You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it...
By newtondak
@newtondak (3946)
United States
December 3, 2008 12:18pm CST
A very good quote - something to think about...
"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it." ~~~~~ The late Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 – 2005 ~~~~~
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
3 Dec 08
This is very true. I have seen a lot about trickle up effects as apposed to trickle down effects. While is sounds like a great deal in theory, the problem with trickle up is that you have to take from the top and give it to the bottom to have it trickle up. i.e. you give someone something for nothing. Trickle down works better because it doesn't have to take from or give to anyone, is simply allows people to keep more of what they earn which is better for everyone.
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@newtondak (3946)
• United States
3 Dec 08
There has always been much talk that "trickle-down" economics don't work, but isn't this what all these bail-outs are?
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@Troublegum (641)
• United States
3 Dec 08
Yes the bailouts are trickle down, but they are a strange incarnation of the basic pricipal. Most people who advocate trickledown economics are suggesting that we help allow businesses to survive and thrive without large amounts of government taxation or interfearance. It is a strange day when they are just handing over cash to them. But you are right, it is a great illustration of how it work, look at all the people that stay in jobs if the big three stay afloat. Unfortunately this is again the philosopy of taking from one person and giving it to another that eventually weakens the system despite some small one time gains.
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@newtondak (3946)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Most of the people working in the auto industry make far more that most of us to perform unskilled labor on assembly lines. Were they not in that industry, they would not be able to make half as much because they have to skills.
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@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
4 Dec 08
It is true because that is why communist countries had such poor work ethics. Why put in any effort if you are going to get paid whether you do a good job or not?
I owned a dance school for many years. I had some students whose parents fell on hard times and put them on scholarship. As soon as the parents had no vested interest, financially, the kids would miss classes, rules were suddenly broken, etc.
So, I learned to have a work/study program, instead. The student or parent had to do work in exchange. If they did not work, they did not receive classes and rules were strict. Once they broke them, they lost the work/study program and could never get back on it. Once they were held accountable, it changed.
It is no different. If they DO bail out the auto industry, they should be held highly accountable and ever damned penny will have to be paid back if they do not stick to the conditions. I do not believe in bailing them out. Why do a better job if they can get the money? I say they should bail themselves out. Survival of the fittest.
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@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
3 Dec 08
I agree! That really sums up why socialism can only work on paper. There is "good old human nature" to deal with. People are much more complicated than the socialists give us credit for. Many Christians like Adrian Rogers understood human nature and our tendencies better than that. Thanks for sharing!
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
3 Dec 08
We have some friends who live in a religious colony that practices a form of socialism. Everything belongs to the colony and is doled out to each family according to the number of family members. Each member has to fulfill a certain number of hours work to the colony, and the rules are very strict as to whether/what they can have in the way of money and possessions outside of the colony rules.
Many have left the colony for this reason - someone seems to be working harder than another but yet not getting as much - or someone seems to be getting more but working less.
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@newtondak (3946)
• United States
4 Dec 08
You're free to be lazy if you want - just don't depend on those who chose to work to support you.
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