trc (03/14/83)
The response to my note "BILLIONS and BILLIONS" makes one basic assumption in the four "fair" methods - that money is something to be distributed. I believe this is a false assumption, brought about at least partially because governments have claimed the sole right to print pretty pictures and call it money. If our money were gold, there would be no question of "distribution" for most people. 'Who has a right to "distribute" MY gold!' would be the (proper) attitude. And the answer would be "Only I have the right to SPEND my gold". Children don't "earn" their parents' wealth - parents give their wealth to their children out of love (or withhold it out of love, depending on what they see as right.) And I, for one do not hold my only worth to be measured by the dollars I have. I only measure my material wealth (ha!) that way. The equality the Declaration of Independence refers to is the equality of rights. These rights are not political, in the sense that they cannot be legislated away, though they can be violated by legislation. People dont do anything with their money when they are dead. They arrange to have their property taken care or disposed of after their death, while they are still alive. And I simply disagree with your "moral principle" that people should only get money in proportion to their contributions to society. That implies that society is the end, rather than a means, of living. Tom Craver houti!trc