How Much Does Someone Need to Earn to Be ‘Rich’? This Recent Poll May Surprise You
- Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:21pm by
Becket Adams
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How wealthy does someone have to be to qualify as “rich” in America? Not too much, according to a new poll by Gallup. The data shows that Americans, who the government says have a median household income nationwide of about $50,000, believe that what many would consider a modest wage—$250,000—is more than enough money to lead “a very good life.”
Source: U.S. Census Bureau/Becket Adams
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Does this mean that American aspirations about income have fallen?
Gallup reports that:
Americans say they would need to earn a median of $150,000 a year to consider themselves rich. Separately, 50% say they would need $1 million or more in savings and investments to consider themselves rich.
It may be that at a time when median income has not risen on a real basis for a decade, the threshold of what’s considered “wealth” is not in the millions of dollars. And, in a time when many Americans do not have retirement funds, a nest egg that might only yield $40,000 to $50,000 a year on a $1 million principal in enough for the aged to live on. With many people over 65 continuing to work, that level of income may seem indeed high.
Gallup’s research report on wealth adds:
Americans’ perceptions of the annual income they need to be rich are a bit higher than in 2003, when Gallup last asked the question. Then, $120,000 a year was the median amount Americans said they would need to make in order to think of themselves as rich.
Since real wages have not moved at all since 2003, and the recession may have eroded income or robbed people of jobs, the fact that there is no change makes sense.
But do most Americans really define being “rich” as earning $150,00 a year?
If they do, then they might as well forget about the idea of owning a $500,000 house with two cars in the garage. Apparently, that type of thinking is well beyond the grasp of most Americans, and the economy may keep it that way for years.
[Methodology: Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, 2011, with a random sample of 1,012 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.]
(24/7 Wall St./The Blaze)
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Comments (308)
OklahomaBound
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:01pm$150K looks good on paper as far as appearing rich, but take one third away in taxes, take out your cost of living (food, utilities, health costs, mortgage, car and home maintenance, etc.) and you won’t exactly be swimming around in a pile of money after that.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 11:18pmMust be only people earning $25,000 or less answering this poll.
Report Post »PJL
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 11:32pmI make under 25k (hard times) but I sure don’t consider 150k rich.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:20amAll the money in the world can not make you rich if you are not right in your heart. I’ve seen wealthy people who were broke and poor people who are rich. Happiness and self fulfillment can not be fixed with money. I’ve been on both ends and what I learned is the envy is as evil as it gets. It can make people do horrible things.
Love and labor are the answer
Report Post »Fitz Gerald
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:30amlol whatever OK. Try paying all those on 25k a year. If 150k is poverty to you, your doing something wrong.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:43amSeriously $150k ,really lol, really? If you live in certain parts of the country ,you can barely make ends meet at $150k.
Report Post »Brooke Lorren
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:52amRight now, $50,000 a year seems rich to me.
I used to make way more than that, but that was about a decade ago. I was very comfortable making the equivalent of $100k. Those were the good old days of income.
That doesn‘t mean that I wouldn’t aspire for more (my husband is in law school and I own a business, so we have some good potential). That’s just what looks very fortunate to me from my current vantage point. Right now, my daughter accidentally loses a pair of shoes in a river, and we pray for a replacement.
At the same point, I feel like I already am wealthy, in some respects. I realize that throughout history, even most kings and queens do not have the kind of wealth that I have. Compared to all of the world, including the starving children in Ethiopia, I’m still in the top 14% of the wealthiest people in the world.
Report Post »Give Me Newt Or Give Me Death
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:09amexactly. if they think 150k is rich, i wonder how they would react if they found out how much people like kerry, pelosi, soros and obama are worth.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:10amSoros made 8billion last year do you think he’ happy…?
Report Post »Luckywon
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:14amWow, maybe it’s just because of where I live, but after the payroll deduction for my ex wife comes out of my check, I make around $11,000 a year. My wife lost her job 2 months ago, so, until she finds a new one, This is what we live on. And I’m able to pay the phone bill, the rent, purchase food, pay the utilities, and pay for internet. Not to mention the $50 bucks a week to get me to and from my job, and the car insurance.
Report Post »Please don‘t complain to me that it’s hard to make ends meet on $150 k a year. There is a saying, “Rich people are just broke, on a different level.” What that means is that the more you make the more you spend. Anybody who knew how to budget would be rich with $100,000 a year, let alone 150.
the hawk
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:21amWhen your buying your third house, or have more than a minium wage worker will make in the next 25 yrs in the bank YOU SHOULD be payin more if you disagree well hope youe athiest !
Report Post »No new taxes under 750K 3% bump on EVERYONE making more and 5% on everyone over 1.5 million, Dont like it your gonna lose ie all I ‘m warning ya…..Put it to a popular vote it will pass by over 80% garnteed ! ! !……………..
foobear
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:16am$150k a year is really the bare minimum I’d try living in downtown San Francisco on.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:25amI’ll bet that the same 50% of people who pay no taxes are the 50% who think that $150k income makes you rich. They are assuming you are not paying any taxes…
Report Post »oceanbnd
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 5:21amI bet you have 2 cars, probably paid for as well. It’s ok, I don’t begrudge anyone for making as much money as they can. I‘m also not one to take what I haven’t earned. RON PAUL 2012!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 5:28amThe world is so unfair It rain here it doesn’t rain there, it snows here it doesn’t snow there, some places have mountains some don’t, some places have beaches some don’t, some areas can grow food some can’t and that is the reality of the world.
The world is not fair.
Report Post »orionreplay6607
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 5:35amMy grandfather liked to say, “The more you make, the bigger your bills.” I used to laugh at this. But now in my adult years I find his saying more true than ever. I make a nice salary, but find myself taxed, paying out to insurances, paying my underwater mortgage that I can not refinance, three years remaining on our “Cash for Clunkers” purchase, paying to a loan to make improvements in our underwater home, and the list goes on.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 6:30amBeing rich has nothing to do with income. The premise is wrong.
Report Post »italy2007
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 6:56amAnd add Church weekly contributions (remember 10%), other charitable deductions, property taxes, and others
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 6:56amIn my book, “rich” has nothing to do with how much you make…but how much you have in savings.
If we go to a flat tax with no loopholes or flim-flam, people will be happy. As it is, the whole “rich people pay more in taxes” means squat when half that say this are referring to what the tax charts show as the amount owed before deductions, and the other half refer to the “dollars” they pay after all deductions…as opposed to the percent they pay.
Am I suppose to whoop and holler for you because you paid a million in taxes and I only paid 20K? What if we look closer and see that I made $50K and you made 30 million? Still whooping & hollering?
Rush Limbaugh often spends whole shows on this topic…defending how much he makes and explaining it is unfair to ask any citizen to pay more than others just because they are wealthy.
Here is the rub though. If our country needs more money through taxes just to survive, and decide to increase taxe percents EVENLY across the board…well, it might mean Rush may have to cut back a bit on flying his private jet all over to see football games and to golf. But for your average Joe/Jane, those extra taxes may mean losing their home or eating soup every day, or skipping needed medical procedures/prescriptions. Fair is fair…but in this context, it is hard not to say “Tax the Rich!”
It’s a difference between forgoing luxuries…and not eating. And the arguement “well…go earn more then”, is shallow and asinine.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 7:12amFairTax, not flat tax. A flat tax is nothing but more of the same.
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 7:56amWhen I was in CA, earning just slightly less than $150,000, I paid 55 cents of every dollar in payroll taxes. Good riddance to the People’s Republic of California. Unfortunately, we all now live in the People’s Republic of America. Tyranny is HERE — in the USA!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:35amThe FACT is: the more that you Earn… the bigger your Toys become… and the more that you Spend… thereby, the more that Businesses receive (Profit & Expand and Pay Wages), which keeps America EXPANDING!
It seems the real GREEN Monster… is ENVY!
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:36amYou don’t need it…..the government says so; what BHO and his cronies want is that EVERYBODY makes $50K; if you ‘earn’ more, they will take it away via taxes; if you ‘make’ less; they will ‘redistriute’ from those who ‘earn’ more to those who ‘make’ less; except government workers of course.
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:55amMost said $250,000 to keep it under the obama tax raping…
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:00amI could spend $150,000 in a few weeks without even trying hard.. That’s not rich.. Rich to me is being able to spend the interest of your saved money on anything you want.. That would be rich..
Report Post »demint.disciple
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:13am@the hawk.. WOW MAN !!!! I can’t believe idiots like you cancel out my vote.. Sheesh .
Report Post »mils
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:21amclose the “loopholes ” and we all profit…
and they‘re talking about money not what’s in your “heart”… money…
Report Post »KeystoneState
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:37amWhen my biggest concern in life becomes “Hmm, which brand of caviar should I feed to my albino tigers”, maybe I’ll start refering to myself as rich. $150k a year, puhleese, $150k won’t buy a decent cabin-cruiser these days. I guess the new “being rich” standard to being able to take your family to an amusement park once a year. Who knew?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:40amAs the former Soviet Union amply demonstrated, the concept of ENVY made everybody who made more than you did “rich”. It‘s how they keep us at each other’s throats, divided and easily conquered.
Report Post »dnewton
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:44amAl Gore used to talk of millionaires and people who made $250k as the same class of people because after four years, four times $250k equals a million dollars. The only reason this was discussed was that a reporter called him on what seemed to be either a mistake or an over generalization. I think Spotted Al was a senator at the time and it was before the Global Warming Revelation. Unfortunately , the reporter failed to ask why some one making $100,000 a year wasn’t a millionaire too since it only took 10 years to make a million at that rate. How many years do you have to be on welfare to be a millionaire? You sorta had to be there to look at the stare warning the reporter that any further questions like that only proved the reporter was an idiot and you sorta had to hear the tone of the voice that warned not to sift this concept too finely.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 10:12amif you don‘t have at least 10 million in real cash you aren’t rich.
Report Post »Cat
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 10:13amIn the early 80’s, I was pulling in a low six-figure income
Lived comfortable, but not extravagant
Today, that income would not be acceptable
Looking at just the housing …
The home then was twice as big as the one now
It took twice as much time and money to care for
It had twice the amount of taxes and utilities were expensive
Have friends and business associates now that pull in more then $250,000 a year, live in houses not much bigger then a tract house, drive cars 10 times more expensive then 10 years ago and can’t spend money due to higher taxes
Have a good friend that is a self-made billionaire and he’s so sick of people wanting some of his money that he started his own foundation …
Now even HE can’t get at his own money
Greed is everywhere … Especially in our own government
It’s sickening how the government has given the IRS so much power
The elected have done that to steal their own citizen’s money … period
On the other hand, some people are watching WAY too much TV news
Report Post »InversionTheory
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 10:34amThe only way I can see $150k as being rich is if you make that much and do not work. If you’re sitting on enough cash or assets to pull that in without a job, I think it’s safe to call you rich, but just the income by itself I’d pin you solidly in the upper middle class.
Report Post »Who Dat
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:09amThis is exactly what the “Anointed One”, O’Bummer wanted and promised. This is class warfare pure and simple. America and Americans are better than this. Since when it is “evil” to be successful and, through hard work and talent, be able to earn a good salary? It’s as simple as “give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach the man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime”.
Report Post »19RANDY59
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:02pmI make around $80000, and I seem to be doing alright compared to many in my neck of the woods(Northern California) but then I’m sure most lie about how much they make. Point is that $150000 would be awesome, and easy to do if the Government would get out of the way.
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:50pmI have learned to live on much less than I thought possible and trust me I may have hard times paying my bills each month but I’m far from poor. If I made 100K a year I would consider myself rich. Strangely enough, 10 years ago when I made 80K a year I was barely getting by. What changed? My lifestyle. I live within my means, I cook and eat at home, I have one car rather than two, I don’t have premium channels on my TV, I don’t “party” (drink to excess smoke anything etc.) I don’t have a flat screen or a smart phone. I denied myself the things that I thought were important for me to have a good life and found that I needed none of them. I don’t use food stamps, EBT cards or even shop at thrift stores (Costco rocks) and I STILL live very well. I think if more people learned to live on less that they would see that a lot of money is wasted on STUFF that we really don’t need.
Report Post »supernova1
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:58pm@lukerw & @ghostofjefferson re: The Subject of Envy
I have no drive for the material lifestyle that would be your subject of envy. I do have a drive to earn enough $ to not always be living from paycheck to paycheck, down the the last dollar cents, with nothing leftover to place in savings for medical emergencies, or repairs to the house. As it is now, that is how i am living and it is third world living, because it is always in a state of crisis and emergency because something is always breaking, or the government is fining you for not weedeating your yard down to one inch tall right before christmas, or the washing machine breaks, or you get an ear infection that is 24 hours away from perforation. MY IDEA of RICH: TO NOT BE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF CHAOS WITH REGARDS BASIC SUBSITENCE AND SURVIVAL. As it is now, all of the money gos to bills and food- and i don’t eat the cheap sh$t because it is harder on my health, so i take the time to cook my own- but now, one tomato cost me $1.14 and i only make $8.00 an hour,… and to all of those who say get another job: THERE ARE NONE TO GET IN THIS SMALL TOWN!!!!! WE USED TO MAKE THINGS, NOW THERE IS NOTHING HERE! Oh, and as far as starting my own business, i can’t do that because in this small town, the city permits and licenses you to death! Can’t run a stand at the farmers market because i have to have a commercial or retail kitchen to poperate out of that is inspected by the health department and approved!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:12pmThis is exactly what the socialists want Americans to be doing. Coveting thy neighbors goods. The fruits of my labor are what I have earned by my time and my talents. They do not belong to the state. If I work harder and earn more then how is it right that the idle of the world can then lay claim to such labors and time? At this time the state has determined that I shall labor 5 months to pay my share. Is this right? Do I need to labor more time to send the presidents wife to Spain with a fleet of jumbo jets for her entertainment? Is your neighbor rich? That is none of your business. Does he give to charity? Again that is none of your business.
Report Post »They are telling you it is your business so they can convince you to force all of us to give up more of our time and talents to support an elite class of rulers that are exempt from the rules.
Our government is more than 99% too large. If it were the right size and fulfilling its designed purpose it would have very little power and nobody would care who was the president or in congress.
Don’t be fooled into believing that your neighbors wallet is your business.
mikec711
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:14pmFor those here going with the simple fix “tax the rich” and not even considering our out of control spending and that if we took 100% of the income from the top 5%, it would not fix the problem, just one thought: “Tax the rich will surely work. When Ireland started taxing the millions U2 made, they moved elsewhere in Europe (Ireland lost it all). When NY tried to stop giving huge breaks to the Screen Actors Guild, it’s president (Alec Baldwin) threatened to move their base … and NY backed down. When John Kerry, wanted a new $7M yacht … he bought it in NZ instead of RhodeIsland but saved $70K/year by docking it in RI and avoiding Mass docking fees. So if these “good” rich progressives will avoid new taxes on the rich … what will the “evil” rich do?” Bottom line, the world is far more fluid now. You make it less lucrative to run businesses and employ people here, the job-creators will go elsewhere. Contrary to popular belief, gov’t does not create jobs. Best they can do is create an environment friendly to job-creation. Out of control spending, out of control regulations, forced unionization, and constant threats of higher taxes do not create an environment friendly to that.
Report Post »rwgkarma
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:00pmWhen you have enough money that you aren’t dependent on anyone or any organization, but have cash to burn for anything, including medical care (since you don’t need health insurance, life insurance, etc), you are rich. In other words, you don’t have to work, even if you lose all your worldly goods in a fire, because you still have tons of cash. Think Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, some movie stars, etc. If you fear losing your house, car, job, etc., or know an accident and medical bills can due you in financially, you are not rich. The idea that $250,000 a year is rich is nothing but progressive propaganda put out by the Obama Administration. It didn’t exist before him. It was always the millionaire, not the quarter millionaire.
Report Post »Brooke Lorren
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:02pmI have to agree with StephenB.net. In many cases, people spend more than they really need to. With my family’s poverty-level income, I manage to have two paid-for cars. Sure, one of them is 24 years old, but I don’t have to worry about it getting repossessed. When my washer and dryer broke last year and I needed to replace it, we cashed in our gold piece to pay for a new set. Once we decided that it was time to replace it, we were able to go and order it (and pay for it) the very same day.
We don’t have credit cards or any other kind of debt. That helps. When my family was making four times what it makes now, we were always running out of money towards the end of the month. Now, we get paid on a very irregular basis, and we budget very carefully. I know that a lot of “poor people” use their credit cards or go to payday loan places, but personally, I can’t afford to go to those places. they just eat away at money I don’t have.
My grandma is a millionaire. I guess a lot of people would say that she’s rich. She didn’t get that way by earning a large income. She got that way by doing things like using a 13″ black and white television until the 1990s, not spending money on things like cable television, and buying used cars and paying cash for them. I didn’t even know that she had a lot of money until I was at my 10 year high school reunion, and someone mentioned that they worked in a building that my grandpa owned. Shortly after that, I put the piec
Report Post »SANE_I think
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:09pmBULL, In RI where I live, it takes a family of 4 $100K to survive. A small home, 2 used cars and public school is what $100K per year buys here! $300K a year leads,,,LEADS to a nice life style but hardly makes you rich. In a world where a nice home is $500K PLUS, a 40 foot fishing boat is $500K and a nice car is $70 to 150K. How could any thinking person believe they will be “RICH” on $150 PY is beyond me? Maybe because when I think “RICH” I think Ferrari and Yacht….not Hyndai and a 3 bedroom ranch? JMHO
Report Post »momroots
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:02pmVERY good point. And the people in the poll are the people who “qualify” for the student aid for college age kids, earned income tax credit, free lunches, rent subsidies, homestead property tax credit, reduced lunches, food stamps — the list goes on. Yes, I would be sitting pretty well if I made 150K and received all that “AID.” Oh — but I need to pay 40% in taxes (including state, federal, property and local taxes) so those who think I make too much can get all the freebies. Meanwhile, I suspect a lot of income is unreported by people with “home businesses.“ Due to my many ”riches” going to pay for things like my own kids lunches and college education, maybe I’ll be able to cash in on some of these freebies like foodstamps when I retire with very little savings.
Sheesh! These people have been taking handouts for so long they feel entitled to them. Oh wait… that’s what our government calls the dole these days…
Report Post »Clive
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:11pmSane, Im with you,
150k isn’t a lot of money in 2011. Not by a long shot. My problem with “taxing the rich” is that it defines “rich” as $250k a year (for your household). Sorry, thats not rich.
The “One percent” average $2,800,000 a year. Now, Thats rich. In the past ten years, their income has grown by 18%, while ours has grown by 3%. And i don’t think they worked “15% harder“ or they were ”15% more clever”. So its clear, our system is working for them, better than it is for us.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:22pmHey Clive,
Have you made fun of any physically disabled people yet today?
Report Post »Protoham
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:37pmI don’t think any salary makes your rich. What makes you rich is how much wealth you have, I would say total wealth of around 6 Million or more would qualify as Rich.
Report Post »JoeNY
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:37pmI’m completely with OK on this one, it completely depends on where you live. $150k in a rural town could be a huge amount, while in any semi/major city you might use $30,000+ of that on housing alone. OK noted income taxes (should have noted local and state taxes too), which take that $150k down to around $100-115k. So you get your $110k and $36k($3000/mo) goes to housing, then figure $7,200 for food ($600/month), $3,000 for one car payment($250/mo)- could have car taxes(muni or state), maybe $2,000 in gas. Then throw in utilities, tv, phone, internet, etc. etc. etc. for $500-700/mo and you get another, say $7500 per year. Then add in dining out, entertainment and clothing for another $3,000 (conservative). Don’t forget healthcare costs, deductables, etc. for another $5,000…. (doesn’t include any deductions for 401k, etc. and from that $150,000 you end up with about $35,000 when it’s all said and done. If that’s supporting a family of 4 you get kid expenses too. Didn’t bother to include credit cards, but most people carry a balance on those too.
Yes that leaves a nice chunk of change, but it’s not gold leafing the tub and having a milk bath either.
Report Post »sparta48
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:53pm@miami here here absolutely correct i make 26k a year before taxes and i am happier than most of my friends who make a lot more than i
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 5:45pmIt depends on where you live, how big your family is, and what type of lifestyle you expect to maintain. For my family, $150 K would be doing really well, but we’re used to getting by on substantially less.
Report Post »komraderykills
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 7:22pmSomeone once told me that “rich” is someone who makes twice as much as you do.
Report Post »Wes inTexas
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 12:19pmBeing rich or just paying the bills with a bit extra left over, plus your savings, 401K, and any other investments, is not the definition of “Rich”. Our family after my father got out of the Military (after moving 5 times-all three of us children were born in different cities), didn’t make crap from his service. I began working at age 12, at 13…I got a job in the oil field (my Pops friend) and all the money made I gave to the family. Lucky enough to earn a scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin, lost my last year the was 4.0 GPA down to a 3.99 due to a political argument w/one of my profs (couldn’t help myself…lol). My point is, I was still working with the very same oil service co. During the 1980s and 90s I spent 17 years working overseas, primarily in dangerous countries where there are no friendly embassies, many were Mid-Eastern countries, 6 yrs was in the Libyan Sahara desert…there are not any roads where our camp was located, temps up to 142 degrees. But the taxes in other countries were more than here. I returned back to the states, in the late 90s, Clinton back taxed me for all 17 years of earnings of back earnings, even while I was also giving info about what I had seen and where during the debriefings, each time I would re-enter the good ole USA. Getting hit with 17 years of back taxes, we now have to depend on investments. I still feel like I was been robbed by the IRS. So…no we are not wealthy, Rich is having more than you can spend.
Report Post »hud
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 3:52pmEven Publisher‘s Clearinghose raised it’s prize to 10 million. Rich 100 million minimum.
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 9:46pmI can afford to pay for this T1 speed fiber internet connection. I am rich! lol
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:26amI am glad it takes so little to make you happy.
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 5:03amYou can watch streaming vedio to………….shhhhhh Soon they’ll try to make it a right
Report Post »sproket90
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:48amyou know… T1 speeds are not all that fast anymore…
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:37amIf you and your family have good health, then you are rich….
Report Post »momroots
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:07pmWhen you are living in your mom’s basement eating Captain Crunch… makes sense. Sheesh!
Report Post »boca_chica
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 9:25pmSomeone working in 1970 making $10,000.00/year gross would have to make $55,000.00 gross just to be in the same place. That was just barely middle class back then.
Report Post »Airdaleusn1
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 9:21pmRICH, I think it‘s really rich when you have insider trading information and it’s legal to use it as Congress and all the other f king CROOKS in DC do. OH yea if I used insider trading with the co. I work for I would be fired and put in Jail. RICH MY ASS
Report Post »imahappy123
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 11:38pmI understand your anger towards insider trading – we knew Congress is crooked, but now it has been exposed how they got there… I’m angry too. Now I know how Pelosi got $880,000 in just one year!!!! Scalp her mouse! That’s the one she protected to get where she is.
Report Post »CommonSenseTalk
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:49pmWho really thinks that any new tax code. tax increases. or any tax the rich thing will effect any person who earns more then 10 million per year? First of all the rich do not get paid like most people, so income tax has no effect. They use trusts, can right off every thing they use and own as expenses, including cars, boats, etc before they take any money as income. The tax code is written by the wealthy. Lets get this right. Rich and Wealthy. Rich is any one who has a little more then you do. Wealthy are the people you never see or hear about unless they want you to.
The government wants everyone to give up their rights so they can tax the rich (anyone who has more then you) (Not wealthy) and take a small fee to give it back to whom they see fit.
Keep it up OWS you guys are so smart. yea Target and them not having a Union is why America is in trouble. Lets close them down now. Close down Walmart. yea. America is getting better everyday with all this change. Wait for the government to start messing with your food source with more regulation. I’m sure a bug will be endangered and we cannot plant corn in Iowa soon. wait, people have to be hungry to give the government all their rights that God gave us.
Report Post »rdietz7
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 9:16pmGood points. Shorter and with more of your own personality please. B-
Report Post »Aguiar
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:20pmYour last line is very scary and, I’m afraid, also very prophetic.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:31pmAs long as we are putting food in our gas tanks .. and they now want to increase it to 15% — corn prices and energy will “necessarily skyrocket:. Remember Obama has stopped the Canadian oil pipeline.
Report Post »ldaopines
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:49pmIf we‘re talking about money and who’s rich, let’s talk about “assets” rather than current wages. Those Soros, Pelosi, Gore, Kerry, Obama, Clintons, all “lifer” government workers, union bosses and hollywood glitterati have already safely amassed THEIR big stashes so they now want to put the kibosh on anyone else climbing the elitist ladder. If we want to tax “the rich” so bad, I wish that some conservative would call that bluff and demand that all ASSETS over $5M be taxed at 30% for a one time surcharge because those are the REAL rich. Watch the liberals scatter….
Report Post »Aguiar
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:23pmExactly. Income is not an indicator of real wealth at all.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:30amIf you want to do that, you need some provision to not put large farmers and ranchers out of business, that have a ton of assets on paper, but barely scrape by.
Report Post »loveliberty83
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:41pmI so agree with you these guys have done inside trading built their riches & talk about rich people-look @ Gore how he has gotten rich & made many jobs disappear someone needsto addressthis group first
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:42pm150k is rich? It shows you how God-awfully stupid many of our fellow Americans are.
How is it possible that so many people can be so obtuse and unwitting???
Does anybody pay income taxes? A mortgage? Student loans? Property taxes (anywhere but the South)? Essentially gotten 0% interest on short term savings over the past 10 years? Had a 401k for at least 10 years?
It’s amazing and we wonder how a Marxist got elected and will probably get re-elected???
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:09amThis doesn’t really have anything to do with the President. He never said people making 150 grand were rich and he’s not proposing to raise their taxes.
Report Post »bulletsinthegun
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:34pmi’m sixty, worked hard all my life, I am a rich man, I have a wife who loves me, I have a few acres, a job of 28 years that pays ok, but the crap Obama is spitting at us scares the shi// out of me. I was raises butcher lambs but that and our produce is gone thanks to this idiot
Report Post »2SENSEWORTH
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:33pmHow wealthy does someone have to be to qualify as “rich” in America? t many would consider a modest wage—$250,000—is more than enough money to lead “a very good life.”
I built a successful business – paid 10% tithe for years – put 15% in retirement for years -clear over 250K a year – have no debt – put an additional 10K a month into savings and am worth beyond one million by working hard for 40 years – yet none of my friends look at me as a rich person.
Why does Obama?
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:49pmI’ll never make that much money per year without owning my own business, but I’ll be honest and say that it is people like you I have always tried to emulate because that attitude simply kicks ass – there’s no other way to put it.
Think about it – you are completely independent and you help your fellow citizens realize some type of independence. I’m jealous, but not the way liberals are jealous. Let’s call it a productive type of envy.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:54pmBecause ANY THIEF looks a what he thinks he can TAKE.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:57pmA Marxist’s worst nightmare – an independent serf.
Report Post »Komponist-ZAH
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 9:11pmGood for you, sir/madame.
Report Post »Aguiar
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:32pmOh, he doesn’t look at you as rich. You are what he fears most – an American who has achieved the American dream through hard work and would like to see everyone else do the same. He only refers to you as “the rich” so that those who haven’t accomplished what you have will hate you. Divide and conquer is the plan. And it seems to be working for him; I can’t remember a time in recent history that this nation was so divided.
Report Post »woodcellar
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:21pmIt all depends on where you live. In north eastern Nebraska where I live, you can do very well on $30,000 a year. In a big city on the coast and a lib state where taxs are so high you may be homeless. You can buy a older house that is not that bad for $20,000- $30,000. Foods a bunch cheaper. We can buy whole rib eye for less than $6.00 a pound. Take them home cut then and wrap them and with veggy from our garden have a better meal the you could get in the big city that cost $100+ for $6-$7. My wife and I live very well and our back yard is 160 acres. We have 3 cars. 2 pickup and a suburban. I bet we burn less fuel than the aveage city dweller does by a lot. It’s all a matter of how much money have left after goverment works you over and whhat it buys you where you live. Dumb poll.
Report Post »Clara88
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:31pmPlease support Gov Rick Perry for President…a conservative AND a veteran..GOD BLESS
http://www.rickperry.org/
Gov. Rick Perry…
“The idea this president now, with Iran getting one of our predator drones in their possession, and he had opportunities — he had two choices. Actually, he had three. He chose the worse. And those two opportunities he had was to either retrieve that drone or to destroy it. And he did the worst of the three. And he did absolutely nothing. And the Russians and the Chinese will have our highly technical equipment now. This president IS the problem,” Perry said at the ABC News debate in Des Moines, Iowa
Report Post »CommonSenseTalk
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:58pmIf you lived in NY City and earned $150,000 this poll effects you. You probably already pay over 55%in taxes and If the Government tells you that you are rich and need to pay 75% tax this is important. Try to live in NY on $65,000 a year without housing help, etc.
Understand America, $200,000 a year really means about $110,000 at best take home pay. $100,000 is about $55,000. So when you hear polls or people talking remember anyone who earns over $100,000 is not earning that much, they are in the highest tax rates and don’t have the protection wealthy people do.
Report Post »seejanemom
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:20pmDaaaAAAnnng.
Americans have such low goal posts.
I was in high school in the early 80′s and way back then the term “millionaire” didn’t even seem “rich” to me. But then again, I had travelled beyond the county line a few more times than most hicks I grew up with…..and apparently MOST of American Proles.
Report Post »Boox
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:12pmWhat rich is depends A LOT on where you live. Rich in Seattle is a very different thing when compared to some little town in Idaho.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:11pmI am wealthy beyond measure. I own my property outright, I eat every day and have luxuries like TV, electricity, internet and running water.
Report Post »After my few bills are paid I still have enough money to save for my taxes next year.
I have people who love me and people that I love.
I am a child of God and Jesus is my Saviour.
I am blessed among women.
BlazingPatriot
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:22pm@MOMRULES,
You are truly RICH!!
Report Post »garyM
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:25pmAmen MOMRULES! Well said, compared to most of the world , 95% of Americans are rich financially not to mention the other most important blessings you referred to! Praying we will get a President in 2012 than realizes this too!
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:27pmAnd you are modest and appreciate what you have. You should get five gold stars for that mindset! I admire you.
How unlike the folks who are protesting against… against.. well they are protesting against – hell I don’t know.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:35pm@GARYM – I think it’s more like 99.6% of Americans would be thought of as “rich” by most of the world’s population.
So many Americans focus on what they don’t have or are in such a rat race to get “more” that they can’t enjoy what they do have.
We. ALL, came into this world with nothing and that is exactly how we will, ALL, go out of it.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:37pm@ Momrules…What more does anyone need ? ——– Nice post and message !
Report Post »cdcats8
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:05pmMoney doesn’t make one rich. Rich is having health and well being. After having a terrible illness and fighting for my life I know for a fact just “being alive” is what makes me wealthy. There is no dollar amount to put on that.
Report Post »ChristPatriot
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:02pmThe results of this poll certainly don’t surprise me. I am a hard working college educated K-12 public school employee that earns 36,720 after 8 years in the system (Florida). As a single father of two teens, I am really struggling to make ends meet. That said, God has bless us with a beautiful home and everything we need and most of our wants. If I just had another income coming in equal to mine I would feel “rich” let alone another 100K+. Also, keep in mind folks are coming to the realization that our country is on the verge of collapsing and scaling back their interpretation of the “American Dream”.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:12pmI agree. My husband makes about $31,000 a year. He gets a retirement check from the military (after 20 years in) of about $16,500, making a total of $47,500, but we have 2 mortgages. Sucks to have bought a house right as the housing market crashed. His brother and sister-in-law both work for AT&T and make a combined income of about $115,000. I consider them almost rich. He gets all the latest toys, drives a Lexus, lives in a half million dollar condo, etc. I’d think a single family who makes $250,000 would be rich (meaning it’s not their small business that draws in that much). I’d be sitting on easy street even with 2 special needs kids if I could sell that other house.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:29pm@loriann12
Report Post »Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors possessions, his house, his wife, his donkey (car)
10th commandment!
hauschild
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:33pmNow, consider those of us non-public-sector employees that get basically ZERO employer pension. Wait, I shouldn’t sound so harsh. OK, depending on your employer, you can get a generous average of between 1.25 and 3% of your salary that gets put into a stock market that is completely corrupted – ironically – a lot of it because of unfunded liabilities promised to public sector workers.
I always shudder when those that get the most, whine the most.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 10:12pmGARYM:
Report Post »Loriann12 said he owns a Lexus. To covet his car, it would have to be a 57 Chevy or better.
Liberty7
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 11:11pmYour first seven years as a school teacher in Florida you didn’t have to pay a cent for your health care insurance, so I am sure you are now feeling a little more pinch since Gov. Scott enacted the new policy of making teachers pay something for their health insurance like all the rest of us. Plus, just think how much less you would have if Florida had a state income tax, so, when you really analyze it, you could be in worse financial shape as far as take home pay than you are currently experiencing. I assume your spouse works and your family is not trying to make it on your salary alone. If not, I am sure things could be rather tight.
Also, you might want to get your administration credentials and become a principal. I have a friend here in Georgia who is a retired high school principal in his fifties who made 70k his first year in retirement with subsidized health care and a 1.5% raise every six months – courtesy of us taxpayers. Good Luck!
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 6:25amWho said I was JEALOUS of other people’s success? The only thing I’m upset with is not being able to sell a house. I’m glad my BIL makes what he does. Actually, he keeps trying to turn my husband into an executive or at least get him into AT&T. But after 20 years as a engineman in the Navy, the only thing he would be qualified for is a tech that drives all day long. He makes a decent amount of money, and like I said, if we could sell that other house, we’d be on easy street. No struggles. I hold Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac responsible for my woes. I technically qualify for disability, but I don’t collect it. This goes back to the $10,000 bet Romney made. People who make that much money don’t realize how the average man views it.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 6:27am@chips1
Actually, for me to covet his car, he’d have to have a pre-’66 Corvette. That’s my dream car. Or a fully restored Studebaker Golden Hawk.
Report Post »FANGS
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:01pmOne day very soon Americans will have to pick up their Rifle’s and fight Communism and tyranny. America now knows who the terrorists and enemy’s are. Unions and Democrats.
fixer
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:27pmyou got that right.the Tree of Liberty is getting mighty thirsty.
Report Post »Norm D. Plume
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:07amDon’t forget the Republicans, either.
Report Post »RetiredSF
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:41amEstablishment republicans are worse than the dems, if possible. If we continue to vote for the lesser of two evils we will have no freedom left in this country. Unplug from the matrix.
Report Post »bets
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:59pmRich is owning out right all your belongings including your land. Does not matter if land is lot with home or 100 acres with live stock. Rich is having the money to pay the gas electric water trash home owners car health insurances groceries and have money left over in the bank for the next generation.
Report Post »rush_is_right
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:09pmwith property taxes that never happens in this country, we’re just renting from the government
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:17pmFirst Plank communist manifesto: Abolition of property in land and the application of all rents of land to public purposes. (Zoning – Model ordinances proposed by Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover widely adopted. Supreme Court ruled “zoning” to be “constitutional” in 1921. Private owners of property required to get permission from government relative to the use of their property. Federally owned lands are leased for grazing, mining, timber usages, the fees being paid into the U.S. Treasury.)
Report Post »Give Me Newt Or Give Me Death
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:10amthough those things do make you rich. you still have to pay for things.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 6:29amYea, and you only own the topsoil. I had to sign a form that said if they discovered precious metals, gas or oil on my propety, it belonged to the state, not me. To OWN your land, means you OWN your land and everything on it. And Heaven forbid if they find a dinosaur bone on your land.
Report Post »BlazingPatriot
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:53pmIf you earn enough money to supply your needs, i.e., food, clothing and shelter (not your wants), and if you find yourself to be content thereof …..consider yourself rich.
Nuff said….
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:01pmAmen, fellow patriot!
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:24pmWell said Sir/Mam
Report Post »kung
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:47pm$250,000 is modest? Right, and I’ve got a modest, 12-inch-long … ah nevermind.
Report Post »blaaaaackwoman
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:50pmMy reaction exactly.
Report Post »cdavis2009
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:45pmI think that people forget that even the “poorest” among us are wealthier than the rest of the world. If we define wealth by the number of cars, the size of our televisions or the type of clothing we have we will never be satisfied. As my great grandfather used to say, “He who‘s got’s got’s problems.” Live simply (i.e. live within your means). Be smart with what you have. Use wisdom to determine how to handle your assets. I can honestly say that I am much happier with a simple car, no cable, a basic apartment and the occasional latte for a treat. I’m blessed. I don’t make more than $20k a year at this point but I am wealthy in the ways that matter and I am blessed. God always provides.
Report Post »BlazingPatriot
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:55pmAmen…..
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:56pm“Rich” has always been always been a matter of perspective to me. I’ve always thought, since I was in high school, that having $50 left over at the end of the month, after all the bills were paid, was “rich” to me.
Report Post »ssbstspd
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:19pmcdavis2009
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:45pm
I think that people forget that even the “poorest” among us are wealthier than the rest of the world. If we define wealth by the number of cars, the size of our televisions or the type of clothing we have we will never be satisfied. As my great grandfather used to say, “He who‘s got’s got’s problems.” Live simply (i.e. live within your means). Be smart with what you have. Use wisdom to determine how to handle your assets. I can honestly say that I am much happier with a simple car, no cable, a basic apartment and the occasional latte for a treat. I’m blessed. I don’t make more than $20k a year at this point but I am wealthy in the ways that matter and I am blessed. God always provides.
You are right about the poorest actually being wealthy in some way compared to the rest of the world, but if you determine rich by your tv size, the car you drive or the clothes you wear. We around here call that OBAMA rich. Get my drift.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:39pm150K a year is rich? hahahahaha yeah in Bangladesh you’d be a king,but here 150K is not ‘rich’.
Report Post »It’s all subjective though,some people have no ambition and want to earn a set amount and are fine with that.Some people,I call them obamazombies want people to work hard to support them,they don’t pay federal income tax but if you ask the intellectual titans should taxes be raised? They all agree yes they should be raised,and often,funny how that works eh?
progressiveslayer
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:21pmOh yes and when hyperinflation starts see what 150k will get you.
Report Post »1389AD
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 4:05amThis is all about innumeracy. Folks these days have NO clue what anything costs or what money can, and cannot, buy.
I work in retail sales, making just a little over the minimum wage. You’ve heard the TV commercials about “ramen noodles every night.” Well, on the shifts when I don’t happen to be too busy to get any break at all, I eat those ramen noodles and I’m happy to have them.
These days, it takes a cool billion to be rich, and that’s only if one is free from predatory “friends” or relatives who are desperate to grab a big piece of it for themselves, AND if one has the self-discipline not to be wasteful. Without those two things, NO amount of money is enough to make one wealthy.
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:36pmHuh…I wish somebody would have told me sooner that I was rich.
Report Post »Komponist-ZAH
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:45pmJust don’t let the Occutantrum folks know… ;)
Report Post »circleDwagons
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:46pmyes, you are rich and “the rich” need to pay more taxes… it also makes obama super rich.
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:15pm@circledwagons – And when he starts his public speaking and takes a few corporate board member positions what will he be then?
Report Post »Beckaj
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:36pmThis goes hand-in-hand with the polls that say that Americans are no longer optimistic about their future. It is sad to see what progressivism has done to squash the American dream.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:47pmI think you‘re referring to ’the fundamental transformation of America’ our Marxist POS president has inflicted on us.
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:50pmWell, Obama says we should all strive to reach and maintain middle-class status.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:36pminteresting article
im sure one of our local tro.lls will be more than happy to point out the higher income averages in the dem states……………………………
but at the same time neglect to mention how the cost of living completely destroys that chart
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 7:34pmHuh…guess I’m rich.
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on December 11, 2011 at 8:01pmI’m gonna go buy another flat screen.
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