After their first true “year” on play, the citizens of Laughganistan, a high school government class at Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas, came together in Town Hall to discuss a topic that has weighed down the minds of citizens all over the world for much of history, the importance of economic equality. As long as there have been human beings living in organized communities, there has been the issue of equality. Should everyone be equal? If so, how do we accomplish that? Following the leadership of their instructor, Kayte Cormack the leaders of Laughganistan are giving input to solve this issue in their own country.
The discussion began with a posting from
“Are economic imbalances between citizens something people just have to accept, or could and should they be minimized?”
Jeremy was the first to publish a response with realistic insight,
“Of course economic imbalances could and should be minimized but that isn’t how life works. It isn’t like if your bank account is running low the government will pitch in some extra cash too boost you back to security. I’m not at all spitting arrogance either because I am going to be hit hard in debt and I accept my responsibillities and will find away to recover. So in conclusion, no, things should remain they are with minimal interferences.”
Representative Holly wrote back from a more idealistic approach,
“I think that economic imbalance could be minimized but we would have to work together as a country to figure out how to overcome the imbalance. Life is not always fair, and until our country works through this economic imbalance we will have to accept it.”
Representative Krista agreed with this theory but went a little further in her explanation, calling for a change in culture as well as policy,
“I definetely think that economic imbalances can be minimized, but it would take much time and alot of hard work. I think that the biggest problem is probably that its not our communities common goal, i mean… the rich enjoy having more money than everyone else. Maybe if we didn’t idolize material things so much than it wouldn’t be such a big problem, but we do. We need to make people think about more than themselves and just their families, make them think about the generations to come and their economy.”
Bradner also shares Jeremy’s point of view,
“They should be minimized but this game is about real life and those things just don’t change in real life. There are people that are doing very well, I’m not but am I complaining? N0!!!!!! Because it’s life and pretty soon things will level out and I’ll be on top and the person that used to be on top will be at the bottom. Things should stay the way they are.”
Interestingly, Elaine swoops in with a legislative idea,
“Economic imbalances between citizens should be minimized by having taxes based on how much money you have and providing essentials at a lower price. This way the poor will be getting what they need and the owners of the business will still profit from their product.”
As a bid to please fellow citizens, Senator Ali explains a different point of view,
“Equilibrium is something that comes naturally. When we’re capable of being able to “control” the way things are being done properly, then the economic imbalance will be altered to something that everyone is able to sustain, contain, and understand. Until then, we’ve got to do what we can with what we have. Things aren’t simple, life is an example, people have to figure things out to where they work. It could be minimized if everyone worked together but not everyone has the same views. So it’s really up to how everyone reacts to the imbalance, some want the power so they will do what they can to keep it that way while others try to neutralize the balance. Whichever way, people will learn to survive at the best of their ability.”
Samanthat B. sounds fed up with this question altogether,
“People will always disagree. It can’t be fixed. It can’t be minimized that much either. Some people are natural born complainers. People will always be at odds with each other. Especially when we have two different political parties in office. Everyone just kinda has to deal and try and be as civil as possible and not go screaming about for no reason and just waste everybody’s time.”
In a similar vein, Marissa believes that everyone has the ability to fix their own problems,
“I think that economic balances between citizens are both something that people have to accept and could and should be minimized. The citizens of the country, if they are poor should think of ways to raise money, or they should help somebody out for money, like do business with them or something. The citizens should be able to earn money somehow, even if they are poor. They have to figure out a way to earn money and that makes the game more challenging. That is why I think that economic balances between citizens are both something that people have to accept and could and should be minimized.”
While Jerusalem believes we all depend on each other, rather than each individual upon themselves,
“I think that economic imbalances could and should be changed. The whole economy is linked and if the poor part of the economy is failing, eventually the rich part of the society will fall with them due to the business cycle…so there should be loans given to citizens…”
While Jake ends the conversation with a poignant,
“I think we should have a lockbox.”
This is not a question with an easy answer. Differing view points can lead to discussions and either changes or reiterations in policies and thus the way citizens will lead their lives. Laughganistan is working hard to answer the questions that are put forth in a thoughtful and meaningful manner. The next step is to use these ideas to further benefit the lives of the citizens within Laughganistan.
