Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Redistribution of Wealth...

I thought this was great...

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
Once in the restaurant I noticed that my server had on a "Obama 08" tie. I chuckled to myself, thinking "Interesting that the last two people I've seen were advertising for Obama."
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 $5 and told him to thank the server inside, saying "I've decided you 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 needed the money more. I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.


2 comments:

Hyperactive Lu said...

You did great!!! Point well made!!!

Maria said...

Ironically, that is exactly what happens in Alaska.

"We share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs," Palin was quoted as saying in a recent New Yorker article.