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Envy in a Time of Inequality
Acton Institute ^ | Nov 5, 2014 | Samuel Gregg

Posted on 01/18/2015 7:13:06 PM PST by Ray76

Envy, I’ve often thought, is the very worst human emotion. The epic Biblical narrative of Cain’s slaying of Abel reminds us that people have been jealous of others’ successes and well-being from time immemorial. When mixed, however, with the near-obsession with inequality that dominates much public discourse these days, there’s a serious risk that envy — and desires to appease it — can start driving public policy in ways that aren’t economically wise or politically healthy.

Remarks like “you didn’t build that” or François Hollande’s notorious 2012 “I don’t like the rich” statement don’t of course come out of a void. On one level, they reflect long-standing ideological complaints about the nature and outcomes of market economies as well as animus against particular groups. But the current fixation with economic inequality has arguably made it easier for our political masters to say such things out loud and with less fear of electoral retribution.

(Excerpt) Read more at acton.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: economies; envy; franoishollande; inequality; obama; wealth
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1 posted on 01/18/2015 7:13:06 PM PST by Ray76
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To: Ray76

But envy is such an effective political tool for the aspiring despot.


2 posted on 01/18/2015 7:15:53 PM PST by 9thLife ("Life is a military endeavor..." -- Pope Francis)
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To: Ray76

envy is very bad. i’d say it’s a tossup between pride and envy.


3 posted on 01/18/2015 7:31:23 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

4 posted on 01/18/2015 7:34:42 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: Ray76

Those who complain about “inequality” never mention how much Oprah or Mick Jagger earn or how little their stage help is paid. Nor do they complain that Matt McGloin, the quarterback for the Los Angeles Raiders has a $108 million contract while one of his team’s cheerleaders just sued the team over her pay of $5 per hour. It is hardly news that over 40 university presidents have pay packages that exceed $1 million or that the heads of 11 charities in the US are paid over $1 million while their volunteers are asked to donate their time and money. Does it matter how much it cost author J.K. Rowling to write a series of novels that have created over $1 billion in wealth for her? How much did

So who exactly has the income that is proof of “inequality”? Times up: Apart from just railing against “the wealthy” as a nebulous group that excludes all rich liberals, they only complain about business leaders who earn a lot of money. Now why would that be?

“Income inequality” joins Peak Oil and Global Warming as frauds of the left that converge to advance a statist ideological agenda rather than advancing prosperity and liberty.

Liberals like to talk about “income inequality” because it is a useful tool with which to talk others out of their liberty and property.


5 posted on 01/18/2015 7:36:59 PM PST by theBuckwheat
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To: Ray76

Why do all those flaming the fires of inequality live in mansions and seem to be the 1 %’ers?


6 posted on 01/18/2015 7:48:52 PM PST by jsanders2001
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To: theBuckwheat
Feminism means women can never be held responsible for their actions.

It isn't their fault they took liberal arts at college and came away with a degree in Women Studies.

It isn't their fault they can't find a job in that field.

It isn't their fault the only job they can find that doesn't require much education is a data entry clerk(eg).

It isn't their fault they are paid 1/200th of top software engineer.

So be quiet please and equal her salary to her requirement.

7 posted on 01/18/2015 8:11:02 PM PST by deadrock (I is someone else.)
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To: Ray76

Envy and jealousy do not mean the same thing. Envy means “I want what you have.” Jealousy means “I will not tolerate your rivalry.”


8 posted on 01/18/2015 8:16:56 PM PST by TruthInThoughtWordAndDeed (Yahuah Yahusha)
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To: theBuckwheat
Yeah, a lot of this talk really boils down to: "My life didn't work out as well as I had hoped. I figure that's mostly your fault -- so pay up, sucker!"

This may work on weak-minded fools, but intelligent people believe in personal responsibility.

9 posted on 01/18/2015 8:23:19 PM PST by ClearCase_guy (Malort, turning taste-buds into taste-foes for generations.)
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To: Ray76

The sages say, “To know contentedness is to be rich”.


10 posted on 01/18/2015 8:29:11 PM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Of the two, only envy is expressly forbidden in the Ten Commandments. In fact it is the only feeling that the Top Ten says we should eschew. Everything else is a commandment regarding action rather than thought.

It is no coincidence that envy is the feeling that statists endeavor to cultivate, even though political correctness dictates all sorts of other thoughtcrimes.


11 posted on 01/18/2015 8:36:05 PM PST by Skepolitic
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To: Ray76

Don’t forget resentment - it and envy have been driving leftwingers for decades in this country......


12 posted on 01/18/2015 8:46:27 PM PST by Intolerant in NJ
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To: Skepolitic

Good point. God also starts talking about the seven things He hates, and He begins with....a proud look (prideful).


13 posted on 01/18/2015 9:07:07 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Ray76

I was taught that Life isn’t fair, nobody owes you a living and that you help People who can’t help themselves, not people who won’t help themselves.

Is it really that complicated?


14 posted on 01/18/2015 9:14:13 PM PST by Kickass Conservative (If you think the Mulatto Marxist is bad, just wait until the Menopausal Marxist shows up.)
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To: Skepolitic
Of the two, only envy is expressly forbidden in the Ten Commandments. In fact it is the only feeling that the Top Ten says we should eschew. Everything else is a commandment regarding action rather than thought.

I just re-read the Ten Commandments, and don't find any references to "envy" - just "covetousness."

Are you equating envy with covetousness?

Regards,

15 posted on 01/18/2015 9:15:26 PM PST by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: jsanders2001

“Why do all those flaming the fires of inequality live in mansions and seem to be the 1 %’ers?”

To protect themselves (temporarily) from the 99%.

“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”


16 posted on 01/18/2015 9:15:31 PM PST by aquila48
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To: Ray76

Here’s one of my favorite quotes from Tocqueville on equality and envy...

“There is in fact a manly and legitimate passion for equality that spurs all men to wish to be strong and esteemed. This passion tends to elevate the lesser to the rank of the greater. But one also finds in the human heart a depraved taste for equality, which impels the weak to want to bring the strong down to their level, and which reduces men to preferring equality in servitude to inequality in freedom.”

The last phrase describes where we are to a T.


17 posted on 01/18/2015 9:30:05 PM PST by aquila48
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To: theBuckwheat

Liberals seem to think that it’s about luck and don’t begrudge someone who is lucky in entertainment, but don’t understand that the rest of life in the wider world is not about luck. Throw in the idea that success is validation that they’re a good person, or for other reasons, it’s no wonder the concept of inequality is warped.

Throw in the fact that Oprah and those athletes and JK Rowling didn’t work hard like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, it makes people feel less inferior. it’s sometimes comforting to think that success is all about luck and not taking responsibility for one’s life.


18 posted on 01/18/2015 11:18:59 PM PST by CorporateStepsister (I am NOT going to force a man to make my dreams come true)
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To: Ray76

Envy, I’ve often thought, is the very worst human emotion.
How poignant on this mlk day. King day epitomizes a gift that keeps on giving with unrest being the theme. Msm talkin about the ‘choke hold victim’ and street interviewee does the black motorist get along admonition. Plus Another day where the government does not work... What’s not to want.


19 posted on 01/19/2015 3:48:22 AM PST by Recompennation
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To: Skepolitic

I have issues with pay disparities at my job, where money & titles (but not work) are given to tokens to fend off lawsuits. In the parable of the vineyard, it is clear that I should be content with what has been arranged with my employer. That is fine, but if the standard workweek is forty hours (as set forth by said employer), then that is what they get. I gave myself a raise (in an hourly wage sense) by reducing my hours from 55+ to 40 a few years ago, and while it makes those 40 hours hectic, at the end of the day I pack up & go home - regardless of where the work stands.

I’m open to negotiation with my employer of this is not satisfactory; I’d imagine they are hesitant because of the corner they’ve painted themselves into (where the tokens are working 30 hours at most).


20 posted on 01/19/2015 4:32:52 AM PST by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic warfare against white males (and therefore white families).)
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