Practical Application of Redistribution of Wealth

Yesterday on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money". I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on an "Obama 08" Button, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference -- just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--I pointed out the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was very grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient "lacked" the money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.




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[edit on 29-10-2008 by Skyfloating]

That rocks!

It seems someone just got a lesson in real-time wealth redistribution and didn't like it at all.

I wonder what the server would have said if you told him or her that you were going to give half of the gratuity to the guy outside....

I wonder if he would have attempted to 'negotiate' the redistribution with you...

Very cool experiment!

Just to add to the scenario.....IF the Gov't took the $10 from you in taxes, and then gave it to the homeless guy, he would only recieve $2.
The $8 would have been consumed in Bureaucracy......02

[edit on 28-10-2008 by Pinktip]

Hey nyk537,

You forgot to keep the administrative and general services overhead for yourself (about what 30-40%?)! I mean, after all, this isn't charity!

reply to post by nyk537


That was a very mean spirited experiment you did.......But I love it.

I can't stop laughing...

I bet that waiter will never forget your face and what you did.

You ought to get some kind of award for this experiment.... maybe a Noble Peace Prize... Gore got one why can't you.....

To OP: You must quite wealthy, to afford dining at restautants where mere waiters make over $250,000 per year in tips. I envy you.

Thanks guys!

You know it's funny, because I bet each one of you could get similar reactions anywhere in the country. Yet these same people have heard Obama's comments regarding distribution of wealth, and they either don't care, or they just don't get it.

I think this really put things in perspective.

reply to post by buddhasystem


I knew it was only a matter of time before someone came in here and started throwing around the $250,000 figure.



I could have bet on you too.

Having worked in restaurants for over 20 years all I can say is what a jerk.

Waiters and waitresses get paid half of minimum wage and that server did nothing to deserve such crappy behaviour from you.

And I am sure you are proud of yourself for it too.

Of course you are, you posted this thread about it.

A lot of people haven't done anything to deserve the crappy treatment their going to get from Obama either, but that's fine with you isn't it?

Maybe you should be glad the homeless guy got something.

Isn't that the point of redistribution?

**By the way, I waited tables in a restaurant for over 5 years myself, I know all about it**

[edit on 28-10-2008 by nyk537]

Originally posted by nyk537
I knew it was only a matter of time before someone came in here and started throwing around the $250,000 figure.

Then you also know that your argument is null and void,
ergo

Originally posted by nyk537
Maybe you should be glad the homeless guy got something.

Isn't that the point of redistribution?

It would certainly seem that any concept at all can sink into your head only in a somewhat dumbed down manner.

Can't talk with the self satisfied and ignorant.

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[edit on 30-10-2008 by Gemwolf]

Originally posted by buddhasystem
It would certainly seem that any concept at all can sink into your head only in a somewhat dumbed down manner.

Riiight.

Because Redistribution of Wealth is such a highly intellectual and complex idea isn't it?

Perhaps I should have added the part about "equality" and "getting a fair shake".

That better?

Originally posted by buddhasystem
To OP: You must quite wealthy, to afford dining at restautants where mere waiters make over $250,000 per year in tips. I envy you.

I was going to say that must have been an expensive restaurant to warrant a ten dollar tip.

having been a subway sandwich artists who frequently used an "illegal" tip jar, all i can say is when a waiter/food prep person does a more than adequate job at what they do, and have a smile on their face, they get better tips.

the same should be true for EVERYBODY..... Rewards should be based on merit, not circumstance.

reply to post by nyk537


It's not redistribution of wealth if the waiter doesn't get his cut. If the money never touched his hands, then how was it "redistributed"? Also, in any redistribution plan, it would be at least a 50/50 division, not highway robbery, as you suggest! Come on now, you are being a little (or a lot) over dramatic.

Fun experiment...hahaha, but I would hardly call that a practical application of redistribution of wealth. You should probably change the title of this thread to How I stiffed my waiter for outwardly showing his support for Obama

to you....remember, what goes around comes around!

Actually, seeing as how the restaurant employee saw fit to display his or her political sentiments while waiting on customers, he or she must accept that it will elicit a response. Political expression is an open invitation to respond. He/she got a response. Maybe, assuming the employee is so inclined, they might reconsider wearing the button at work.

(I also waited and tended in the service industries for years - so I am aware of the pay-abuse restaurant owners subject their staff to.)

reply to post by nyk537


if i were you i would not frequent that place again. the waiter is liable to redistribute his spit where he sees fit, on your food!!!!! you capitalist pig! just kidding i just always wanted to call someone a capitalist pig.

Taxation is the redistribution of wealth... bush minor's tax cuts have redistributed wealth upwards as opposed to outwards...

...I can only assume that you are too simplistic to understand that... especially considering you are so pleased with yourself for this nasty little stunt of yours.

I actually think that you probably did that because you were annoyed with the Obama button they were wearing and then thought of this as your justification for being such a jerk.

[edit on 28-10-2008 by grover]

reply to post by grover



Looks like Bush Tax cut did swing it upward for the rich....They paid more taxes...

IRS data indicate that the richest 1 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent of the taxpayers are shouldering a larger percentage of the income tax burden than they would had the Bush tax cuts never materialized.
* Preliminary 2005 data just released from the Treasury Department show the amount of tax paid by those earning more than $1 million a year increased to $236 billion in 2005, up from $132 billion in 2003, the year of the tax cut.
* This was a 78 percent increase in taxes paid by millionaire households.

source

Figure 1 suggests that recent movements in the tax data are inconsistent with Obama's perspective. The top line indicates the share of income taxes paid by the top 10 percent of taxpayers. The bottom line indicates the share of income taxes paid by the bottom 90 percent. In 2006, the top 10 percent of earners paid fully 70.8 percent of taxes. That is significantly above the 2000 peak of 67.3 percent--before the Bush tax cut.

source


This one shows that the rich not the bottom paid the bigger share of taxes..Wealthy paid more even with a tax cut....


I reckon if the guy wants future tips from McCain supporters he should remove the Obama button.