Redistribution is Nonsense

But my concern is not about race, right now, but rather the priorities in our national conversation (whatever that is).  We don’t have an honest discussion about the real causes of poverty, or the slow disintegration of our governing institutions.  We have just elected an administration that is intent on the redistribution of wealth, but without a conversation about what that means, and to whom, for how long, and with what general consequence.

The point of the adage about teaching a person to fish, rather than just giving them a fish, is that – once the fish is gone – the recipient of the fish-charity is right back where they started.  The notion of resourcefulness starts with the assumption that you can create or find your own resources, rather than relying on someone else who then has to create resources for both of you.

This is why the welfare system failed so badly.  Public housing meant to house folks who were temporarily in distress became a multi-generational trap for it occupants.  No skills, no incentives, no memory of having to work like their fellow Americans in order to share in the national work ethic; in order to give meaning and dignity to a life enhanced by personal accomplishment.  And, following an insanely belated reform, numerous individuals interviewed by the press were elated that their lives had changed in a positive way.

So how does redistribution differ from the old welfare trap?  Ask any Russian how it feels to be dependent on the government for everything.  Look at the Indian Reservations.  Prior to the casino boondoggle, wall to wall poverty and hopelessness.  After independence, India copied their former colonizers in adopting Socialism as their economic model.  Nearly destroyed India; they finally changed to a free market economy and are swiftly developing, thanks to the education and enterprise of their professional class.  The rest are slowly coming along, but at the mercy of an entrenched government bureaucracy who has to slowly leave their socialist corruption behind in order to properly serve the common man and facilitate free enterprise.

Isn’t it evident that distributing limited resources in a race to the bottom is not a benefit to someone who has to live a long human life-span, often responsible for themselves and other family members?  As a safety net for the temporarily disadvantaged and those unable to fend for themselves, sure, but for an able person who simply lacks skills, nothing could be more cruel.  And the society that adopts such a policy is shortsightedly destructive.  Unfortunately, these societies are often led by trained professionals with good hearts who simply won’t look at where such policies inevitably lead.

So, money and other largesse doesn’t work.  But there is, I think, a form of redistribution that does:  Education.  Education is, in fact, a redistribution of knowledge, of skills.  That’s right:  Teach people to fish.  And how an economy works.  And the history of their civilization.  And how to run a business.  And how to manage money.  And the unique value of their heritage as a country; the genius and sacrifice they are heirs to.