Practice Versus Theory - A Story

I saw this via a link from Glenn Reynolds and I think it might be a good way to show Obama supporters just what “sharing the wealth” is really like.

In a local restaurant my server had on a “Obama 08″ tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference–just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I’ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

I guess it shows the veracity of the one of the many corollaries to Murphy's Law which states:

“In theory, Theory and Practice are the same thing. In practice, they are not.”

Sometimes the only way to teach someone this truism is to demonstrate the differences between theory and practice. I'll bet if enough people were subjected to such an experiment as described by Robert Bluey, Obama wouldn't have a chance.