Aint it the truth!

[StinkerBell]

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2008/10/comment-o-day-i-cant-believe-its-not.html

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

Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed--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--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 decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was 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 deserved money more.

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

May have to try this next time I'm out on the town. And be packing I might add.

DH

[ScottA]

Well you could have spent the $10 on an American flag and torched it. That's how the other side does it.

[StinkerBell]

I could never do that.

[MountainDon]

The problem with the waiter was that he felt he should be on the receiving side of Obama's largess.

And that is at the crux of the problem with redistribution of wealth; too many people feel they deserve the government handout.


And as far as his button goes; as I interpret your story the Obama button he wore was the catalyst for your actions... that's a chance he takes when he wears his politics proudly when performing his job. As a consumer you have the right to decide what pleases or displeases you.

[StinkerBell]

This is not my story, I am just sharing someone elses.

[MountainDon]

My error! Same rules apply though.

Another error made in the tale, IMO, would be that it would be improper for the individual to decide who to redistribute wealth to. That would be the task of the socialist government. Individuals are not expected to think for themselves.

[Squirl]

Also the difference would be that $1 of the $10 would be given to the homeless guy, your bill would be $1 higher to be given to the homeless guy by the restraunt and you would have given an extra $1 to the homeless guy in addition.  That is closer to the basic concept.  Fair to some, totally unfair to others.  Some people look at it as the waiter would get to keep an extra dollar, your bill would be $1 lower and you would get to have an extra dollar in your pocket.

Besides. I look at the bigger picture of as who has to shoulder the burden.  The extra dollar we would pay in taxes would go to support the war on terror.  Our largest goverment expediture is the wars we are fighting in two countries.  These aren't free.  Whether Obama admits it or not, he is constrained by the federal budget, the dollar doesn't go to the homeless guy it goes to the soldier.

[desdawg]

It was nice of you to explain it to the waiter so he could see politics in action. Nothing better than front line experience. Did the waiter change his tie? Yo could have gone on and explained that Glenn doesn't trust people wearing suits and a tie is part of a suit in your opinion. Two strikes.

[glenn kangiser]

Absolutely, desdawg.  You are very observant.

Example - I built a building 82 feet tall - the job super was a real jerk while in a suit and tie, but after we finished with him he started wearing clothes we could trust, blue jeans and a red and black plaid shirt.  It was much better after we were able to trust him.

The suit had made him into an evil man.

[desdawg]

When I was a Project Manager I was required by the Company President to wear a tie and a turtle waxed hardhat. Some of those people are just impressed by the clothes. I never understood. Then one of the Suprintendants got into it with an architect. so I donned some real clothes and took over as the Suprintendant on that job. The buildings turned out the same no matter what I was wearing oddly enough.

[glenn kangiser]

I'm sorry, desdawg --- I have no explanation for that...

Turtle waxed hard hat... obviously your company president was likely an easily impressed shallow man who probably could not be trusted or believed, Loved to put on a show of fakeness, loved photo ops while shaking hands with the guy he was giving the award or perk to, with him being the center of attention and thought much more highly of himself than other people thought of him. He was likely very impressed with himself and could not be trusted by people who dealt with him.  Get out the Vaseline because here comes the big guy with the suit.

He likely was despised by many of his subordinates and if he took people out to dinner it was likely for show to impress people with how great he really was.  Maybe even a bit of trying to convince himself of that thrown in there.

You, of course - being forced to wear turtle wax do not have to feel bad about my analysis, des.  You were forced to do it so likely are still a good guy.

Dang -- that hat had to be rough on the eyes if the sun hit it just right.  Did outsiders have to lick anybodies boots?

How'd I do? hmm

[desdawg]

The man had no shortage of ego. It was very strange for me to be on that side of the employment spectrum. Those jobs are usually reserved for college grads with engineering degrees. One day I decided I had enough experience and I wouldn't do it anymore for less than I could make with my tools so the position ended at least for me. I have a Bachelors degree from the School of Hard Knocks and am currently working on my Masters. Another year of this and I will be there.

[glenn kangiser]

I asume my description was close then.

I've seen the type.  They are always taken aback if I have to jump into the middle of their case in some sort of dispute.   I lose all of my tact and humor and become the baddest dude on earth if they try to pull crap on me.  Most of them actually will not give me a bad time again as they know what to expect.

An engineer with a bit of that attitude began asking my opinion rather than get me excited by lying to me and trying to BS me when he didn't know.  Don't wake up the crazy man inside the troglodyte.

Another foreman told me we started at 0700 - I was contract -- I don't always do 0700....I just laughed, but I don't stop at 1430 like they did either.  Later I heard him bragging to another foreman how he would leave in the afternoon and mysteriously all the work would be complete when he arrived back at work in the morning.  Stuffed shirts. You gotta love them.

[desdawg]

Yup, your description was pretty close Glenn, I guess if you have seen one...........There is a stereotype.