The Occasional Observer

from a chain e-mail (via Beetz McDogg):

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.

Once in the restaurant, my server had on an "Obama 08" tie. Again I laughed. 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 concept of redistribution of wealth. 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 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" the money more.

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