to ask all of the 1% here (anyone earning over £20'000) what you are doing to help the 99%?

[ethnicalMarion]

If your earn over 20k in the UK you are part of the 1%. Aibu to think that this 1% should be helping the 99% of the world more?

Working hard for stupidly long hours to earn it, usually.

The study is saying that on a global basis you are in the top 1% if you earn over $34k (equivalent of £22,674.25)

It isn't that simple OP. The cost of living varies from country to country. Also in the UK a household earning £20k with one adult will be much better off than a household earning £20k with two adults and two children.

I'm sure earning the equivalent of £20k somewhere like The Philippines would make you well off compared to living somewhere like Switzerland where you would be poor.

£20k in the UK is not rich and form not put you in the top 1% of UK earners by a long shot.

People - stop commenting on this goady thread.

If op really wanted a debate, they would have been back.

And, please, don't get upset!!

I have worked bloody hard, developed property alongside a tough "proper" job, devoted my life at great cost (emotional not financial) to two disabled relatives. I contribute by offering my urge expertise to those in need. Oh, and I pay huge amounts of tax. Every penny I owe.
I do contribute to charity but not as much as I should and I will remedy that.

I don't find it hard at all to believe that an annual salary of £20K up puts you in the top 1% of earners in the world. Not sure why the aghast reaction? Why do people find that so unbelievable?

OP I think at an individual level it's hard to do much as the whole shebang is run by the super-elite. So giving to charities etc is great but not going to result in systemic global change!

Getting political is probably the only thing to do really, and even that needs a critical mass obviously although with the internet awareness raising is much easier than it was.

single working parent of 3!

1. Pay Tax
2. Pay my mortgage (thus not putting pressure on social housing)
3. Give to food banks
4. Buy ethically
5. Work in one of the most economically deprived areas of the uk tackling youth unemployment and encouraging people to engage in education

mind you aa a part time worker I earn less that £20k

Is there not a saying that God helps those who help themselves? I am not God but I agree. I would always help anyone in real need. However, those who I see who are in real need have tied to make differnt life choices from me and will continue to do so, I imagine.

I'm not upset :)
Just such an odd thread.

I'd add, as a student, I am not earning so if anyone's heartstrings have been tugged and are looking for a quick fix you can give me aid.

Well there is a saying like that yes flossy but surely it's a justification for selfishness? The Bible (what I know of it) talks of the Good Samaritan and doing a lot to help others and not paying mind to material wealth.

I guess maybe the God referred to in the saying is a different one / different version of the one Jesus' message came from? i don't know the origin of the saying but it's not what I learnt as "God's message" at school which was mainly around loving your neighbour etc which is at total odds with God will look after you if you look out for yourself above any and all others.

Old testament maybe vs new testament?

In addition to what has been said, many "poor" countries would actually have the resources to be richer. Unfortunately, they are plagued by wars or corrupt or greedy governments. If money spent on guns or kept by the elites in those countries was actually used to finance development, education, transport, health and so on, they wouldn't need "help". No amount of contribution from the "rich" will make a significant impact in those populations.

It may be a global Figure but you don't factor in the cost of living which in real terms for a person living in the uk is different to someone living in Brazil for example.

While you're asking op - what do you earn and how are you helping the rest of the world?

pay my taxes...

I've volunteered in an African country, went there all idealistic and my lefty guns blazing to 'help' and left totally disillusioned about how self-serving a lot of foreign 'aid' is - it aids the donor country, yes, but what it does for the recipient country is rather more complex.
I agree that to actually level the playing field in terms of trade and taxation would do more that any amount of donation (I may exclude aid for specific disasters. Although many famines are contributed to by trade agreements etc).

Oh, and lets not look at how much good or bad has been done in the name of the Lord over the centuries, shall we?

Welcome to MN Op

Welcome to MN OP, such an interesting first post

I just started this to see what people think, unsurprisingly people only agree with redistribution on wealth if they are the ones that stand to gain.

I did nm.

That 1% doesn't have to justify itself to anyone. It is already paying more tax than the rest. You know, the tax that provides people with healthcare, maternity care, education, social services, a police force, roads, rubbish collections etc.

The wealthy do their their bit by contributing a lot and taking very very little.

So what are you personally doing Marion?

unsurprisingly people only agree with redistribution on wealth if they are the ones that stand to gain
Where did you read that?

Out of interest, assuming you also are in the 1% you're talking about, what do you do?

I just started this to see what people think, unsurprisingly people only agree with redistribution on wealth if they are the ones that stand to gain.

Umm - how do you get to that conclusion?