Wealth Distribution ( was Re: Interesting law)

[From Bjorn Simonsen (2005.10.20, 11:30 EuST)]

[From Bill Powers (2005.10.19.0614 MDT)]

Bjorn Simonsen (2005.10.19.09:15 EuST) –

I think it is
correct as Marc say that both the rich part and the poor part of the population

change. Mostly they don’t
represent the same part over time.

This is true, but it is only part of the truth………………

If you follow the lifetime tracks of those who are born to

rich families and those who are born to poor ones, they do

not end up equal; I suspect that on the average they end up

more as they began, with one still far more affluent that

the other, and maybe even more so considering that the rich

continue to get richer relative to the poor.

I agree, but this is another case.
I still think that “the poor” is a – I shall not say fiction, a concept
including a great group of people today. But the group includes also other
people in a year or two.

The two last governments in Norway have on their Program a goal to
erase the group of poor people.

And G8 will erase the group of poor people in the World.

I think it is better to analyze “the poor” group and bring into action
efforts that help the different groups in “the poor group”.

One proposal from a group in the present government was to give all
poor people a social security like 300. 000 Norwegian Krones ($45.800) a year.
300.000 Norwegian Krones is a middle industrial worker’s salary a year. I think
this is wrong way to go.

I think it is better to give children and youths from poor parents
scholarships so they can educate themselves away from the poor group.

But affluence itself is not the point. The point is the ability

one has to control what happens to himself or herself. You

can eat only so much, drive only one car at a time, buy only

as much education as you can assimilate. The true disparity

shows up in who gives the orders and who has to follow them.

That is the whole point of being wealthy – it is the power that

wealth provides that people want. What a heady rush it is to say,

“You’re fired!” It’s the same sort of rush some people get out

of torturing or raping other people: I can do anything I want to
you, deprive you, hurt you, step on you, even kill you, and there
is nothing you can do about it. You have to be nice to me and
do what I say; I do not have to be nice to you or do what you
say. I can take away what you have; you can’t take away what
I have. I live in luxury, which would not be nearly so sweet if
you did not live in squalor. I speak in educated tones about
higher matters, by way of contrast with your crude speech
and interests. I know I am rich because
you are poor. How

else would Donald Trump know who he is?

I understand what you say. But I think this otherwise.

One of the most central themes PCT has learned me, what you have
learned me is:

[From Bill Powers (2004.06.28.0133 MDT

To say that everything you experience

consists of neural signals in a brain is, of
course, a theory. But it’s a

good theory; it explains everything I know about
so far.

This tells me to be very careful when I handle my
perception/experience of other people.
The best thing I can do is to handle them as I want to be handled myself. My
private concept for that is to respect other people. In this context I read
your passage above.

In my world I never try to deprive other people, hurt other people, step on other people, even kill
other people. My experience is that this happens in my environment. This are
signals in my brain, but I think upon them as the nearest I can come the
reality out there. Therefore I think the Government should arrange
circumstances in a way where people don’t find it right to say “You are fired”.
And I think the Government should arrange circumstances in a way where people
don’t find it right to say “I can do anything I want to you, deprive you, hurt
you, step on you, even kill you, and there is nothing you can do about it. You
have to be nice to me and do what I say; I do not have to be nice to you or do
what you say. I can take away what you have; you can’t take away what I have. I
live in luxury, which would not be nearly so sweet if you did not live in
squalor. I speak in educated tones about higher matters, by way of contrast
with your crude speech and interests. I know I am rich because you are poor.”

In Norway we have a healthy and safety at work act
where you can’t send anybody their resignation if there is not an objective
reason for resignation. And if there is an objective reason for resignation the
case is different. (PCT is handsome with its theory about conflict solutions
and in this manner I think PCT has very much to give the working life).

In most countries The Governments have formulated laws
so people shall not deprive, hurt, step on, kill, etc. other people.

Of course people still say “You’re fired” and still
use their power to provide what they want.

I think that’s because people are not thought PCT in
their life. I know I am too naïve at this
point
.

I’m sure that even if this kind of sickness were magically cured,

there would still be rich people and poor people. I would be

relatively poor because my interests were not economic, and

what thrilled me was not seeing how many possessions I could

accumulate. Others, to whom money is a way keeping score,

would still try to get very rich for the fun of it, say at the World

Series of Poker. But the sane rich man wouldn’t see himself as

any better than the poor man, and wouldn’t try to buy power over

anyone else. I don’t think that many people would find getting

rich very interesting any more. It’s a pretty dull pursuit when you

remove the dimension of power over others. Wow, tell me more

about how you turned $100 into $103. Being very rich is just

another of the many ways we find of not growing up. Imagine

having as your highest goal not having to accomplish anything

worthwhile in life – that is, not having to “work.”

Yes, I agree that wealth is a central theme. I still think that the “poor people” concept
is not relevant. We should analyse the group of poor people and hope that the
Government will bring into action efforts that helps the different groups in
“the poor group”.

PCT has a great future. I hope both you and I will
experience that.

Have a nice and long week-end all of you. I go to my “castle”
in the mountain today.

Bjorn

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