5 minutes before class

(The paraphrased conversation, 5 minutes before class, between myself and the resident 18 year old smartass of the class.) Him: So, hey, old dude. Are you a donkey or a elephant? (Yes, I let these kids call me "old dude." I think it's funny. Besides, it justifies me calling them "kids.") Me: I'm actually a social/fiscal Conservative, but I guess I'd say I fall more in the Republican camp. Why? Him: I just wondered. I'm a donkey. Does that bother you? Me: Not really. Him: So what does "social/fiscal Conservative mean?" Me: It means that I support government that regulates business as little as possible, doesn't try to control markets and doesn't overtax companies as a form of supporting income redistribution. It also means that I fall in the Conservative section of social issues. I'm pro-life, anti-gay marriage, anti-drug and for the Conservative ethics in society. I'm not a "pure Republican" because I'm unhappy with some of the things that they have done in regards to bankruptcy code, earmarking and un-unified support of the war but, I'm still closer to them than the Independents and the Democrats. Him: Well, what's wrong with income redistribution, for example, shouldn't we help the poor? Me: Which poor? Him: All the poor. Me: And by "we" do you mean ethically or governmentally? Him: Both. Me: No. We shouldn't, as a government, force people to give up property to help someone else. If you work for it, it's yours. Now, ethically, that's a discretionary decision. I go to church and I give to a lot of different charities, but that's by choice. Him: I know that people say that they do that, but I don't know a lot of peopled that do. Most of them are full of it. Me: Do you, or the people you know, go to church? Him: No, why? Me: Because, statistically most people that go to church out spend non-churched people in giving to charity by a pretty hefty margin. If you knew some church people, then I think you'd see that people do give to charities by choice. Him: Well, I still think that the government should do it. They need tp pay to help the poor. Me: With who's money, yours or mine? Him: Ha ha, yours. They need to stay out of my cash. Besides you white folks are rich. Me: See, that's the problem, everyone wants to help but no one wants to pay. However, unless you're going to college to stay poor, you might want to reconsider because the more you make the more they tax you. Him: But if it isn't mandatory then no one would do it. I still think that if people are poor that the government should help them out. A lot of these big companies have a lot of money so why shouldn't they pay to help people out. If people have more money then it's better for them any way. Me: Ok, let me ask you this. If I gave you a million dollars right now and told you that it was your money but that you had to take it and spend it all on investments and not touch it for 10 years, would you do that? Him: Would I loose the money if I didn't do that? Me: No, but you would be ignoring what I want you to do. What I know is best for you. I know you'd be better off with $1,000,000 and 10 years of market growth, but I won't make you do that. So would you do that? Would you put all of the money in investments? Him: Well, no, I'd probably pay some bills and get a new car and pay for my school and stuff. Why? Me: You just proved my point on why income redistribution doesn't work. Wealth has to be earned. And because it's difficult to earn, people protect their wealth. The rich have a bunch of wealth and the poor have very little. But, if you give the poor wealth that they haven't earned they won't treat it with the same respect or care that the people who earned it do. They'll spend it off because it came easy. It's human nature. People don't care for stuff that they didn't earn like people that do. Him: I don't believe that. People care for stuff regardless. Me: Oh really, so you like using gas station restrooms? No? Ok then, people don't care for things that aren't tied to them. Him: Yeah, but money and bathrooms are totally different. If you gave me a million bucks I'd be set for life. Besides, you don't know what's best for me. Me: Maybe you would be set for life but it's more likely that you'd spend your way through it getting stuff that you don't need until the weight of your new debt pushes you under. Him: No one's that stupid. Me: Tell that to MC Hammer. (And then we go in the class)