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The Spectacle Blog

Redistribution of Wealth Experiment

By Christopher Orlet on 10.27.08 @ 5:18PM

Robert Bluey on the practical implications of Obamanomics:

In a local restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08″ tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference-just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need-the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

Captain America| 10.27.08 @ 5:49PM

(Snort laughter on this one)

But in actuality, the spreader of our largess will not be the customer but the government. The customer will not be permitted to allocate his tip to the more needy, the government will take his tip and determine what is "fairness" of allocation.
And, have a good day.

Captain America| 10.27.08 @ 5:49PM

(Snort laughter on this one)

Moses1961| 10.27.08 @ 9:35PM

A valuable lesson for all of those wide-eyed college students who earn their spending money waiting tables. Is this the Hope and Change they were looking for?

Robin Hood| 10.27.08 @ 10:34PM

I have heard Obama sympathizers and critics alike refer to his plan as 'Robin Hood economics'- take from the rich to feed the poor. Actually what I used to do was take money that was confiscated from working folks by the governing officials to return it to them. Confiscatory taxation was used in my day to fund the fat cats in government so they could use it for expanding their power. There's nothing new under the sun, Solomon said many centuries ago.

Coolit| 10.27.08 @ 11:49PM

The Obama plan played out will put us into a depression. "Tax the rich!" will mean that all the cost will be passed to the people who do not pay taxes in more expensive goods, services, and food. Also "the rich" will close down their busnesses and move them overseas. Why risk capital if you can't be rewarded for the investment. Also "the rich" invest their earnings in worthwhile business ventures.

reality| 10.28.08 @ 10:31AM

Here's another experiment - McCain should ask Obama for a percentage of his campaign funds to assist with the last days of the campaign. I know Obama raised more money but see if he'll "redistribute" his wealth.

pigment Red| 4.4.10 @ 5:54AM

pigment Red
czmaxpct@gmail.com
Although Obama has run his campaign Organic Pigmentsalmost completely as a to the administration of one George Ink Pigments the parallels between their campaigns are apparent.