imagine for a moment a maximum standard of living.

(warning: idealism ahead. please don't call me a silly woman).

a concept of private wealth in excess of a certain amount being removed from the individual/s in possession of it and redistributed “as needed”.


how would one go about placing people who are very different into the same material position ?.

by treating them unequally, of course. that is the western way.


... assuming that one could ever overcome the barriers to setting a “standard” – even the most basic of unpowered shelters and adequate food is richness to some.

(so, who defines “need” ?)


... assuming that you could find an honest system of distribution and place it under the control of individuals who fairly and honestly administer that system and provide for themselves only fairly

(so, who controls the controllers ?)


... assuming that this world economy would be likely driven by the western world, this “wealth re-distribution” effort would take the form of our traditional (so-called) “socially responsible” actions, i.e.: we traditionally take a “disadvantaged” or “discriminated against” group and "assist" them by either inventing laws regarding their treatment, or funding welfare aid to help their living needs.


any attempt to create a “planned economy” would mean a shift away from the “welfare” mentality and a moving towards true material equality.

to share only what you can spare is not noble.

a planned economy means a move away from “saving” or “helping” societal groups in need in favour of providing what is needed for each situation.


yet, a move away from all economic inequality would also result in revoking the basic right of each individual to pursue his own ends and follow his own dreams past a certain point. it would in fact remove many significant personal liberties from our western lives ... expensive travel, luxury foods and private study, just for starters.


it bears a thought when we seek “equality” what this basic yet major difference would actually mean to our everyday lives, and whether in this light it truly is the solution some spout it to be.


still, we’re very safe saying we want it ...’cause let's face it ... there’s just no way it’s ever going to happen if it gets left to us, right ?