"Evicted": Marina Won't Renew Contract for Next Year to maximize Profit

[SV THIRD DAY]

I guess no one else sees the Irony of the Worlds 1%-ers with Yachts debating the evils of Capitalism. You can't make this type of Privilege up.

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by ixnax

Even if I bought into the notions, and while I don't I'm not sure we otherwise have a huge gap in agreement, it still doesn't answer the question. Really, I'm probably more interested in a number from wingsails or lestersails. That said, I'd be interested to get a number from anyone here.

Another number that would be very illuminating would be what level of personal wealth, in today economy and with todays currencies, should be sufficient to own a boat and pay for a slip.

What sort of number are you looking for? A number if what? Your IQ? you won't have to look far, start with a single digit, 1 to 10 will probably cut it. Add a second digit any second digit. Close enough.

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by ixnax

In your view at what level of accumulated wealth would an individuals lifestyle and behaviors become a detriment to the rest of society?

I would amend your question - "...become more of a detriment than a benefit to the rest of society?"
An excellent and hard question. Like all such problems there isn't a threshold. You don't ever want the government to impose income or wealth caps - that just won't work. As well, it takes a fairly affluent person to start a business - and that is generally a good thing for society and the economy. The only way I know to answer your question is through the tax code. A truly progressive tax code for individuals would go a long way to dialing down the inequities that result from wealth disparity. Correctly calibrated, it incentivizes work for the wider population (with very low taxes) and hits the wealthy very hard for things like roads, schools, and health care.
Just as important, if not more so, for business taxes. I don't know about other countries, but the US is crushing small businesses with taxes and letting mega corporations off the hook. Don't know about you, but I would really like to keep some independent retailers around instead of buying everything from Amazon. Current tax policy is driving the small guy out of business. Insane.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

I guess no one else sees the Irony of the Worlds 1%-ers with Yachts debating the evils of Capitalism. You can't make this type of Privilege up.

That's a silly statement, on more than one level.

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

Well that's the simplest question in the world.

When it can start buying governments.

In the US, whose economy is about as far from 'capitalistic' as is possible, the most visible miscreants are Lonely Mark, Egomaniac Musk, Bozo Bezos and Goofy Gates, but there are several others working 'under the counter' to manipulate the lives of the unsuspecting, powerless (read 80% of the global North's population, as a world total, read >95%) and gullible.

In case no one who's promoting the 'virtues' of what they mistake for 'capitalism' has noticed, it's unregulated pursuit, especially over the last 40 years, has resulted in not only the destruction or dimunition of almost every facet of life in human society, but exponentially greater ones in virtually every corner of the 'natural world' --- meaning that part of the Earth which is not 'human centric'...

As y'all watch your world deteriorate over the next 10 years, think about the 'benefits' just those 4 pariahs have introduced, even only since the turn of the century, and ask yourselves, 'what should have been done differently?"

Here's a hint; it can be answered in one word.

You dont even say what the pariahs have done to you, so how can we guess the word?

[Pelagic]

Many assume that Billionaires who obtain Mega wealth do not change their priorities and use their funds for targeted projects to benefit others
The Gates Foundation, Warren Buffet and many others fund projects from their Foundations not to accumulate wealth but to spread it around

No political interference of pork barrel add ons, just savy businessmen at work for others

I once asked a Billionaire friend advanced in years, why he was funding and getting involved with a difficult project in a 3rd world country.

His answer, "if I don't do it, who will?"

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

That's a silly statement, on more than one level.

Not really, yachters are privileged, and some think they should be even more so...like to have access to marinas they cant afford now.

[David Ess]

Originally Posted by SV THIRD DAY

Global warming/Global Cooling or Climate Change will solve the problem...all these marina's will be underwater soon. Just give it time....buy a gas guzzling car and get even with them.....

I've been hearing the underwater story for at least a decade, jet coastal properties keep letting more expensive. If theyll be underwater soon, buyers are not convinced. What is your timeline for any, Obama's $14million coastal property?

[Shanachie]

Damn. Some of the same people who were on CF a few weeks ago saying covid is fake and vaccines will control your mind have now switched to economics, with the same predictable result.


You can't learn about economics by watching Fox News anymore than you can learn about science.


Labeling various issues "capitalism" and "socialism" displays a level of simplistic ignorance that is beyond belief. No one who knows anything about economics in the 21st century thinks like that.


The economies of all developed nations became "socialistic" in the 1930s, when they began to create social programs The only question now is who should benefit from government actions and regulations.


In the U.S., right now, wealthy people are the ones who benefit most from government tax breaks and give-away programs. Food stamps and "welfare" are peanuts compared to the hauls taken in by hedge funders, corporate farmers, social media, investors, etc.


I speak as a former working-class kid who is now one of the well-to-do. I haven't worked in 13 years, yet have a substantial six-figure income, a waterfront townhome, no debt, a sailboat, etc.


I don't like the rules we live under, but I can't change them. So I took advantage of them and created an easy life for myself. Those of you who complain about socialism make me even richer as you continue to work at your jobs and operate the world I live in.


I guess I should thank you for that, by the way.

[ixnax]

Originally Posted by lestersails

I would amend your question - "...become more of a detriment than a benefit to the rest of society?"
An excellent and hard question. Like all such problems there isn't a threshold. You don't ever want the government to impose income or wealth caps - that just won't work. As well, it takes a fairly affluent person to start a business - and that is generally a good thing for society and the economy. The only way I know to answer your question is through the tax code. A truly progressive tax code for individuals would go a long way to dialing down the inequities that result from wealth disparity. Correctly calibrated, it incentivizes work for the wider population (with very low taxes) and hits the wealthy very hard for things like roads, schools, and health care.
Just as important, if not more so, for business taxes. I don't know about other countries, but the US is crushing small businesses with taxes and letting mega corporations off the hook. Don't know about you, but I would really like to keep some independent retailers around instead of buying everything from Amazon. Current tax policy is driving the small guy out of business. Insane.

I agree that US tax policy is unfairly skewed towards the very wealthy but disagree that it is, or has been, driving the little guy out of business. I base that assertion on my own experiences starting and operating several small companies in America. That's a different topic.

My curiosity comes from the insinuations posted here that the rich are depriving the poor from their rightful place at the table. To wit, the OP's assertion that he was pushed away from his berth by greedy capitalists and the ready availability of better paying, that is more wealthy, customers. Assuming we won't find Bezos, Musk or Gates in his slip anytime soon I think it's reasonable to wonder just how rich those who agree believe these supplanters are. Are they mere millionaires? Are they working folks who can afford a $20K a year boat budget? Who are these rich people?

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Many assume that Billionaires who obtain Mega wealth do not change their priorities and use their funds for targeted projects to benefit others
The Gates Foundation, Warren Buffet and many others fund projects from their Foundations not to accumulate wealth but to spread it around

No political interference of pork barrel add ons, just savy businessmen at work for others

I once asked a Billionaire friend advanced in years, why he was funding and getting involved with a difficult project in a 3rd world country.

His answer, "if I don't do it, who will?"

Only compete suckers would fall for that. Your thesis is that we need gazillionaires for social benefit?
Did you expect your billionaire friend to answer honestly "Well, since I stole, finagled and manipulated 90% of this money from people, I am going to spend 10% of my fortune, based on what I have decided they need."
A capitalist saint, I am sure.

Le secret des grandes fortunes sans cause apparente est un crime oublié, parce qu’il a été proprement fait.
Honoré de Balzac, 1834

[Mike OReilly]

People far smarter than me (not hard, eh?) have made the point that we don't need billionaire charity. We need them to pay their fair share of taxes, and stop distorting the system to benefit them and their class. As people like Warren Buffet have noted, he is taxed at a lower rate than his secretary.

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by ixnax

My curiosity comes from the insinuations posted here that the rich are depriving the poor from their rightful place at the table. To wit, the OP's assertion that he was pushed away from his berth by greedy capitalists and the ready availability of better paying, that is more wealthy, customers.

Good point. They are two inter-related issues that have been conflated here. I came out early and strong, in agreement with Mike O, that the OP's problem is mostly tough bananas. Or as my admin executive is wont to say 'suck it up buttercup'. That is just how capitalism is supposed to work. Let's assume that marina operator owns that property. In a capitalist free market he is free to raise or lower his prices to match his supply with the demand.

The thread drifted a bit into bemoaning the (apparent) decline of a modest style of boating. 25 foot sailboats in decline and 40 foot powerboats with $150,000 worth of outboards on the stern on the ascent. The whole market shifts upward to accommodate these people, mostly nouveau riche, and suddenly, the guy with regular job and a $5,000 project boat has nowhere to dock his boat or sand his hull.

Then the capitalism cheerleading squad piled on saying how wonderful it all is. Some even going so far as bemoaning that capitalists are being so unfairly restrained. You can guess where that went...

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by ixnax

My curiosity comes from the insinuations posted here that the rich are depriving the poor from their rightful place at the table.

It ain't no insinuation my friend, it is the stark reality. While I am fine with capitalism, practiced at everyday levels (like how salad dressing is priced), the über rich are depriving everyone else (not just the poor) their place at the table.
The middle class, at least in the US, is being slowly, but surely hollowed out from the inside. The 1% (and worse, the 0.001%) are relentlessly pressing this. It will continue, because the über rich own the politicians who will do their bidding.
A healthy, large, middle class population ties up a lot of wealth across a lot of people. A very small group have become fabulously wealthy by relentless taking a little bit at a time away from the huge middle class. The middle class is getting screwed. They are starting to figure it out, and they are getting really angry about it.

So, in one way, our OP's complaint is kinda silly. Nobody deserves a berth for their boat at the price they want to pay. In another way, the OP's complaint is fundamentally correct and profound. What happened to him is a microcosm for a lot of things that are seriously out of whack and all signs are they on track to continue in that direction. It will not turn out well.

[Pelagic]

[QUOTE=lestersails;3490381]

.... "Well, since I stole, finagled and manipulated 90% of this money from people, I am going to spend 10% of my fortune, based on what I have decided they need.".

Astounding Bias which I guess implies that this is how you make your money....