more on more on frequent fliers

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bob Frankston <Bob2-19-0501 () bobf frankston com>
Date: September 29, 2005 5:14:43 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net, 'Ip' <ip () v2 listbox com>
Subject: RE: [IP] more on frequent fliers


It's worth trying to respond to this is a widely held view. It's a  
form of
profiling that focuses more on others' perceived advantages in a zero  
sum
world. Ad hominem attack can displace effective criticism.

The attitudes can and do have a serious impact on public policy though
often in distorted forms such voting against welfare queens but in  
favor of
lifting the inheritance tax. Or banning immoral cell phones.

Many frequent flyers are oppressed workers traveling from meeting to
meeting spending days away from their family. Must they stand in line
beyond privileged travelers who can move about at their leisure?
Is taking a nap at 5AM between plains in O'Hare a luxury? Why the  
road rage
at a few who travel a lot to earn status flying or a few who pay for
status?

Is wealth just privilege and not something earned? I'll leave out the  
word
"deserved"? Is wealth immoral per se? A while go Peter Denning  
recommend I
read "God Wants you to be Rich". If we get past the title it's about the
stakeholder argument and the assumption that not-wealth is morality.

I recognize some of moralistic traits in myself -- wanting to block the
person using the breakdown lane to get ahead of traffic while I'm  
resigned
to waiting with the pack. But if I see an exit is it a privilege to  
use my
navigation system to take advantage of local streets as a bypass?  
Would it
be different if I had memorized the streets? All-to-often knowledge  
is seen
as privilege - the Ivory Tower.

Like wealth, technology is often seen as privilege. I see it as the real
source of complaints about cell phones. A few years ago I was told  
that I
was showing off when I was simply making a few calls to coordinate  
with my
wife and kids.

Wealth can indeed be very distorting as can having the right  
relationships.
Wealth can also be liberating and give people the freedom to  
contribute to
society. Many of the great scientists of the past were privileged to
indulge their curiosity.

The current administration might be in its position because of wealth  
but
that's not enough to explain their policies. In many cases people  
actually
want to give the rich privilege -- it's a proxy for their own dreams and
hopes. After all, why should anyone care what a Hollywood star after  
work?

-----Original Message-----
From: David Farber [mailto:dave () farber net]
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 15:44
To: Ip
Subject: [IP] more on frequent fliers



Begin forwarded message:

From: Joyce <jmmurphy () mindspring com>
Date: September 29, 2005 12:53:34 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] more on frequent fliers


"Catering to an elite" is a social/political development that has
been rapidly expanding throughout our culture. Don't want to stand in
line with the general public? Buy special tickets that allow you to
go to the front of the line. Have no time to wait on a physician? Pay
a "retainer" and go to a concierge doctor who will be available 24/7.
Buy your own security to keep you safe. Send your kids to private
school. Go the the VIP lounge in clubs. Shop and play after hours.
Heck, buy your own island. Your very own kingdom.

As our country becomes more stratified and as wealth and resources
become more concentrated in the hands of an elite, these special
people expect not to have to put up with the inconveniences the rest
of us see as part of our daily life. They truly become privileged and
live in a totally separate world.

One part of me says they should go for it. What is the use of wealth
and power if you cannot buy with it the luxuries that make your life
easier? The other part of me says, "Wait a minute. When the people
who have influence don't have to put up with the mess the other 98
percent of us put up with, they don't become involved in solving the
problem."

This is supposed to be a republic. We are all supposed to be in this
together. I'm not naive. I know that there have always been
privileged people. I just hate to see it institutionalized in so many
ways and at an increasing pace. It is en the end dysfunctional and
creates more problems.

Joyce Murphy
  . . . just an interested person


> >



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