Thursday, March 3, 2011

Oversimplification of Wealth Distribution

Since the election of Mr.Obama there has been a lot of talk of income redistribution. I think a better way to frame the conversation is to talk about the issue of income distribution. I decided to write about this because I have been seeing an increase of the conservatives making the same old statements. Let me go ahead and throw a few out there.

"What incentive is there to work hard if my money is going to be taken away and given to others?"

"Well, I'll just quit working and let others pay for me if we are going to redistribute wealth."

"Why should rich and successful people be punished for making a lot of money?"

These are just a few of my favorites. I'm sure a quick google search would reveal a few more gems. Ok, here is the problem with statements such as these. They are a gross oversimplification of the issue. 

Nobody and I say NOBODY that supports income distribution is under the allusion that there will be people sitting around raking in the cash of others and not lifting a finger. That is just silly. Because that would not give anybody an incentive to work and be productive. Nobody and I say NOBODY that supports income distribution sees it as an alternative to working and making a living. That is just silly. Lastly, nobody that supports income distribution sees it as any kind of retribution or punishment to people making a lot of money. So in order to have a grown up discussion on a complicated issue can we please stop with statements such as referenced above?

**Just a quick disclaimer, this is only one opinion of what benefits income redistribution would have. There are many schools of thought on the subject. Remember this is a complicated grown up issue.** 

Most of us get up everyday and go to work to feed and support either ourselves or our families. Due to a myriad of circumstances and life events we all earn on different levels. We all have differing levels of education and aptitude. Some make incredible salaries and even fewer still bring in incredible amounts of money all by themselves (entrpenures, sports figures, entertainers, ect.)

Now, the idea is that the top income brackets (this is where there is an obvious bone of contention) contributed a percentage to help the people in the lower income brackets. This does not mean the lower brackets actually get cash payments from anybody. The money could be used in many different way to aid these people. Services such as reducing the cost of higher education or technical training. Programs to teach effective money management and so on and so on. The top helps the middle and the top and the middle help the bottom, by a sliding percentage. By no stretch of the imagination does this even come close to meaning that EVERYBODY gets the same amount of money at the end of the day. There will always be have and have nots. The idea is closing the gab between the two for the overall betterment of society.

I feel like our society has went away from giving two cents about where we are going as a nation and a society. That we are more concerned about only ourselves and have lost the notion that our country can only be strong if we are in this together. I fear we are not...

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Breaking News: U.S. wants to pretect it's interests

I have seen many news articles and Twitter posts recently slamming the US for acting in Libya to protect its interests...namely the oil fields. Well...pardon my language but, no shit Sherlock.

I know it is cool and the "in" thing to bash the United States at every turn. But to slam them for acting in Libya is just plain dumb. Yes, the US is in a precarious spot concerning all the Arab activity in the past few months. Yes, it is largely no fault but our own. But to slam a country for protecting their own interests makes no sense to me. That is the primary responsibility of a state. Off the top of my head I would say that responsibility goes like this: Safety and security of it's citizens, to provide opportunity and financial prosperity (you know, things like oil) Then somewhere down the line is providing international support for struggling countries. Let's not forget the billions of dollars that the US government spends around the world. Not even counting the millions if not billions that US non-profits and citizens (Bill Gates) spends around the world helping people. We are not ALL bad.

So, I understand we are an easy target to slam for anything and everything we do. Especially because you are almost guaranteed to face no opposition to whatever statement you make. Can we please keep it rational. I know it is asking a lot, but maybe even give credit where credit is due...once or twice.