The Father-Daughter Talk

[ABM]

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and was very much in favor of the redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?"

She replied, " Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus, college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."

Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican Party."

 

[ABM]

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and was very much in favor of the redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, "How is your friend Audrey doing?"

She replied, " Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus, college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."

Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican Party."

 

[ABM]

Rough night for ABM.

 

[MARIS61]

Few wealthy people in this day and age "worked hard" to get it.

Most of them inherited it, stole it, or exploited other people's hard work to get it.

 

[ABM]

Few wealthy people in this day and age "worked hard" to get it.

Most of them inherited it, stole it, or exploited other people's hard work to get it.

Sure, Roger. Whatever you say, Roger.

 

[¹²³]

Do you have a picture of Audrey? I could spread my wealth with her.

 

[ABM]

Do you have a picture of Audrey? I could spread my wealth with her.

I'd venture to guess you qualify for welfare.

 

[mook]

Cliff notes version of ABM's story:

People who have lots of money got it only by their own hard work, just like people who get great grades.

People who are poor have only themselves to blame, just like people with bad grades.

You shouldn't help poor people or stupid people. It only encourages poverty and stupidity.

 

[¹²³]

I'd venture to guess you qualify for welfare.

Depends of the girl.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

Cliff notes version of ABM's story:

People who have lots of money got it only by their own hard work, just like people who get great grades.

People who are poor have only themselves to blame, just like people with bad grades.

You shouldn't help poor people or stupid people. It only encourages poverty and stupidity.

Welcome to the republican party *wink*

 

[lukewarmplay]

You forgot, professors are "intellectuals" who actually know nothing.

 

[julius]

Well, that was a waste of time. Thanks.

 

[Денг Гордон]

Taking care of those who need health care is such a horrible thing.

 

[PapaG]

Few wealthy people in this day and age "worked hard" to get it.

Most of them inherited it, stole it, or exploited other people's hard work to get it.

Totally false, and I wonder who you call "wealthy".

 

[PapaG]

Well, that was a waste of time. Thanks.

Your post tells me ABM hit a mark. Otherwise, why comment on your "waste of time"?

 

[Chutney]

Not mentioned in this story: the smart young girl who had to forsake university altogether, in order to work a job to help put food on her family's table.

 

[PapaG]

Taking care of those who need health care is such a horrible thing.

We already do this. It's called the Oregon Health Plan.

Derrrrrrr

 

[Денг Гордон]

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye bblessed of my Father, cinherit the dkingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an ahungred, and ye bgave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a cstranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye avisited me: I was in bprison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee asick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have adone it unto one of the bleast of these my cbrethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the aleft hand, bDepart from me, ye ccursed, into everlasting dfire, eprepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an ahungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the aleast of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into aeverlasting bpunishment: but the crighteous into dlife eeternal.

 

[PapaG]

Not mentioned in this story: the smart young girl who had to forsake a university altogether, in order to work a job to put food on her family's table.

Or not mentioned, the guy (me) who worked full-time in college to get his degree (on top of loans) and then has spent the past 12 years building a career that Obama and you say I didn't work for.

Tax me so I can pay for your lazy ass.

 

[julius]

Your post tells me ABM hit a mark. Otherwise, why comment on your "waste of time"?

Yah, the "mark" it hits is the one that shows the the post was copied from an email that ABM got, and he thought he was making some really good point by posting it, when in reality it is a poorly thought out analogy that doesn't actually work.


Oooh look at me, I can post a poorly constructed anecdotal story that is pretty stupid. Yippy.

 

[¹²³]

Do you really think all poor people are lazy?

 

[PapaG]

Yah, the "mark" it hits is the one that shows the the post was copied from an email that ABM got, and he thought he was making some really good point by posting it, when in reality it is a poorly thought out analogy that doesn't actually work.


Oooh look at me, I can post a poorly constructed anecdotal story that is pretty stupid. Yippy.

Oooh, look at you, you post about what a "waste of time" this was to you and then respond twice!

 

[julius]

Do you really think all poor people are lazy?

They have to be, otherwise someone might have to admit that sometimes things aren't equal in life.

You're poor because you're lazy. Wealthy people are wealthy because they worked hard. Duh.

 

[julius]

Oooh, look at you, you post about what a "waste of time" this was to you and then respond twice!

Wow, good point. You sure showed me.

 

[Денг Гордон]

Or not mentioned, the guy (me) who worked full-time in college to get his degree (on top of loans) and then has spent the past 12 years building a career that Obama and you say I didn't work for.

Tax me so I can pay for your lazy ass.

Link to a video of Obama saying that you didn't work for your career?

 

[Chutney]

Or not mentioned, the guy (me) who worked full-time in college to get his degree (on top of loans) and then has spent the past 12 years building a career that Obama and you say I didn't work for.

Tax me so I can pay for your lazy ass.

You addressed every other opposing post in this thread. Why'd you completely avoid commenting on my example? It's not like it isn't happening all across the country. It's a relevant counterexample.

But that would involve admitting that not all of the less fortunate deserve their situation. That there is such a thing as entrenched systematic inequality. That some people aren't even given the chance to fail. That your opposition to some form of redistribution isn't completely morally reconcilable and does involve some selfishness.

 

[Dumpy]

Or not mentioned, the guy (me) who worked full-time in college to get his degree (on top of loans) and then has spent the past 12 years building a career that Obama and you say I didn't work for.

Tax me so I can pay for your lazy ass.

There are certainly people who work very hard; don't make very much money; and aren't provided health care. There isn't a perfect correlation between working hard and being well-paid. The best examples are probably musicians, artists, and artisans. The sculptor who works 14 hours a day trying to make a living; the independent photojournalist who sells his photos to the news organizations; the woodworker who crafts furniture. Then there's the independent contractor who works through temp agencies, because companies don't want to hire him outright because he'll cost more. And yes, the struggling actor who waits on tables during the day, and performs at the local theater at night, hoping to get noticed. No one gives a shit about the guy who is happily unemployed.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Not mentioned in this story: the smart young girl who had to forsake university altogether, in order to work a job to help put food on her family's table.

Uh, actually, she qualifies for a heckuva lot of scholarships. You know, "taking care of those less fortunate".

Because no one's ever made it through school while working a job to feed a family, whether parents or children.



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[BrianFromWA]

There are certainly people who work very hard; don't make very much money; and aren't provided health care. There isn't a perfect correlation between working hard and being well-paid. The best examples are probably musicians, artists, and artisans. The sculptor who works 14 hours a day trying to make a living; the independent photojournalist who sells his photos to the news organizations; the woodworker who crafts furniture. Then there's the independent contractor who works through temp agencies, because companies don't want to hire him outright because he'll cost more. And yes, the struggling actor who waits on tables during the day, and performs at the local theater at night, hoping to get noticed. No one gives a shit about the guy who is happily unemployed.

I beg to differ...lots of people do, and a lot of government money goes to them.

I would think that "taking care of the poor and needy" would include "all" the poor and needy. Why differentiate based on criminal record, employment history, substance abuse, mental illness, etc?

 

[Денг Гордон]

In what world is there all this money available for college students? In Wisconsin, the top 5 people in each class at each school got a full ride scholarship, and that's it. Then here in Missouri, they give out about $6,000 tops per a year to a person, and that is only to the top 5% I believe.

If someone could tell me where this magical money sprout for college money is? It'd be greatly appreciated. You don't get a full ride for being poor, you get $2,000 for being poor.