Yesterday, on my way to lunch, I passed a homeless guy sitting on the sidewalk, holding a sign that read, "Vote for Obama, I need the money." I laughed.
The waiter in the restaurant was wearing an "Obama ‘08" campaign button. “Yet another Obama supporter,” I thought. “I guess I’m outnumbered!”
After I finished eating and the bill came, I decided not to tip the server. I explained to him that I was exploring Obama’s “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 waiter angrily stormed away.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $5, and told him to thank the waiter inside for his support of Obama’s principles. The homeless guy was pleased.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he hadn’t earned, but the waiter was most definitely angry that I gave away the money he felt he had earned - even though the end recipient was more in need of the cash.
Perhaps this “redistribution of wealth” thing is easier to swallow in concept than in practical application.
If you vote for Obama, are you sure you’ll always be on the receiving end of his scheme?