Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Where Is the Wealth of Nations?

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Tue, 16 Oct 2007, Rick wrote:

> According to my limited reading, increasing a population's "utility" is 
> one of the most beneficial methods of increasing the economy's net 
> worth, with utility being a person's productivity whether achieved 
> through expanded knowledge or superior technique.
>
> Giving people money is a bad idea for the same reason that it's a bad 
> idea with your kids. Something that isn't earned has no value. It 
> doesn't matter if it's a sports car or an education. I would much rather 
> focus on giving people the opportunity to achieve.


Money gives them opportunities galore.  Interestingly, the Nobel we were 
just talking about was given partly for the winners' analysis of the 
importance of incentive in economic systems.  I think we can agree that 
incentives are important.  Simply giving people money is not going to be 
as effective without incentives to spend it well.  For most of us, the 
incentives are naturally present.

Mike

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