People pathologically hoard so much cash that they impover..

[Friedrich]

"If a man has an apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models." - B. Lester

Is there any truth to this idea, or is it just a political tool to sow enmety between the poor and rich?

[bluethread]

"If a man has an apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models." - B. Lester

Is there any truth to this idea, or is it just a political tool to sow enmety between the poor and rich?

This is the problem that Yeshua was referring to in the parable of the rich farmer. There is nothing wrong with being rich. However, it is implied that if one is simply rich and not wealthy, that is a problem. The purpose of currency and assets is for use, i.e. wealth creation. One does not have to give away one's right to assets. However, if one is not employing that currency and/or those assets in the economy, that one is doing a disservice, not only to society, but also to oneself. With regard to governmental action in this regard, one could make an argument favoring the taxation of idol currency or assets, though I think that is not wise for other reasons. However, taxation of wealth is counter productive, because it takes assets out of the economy and distributes it in a less efficient manner, supporting an unnecessary bureaucracy.

[Tired of the Nonsense]

"If a man has an apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models." - B. Lester

Is there any truth to this idea, or is it just a political tool to sow enmety between the poor and rich?

These people clearly need a huge tax break. If they get a huge tax break then they will use the extra money to make businesses, and the money will tinkle down to the poor peeons at the bottom of the economic scale. I mean trickle down.

[Kenisaw]

"If a man has an apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models." - B. Lester

Is there any truth to this idea, or is it just a political tool to sow enmety between the poor and rich?

This is the problem that Yeshua was referring to in the parable of the rich farmer. There is nothing wrong with being rich. However, it is implied that if one is simply rich and not wealthy, that is a problem. The purpose of currency and assets is for use, i.e. wealth creation. One does not have to give away one's right to assets. However, if one is not employing that currency and/or those assets in the economy, that one is doing a disservice, not only to society, but also to oneself. With regard to governmental action in this regard, one could make an argument favoring the taxation of idol currency or assets, though I think that is not wise for other reasons. However, taxation of wealth is counter productive, because it takes assets out of the economy and distributes it in a less efficient manner, supporting an unnecessary bureaucracy.

Sorry for the former banker coming out of me, but cash IS an asset. And keeping it for future plans or even future unforseen problems is good planning, not hoarding. Given the inheritance laws in my country anyway, wealth destruction is alive and well.

[Kenisaw]

"If a man has an apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models." - B. Lester

Is there any truth to this idea, or is it just a political tool to sow enmety between the poor and rich?

It can be either. There aren't many examples of someone hoarding so much cash that they impoverish an entire nation though, so Lester's quote smacks of overdoing it. Lester was keen on social programs while Canada's PM, so we definitely had a more socialistic slant politically when it came to wealth.