do people who make above $150k/year really worth that much or are they politically savy?
483574
There's an old expression that you are worth exactly how much you make.  The American economic system is based on free enterprise.  You need to learn to market yourself effectively.
225221
From my experience, I do not necessarily agree with your statement. I think that ultimately, it really depends on your personality and your strengths. \n\nCEOs generally do not make as much money as someone who runs their own business, but the flip side is that they have a more secure job. People with higher education find that the opportunity cost of leaving their well paid jobs to runs around and start their own thing is too high and usually just stick on doing their job (forever an employee). Those with less to lose may decide that their job is not worth that much and the opportunity cost is small - start their own business.  If that business is successful, you make a lot more money and become financially independent from others.\n\nIt just depends on what kind of risk profile you can accept, and whether you have the conviction and courage to pull through a business.
471843
Hell! They barely pay any taxes now. It's right at 15%, while everybody else pays close to 30%. With the standard deductions that's what it all works out to be. Average people don't qualify for those deductions for a reason, and the reason is you pay most of the taxes.
742937
Wow, those are great if you can do them, and exactly what I would recommend.  However, most people find that their pay raise doesn't cover their cost of living increase, and will find it almost impossible to do any of these for very long.
144880
Hopefully they'll be wise with their newfound wealth and can enjoy it for the rest of their lives. I read that a couple of them are immigrants from Vietnam and are going to better the lives of family members back home.\n\nUnderstand that after taxes, each will get $15 million - now, I *would* LOVE to have that "problem," as over a period of 30 years, that's still $500,000 per year. They should be fine if they're smart, even though it's a seemingly infinite amount of money.\n\nIt's the others around them who will make them miserable: jealous co-workers, "long-lost kin," sleazy investors, etc. The winners don't owe anyone a darn thing, but outsiders will try to make them feel as though they do.
926081
You can earn as much as you like.  It's just that when you go over a certain amount, we the tax payers have to pay less to keep you, so earn as much as you can eh?
291717
No\n\nIt should go by income brackets. Rich should pay more.
1095281
Anybody who is not independently wealthy must live on money -- doctors, lawyers, engineers, mechanics, painters.  \n\nMost of these people will make whatever the market will bear.  (You don't see a lot of poor doctors around.)  But public defenders, public interest lawyers, some small firm lawyers -- don't seek great wealth from what they do.
739159
It depends on the area of the country.  For instance, in the SF Bay Area, a professional couple with advanced degrees can make $100K each ($200K) a year, and still be classified as upper middle class.  In all other areas of the country, you would be classified as upper class.  (you can't get a decent house for under $800K)\n\nTo answer your question - it depends.  If you make $100K a year, you are doing better than most people around you.  Of course, cops and firefighters make that much in the Silicon Valley (and they are supposed "low paid" civil servants)
406191
most get 250,000 to 450,000 a year.
844201
...it's all relative...to someone who's making $500/week, $60K ($5000/mo) is high!  to someone who needs to make over $100K just to keep up their house payments and live (like here in Los Angeles)...$60K is low.\n\nso it depends on what you are doing for your money, and where you are geographically
325640
Depends on the neighbourhood. If you lived in a trailer park and made $50K you're upper class, but in LA you'd need over $1mill.
299289
It depend on your personal income that year, but there is a Cap of 15%
486977
Depends ...I wouldnt say more than $15000 annually.
369113
Why should a person who owns MORE than $60,000 per year support the views of the Republican Party? \n\nThe Republican Party works for the big industrials, ensuring that US Government policy is manipulated to meet the requirements of the corporations. There is no way that can be said to be Government for the people - no matter how much people earn!
977803
It depends on their PR.\nBut they rarely earn good money.
91149
I would say you can live fairly well with about USD1500 a month.