From: Steve Schear <azur@netcom.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 07:47:24 +0800
To: cypherpunks@cyberpass.net
Subject: Re: Saving money
In-Reply-To: <199710251832.LAA17149@sirius.infonex.com>
Message-ID: <v03102800b0781eb24018@[208.129.55.202]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



>Mix <mixmaster@remail.obscura.com>, wrote:
>The term "equal opportunities" is a curious one.  A free market does
>mean that everybody has the equal opportunity to make agreements with
>each other.  But, clearly some people will have more success making
>these agreements for reasons which are not under their control.
>Somebody might have parents who introduce them to the right people and
>show them the ropes, for instance.  This is one reason why the free
>market does not eliminate the formation of elites.  But, so what?  Are
>we really going to claim that people shouldn't help their children to
>succeed?

Yes, if "equal opportunities" was a reality then the wealth of your family
would not be an aid nor would the destitution of your family be a
hinderance.  This, of course, is the stuff of socialism.  I suspect that
even if inheritance was banned those from wealthy and connected parents
would see some significant benefit, but probably not as much as those from
families in which good work ethic, self-reliance, savings and investment
were stressed.

--Steve