tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948982521501107752.post7108395949316348742..comments2023-10-21T09:03:15.270-04:00Comments on Rogue Economist Rants: Unfettered opportunityRogue Economisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03439817966760459091noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948982521501107752.post-63628601717164362062010-02-20T22:08:17.291-05:002010-02-20T22:08:17.291-05:00Perpetuating the myth that the common man might on...Perpetuating the myth that the common man might one day join their ranks, while at the same time restricting the opportunities of others. This is a very ingenious device by the elites.Rogue Economisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439817966760459091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948982521501107752.post-90981165565502836112010-02-20T13:54:50.140-05:002010-02-20T13:54:50.140-05:00I think the answer is that everyone in the US is r...I think the answer is that everyone in the US is raised with the idea that they have a good chance to be millionaires. We're told we have this chance because we live in the USA, that "anything is possible", and people are justly rewarded for their effort instead of the government redistributing wealth to those who don't work as hard. It's not a true story, 99% of us will never be millionaires, but that dream is perpetuated by the wealthy.<br /><br />When a stranger is taxed heavily on his million dollars, no one particularly cares. But when we are taxed heavily on a million dollars we've worked hard for, it suddenly seems unfair and socialist-like. <br /><br />Therefore, the wealthy need to bridge that gap. And they do that by perpetuating they myth that the common man might one day join their ranks; but only by allowing them to own several mansions and a private jet can he one day hope to be as wealthy.Weshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05240328932709250513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948982521501107752.post-28718365114046343082010-02-20T09:32:06.589-05:002010-02-20T09:32:06.589-05:00That's a perceptive way to put it, Min. My gue...That's a perceptive way to put it, Min. My guess is that the best people can have is a pendulum swing slowly going one way or the other. Nobody knows where the proper bounds in one direction should be, they could only perceive that it's already going too much either in the direction of too restrictive government, or too much unfettered opportunity for those who have that advantage to restrict the opportunities of others.<br /><br />While you're still somewhere in between, there will be too many people entrenched in the status quo who will object to a change. You either need a Great Depression, or an LBJ Great Society program, to seriously unravel everything.Rogue Economisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439817966760459091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948982521501107752.post-12993806854733121682010-02-20T04:08:21.606-05:002010-02-20T04:08:21.606-05:00Self-reliance is a major American value, and unfet...Self-reliance is a major American value, and unfettered opportunity gives it scope to work to an individual's advantage. But Americans also believe in equal opportunity, expressed in the metaphor of the level playing field. To continue in the game metaphor, when play is over (at the end of the day), there are winners and losers. Americans see that as just, as long as everyone had equal opportunity.<br /><br />However, in real life there is no end of the day for society. Individuals die, but the game goes on. And even within the lifespan of individuals, those who are ahead of the game use that advantage to restrict the opportunities of others. The playing field is no longer level. However, the myth of the level playing field is maintained, and, despite some grumbling, the people as a whole accept the situation.<br /><br />From time to time in American history, however, such as during the Great Depression or the Long Depression of the 19th century, people come to perceive their own opportunity as unjustly fettered, not by government per se, but by the rich and powerful. They see that self-reliance alone is incapable of restoring equality of opportunity, and combine to take collective action. <br /><br />Community is another American value, which is also strengthened in times of adversity. More could be said, of course, but I wanted to keep to the theme of opportunity. :)Minnoreply@blogger.com