How true it is...

[Rickster71]

An economics professor at a college made a statement that he had
never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire
class.

--------------------------------------------

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one
would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.


The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class
on Obama's plan".


All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade
so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.


After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied
little were happy.


As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had
studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a
free ride too so they studied little.


The second test average was a D! No one was happy.


When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all
resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of
anyone else.


All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that
socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great,
the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward
away, no one will try or want to succeed.

 

[jamie2112]

Very good point.And as we can all see its happening right now.......I am sure though that if McCain and Palin had won we would be sinking at twice the pace we are now.Just my opinion but a great post Rick.........

 

[griffinconst]

That is a great example. I must say I'm surprised there is actually a conserative professor around anymore. The college is probably in the process of running him out of town as we speak.

 

[trnqk7]

Haha, that is a great example. It's one of those things, that in theory should work well. However, life isn't a theory and there are too many variables (types of people) to ever account for everything. Nothing pleases everyone.

 

[rnatalli]

I think it's important to keep in mind that some socialist programs are needed. Imagine if the fire department wasn't socialized. A fire breaks out in your house Saturday night. You call the privatized FD who tell you they can't send a truck because your account shows a billing abnormality and you need to call customer service on a weekday to resolve it before a truck will be sent.

Abuse is often a counterargument to socialized services, but I don't see it. Just like I don't call the Fire Department because I can, I'm certainly not going to hang out at a hospital.

I have no problem giving a helping hand to those when times are desperate and I do believe some services like military, healthcare, education, police, fire department, and others should be socialized. But I do not believe in equal pay for everyone as this is plain stupid.

 

[trnqk7]

Agreed. I think the point was for things, like you mentioned at the end of your post, that are considered rewards (pay for example). No one will want to work hard to get the same thing as their neighbor who doesn't do anything...however, with the police/fire dept.-nobody wants to lose their "stuff", which is probably a big reason why that system works better there.

 

[avaserfi]

That is a great example. I must say I'm surprised there is actually a conserative professor around anymore. The college is probably in the process of running him out of town as we speak.

You are not familiar with academia if this is your perception. Certainly, there are large liberal areas within universities, just as there are conservative ones. You just need to know where to look geographically and within the university itself.

Haha, that is a great example. It's one of those things, that in theory should work well. However, life isn't a theory and there are too many variables (types of people) to ever account for everything. Nothing pleases everyone.

This is true of all economic systems.

Adam Smith, whom the roots of capitalism can be linked, believed strongly that capitalism was the most just system of economics because it would lead to equality. This has not the case historically, especially with the emergence of the global economy. The capitalism envisioned (and enacted) by many is not what Smith had in mind.

Similarly, Karl Marx believed capitalism would result in its own downfall due to the exploitation of the working class (proletariat). This also has not been the case historically. The socialism/communism envisioned (and enacted) by many is not what Marx had in mind.

In both cases there were factors which were unaccounted for by both theorists.

 

[Rickster71]

Very good point.And as we can all see its happening right now.......I am sure though that if McCain and Palin had won we would be sinking at twice the pace we are now.Just my opinion but a great post Rick.........

I hear you Jamie.
I hope it didn't come across as a Democrat vs. Republican thing, that wasn't what I intended.

It was more of a testament to human nature.

I agree that health care has problems; I just don't see this bill as the fix.

 

[Rickster71]

Haha, that is a great example. It's one of those things, that in theory should work well. However, life isn't a theory and there are too many variables (types of people) to ever account for everything. Nothing pleases everyone.

I agree there are many variables.
I just think that the OP is an example of basic human frailty ruining it for everyone.

 

[bandphan]

That is a great example. I must say I'm surprised there is actually a conserative professor around anymore. The college is probably in the process of running him out of town as we speak.

That's funny you said that. On the factor last week they pointed out that the university of Oregon had 8 registered republicans out of 168 teachers. Talk about poor hiring practices.

 

[markw]

Abuse is often a counterargument to socialized services, but I don't see it.

You should ask anyone who works in the ER of a large city hospital. Sumpin' tells me you would have your eyes opened.

 

[avaserfi]

That's funny you said that. On the factor last week they pointed out that the university of Oregon had 8 registered republicans out of 168 teachers. Talk about poor hiring practices.

It is illegal to ask an individuals political affiliation during a job interview.

If I am not mistaken UO is a primarily liberal arts school. This section of universities typically have a liberal slant.

You should ask anyone who works in the ER of a large city hospital. Sumpin' tells me you would have your eyes opened.

I used to volunteer in a hospital at the ER desk - this was not the case. The hospital was medium sized and served the town it was in as well as the surrounding cities. I also volunteered at a large hospital in a big city, not at the ER desk, but worked near it - this was also not the case.

 

[rnatalli]

You should ask anyone who works in the ER of a large city hospital. Sumpin' tells me you would have your eyes opened.

No need. I volunteered in MGH's ER back when I wanted to be a doctor. The only abusers I saw were people looking for drugs and they rarely got a thing. Most of the people there would prefer not to be.

 

[Tomorrow]

That's funny you said that. On the factor last week they pointed out that the university of Oregon had 8 registered republicans out of 168 teachers. Talk about poor hiring practices.

This (Oregon) is a really strange state...politically speaking. A couple of the largest cities, Portland and Eugene (U of O city) are amongst the most socially liberal in all the land. Going to Eugene, it's like I take a step back in time to my life at the Univ. of California-Berkeley in the '60's! The state overwhelmingly votes national democratic tickets, straight down the line. Yet internally, it's an interesting political blend of the pioneer spirit, logger independence, leader in 'green' technology, bicycle per capita leader, and sportsmen/adventurers. State houses are almost 50-50% dem/repub. It's an issue (concealed weapons permit) on demand state with a huge gun owning and hunter population, but also has legal marijuana, gay marriage rights, and right to death laws.

It's an interesting place, for sure.

 

[bandphan]

It is illegal to ask an individuals political affiliation during a job interview. If I am not mistaken UO is a primarily liberal arts school. This section of the university typically have a liberal slant.

I'm aware of the hiring policies and regional make up of schools ideals. The issue that I have is with State schools that have such a lopsided difference in hiring. You don't have to ask certain questions to know how an individual thinks along party lines. I agree with your regional statement for the most part

 

[Rickster71]

I used to volunteer in a hospital at the ER desk - this was not the case. The hospital was medium sized and served the town it was in as well as the surrounding cities. I also volunteered at a large hospital in a big city, not at the ER desk, but worked near it - this was also not the case.

My mother worked in a hospital for twenty years, and her version is more like this.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/parkland.asp

 

[MinusTheBear]

An economics professor at a college made a statement that he had
never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire
class.

--------------------------------------------

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one
would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.


The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class
on Obama's plan".


All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade
so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.


After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.
The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied
little were happy.


As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had
studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a
free ride too so they studied little.


The second test average was a D! No one was happy.


When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all
resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of
anyone else.


All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that
socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great,
the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward
away, no one will try or want to succeed.

This example = FAIL

First of all if this was the case the professor would hand out a course outline of this which is essentially a contract for the course. If what is stated is true by the OP then nobody can fail if all test were averaged B,D, F and weighted equally. That does not equal an F grade.

 

[rnatalli]

I fail to see how abuse in the form of illegals using the system would be a factor as they are able to do it now. Introduce universal healthcare and nothing changes in this regard.

 

[Rickster71]

This example = FAIL

First of all if this was the case the professor would hand out a course outline of this which is essentially a contract for the course. If what is stated is true by the OP then nobody can fail if all test were averaged B,D, F and weighted equally. That does not equal an F grade.

Me thinks it was more of an analogy speaking to the human condition, in hopes of making a point.

 

[Rickster71]

I fail to see how abuse in the form of illegals using the system would be a factor as they are able to do it now. Introduce universal healthcare and nothing changes in this regard.

That loophole should be fixed, and those billions saved nationally.
I may even be a little more on board if that blatant thumb in the eye was gone.