Get used to it. I have always contended that the rich in SD are using the recession to pay less in wages while lining their pockets. They say the economy is doing good when they want you to buy their goods and services but when you ask for a raise, they say it is going poorly. Just look at the numbers;

South Dakota’s per capita personal income grew by 3.5 percent from 2009 to 2010, according to data recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Sounds great right? But look at these numbers;

For example, Nesiba said, median household income in South Dakota has dropped 11.5 percent from 2008 to 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.

Basically the working stiffs are taking it in the shorts and the rich taking your shorts.

That’s a change from $51,600 in 2008 to $45,669 last year, Nesiba said.

“Even if the average per capita income in South Dakota is going up, those gains must be concentrated at the top,” he said. “What we’re seeing is that South Dakota per capita personal income is being boosted by higher farm incomes, but because of layoffs, lower wages and fewer hours, the median household income is actually falling.”

 

14 Thoughts on “The rich get richer and the poor get poorer

  1. Pathloss on October 7, 2011 at 2:26 pm said:

    Demonstrations in NY & DC reflect rich vs. poor contempt. Its spreading fast. What has become apparent is the middle class is disappearing.

  2. Alice15 on October 7, 2011 at 2:51 pm said:

    In this area – the rich create jobs – but unfortunately there are too many low paying jobs. I guess it is better than nothing – but pretty tough to get ahead.

  3. Analog Tape on October 7, 2011 at 3:59 pm said:

    NAFTA and so called Free trade sure did a lot to expand jobs. But inflation will eventually effect all but the few rich who have taken their $ out of banks and converted to metals. Less quality services & goods. As the dollar looses value people buy less, shops close and tent cities grow. Best to learn how to fish and make bread.

    The real attack is on small business through ordinances & regulations, rising fuel or transportation costs, loans and credit card transaction fees and issues with the quality from suppliers in some cases. We loose small business then it’s pure corporate fascism.

  4. The problem with small business owners though is that they will always take the side of big business and the banks instead creating some solidarity with their employees. If small business owners want to succeed, stop treating your employees like door mats, pay them what they are worth and you will reap the benefits.

  5. Oliver Klosov on October 7, 2011 at 10:16 pm said:

    “If small business owners want to succeed, stop treating your employees like door mats, pay them what they are worth and you will reap the benefits,” said the guy who’s never owned a real business with equipment and employees. It’s very easy to sit back and say what a business owner should do or what YOU would do if YOU owned a business.

    Put your money where you mouth is and show us how easy it is. I’ve done it three times. Wildly successful once, nominally successful once and abject failure resulting in nearly crippling debt once. It’s a tremendously eye-opening experience that more armchair entrepreneurs should try at least once.

  6. Oliver – Please, twist my words. If a business owner is failing I’m not saying he should pay his workers more. I’m saying if a business owner is successful because of it’s worker’s hard work, reward them. If you are opposed to that concept, then I guess your business deserved to fail, simply because of your asshole Karma.

  7. Oliver Klosov on October 8, 2011 at 3:17 am said:

    One of the many things I learned owning and operating a business is this; regardless of how an employer pays or treats employees, a majority of the rank and file are ungrateful, selfish individuals. I had some FANTASTIC employees, but for every one of those I was able to cultivate I had to weed through at least six of the lazy, selfish ones who in their self-centered minds were overworked and underpaid. Between that and the HORRENDOUS amount of bullshit that the state and federal government make even a small business (10-15 employees) endure, I will never do it again.

  8. So because of your sour grapes no one deserves to make a living wage. That makes a lot of sense.

  9. rufusx on October 8, 2011 at 10:02 am said:

    Ollie. It is clear that human capital (employees) is the single largest investment of any business, and therfore, the single most important element to the success of any business. It also seems clear that you didn’t/don’t enjoy working with human capital; I.E., the most important stuff. No, you’d rather flitter about the edges on trivial inanimate stuff. It also sounds like at present , YOU have become one of the lazy, selfish ones who in their self-centered minds were overworked and underpaid.

  10. rufusx on October 8, 2011 at 10:04 am said:

    So…… consider yourself “weeded out”.

  11. Oliver Klosov on October 8, 2011 at 11:02 am said:

    Thank you all for helping me to see that I was the problem all along. That it wasn’t the selfish attitudes of many of my employees or the stifling nature of government. I’m glad that we have people like you to step up, put yourself at risk and carry the torch.

  12. Analog Tape on October 8, 2011 at 8:37 pm said:

    Actually Oliver it is your and my fault for consenting to the ridiculous laws which government holds us to by the point of a gun. When we all do nothing, either by failing in our non-compliance or by not crowding our state reps or city hall (or calling on the Sheriff to defend our rights) to make a change it’s only us to blame.
    The schools and events (Event Center in the future) have conditioned our apathy.

  13. AT makes a good point. Apathy is really the devil that is slowly destroying our country.

  14. unifiediandi on October 10, 2011 at 1:15 am said:

    well it has finally dawned on people that baby boomers have sucked up all the resources, turning from hippie roots to conservative skinflints, so yea look at your parents with disdain the next time they don’t tip, the next time they go see the Rolling Stones for the 8th time, and the additions to their home that you know won’t sell after they are gone. I love my parents but come on, quit the big ticket spending

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