Sharing the Wealth in a Planned Economy
I got some new material from Air America today. Folks were calling in to the host stating how taxes were “good” (or at least not bad) as they paid for civilization or other such nonsense. They were waxing eloquently on the benefits of taxation and all the “good things” it has done. They were talking about “sharing the wealth”—perhaps “praying” is a better word.
One guy called in and talked about the Scandinavian countries where you paid 48% tax but didn’t have to pay for garbage pick-up or many of life’s other irritations. He also stated that the minimum wage was 18 dollars an hour—and the Guilder exchange rate was essentially one to one against the dollar. When you got paid, most of your (remaining) income was disposable. (I suspect the caller did not know that our poor live better than most of the middle class in those countries. Most do not have cars or own their own homes. They do not eat as well as us and depending upon how you define it, their medical care is not as good. Their economies are basket cases, and they are “rethinking” their governmental philosophy. I suspect that the caller also did not know that the Guilder is extinct—it was replaced by the Euro. Also, according to Frommers, a quick midday meal can cost $7.50—$15.00 (US). At ten bucks for a sandwich, I suspect one isn’t going to live very high on $18/hr. One can stay in a 6th floor walk-up garret for $340/wk. The 3-star hotels are around EUR 115 ($93) for a double room.
I guess it’s a wonderful thing to be able to have all your needs provided for you and not have to EARN them. I suspect it’s a case of “Let the SUCKERS work.” Or, as one pony-tailed male said at a Kerry “Town Hall” Meeting: “Senator Kerry, we are your CHILDREN. We want you to take care of us.” I guess it is convenient to have your necessities provided to you (like a child) and to receive them whether or not you work and earn them. The host seemed to also think this was a “good idea.”
As one Air America host said, “I think people have a RIGHT to a free house, food, clothing, and medical care.” I believe it would be “nice” if this host took a course in Philosophy. Perhaps she would realize that her wish is the desire of a loser—someone who believes they cannot provide for themselves, so begs others to provide it for them. It is the plea of a beggar or a parasite if applied to herself; and an arrogant, egotistical, self-important fool if applied to others. It states, “I am so much better that others, I can take care of myself AND it is necessary for me to take care of the others who CANNOT take care of themselves.” (White man’s burden??) The very definition of “slavery” implies that a person is a slave if he works for others with no right to compensation. Hence, if I am compelled to work to supply a home (or food or medical care) for someone who does not pay me in some fashion, then I am his slave. Yet if you asked this host if she believed in “slavery,” she would be offended and insulted. I suspect it is called “doublethink” or ignorance. Perhaps in lieu of a course in Philosophy, this host should take a trip through a neighborhood where homes were “given” to people and not earned. If she does so, I suggest she use an armored car—or a tank.
I wonder how the caller and host would react if I were to show up at their door one day and forcibly take their food budget for the year from them. Then I would provide them with a year’s supply of (dried) food. The food would consist of an “appropriate” mixture of broccoli, cabbage, squash, sauerkraut, brussels sprouts, pumpkin, beans, corn, rice, ten pounds of beef, ten pounds of pork, thirty pounds of chicken, eighty pounds of fish, etc. For liquid, I would provide water. If they complained, I would lecture them on the value of “healthy eating” and how because of the waste in their past practices, many other people were starving; how it was their DUTY to help feed the poor. If they complained about the amount of food, I would counsel them on how it was healthy to be thin. I would apologize that no health foods or organic foods are available and explain that they are just too labor intensive. I would also tell them that there was barely enough meat, wine, coffee, tea, and organic food for the program administrators.
If they continued to complain, I would inform them as to how they were much better off than other planned economies. For instance, in Cuba, their “free” State supplied food would be per family member: Beans 4 oz per week, Rice 5 lbs. per week, Fish 2 lbs. per week, Meat none n/a, Sugar 4 lbs. per month, Milk none n/a. Food is scarce and very limited to all Cubans and provided by the government in the form of rations to the people. Each citizen has to go to a town ration distribution place, no matter of their profession, status, etc. within society. This process of distribution means long waiting lines for all Cubans. Such is MUCH BETTER than the planned economy/free food of North Korea, where according to a UN study, “crop failures” have caused such a drastic cut in daily rations in 2003 that North Korean households have to rely on alternative ways of getting food including rearing livestock, growing kitchen gardens and collecting wild foods like edible grasses, acorns, tree bark and sea algae.
Once they accepted the idea that I was only looking out for their best interests, I would take their clothing budget and supply them with clothing for the year. Since I would be doing this for everyone, I would achieve great economies of scale and could produce identical clothes for everyone. By utilizing tunics, robes, and smocks, I could produce very few sizes and supply everyone with clothes quite reasonably. Sandals would replace shoes, and I could mass-produce many items at little cost. As such, I could supply everyone with clothes. I would even have enough resources left over to produce special clothing for the program administrators.
I would come back a month later and inform the caller (and host) that it would be necessary for them to diminish their usage of electricity. In order for the government to pay for the electricity, it would be necessary for them to conserve so that EVERYONE could have 300 kilowatt hours of electricity a month. Consequently, I would be putting a monitor on their meter so that they could not use more than the designated amount. The supply would be shut off after 300 kilowatt-hours until the end of the month when it would be reset. I would tell them how healthful cold food was; how cooking food destroys the vitamins and minerals. I would inform them how the program administrators were sacrificing and giving up THEIR meters because there were not enough meters for everyone.
In September, I would return to put a limiter on their heater so that the temperature never got higher than 65 degrees. As everyone is (or should be) aware, there IS a shortage of natural gas. Burning wood in a fireplace would not be permitted in order to save the trees and assist with the air pollution problem. I would tell them how healthful cold showers were. As with the electricity monitors—not enough limiters for the program administrators, much to their sorrow.
If I find out that they are considering purchasing a vehicle, I would return and take the money they had saved and supply them with a Yugo. If they complained, I would have to educate them on the value of saving gasoline, and how it was necessary for them to economize so that OTHERS could also have a vehicle. If they continued to complain, I would retract the offer of a Yugo and replace it with a motor scooter. Such would serve as an example to other greedy citizens. In order that they not get the wrong impression, I would explain to them as I leave that program administrators do so much driving as part of their job that they must be comfortable in order to always be at peak efficiency—and that’s why I have a SUV.
Once the principals of “sharing” and “common good” had been firmly established, I would again visit my new found friends. I would inform them that too much gasoline was being wasted in commuting to work. It would be necessary for them to move closer to their jobs. (If they have one—if not, I would just have to find them one and demand they work there—else no food.) Also, since there were only two people living together, they would be supplied with a rather nice two-bedroom apartment close to their workplace. Their three-bedroom, two-bath home would be given to a nice needy family with three kids. They would be instructed to leave their SUV (the one they owned and had kept previous to obtaining the scooter) since the new family would need it, but they could take their motor scooter with them. Also, considering the neighborhood to which they would be moving, the government would supply them with a taser and pepper spray. They need not worry once they were inside—the metal door has triple locks. I would assure them that when my sister moved into their home, she would take very good care of it.
After my new friends became ensconced in their new home, I would visit them with instructions on how to access their new doctor(s). I would notify them that they would not be going to their old doctor, since he was so far away and it is necessary to conserve gasoline. I would inform them that they were assigned to the clinic a block away where some nice young newly graduated doctors were practicing. (Before the doctor shortage, these doctors would have been classified as “interns.”) The older, more experienced doctors (those that had not left the country) were working in other neighborhoods where they were needed more—for example, in MY neighborhood. I would tell them of the benefits of EVERYONE having access to medical care—not just the chosen few. I would lecture them on the sin of “greed” and wanting the best for themselves while others went wanting; and the joy of “sharing” with others. I would tell them that they are fortunate in that their clinic only has a two-month waiting period. It was achieved by not treating emergencies. All emergencies should be scheduled two months in advance.
I would further inform them of one of the great benefits of their new home—free garbage service. I would educate them on how to use the new system. Since we compost, food waste must be separated out and put in a separate can. Since we recycle, aluminum cans must also be separated out. Metal cans must also be separated—as must newspaper. Bottles must be washed clean and placed in a separate container, as must plastic containers. All other garbage must be placed together in a separate container. As such, you must put out seven cans each week. Each can is a different color to reflect its contents. Garbage pick up is between 6.00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Cans must be placed at the street corner 100 feet north (not in front of the home) each Saturday after 5 a.m. and must be removed before 7.00 a.m. Each can costs $50, and no other type of can may be used. Failure to comply with either separating the refuse or timeliness of placing the cans or neglecting to put the cans out or using the wrong color can for contents or using an improper can is a $50.00 fine for each occurrence. We recommend having several backup cans since if one gets lost, stolen, or damaged, it will take three weeks to replace it. During that time, you will incur a fine for each week you fail to comply with the requirements. It is necessary to set these rules as it is quite expensive to provide free garbage service, and costs must be curtailed where possible.
If you ACT like a child that must be “taken care of,” you will be TREATED like a child that must be “taken care of.”
Regards,
Tony Demaio
September 24, 2009
ShareThis
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Christine Brandt. Christine Brandt said: Sharing the Wealth in a Planned Economy http://tinyurl.com/ybud8yw [...]
[...] View original post here:Â Sharing the Wealth in a Planned Economy [...]
Tony! Grand article. I have company and can’t do it justice right now. You been reading Chairman Mao again?! Linda
Tony,
Fantastic piece. I’m sure you realize that the average American would consider your article to have been either science fiction or fantasy. But times change. Your piece now how the ring of prophecy.
Keep writing, Tony. Your viewpoint is needed.
Richard
Tony…now that I have read it all, I retract “grand.” Let’s go with brilliant, acerbically witty, and a fine example of “res ipsa loquitur,” “the thing speaks for itself.” (Sorry! Didn’t mean to show off my “self-proclaimed” intelligence, it just slipped out. Chuckle…shortly I will write an article on the difference between education and erudition!) A sparkling description of life in the peoples’ republics.
If anyone wonders, this is not nepotism. You don’t get into the Ring because you have appeared on Morning Whiskey or “the send.” You don’t get published on either site because you’re in the Texas Ring. You become part of the ring by leaving a comment or writing something Gary passes on to me. I answer ALL of those, as do other Ring members. The letters I get are interesting and well-thought out, so I write again, and the next thing you know we’ve developed a lively dialogue. I don’t get any dull letters, but if I did I would answer those, too. I don’t think it sheer happenstance that every member writes very well, indeed. Don’t be shy, now! Respond to what we write and join in the fun. Only originality and great truths stated well matter. We don’t grade on the curve or count off for spelling. Shooters make exceptional friends and there is always room for such. Tony…just grraaaaaate! Hugs, Linda
[...] Read more from the original source:Â Sharing the Wealth in a Planned Economy [...]
Sad thing is, we are aiming to make this article look far too optimistic as dufus americanus clamors for it.
Folks,
That whiskey bar is doing weird things to your fears.
I am very happy I do not drink alcohol.
Come to Canada and see how SPACE AGE SOCIO-CAPITALISM REALLY WORKS.
Douglas C Trant
This article is nonsense. A lot of your ‘facts’ are just plain wrong, and the rhetoric you add is ignorant and (deliberately?) inflammatory.
You appear to believe that Scandinavian ‘socialism’ is similar to systems of govt in Cuba or North Korea.
You assert most Scandinavians do not own cars or their own homes. (Pity Volvo and Saab didn’t figure that out years ago.) What are the comparative rates? You don’t say. Could the differences (if they exist) be affected by population density, cultural mores and the presence/absence of excellent public transportation and public housing? Doesn’t seem to interest you.
You seem confused about currencies. The guilder is indeed extinct — but it was the previous currency of the Netherlands (which is not part of Scandinavia). Only one Scand. country has the euro as its currency, Finland. Each of the others has its own currency, all called the krona.
The only statistics you have bothered to look up come from Frommer’s of all places, that bible of the clueless middle American abroad. Here’s a handy hint for the future: residents in most places often find better ways of feeding and housing themselves than frequenting overpriced tourist establishments.
Frankly I doubt many (any?) Scandinavians, with their excellent public medical care, mass transit, high levels of decent education, unparalleled human rights records and general high living standards, would consider themselves disadvantaged compared to the American poor, as you laughably suggest. And I don’t think many would swap their current standard of living for a minimum wage job in the U.S., even if it did come with the privilege of owning a beater, a condo with an underwater mortgage and qualifying for food stamps.
Douglas, frequent commentor and genial nut, YOU come to Texas and find out what Jeffersonian Agrarian republicanism (small “R”) is all about. Rugged individualists…quaint native patois…odd foodstuffs (like fried pickle slices)…lifestyles so different and so enjoyable you couldn’t force us into any other…and an overwhelming feeling outside of the cities that we don’t need a darned thing that socio-capitalism is peddling and we don’t want to pay for it, either. That’s a real invitation, by the way. Hug, Linda
[...] the original: Sharing the Wealth in a Planned Economy google_ad_client = "pub-3658190228035086"; google_ad_slot = "1112917537"; google_ad_width = [...]
Doug,
SPACE AGE SOCIO-CAPITALISM? Why not?
In this country, I’m learning how Kakistrocracy works–or doesn’t work.
rebel without job,
tony
Tony, well written, as usual. Sad thing is that if your comments were read by Air America (I think you left out “Head” in the middle?) type people, they would think you were brilliant…well, that’s not to say you aren’t brilliant, you are sorta brilliant…ok, let’s not go there, let’s all just enjoy the article and life and pray a lot…:-)
Best Wishes Tony and keep the powder dry,
Mark
Why was my long thoughtful response to this article redacted? Is dissent not allowed on this site?
If you are going to sneer at a radio caller who did not know that the guilder has been replaced by the euro, perhaps it would be best if you first found out that:
1. The guilder was used in the Netherlands, not Scandinavia
2. Only one Scandinavian country, Finland, uses the euro. The others have separate currencies, each called the krona.
If you are honestly equating the economies, standard of living and system of government in Scandinavian countries to Cuba or North Korea, you are — how to put this tactfully — profoundly misguided.
In the 2008 UN Human Development Index, all the Scandinavian countries outrated the U.S., which came in at no. 15. Against that you cite Frommers on expensive sandwiches and hotels?!
On car and home ownership rates, might it be relevant, when comparing countries, to consider their relative population densities, cultural mores and presence/absence of good public transport and housing? Not according to you. Would many middle class Scandinavians really swap their lives and infrastructure for a minimum-wage job in Las Vegas, a clapped out beater and an underwater condo, as you laughably suggest?
2008 UN Human Development Index: http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/
The U.S. rates no.15. All Scandinavian countries rate higher.
So Sweden/Denmark/Norway = Cuba/North Korea? 4th grade social studies FAIL.
You cite Frommers to compare standards of living? Um, newsflash, most locals do not make the same arrangements for food and housing as clueless American tourists Wilbur and Blanche Stumblebum.
Dear Major Tom:
Your response was not edited; the spam filter pulls out the long ones, to my frequent dismay, and waits for Gary Gibson to go release the e-mails from captivity, at which point they generally get posted. Tony is a big boy and can answer his own mail but I’m always up to thoughtful discussions and not above swiping my friend’s correspondents, so if you would like to discuss something other than Tony’s delightful reductio ad absurdum article you may write me at ranchLT4@gmail.com. We adore dissent allied with common sense and high principles around here, so inveigh away. I’m sure we’ll both enjoy it. Linda Brady Traynham
Tom,
In terms of the Guilder, apparently you are correct. I made the mistake of taking the caller’s word for it. On Air America, that’s a mistake. I simply checked out “guilder” and determined that it had been replaced.
If you wish to argue with “Frommers”, permission granted. I did not use them as “standard of living”, but as an indication of “cost of living”–and an indication only.
I don’t trust the UN to rate anything. They are a political organization with an axe to grind. By picking the appropriate metrics, you too can be #1. When they make the comment that we have 15 times the carbon footprint of China, you KNOW where they are coming from–particularly when:
“China has surpassed the United States in carbon emissions to become the world’s largest producer of carbon dioxide, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (NEAA) reported Tuesday” http://outside.away.com/outsid.....21_01.html
On the other hand, they may have a point with the statement:
“The goal is human freedom. And in pursuing capabilities and realizing rights, this freedom is vital. People must be free to exercise their choices and to participate in decision-making that affects their lives.”
We’ve certainly lost a lot of freedoms recently.
always,
tony
Tom,
In terms of the Guilder, apparently you are correct. I made the mistake of taking the caller’s word for it. On Air America, that’s a mistake. I simply checked out “guilder” and determined that it had been replaced.
“In 2002 the guilder was replaced by the euro. Coins remained exchangeable for euros at branches of the Netherlands Central Bank until 1 January 2007. Banknotes valid at the time of conversion to the euro may still be exchanged there until 1 January 2032.” (from Wikipedia)
If you wish to argue with “Frommers”, permission granted. I did not use them as “standard of living”, but as an indication of “cost of living”–and an indication only. Many locals here in the U.S. don’t pay much rent either, but who wants to live under an overpass.
I don’t trust the UN to rate anything. They are a political organization with an axe to grind. By picking the appropriate metrics, you too can be #1. When they make the comment that we have 15 times the carbon footprint of China, you KNOW where they are coming from–particularly when:
“China has surpassed the United States in carbon emissions to become the world’s largest producer of carbon dioxide, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (NEAA) reported Tuesday” http://outside.away.com/outsid.....21_01.html
On the other hand, they may have a point with the statement:
“The goal is human freedom. And in pursuing capabilities and realizing rights, this freedom is vital. People must be free to exercise their choices and to participate in decision-making that affects their lives.”
We’ve certainly lost a lot of freedoms recently.
always,
tony
Happiness…Major Tom got his diatribe up, there by vindicating W&G and authenticating my veracity, and he got at least a hunk of the reply he deserved. Bravo, Tony
Dear Brendgard: Statistics indicate that by the next election those who don’t pay income taxes will outnumber those of us who do by three to one. Any guess which way the three will vote? LBT
Major Tom,
You may be interested in this:
http://www.brownsvilleherald.c.....taxes.html
August 23, 2009 11:51 AM
My wife and I just returned from a trip to Scandinavia. It is a land of beautiful scenery, castles, palaces and forts, medieval towns, fjords and waterfalls, extensive forests and densely cultivated areas, magnificent architecture and narrow roads.
…when a resident in Denmark has bought the everyday necessities, his tax has increased to some unknown level of more than 76 percent.
Home ownership is hereditary as nobody can afford to buy a new home. Good apartments are very scarce also, taking up to 20 years to find a good one. When a child is born, the parents sign him up for an apartment with the hope that he’ll get one when he becomes an adult.
A retired person who makes $1,000 a month usually stays home at all times, as he can’t afford to go to a restaurant or any other entertainment
Car ownership in Denmark and Sweden is very difficult, to say the least. A small car costs about $30,000 and is first taxed with the VAT of 25 percent. Then the car sales tax is 180 percent on top of that. So the car costs $91,500. Besides, there is another yearly fee, according to its weight, plus insurance. Gasoline is more than $9 a gallon,
They are somehow unhappy about their universal health care system. If a woman develops breast cancer, it will take her from 3 to 6 months to see a specialist; 3 to 6 months more to be operated and 3 to 6 months more to start chemotherapy treatments. The waiting time for a hip replacement depends on your age. The older the person, the more he has to wait and some never make it to the operating room.
In Denmark a soda costs $4 and a beer $6. In Norway the prices is $8 for a soda and $12 for a beer.
MY GAWD, it must be PARADISE,
As I sed, our POOR live better than those folks. I don’t really care what factors you attribute the situation to, I don’t want to live there–do YOU?
Love the article! Totally hits the nail on the head. We are constantly mired between Keynesian and Milton economic extremes spinning us so violently that we throw up and just want to get off the darn ride!
Billy Bob,
Many thx. Personally, i found the research I dug up on the Scandinavia countries to be more interesting than my original article.
Given what I found, I find it difficult that anyone would prefer that life style to that which we have in the U.S. Different strokes for different folks–I guess.
Also, in terms of describing their health care system as ‘excellent”, I guess I just don’t understand the criteria that is used.
Apparently Frommer’s estimates of costs were understated.
always,
tony
Tony, you had me at “Planned Economy”.
I enjoyed the article. Think I will print it up and leave it laying around for my socialist brother-in-law to read at Thanksgiving. The guy really believes we need to cap salaries and force “charitable” contributions (I call ‘em taxes) to make things “fair”.
The anal-retentives of the world need to loosen up….
~C
Cherie,
You might look over at
http://thetexasring.com/catego.....ny-demaio/
for similar articles. It’s too late for Thanksgiving, but Christmas is coming.
always,
tony