Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
One of my main concerns with class warfare (which has become a toxic phrase) and the basis of my column with Forbes is the idea that envy cannot and should not be the driving force behind policymaking. Obviously we can’t be a society that neglects those who need help, but we also can’t be a society driven by jealousy.
When I was in the 7th grade, our math teacher gave us an assignment—we had to spend one million dollars. I don’t think investing and saving were options, which might point our consumer driven economy that thinks “capital” is just a prefix in the word “capitalism.” It was a surprisingly difficult project. I started spending money on bizarre things, but I look at it now as an interesting lesson.
If we were all millionaires, what would we spend our money on? I think I’d need a bit more of a boost of income, but I would try to buy The Execution of Lady Jane Grey off the wall of the National Gallery in London. I have a reproduction hanging in my room, but it’s not big enough and it’s not real. But the thing is, I don’t want that painting at the expense of another person.
If someone needs shelter and food, then others can contribute towards that. As we go from there, though, the claims become more dubious. Before Christmas, Congress has to decide a few major issues including extension of “emergency” unemployment insurance and extension of payroll tax cuts. President Obama encouraged Americans to tell their representatives not to be a Grinch, as if the holiday spirit would be stolen unless those things were passed. Color me an optimist for once in my life, but I don’t think people are going to hear carols as funeral dirges or watch as the twinkling lights on their trees go out one by one.
Maybe those issues really do matter. Maybe people really do need more of a safety net. And maybe Tickle Me Elmo was worth the hair-pulling to obtain and didn't just end up in a basement junkroom when the batteries died. I hope then that we won’t resort to hair-pulling in our policymaking because we want something that someone else has.
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Sep '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Thank you for naming the problem. I have been saying for several years that, while greed gets all the press, envy is what is actually fueling our political 'discourse.' Since the MSM has become a reincarnation of Pravda, often reality is most clearly seen in what is not reported.
Apr '11
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Helmut Schoek, Envy: A Theory of Social Behavior.
May '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Many of you may be too young to have seen Richard Pryor in Brewster's Millions. (You have no idea how depressed I am to write that sentence.) Pryor played Monty Brewster, a middling minor league pitcher who received a surprise bequest from an unknown, filthy-rich relative: spend $30 million dollars in 30 days and he would claim a $300 million jackpot. The only catch was he had to spend every penny of the $30 million without accumulating any assets. In my favorite scene Brewster bought the world's most valuable collectors' stamp at auction and used it to mail a postcard to his tightwad accountants.
Brewster's Millions wouldn't stop rattling around my skull while I read your post. As a comedy plot, it was amusing enough. As economic policy, it's horrifying. This administration is basically Monty Brewster writ large: spend enough money fast enough, get nothing for it, and at the end of the string someone will cough up a fortune ten times greater than the one we're wasting today.
May '11
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Thank you for saying this out loud.
Our governments have made immoral and unethical policy a hallmark. Of course you can point to abortion policy as another immediate example, but consider a state-run lottery. Is it OK for the state to promote gambling? If the state must promote something, should it not promote frugality, wise spending, thrift?
Just a thought.
Jul '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
"Obviously we can’t be a society that neglects those who need help..."
Why not? It's called Freedom. If I gave to everyone who asked of Me, eventually I'd be on the asking end.
People should be Free to be poor, destitute, "homeless." And the same People should also be Free to lift Themselves up and become wealthy and prosperous, while Others should be Free to give to whoever whenever, but it shouldn't be through a government agency.
Apr '11
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Many of you may be too young to have seen Richard Pryor in Brewster's Millions. (You have no idea how depressed I am to write that sentence.)
Nor I to read it; although, you should know, it is the third remake of that story.
Jul '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
By the way Matthew, a few months ago I made a joke somewhere 'round Here about Obama and Brewster's Millions..... it fell flat.
Maybe something like Obama's Trillions.
Edited on Dec 10, 2011 at 5:39pmMay '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Jimmy - My apologies if I posted without appropriate attribution. I was unaware of the prior conversation.
Aug '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Maura Pennington, Guest Contributor:
Maybe people really do need more of a safety net.
Nope, I have been arguing that we need to declare victory in the war on poverty and move on. The best most clear proof is this LSU study that looked at deaths in the US that can be either partially or entirely attributed to malnutrition (~3k per year).
The current safety net is well strung - we don't need to add to it.
Jul '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
No, no, no, no.
I was just stating We had the same thought, that's all.
May '10
Re: Envy, Policy, and Being a Grinch
Well, Jimmy, you know what they say about great minds....