Reynold's Law

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Friday, August 12. 2016

"The government decides to try to increase the middle class by subsidizing things that middle class people have: If middle-class people go to college and own homes, then surely if more people go to college and own homes, we’ll have more middle-class people. But homeownership and college aren’t causes of middle-class status, they’re markers for possessing the kinds of traits — self-discipline, the ability to defer gratification, etc. — that let you enter, and stay, in the middle class. Subsidizing the markers doesn’t produce the traits; if anything, it undermines them."

- Glenn Reynolds

Posted by The Barrister in Quotidian Quotable Quote (QQQ) at 14:10 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

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This really gets me going. If we give you the accouterments of a Middle Class you will be Middle Class, right, right? I smell Cargo Cult.
Middle Class, first of all, is what makes America, America.
And, only in part, is Middle Class about income and material well being; it is also a set of beliefs and values. These values used to be known as the work ethic, but are now known as white privilege.

#1 Exasperated on 2016-08-12 17:15 (Reply)

You know what might work? If we issued pretend college diplomas to people.

#2 Texan99 on 2016-08-13 09:34 (Reply)

Philo of Alexandria's version:

QUOTE:

Subsidizing the markers of status doesn’t produce the character traits that result in that status; it undermines them.

#3 Mike (Link) on 2016-08-13 11:15 (Reply)

The subsidies actually make it MORE difficult for the middle class to buy homes and attend college. The subsidies don't go too or benefit the middle class. The subsidies end up in the hands of home builders and college administration/faculty who , because of the subsides, are able to charge higher prices for their services.

#4 Mike M on 2016-08-13 23:48 (Reply)

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Friday, August 12. 2016

Reynold's Law