Two guys find a 100 CHF on the pavement.
What would be fair?
To split it 50%/50%?
What if one of the two guys is a millionaire and the other one is poor, has five children and is one-eyed? Would it still be fair to split it?
What if both saw it at the same time but one of them ran faster and picked it up first? Would it be fair for him to keep it?

Lets say now that they split it. 50 CHF each. Since both are law abiding citizens, both declare their extra income on the finding, one would be taxed 25% and the rich guy 45%. Same money, same finding, different tax. Would that be fair?

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This one one is not about throwing money on the streets but on the poor:
Do you think it would be a good idea to suggest poor people to write thank you letters to the rich for the cross-subsidy they receive from them? Do you believe a Swiss referendum should be enacted for this purpose?

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From the dark horizon of my future a sort of slow, persistent breeze had been blowing toward me, all my life long, from the years that were to come.

First and foremost before trying to split the spoils, I would suggest spending 10 minutes looking around to see who could have dropped it.

From the splitting point of view, you both go down to the pub and get a couple of drinks. Problem solved.

Just a question though, these two theoretical guys? Are they mates? If so, why has the millionaire tried to help his poverty stricken mate out previously?

Dude, that's totally my 100 bucks found on the pavement! I actually lost a CHF 100 note this week. It was in the same pocket as my phone and at some point it must have slipped out when I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I was so freakin irate! I was actually hoping someone who really needed it found it.. Then at least I wouldn't be so aggravated with myself.

It would be fair to give the 100CHF back to the person who lost the money. The finders can share the reward.


What is so switzerland specific about this question that you posted it in swiss politics & news?

currency? how it gets digested by the Swiss here?

Was that in Rellstenstrasse, Adliswil?

That wasn't the question. It's a hypothetical and you were given two options.

It is fair to split the money equally. Deservedness is determined by the individuals' relationship to the gain/reward. Everything else is subjective. Perhaps the poor guy is a heroin addict and exposing him to raw cash is the cruellest thing possible. It's the eternal conundrum of socialism vs capitalism. Do we know what other people who we've never met really need, do we know what's truly fair, or should we let the world organise itself towards it's own various equilibria?

You are wrong.

Aha! So it was yours!? Thanks Meisie! Bought myself a new ... just kidding .

Yeah, I would've been less than amused as well if it had happened to me.

A friend lost CHF 200 a while ago from his back pocket when he pulled out some receipts that were also there whilst rushing along the sidewalk. Like you, he hoped it went to someone in need of it.

Two Scottsmen walking down the street, one finds a paypacket some one has dropped and opens it up. "Look Paddy 600quid" "Thats a good find Mick" "Nah, look at how much fooking tax i had to pay!!"

I don't know weather they gave it back, but there is a 50:50 chance you would get it back here.

Ah, yes, Mick and Paddy, those two iconic Scotsmen...

Left out just one sentence

Is it fair to be not normal but extreme rich from planets resources including the people self which is property of no one only of all that has no copyrights
Be thank full for this planet in the universe we may enjoy just one lifetime

I would say that idealy, the poor b@stard should get it. Being friends, the rich b@stard would know how hard the poor b@stard has been struggling and would hand it over with a big smile and best wishes. In reality tho, the rich b@stard would have that blue note in his pocket before the poor b@stard could say "ripped off".

Seems like an opportunity for a thread asking why most people dislike the rich.

This is not possible. One must have seen it before the other...

Because they are rich on expense of exhaustion of planets resources and use the people as a resource too

What have the rich ever done for us?

You are Scott Adams, and I claim my CHF 100 -- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...123424314.html

Well, in comparison to the rest of the world, we are the rich...and as the rich, we are one of the most giving countries in the world. As many rich individuals not only give more to charity than the poor do, but also a higher percentage of their wealth than the poor.

Generally I have not found the rich to be purely evil people but have found that there are as many rich bastards as there are poor bastards and as many rich saints as there are poor saints.

Who do you consider to be "rich"?

Those other jokers.