...

>> > Unfortunately, those who would whine that you ought to have
>> > given the money to the poor typically subscribe to the nonsensical
>> > zero sum theory
>>
>>  Actually, in the short run it is not only not nonsensical, but
>>  seems to describe economic activity as well as any other theory.

 Rc> Sorry -- short run, long run, or any run, the idea that wealth
 Rc> is a constant is wrong.  New wealth is created, and old wealth
 Rc> is destroyed, in every passing moment;

 Yes, it is. However, the average wealth, per capita, does grow rather
 slowly. Slow enough that zero sum can be considered valid in the
 short run, esp in times of economic stagnation.

 RC> the probability that the
 Rc> amount of wealth existing now is equal to that existing at any
 Rc> prior time is vanishingly small.  (Not even Karl Marx would have
 Rc> endorsed the idea that wealth is a constant!)

 At the present it's quite possible the wealth existing in this
 country is *LESS* than it was not too long ago.

>> > It's also worth noting that I have *never* seen someone who
>> > wants anyone with wealth to give it to the poor who is himself
>> > showing the signs of voluntary privation.  Quite the contrary -
>> > they're mighty well-fed people.
>>
>>  Like Jesus?

 Rc> Robert has never claimed to have seen Jesus Christ.

 Which does not change the fact that Jesus wanted someone with wealth
 to give it to the poor.

 Rc> Moreover, though Christ did recommend that one particular rich
 Rc> man give away all his wealth to the poor, _that_ man had asked
 Rc> Christ what he should do to be perfect.  And Christ's strongest
 Rc> recorded condemnations were of persons who put burdens on
 Rc> others' shoulders, claiming God's authority.  What He thought of
 Rc> the Pharisees, He thinks of such people Robert spoke of.

 You mean saying, "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
 needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven," is not a
 strong condmenation?

bob klahn    bob.klahn{at}sev.org  http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

... Drawing on my fine command  of language, I said nothing.
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