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Wealth redistribution, Barack Obama and Joe the plumber

When Barack Obama mentioned in passing the words "spread the wealth" in a casual conversation with Joe the Plumber, the Republicans immediately jumped on this as proof that Obama will be creating a socialist country. The reality is that we are already spreading the wealth. The only issue at hand is exactly how it should be spread.

Every time there is a change in the tax code the way wealth is spread is changed. Every time there is a new charge for services provided, or the discontinuation of one, the way wealth is spread changes. Every time an industry or individual receives tax breaks or money from the government the way wealth is spread changes.

The difference between how the Republicans and the Democrats view spreading the wealth is simply one of direction and spin. The Republicans say the Democrats are socialists, or even communists, and the Democrats say that the Republicans are taking money from the poor and giving it to the wealthy.

Can one resolve these radically different beliefs? Perhaps the best way to understand this issue is to look at what it would mean for "spreading the wealth" to be completely wiped out in our country.

To totally eliminate "spreading the wealth" would require a strictly pay for service method. Instead of providing city streets, there would need to be a per-mile charge. Nighttime driving in lighted areas would be extra. Schools would only be available to children whose parents could pay. Calling the police or having your neighborhood patrolled would be charged to you.

Obviously the socialist programs Social Secuirty and Medicare would be abandoned, and people who were too old to work, too poor to pay for food and housing, and who did not have family members that could take them in would be forced to live on the streets and beg for food. Medicaid would have to be abandoned as well, and if you thought seeing large numbers of elderly people living on the streets is upsetting, just wait until you see them with their disabled children and grandchildren.

My point is that we all use things in varying amounts, and the only way to prevent "spreading the wealth" is to charge for the use of each and every item. Anything less is wealth redistribution. No doubt Joe the Plumber's trucks rack up a lot of miles, and because of their weight cause considerable damage to roads. Probably some of Joe's customers live on Social Security. Others will have to choose between having any major plumbing jobs and sending their children to school.

The existing system is just as much spreading the wealth as any of the changes Obama has proposed that may or may not affect Joe the Plumber's taxes. The question is not whether or not he will spread the wealth, because this is already being done. The only issue is what form the wealth redistribution will take.

Learn more about this author, Frances Simon.
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