Aristotle Trumps Plutarch

So Cory Booker is tweeting Plutarch quotes in defense of the Democrats' Leviathan entitlement state.

"An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailments of all republics"

Fine.  That has sometimes been true.  There was another famous Greek philosopher who's wisdom on political economy might be more relevant.

"If the majority distributes among itself the things of a minority, it is evident that it will destroy the city." 

Booker's defense, while appearing soundly grounded, is overwrought.  A poor American in the year 2012 is richer than 80% of the world's inhabitants and, on average, richer than nearly all people who have ever walked the Earth.  Yes, poor Americans seem relatively poor compared to the vast and pervasive wealth of America in general, but calibrated on a global scale to global standards, there simply isn't poverty in America.  There is only relative poverty.  Where we are on the scale is just as important as the gap between two points.  We are not in danger of a convulsive rising up of long oppressed indigents, but we are in danger of destroying a quite remarkable economic engine on which we've all relied and traveled quite far.  In 21st century America, Aristotle trumps Plutarch.

“An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics’ Plutarch ancient Greek historian (c. 46 – 120 CE)”

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/21/democratic-newark-mayor-cory-booker-may-soon-be-living-on-food-stamps/#ixzz2Cs4