re: English Assignment regarding wealth disparity

If you want your son to answer in an honest way that actually follows the assignment ("defend your position") I'd say...

The question of "too much" implies that there is not enough to go around, that one person having more means someone else must have less. But in a truly capitalistic society, that's not the case. The economy, the stock market, the number of businesses – can grow larger.

That simplified foundation doesn't really address questions that could arise related to someone using their "power" dishonestly or something, but that wasn't the prompt.

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they are teaching kids the 50-30-20 rule, where 50% of earnings go to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings. Wtf?

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If everyone put 20% of their income (after taxes I presume) into savings, that would be a good thing. I don't care if Warren said it. That's good.

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Queen

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Very good response.

I think I'll have my son read this thread before submitting his post.

I'd just reorder how that money gets utilized...the savings part should get put away before the 30% for wants gets spent

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Funnier still, he's also taking a mandatory personal finance course that uses material from frikkin Pochantas Elizabeth Warren... they are teaching kids the 50-30-20 rule, where 50% of earnings go to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings. Wtf?

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They should be teaching the Pelosi finance course. Now that's a winner right there!!

Relax Obtuse. I was just messing with you.

I would probably agree with you on many things. Wealth in the hands of a very few is one.

Is why Collectivism is so ironic. It sells the idea of anti-rich only to concentrate the majority of wealth into even fewer hands than before. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.

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In American society, success is usually measured by how much wealth a person possesses. While the majority of Americans earn modest incomes and have limited access to wealth, the number of millionaires and billionaires is the United States is growing. By 2025, 28 million Americans will be millionaires in a nation of more than 333 million people. Think about what it means when so much wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few people. Do you think it is possible for a person to have too much money or wealth?

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Answer:
When I think of the wealth held by 28 million Americans, and the growing number of millionaires in the United States, I know that capitalism has enabled the growth of wealth in this country like no other place in the world. In fact, people from every other country in the world want to come here.
If it is possible for a person to have too much wealth, they’ll find that out here and not in some socialist pit full of enforced squalor.

I was joking around, but the kid could also bring up the fact that purchasing power has decreased significantly over the past 5 years...

ETA: I popped the prompt and this cue into ChatGTP and got this response...

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this was a prompt in a 9th grade English class. Can you write a response that supports capitalism?

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In a capitalist society, wealth is not just a sign of financial success—it is often the result of hard work, innovation, and risk-taking. While it is true that the number of millionaires and billionaires in the United States is growing, this does not mean that wealth is inherently bad or that there is a limit to how much someone “should” have. In fact, capitalism depends on the idea that anyone, regardless of background, can improve their situation by creating value for others. The success of wealthy individuals often fuels the economy by creating jobs, funding new ideas, and supporting industries that improve our quality of life.

When wealth is concentrated, it can be a sign that those individuals have found ways to meet people’s needs better than anyone else. For example, entrepreneurs like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey started from modest beginnings but built businesses that serve millions. Their wealth is tied to the value they’ve provided society, not taken from others by force. In capitalism, wealth is not a fixed pie—when someone becomes rich, they often expand opportunities for others rather than take away from them.

Instead of worrying about whether a person can have “too much” wealth, it is more productive to focus on ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Capitalism, with its focus on free markets and personal initiative, gives people the freedom to chase their dreams and reap the rewards of their efforts. If someone earns billions by solving problems, creating jobs, and improving life for others, then their wealth is simply a reflection of the impact they’ve made—not a problem that needs to be limited.

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Do you think it is possible for a person to have too much money or wealth?

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Also...

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Mine are in a charter school and most of this weeks spelling words is stuff like equality, equity, privilege etc. I'm ready to pull them the frick out.

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That crap is infested just about everywhere... I can't wait til we get to all the climate change crap.

I don't remember "issues of the day" really being a part of my education growing up- maybe I've just forgotten.