[Vision2020] The Nation, 6/30/08

[Kai Eiselein, Editor]

As usual, Tom, fails to grasp the conversation and tries comparing apples to 
oranges.
I will simplify it for him.
Tom, a complete wealth distribution would begin with everyone on equal 
financial footing. Over time, the finances of some would improve while for 
others it would decline.
My premise is that most of those who were "haves" before the distribution 
would manage to accumulate wealth, becoming "haves" again.
Of those who were "have nots" before the distribution, most would become 
"have nots" again.
It is a completely different scenario than your "stimulus check" example, in 
which there is no "equal footing" financially.

Got it?

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:36 PM
To: <editor at lataheagle.com>; <sslund_2007 at verizon.net>; 
<lfalen at turbonet.com>; <kjajmix1 at msn.com>; <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] The Nation, 6/30/08

> By Kai's commentary, the stimulus checks distributed these past few months
> must have created one MAJOR spark in the economy.
>
> Surprise, Kai.  It has been shown by surveys and a multitude of analyses
> that the "have nots" have used their stimulus checks on such frivolous
> items as food, rent, and bills, while the "haves" . . . well . . . you
> know.
>
> Your thoughts?
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
>> Human nature is human nature.
>> Chances are, most of the "have nots" would blow their windfall
> purchasing
>> things they could have never afforded before.
>> Without thinking of the future, many people would blow right through it.
>> Once gone, they would wind up selling many of the things they purchased
>> because they didn't save any of it for neccesities.
>> Many of the "haves" would see opportunities and try to make the most of
>> their windfall, gaining wealth.
>> It has nothing to do with the "worst" or "best" in humans. It's just the
> way
>> it is.
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Saundra Lund" <sslund_2007 at verizon.net>
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:51 AM
>> To: "'Kai Eiselein, Editor'" <editor at lataheagle.com>; "'lfalen'"
>> <lfalen at turbonet.com>; "'keely emerinemix'" <kjajmix1 at msn.com>;
>> <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> Subject: RE: [Vision2020] The Nation, 6/30/08
>>
>> > Yes, of course I read it -- did you read the 6/30 The Nation issue
> Keely
>> > mentioned in starting this topic?
>> >
>> > I disagree with the hypothetical conclusion in your hypothetical
> scenario.
>> > I also don't agree with the inherent assumption of the worst of
> humans --
>> > you sound almost Hobbesian.  Sorry for not making that clear.  To
> expand .
>> > .
>> > .
>> >
>> > I think the odds are good that in a wealth redistribution that some of
> the
>> > "have nots" would cherish the change, manage the money well, and truly
>> > remember from whence they came.  In a wealth redistribution, I think
> the
>> > odds are good some of the previous "haves" would have no eye to the
> future
>> > and would soon be penniless . . . and need assistance.
>> >
>> > The difference in my hypothetical scenario & yours is that there are
> so
>> > many
>> > more "have nots" than "haves" that the eventual distribution of the
>> > redistribution would be better for the greater good and a net gain in
>> > quality of life for more.  I'm not willing to assume the worst in a
>> > hypothetical based on the self-serving historical behavior of some of
> the
>> > "haves" and their failure to consider a common good and their fellow
>> > countrymen.
>> >
>> > I like to think we'd have no need to redistribute wealth if we each
> helped
>> > our sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons to
>> > improve
>> > their lots in life to the best of our abilities rather than just what
> we
>> > think they deserve.  Nor would we likely need government safety nets
> for
>> > so
>> > many of our unfortunate were it not for the greed of the "haves."
>> >
>> > Altruistic Pollyanna is a name I'm far more comfortable wearing than
> Cynic
>> > Assuming Greed Trumps Good.
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Kai Eiselein, Editor [mailto:editor at lataheagle.com]
>> > Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:01 AM
>> > To: Saundra Lund; 'lfalen'; 'keely emerinemix'; vision2020 at moscow.com
>> > Subject: Re: [Vision2020] The Nation, 6/30/08
>> >
>> > Did you or did you not read my hypothetical scenario?
>> >
>> > --------------------------------------------------
>> > From: "Saundra Lund" <sslund_2007 at verizon.net>
>> > Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:56 AM
>> > To: "'Kai Eiselein, Editor'" <editor at lataheagle.com>; "'lfalen'"
>> > <lfalen at turbonet.com>; "'keely emerinemix'" <kjajmix1 at msn.com>;
>> > <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> > Subject: RE: [Vision2020] The Nation, 6/30/08
>> >
>> >> Kai wrote:
>> >> "I would venture to hypothesize this:  If wealth were distributed
> equally
>> >> to
>> >> every person, it would only be a matter of time before there would be
> the
>> >> "haves" and "have nots" once again."
>> >>
>> >> Good grief -- what do you mean "once again"?!?!  That's how things
> are
>> >> now
>> >
>> >> .
>> >> . . hello!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Saundra Lund
>> >> Moscow, ID
>> >>
>> >> The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people
> to do
>> >> nothing.
>> >> ~ Edmund Burke
>> >>
>> >> ***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2008 through
> life
>> >> plus
>> >> 70 years, Saundra Lund. Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce
>> >> outside
>> >> the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
>> >> author.*****
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> > Kai Eiselein
>> > Editor, Latah Eagle
>> >
>> >
>> Kai Eiselein
>> Editor, Latah Eagle
>>
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>
>
> "We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students. The college
> students are not very active in local elections (thank goodness!)."
>
> - Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)
>
>
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Kai Eiselein
Editor, Latah Eagle