Gap between rich and poor

A distinguishing characteristic between right and left wing thought is the importance given to the income or wealth gap (or however rich and poor is defined) between the rich and poor. The left places more importance on this statistic than do those on the right.

I am on the right and therefore feel the statistic is given too much importance. A thought experiment illustrates why. Say all the rich earn $100,000 per year and all the poor earn $25,000 per year. The gap between the rich and poor is $75,000 per year. Say I have magical power and can halve or double everyone's income. If I halve everyone's income, the gap between the rich and poor falls to ($50,000 - $12,500) = $37,500. If I double everyone's income, the gap between the rich and poor increases to $150,000.

Which group is happy if I halve their income? The rich sure aren't and neither are the poor. The poor may acquire a degree of psychological happiness due to greater income equality but not enough to offset their drop in income. Greater income equality in this extreme thought experiment results in greater unhappiness for both groups. Income equality can be undesirable.

Those on the left say take from the rich and give to the poor to reduce income equality. Income for the rich declines and income for the poor increases by the amount of redistribution. This is what our society does and is valid to a certain extent. A social safety net is desirable. However, redistribution has limits, especially at the margin. Taking from those who produce results in less incentive for them to produce. They therefore produce less. This helps no one.

There are limits to redistribution. Going beyond the limit harms everyone. Placing too great an importance on the gap statistic leads to a redistribution beyond point of harm.

Right on

The Most Powerful Special Interest Group

Politicians, especially those on the left, are feeling the power of the most powerful special interest group.
The most powerful special interest group consists of citizens who do not belong to a special interest group. Piss them off and you are gone.

Right on!

The U.S. and disabled children from a Canadian's perspective

I spent last week in the U.S. and was struck by something. This is purely anecdotal but it seemed to me that there are many more disabled children in the U.S. compared to Canada. How could this be, I asked myself, for such a wealthy society. Then it dawned on me.

We abort ours.

God bless America!