h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"I also know people who claim to have "no money" who also have to have the latest gadget"

There is a difference in cultures here. Cellphones, FUBU, Nikes...they're all a part of a cultural uniform that these folks just cannot be without these days. Like, for example, my wife and kids have clothes, food, the occasional vacation and the essentials of life. But because we don't own an X-box or PS2, the other kids think we're 'poor'.

It used to be that if you couldn't afford a colour TV you were considered poor, now I understand it's tv and vcr.

Gosho: "Me? I'd like to live in a benevolent dictatorship." That would be nice.

Trouble is keeping it benevolent after your benevolent dictator passes away. The most successful method I know is choosing a Dalai Lama; but that means breeding up your next ruler from the age of two or three with a long regency until he (it's always a he) comes of age.

Short of that, democracy with proportional representation seems least worst. PR was originally conceived with a single constituency covering the whole country and a long list of candidates for everyone to choose from. That is now a technical possibility; wonder where it will be applied first?

As for stock exchanges, that's how it has worked since the seventeenth century, or earlier. It prevents the stultification that comes from central control, either right- or left-wing.

It's time we had another wing. The left had its go. Come on the Greens.

ing mixed metaphors!

Another two wings.

That would make the ship of state a biplane!

There isn't anything wrong with owning a cellphone.... it is that when the latest model comes out, you see people who "can't afford" to feed their kids properly buying a cellphone that takes photos. Now, I'm not saying that ALL people who buy cellphones that take photos shouldn't buy them. Nor, am I saying that "poor people chouldn't buy a cellphone". What I am saying is that people, whatever their status in life should spend wisely. If you are spending $300 on a pair of shoes, you aren't spending wisely.

I think most people CAN afford to be without a cellphone that takes photos.

Regarding spending wisely. My mother complains that she has no money. So, she goes out and buys those little 15 serving bottles of instant coffee for $3.00. I point out to her that if she spent $8.00 on the 60 serving bottle, she is getting more for her money. "But I would never drink that much coffee!" And yet, she is buying the small bottle twice a month!

My mother buys cheap shoes at Walmart. Then she complains because they are uncomfortable and that they fell apart after 2 month's wear. Then goes back to Walmart and buys another pair "because they are cheap".

She buys the cheapest toilet paper. Not only is there less on a roll, but it is like sandpaper.

I buy the cheapest package I can find which has the most paper.

When I am looking for a pain reliever, I buy the store brand of the same pain reliever that I would pay $20 a bottle, for $13. It is the same medication, but I have paid $6.00 less.

If I am buying dishsoap, I don't buy the cheapest I can find. I buy the best quality at the most economical price.

I buy on sale when I can.

I may not have a lot of money, but by buying sensibly, I can make what money I have stretch further, last longer, and be reasonably comfortable while I am at it.

What little extra I have often goes to one of the charities I support. When I have a little to spare, I write a check. Whenever there is a charity run, I sponsor a friend. If someone asks me to shocel their walk for a few dollars, I ask them to make out a check to Childhaven.

When I worked at Chapters, we had to wear these crappy uniform shirts. If we wanted, we were allowed to have the shirt tailored. Since most of the people who worked there couldn't afford to pay a tailor to alter their shirts, I offered to make simple alterations for $5. I would match the $5 and send $10 to Childhaven.

They would get their shirt altered, I wouldn't be doing it for free and I wouldn't feel I was doing it for free, and Childhaven got $10.

Right now, I have a fundraising project on the go. A lot of people have no idea how to find things on the internet. I do. I spend 90% of my time in front of the computer, and 90% of the time a search takes 2 minutes, it isn't an onerous task. So, for a nominal cost (on a sliding scale), payable to Childhaven, I find information for people. If I can't find the information, they don't pay (though they usually give anyway). They get the tax receipt, Childhaven gets the money, and, more importantly, the exposure.

One of the thing I have been doing is collecting the names of non-profit groups, small organizations that work on a shoestring and yet manage to do fantastic work all over the world.... Ryan's Well, for example, which was started by a grade-schooler, here in Canada, which installs wells in Third World countries.

There is also one called (I think) "Greening Africa" (I will check on that). Started by a woman in Kenya, it teaches women to plant trees in their gardens and then replanting them with an eye to reforesting Africa. She has been thrown in jail and threatened with death for continuing to campaign for reforestation, but she continues......

She isn't wealthy, and she doesn't want her name over a door or a wing named in her honor... She just wants Africa to be green again.

Well Mudhooks you're doing good, and now we all know the name of Childhaven too.

The early part of your post implies (and I agree) that the rich generally have someone numerate in the family. The poor often make the worst financial choices. They are more likely to gamble than invest.

So much comes down to education. Everyone can learn maths, and if they are allowed to leave school innumerate, or less than confident with figures, it is a huge scandal. The greatest need in the wider world, perhaps after clean water, is education for women. Perhaps before it.

My thoughts on the National Lotto:

"The world's insanest charity
Continues unabated;
The needy pay a Lot-to see
Some millionaires created"