Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
There are essentially 2 things governments provide:
1) essential services (health, safety, infrastructure, etc)
2) redistribution of wealth
While there can be plenty of debate on where to draw the line on essential services, virtually all people in Canada are in agreement with those things provided, to a reasonable extent. Yes, we can debate what reasonable is, but that isn't for this thread, and I would assume that most people aren't all that far apart on it.
The second one is more relevant to your comment about conservatives being selfish. This will be a huge over-simplification, but it basically boils down to this:
Those on the right believe that the economy works, more or less, and that, while some redistribution is beneficial, the best thing for everyone is a healthy economy. And too much redistribution has a net negative effect, because it hampers the economy (smaller pie).
Those on the left believe that the economy doesn't work all that well, and that more redistribution is needed and is more beneficial.
Here's the thing: while everyone is different of course, and have their own personal perspective, there is a fairly strong correlation between how successful people are, and where they stand on that spectrum. I am not saying it's black and white by any stretch, I am saying there is a fairly strong correlation.
So, suggesting conservatives are selfish is fine, but it is disingenuous to imply that those on the left are not: most of the people clamoring for more redistribution of wealth are the people that would benefit from said redistribution. In other words, they are being selfish also.
In other words, most people are - at least to some extent - somewhat self-interested.
I think it is at a minimum naïve, and probably closer to obtuse, to suggest that only one side of the spectrum is selfish.
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I think there is a really interesting discussion to be had on how do people vote.
- Do you vote in direct self interest? Vote for more taxation and services if you pay below median. Vote for daycare because you have kids, vote for low taxes because you have money?
Or
- Do you vote for a set of outcomes that you believe will be best for the country / Province / city
And if you vote based on the first do you believe it facilities the second and if you vote for the second are you actually still voting in self interest because creating the best country will create opportunity for you and a better place to live which is ultimately self serving.