🚀 go-pugleaf

> 18084TM@msu.edu (Tom) asks:
> 
>>2) How do you convince that factory worker that lost his job to a robot
>>   that his money should be spent to help put him on the street?

I guess there are two issues here.  First is the question of "fair"
use of tax revenues and second is the question of automation.

While I agree that governments often spend tax revenues foolishly,
I think that subsidies to industry can be good.  If the subsidy is
in some part funded by revenues obtained by taxing those who
become unemployed as a result then it is in the interest of both
the taxing authority (govt) and industry to provide new employment
opportunities.  If the source of revenue (the taxpayer) stops paying
taxes then what?

As for the second implicit point, that of a worker being replaced
because of change, it sort of reminds me of the story of the
farrier who went to court to try to get automobiles outlawed in
his town because it threatned his horseshoeing business.

Or as my grandmother used to say, "Time and tide wait for
no-one."  You can either change along with the world or
let it leave you behind.

-Bill Gawne,  Space Telescope Science Institute