Jesus, on the rich and the poor

We are living in difficult times. The divergence between the rich and the poor is huge and increasing. Rising inequality as registered by all indicators is as high as it has ever been since the great depression. Many have warned that such inequality will spawn a raft of severe social problems (the book, “Spirit Level”, Joseph Stiglitz, Pikett). Even some of the rich themselves have alerted us and said that this trend needs to be reversed (Warren Buffet, Bill Gates).

Economics: Index of Financial Inequality

Index of Financial Inequality

How about the graph below, taken from the book The Spirit Level? Just ponder it for a while. The index of financial inequality results in a host of social and health problems. Piketty’s work “Capitalism in the 21^st Century” only confirms this and tells how this has come about (unequal accumulation of capital) and points towards a solution (raise taxes on capital accumulation).

The Rebellious Seeker

p.s. This graph is a survey of industrialized countries. Guess which one has the highest level of inequality? Guess what will happen with billionaires, military types and climate deniers in charge?

 Index of Financial Inequality 

Development: Living in a world of affluence

I am incredibly privileged. I have never known hunger. If I fall ill medical services are available. I have had opportunities to study and work. I am surrounded by electronic gadgets that make my life comfortable and interesting. I can speak out freely. I can travel without hindrance... and so the list goes on and on.