Human nature is such that we all want clean food and water. We all want to be warm when it’s cold, cool when it’s hot, dry when it’s wet and so on. We all want to be comfortable in our situtation, although some people make us, or themselves uncomfortable. We all want a roof over our heads (excepting someone on a camping trip maybe). We all want good health, and we want the ability to get to our desired destination.

So, the material needs are pretty obvious, but the way to satisfy them are what politics are all about and how they come into play. Early on in America, they tried the Marxist philosophy from each according to his ability to each according to his need. It failed miserably, and people were then made to produce for themselves.

If you want clean food and water, will it come from a government source, or will it come from a private source? The same question applies to all aspects of comfort. It’s been demonstrated in America, and other places around the world, that when there’s no “skin in the game” so to speak, then the products and services received are not fully appreciated and often times get abused, misused and neglected.

Imagine if every day, someone gave you 10 juicy 12 oz. filet mignons to eat, or if you are a vegan or vegetarian, 10 lush deep green 1 lb. bunches of broccoli. Imagine that you don’t have to do anything for them – they are just given to you. Would you savor every bite? Could you even eat it all? What if this went on day in and day out for months? Would you get used to it? Would you even count on it and expect it each day? Would you get angry, frustrated or disappointed if one day you didn’t get them? Would you take them for granted? Would you save some for a rainy day? Would you give them away to those less fortunate? Would you let them go to waste? What would you do?

Now, instead of food, let’s suppose for a moment that something more fungible would be given to you every day. How about money? Every day, someone gives you $100 to live on. Or maybe they give you $3,000.00 per month. Will you be motivated to work hard and make an additional $3,000.00 per month so you can save up and get ahead? Or will you sluff off work and live on the $3,000.00? If the source of the money (in all cases it would have to be other people’s money) were from a private individual, then that would be at the discretion of the private individual. But, if it were from the government, then it would be taken from many small private individuals through taxation. That might be painful for some people on the margins who see you living so well while they are struggling to make ends meet! It might even lead them to seek government hand outs as well.

It reminds this writer of editorial cartoonist Lurie’s excellent cartoon of a man struggling and sweating mightily to pull a cart up hill. On the cart was a load of straw, and sitting on the straw, riding for free, were three passengers. One laid back on his elbow and mused to himself; “I wonder what would happen if everyone wanted a ride?” So what do you really want? Really?

Pensiamento Peligroso