Economic Stats must read!

[The Lip RIPPERS]

Wonder why it isn't getting better? Glaring stats. Since 2009, 88 Percent Of Income Growth Went To Corporate Profits, Just One Percent Went To Wages | ThinkProgress

[JDavid]

I really hate commies. I really do. Happy 4th!

[OkieDon]

That article looks like a typical Lib hack job. It's obvious the Author is only regurgitating the same ole "blame the corporations crap" and doesn't have a clue. And by looking at the comments, you can tell that most of those people don't have a clue as to what's goin' on and how our economy works. It's the same old tired typical rhetoric, blame the big corporations! In reality, this has nothing to do with our economic recovery.

Most people forget that a Corporations first priority is to its shareholders. After all, those are the people who've invested their hard earned money into the company. And in times like these, companies are doing what companies are suppose to do in unsettled times with bleak forecast to the future. And that is build up your cash reserves. When the economic climate and the future is uncertain, companies don't invest money into expansion or hire more employees because they're unsure of what the economy is going to do. You build up your money and wait for better days to see which way you need to go.

Why spend millions building a new plant or hiring thousands of employees if there will be no demand for their products?

There are several main reasons our economy hasn't turned around. One of the major reasons is that there is no favorable economic incentives for start up businesses nor does the current administration foster a favorable business environment. For several years now there has been a "war" on those people and companies who make a profit. If you or your company make over 200k, then you're considered wealthy and according to many in our government, you need to pay higher taxes.

There is no incentive for me to go out and start a business and put 3 to 20 people to work. Why should I? If I do that, then I'll be susceptible to huge taxes, much more so than in the past. Not only that, but it's still uncertain whether or not I'll have to pay for my employees health care, and that is only a start. Why would I want to go through all that? Been there, done that and no thank you for now on!

Another reason is one I just touched on. Higher personal and corporate taxes for those who make profits. You can't spend you way out of debt, although many in this administration and the former one seem to think we must try. The stats are something like the top 10% pay something like 70% of the taxes in the U.S. When a good chunk of your money is going to pay taxes instead of reinvesting it into new machinery, equipment or employees, the business suffers. Which is why most businesses aren't spending their money now.

Small business is the backbone of this country, not the corporations. If you want an economic turn around, then create a favorable climate for people to expand their small businesses and start new ones. Reward them for putting forth the time, effort and money to start new businesses and putting people to work, don't knock them down with a burden of taxes and regulations that hinder success!

Are there bad corporations out there? Sure!!! Just like there are bad people in this world. Frankly, there is no business too big to fail, no matter what the Government says. If the automakers failed to plan for the future and failed to change to meet the different needs of consumers, then they should have been allowed to go under. The same is true for corporations in the savings and loan industry. I personally think most of those running those businesses in the ground should be in prison right now, but that's just me. But don't blame every corporation out there just because they're putting back some money for a rainy day.

I always get a kick out of the people who want to talk crap about the "evil oil companies" and their gigantic profits! Really? I doubt few people realize that oil companies do not set their own prices for oil. Crude oil is sold on the commodities market just like wheat, corn, pork bellies (yeah, I don't get that one either) and other commodities. Commodity traders set prices by bidding of futures contracts. Oil companies, just like Farmers, sell their "commodities" for whatever the going price on the market is. You want lower oil prices? Then we (or OPEC) need to increase output, which will create a surplus and thus drive down the futures market, or cut back on oil consumption (decrease in demand).

And if you think the CEO's of a corporation are making too much, then it's up to the shareholders of that company to make the changes, not the U.S. Government or some mamby pamby bleeding heart liberal organization. I personally think a lot of the CEO pay is out of line, but I don't own stock in those companies either. If you don't like how much they're making, then buy stock in the company. You'll get a vote on it!

The recovery recipe is simple. So simple that many people, including most of our politicians can't grasp the concept. Lower the taxes and give incentives for small businesses to flourish. Many of those small businesses will become big businesses. Don't penalize them for becoming big businesses! Keep the Government and the Unions out of business and it will flourish. You'll have a lot more taxpayers on the rolls which will bring in more taxes. Raising taxes and implementing restrictive regulations on businesses because they're successful isn't a recipe for success, it's a recipe for failure!

[cricket george]

AMEN! Well stated.