My August 30 Truth column is now on-line
Inequality between household incomes is at its highest level ever (at
least since 1982) according to a report released last week. But before
we react, some context is needed.
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4 comments:
The real answer is that inequality is a crucial motivating force in a capitalist society.
NZ's inequality is nowhere near that of successful capitalist economics - China, USA, Singapore, Taiwan, HongKong are up around 40-45.
That's yet another reason why NZ needs to eliminate most welfare benefits and eliminate corporate taxes and those on the most productive (salaries of $250K say)
Again, New Zealand’s upward mobility rating is on par with other economically developed nations like Australia, Great Britain, Canada and Germany
Upward mobility, the myth propagated by the truly dishonest,
http://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/pubs/pdf/rr12-766.pdf
Upward mobility, the myth propagated by the truly dishonest,
The problem with NZ isn't "not enough upwards mobility" but the opposite - nowhere near enough downwards mobility
Inequality is an utterly-meaningless "measure", IMO.
Let's say your in a very small village of 100 people. Over a period of (say) ten years, the richest ten of those people develop small businesses and their average income goes up by (say) 20 percent.
So, "inequality" has increased.
I say - "big deal".
Those people have worked hard and put the effort into what they are doing. IMO, it is up to the people on **lower incomes** to get off their backsides and put in the effort as well.
THAT would do more to cut "inequality" than any pie-in-the-sky socialist tax-theft-and-redistribution scheme.
Inequality may WELL be increasing simply because the successful are becoming **more** successful.
Instead of wanting to cut them down, we should be trying to *emulate* their success.
( Fat chance in the "land of the tall poppy". )
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