“Dear Editor, – While rejecting a host of contentions that try to defend financial disparity, Joe Humphreys presents valid points but overlooks any different perspectives or suggestions in his text “Should it bother you if you’re not as wealthy as the person living next door?” (Opinion & Analysis, October 21st). One could ponder over a society in which there’s absolute financial equality and it gives rise to a tricky question. What’s the incentive for anyone to do anything beyond merely their whims throughout their existence? The prospect for advancing education, general human knowledge, innovation, collective prosperity and ultimately, our perception of life throughout generations is obscure at best. Similar to democracy, a world that is economically imbalanced, providing financial incentives, might arguably be the poorest choice, barring all others. – Yours faithfully,
Brian O’Brien,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.”