[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by MarkyMark: As for resources, I read somewhere that in the US, 3% of the population own 70% of the wealth (this figure may be a few percent off but you get my point I'm sure).

However - unlike the general population in Iraq - ANYBODY in America could concievably become part of that 3%.

Bill Gates was just a typical computer geek/nerd in high school...but he and his best buddy came up with an innovative computer operating system. Now he is the richest man in the world.

Many kids that grow up in severe poverty go on to become multi-millionaires if they have enough athletic skill to become a professional sports figure.

It IS true that the "Rich" people hold onto their wealth with a very tight-fisted grip and use all their considerable resources to combat anyone who would try to take it away. Microsoft has become outrageously "proprietary" with their software..to the point that you have to buy separate copies of any program for EACH computer you wish to put it on. But it is that determination and tenaciousness that allowed them to become rich in the first place.

The difference being that America is the "Land of Opportunity" as opposed the "Land of Oppression" that represents the general population of Iraq.