Wealth Equality Push = Push for Socialism

          If you're wondering why the topic of "wealth inequality" has exploded recently, it's because The World Economic Forum is underway. I put that term in quotations for the simple reason that I think it's bullshit and it's getting way too much attention.

          As I was in the car yesterday driving home from work I heard some fella talking about a new report issued by Oxfam, an international nonprofit organization that works to "find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive." This new report they've released found that the 85 richest people across the globe control as much wealth between them as the poorest half of the world's population (3.5 billion people) put together. Another way that they describe the situation is that the wealth of that 1% richest people is equivalent to 65 times the wealth of the poorest half of the world. Oxfam warns in this report that the fight against poverty cannot be won without the issue of "wealth inequality" being tackled.

          They further argue that this huge gap is not an accident, but it has been created by the wealthy through political influence and power maneuvers that rig the economic system's rules to favor them. To be fair, they're right about that. The wealthy do in fact use their money and political influence to tilt the field in their direction a little bit when it comes to economic policies. They've got money and politicians have campaigns to finance. If that's a surprise to anyone, then I'd like to know where the rock they just climbed out of is located. Is there treasure buried there?

          As far as this political rigging by the wealth is concerned, whose fault is it really? The wealthy were not elected by the people of this country to do what's right. They worked hard and built empires that they now sit upon. All that they're trying to do is make their legacy (and net worth) bigger. It's the politicians who need to be blamed and held accountable. They're the ones who are supposed to be looking out for our best interests, not theirs or their wealthy friends'. From a moral standpoint, the politicians are once again more guilty.

          Now that I've got that off my chest, let's talk about this bullshit movement to end "wealth inequality." My problem with that movement is that it is cry baby bullshit by altruists who would rather see a socialistic world where everyone is equal and happy. They're just flat out idiots. Ayn Rand is probably beating on the lid of her casket right now trying to get up here and set these people straight. People work for their money and their position. We have no right to take it or implore them to even the field. They didn't steal their fortunes, so we have no claim to them. Only in a socialistic society is equality from an economic stance possible and in that society progress is not made. Read Atlas Shrugged if you want a lesson on this.

          Is the gap in wealth between those 85 and the other 3.5 billion unfair? No, it most certainly isn't. It would be unfair if they attained their wealth through force. "Unfortunate" is the term people should be using to describe the gap is. That's all this is. Nobody is stealing from the poor. Nobody is blocking you from attaining wealth. It's out there, you just have to earn it. I'm certainly not rolling is cash over here, but I don't bitch that it's unfair that other people are. Do you know why? Because that would be lazy, irresponsible and selfish of me. You'll hear no boo-hoos and wah-wahs from this guy.

Your capitalist pal,

-The Absurdist

** Information used for this post came from an article from The Guardian by Graeme Wearden: 'Oxfam: 85 richest people as wealthy as poorest half of the world.' **