Financial Imbalance. As far back in history as I can dig, some folks have been stronger, brighter, more industrious, more frugal or lived a life of avarice. (Oops. Change that to greed and it has been labeled a deadly sin.) The result is that some seem to gather more worldly possessions and/or a large hoard of the best current medium of exchange. If you’re really up-to-date you may have an online stash of Bitcoins. Sadly, you just don’t know exactly what or where they are.
Conversely, being born in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong color, with physical impairment, lacking mental adequacy or having the wrong genes might destine many to a life of poverty, disability or both. As perhaps the best-known religious philosopher reportedly said, “The poor will always be with you.” That settles it for some. But he also advised that they should hold out their hands with mercy toward the needy. What to do?
First we must agree on a label for the condition. Once we called them the rich and the poor. It’s no longer so embarrassingly personal. It is now a condition called “economic inequality”. Some say the solution is the same, “redistribution of wealth”. What does that mean? Divide all the stuff and let everyone “have a fair shot at opportunity” as they say? Some argue that things would return to the same state of rich and poor before long.
There’s no question in my mind about the need for sharing with those who lack the ability to provide for themselves. The question is who is to do the sharing. You, me or the government?
The government’s “War on Poverty” has clearly failed and is destined to continue in its appalling inefficiency. If you won’t help and I won’t help, why do we think folks we hire (politicians) to take our money will do a good job of placing in the right hands?
There is some good news in that voluntary contributions to charities and foundations designed to put money to efficient good use are increasing at a surprising rate. The original title planned for today’s thought was Philanthropy. Look likes we’ll have to save that for another day.
In the mean time we know that the problem exists. But what, if anything, can be done about this Financial Imbalance. Think About It.