS's question here.
Is he talking a different language or is he just insane?
Alright: You come up with an analogy that shows a trickle down effect.
Edited by Catholic Scientist, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 173 by Straggler, posted 04-19-2012 2:44 PM Straggler has not replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 176 of 404 (659914)
04-19-2012 3:08 PM
Reply to: Message 171 by hooah212002
04-19-2012 2:20 PM


Re: A closer look...
In a too-broad sense, yes, I think your definition of poor works. In every day conversation, your definition works. But, IMO, when discussing economics in this fashion like we are, I think it's better to make the distinction that the poor who don't have jobs (for sake of discussion, let's not factor children into this since I think it is safe to say they share the economic status of their parents) are not simply just poor.
The graph is showing the household incomes.
Which makes it even wierder that they compare those to the minimum wage.
If you have a teenager living in your house making minimum wage, I wonder if that counts towards the household income or not. And if the household isn't poor, then why does it matter what wage the teenager is making?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 171 by hooah212002, posted 04-19-2012 2:20 PM hooah212002 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 181 by hooah212002, posted 04-19-2012 4:04 PM New Cat's Eye has seen this message but not replied

  
Dr Adequate
Member (Idle past 302 days)
Posts: 16113
Joined: 07-20-2006


Message 177 of 404 (659915)
04-19-2012 3:09 PM
Reply to: Message 174 by New Cat's Eye
04-19-2012 2:50 PM


Re: Whan the rich get warm we all get warm....
Well then just what would be a result of something trickling down? If its not the bottom going up when the top goes up then what is it?
A situation where the latter is the cause and the former is the effect of that cause.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 174 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 2:50 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 178 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 3:12 PM Dr Adequate has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 178 of 404 (659917)
04-19-2012 3:12 PM
Reply to: Message 177 by Dr Adequate
04-19-2012 3:09 PM


Re: Whan the rich get warm we all get warm....
You owe me a graph.
Well then just what would be a result of something trickling down? If its not the bottom going up when the top goes up then what is it?
A situation where the latter is the cause and the former is the effect of that cause.
Right, so how is the top getting warmer causing the bottom to get warmer too so difficult to understand as a trickle down effect?
Or does Straggler just not speak the same language as me?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 177 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-19-2012 3:09 PM Dr Adequate has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 179 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-19-2012 3:29 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
Dr Adequate
Member (Idle past 302 days)
Posts: 16113
Joined: 07-20-2006


(1)
Message 179 of 404 (659920)
04-19-2012 3:29 PM
Reply to: Message 178 by New Cat's Eye
04-19-2012 3:12 PM


Re: Whan the rich get warm we all get warm....
You owe me a graph.
Certainly. Here, for example, is a graph showing the weather experienced by rich people in Orlando, Florida:
And here, for the purposes of comparison, is a graph showing the weather experienced by poor people in Orlando, Florida:
Do you have any dumb questions?
Right, so how is the top getting warmer causing the bottom to get warmer too so difficult to understand as a trickle down effect?
Oh, you do.
Because the one does not in fact cause the other.
The chain of events does not go:
Rich people feel warm -> weather gets warm -> poor people feel warm.
It goes:
Weather gets warm -> rich and poor people alike feel warm.
Edited by Dr Adequate, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 178 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 3:12 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 180 by New Cat's Eye, posted 04-19-2012 3:46 PM Dr Adequate has replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 180 of 404 (659924)
04-19-2012 3:46 PM
Reply to: Message 179 by Dr Adequate
04-19-2012 3:29 PM


Re: Whan the rich get warm we all get warm....
Well thanks for the graphs of the average temperature... I thought you were going to graph what people were feeling. We all know rich people just sit around inside all day in the air-conditioning.
Because the one does not in fact cause the other.
The chain of events does not go:
Rich people feel warm -> weather gets warm -> poor people feel warm.
It goes:
Weather gets warm -> rich and poor people alike feel warm.
You're just assuming the conclusion.
How do you know that the same thing pertains to TDE?
Oh, and you changed your conclusion which used to be this:
quote:
It follows that we can keep the poor warm in winter by heating the rich.
Edited by Catholic Scientist, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 179 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-19-2012 3:29 PM Dr Adequate has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 182 by dronestar, posted 04-19-2012 4:19 PM New Cat's Eye has replied
 Message 183 by Dr Adequate, posted 04-19-2012 4:54 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
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