"John Savard" wrote in message
...

Certainly the U.S. is drastically overpopulated.

....much snipage...

I fear you totally miss understand the nature of life.

First a quick point, technology level is among other things, a function
of population. Technology level is also limited by average
intelligence, which is overcome somewhat by specialization within larger
populations. IMO your proposed optimal population size would not be
technologically sustainable, and if history is anything to go by, I
doubt it could even sustain the rule of law.

However I think the main point you miss is that you assume humanity to
be a singular species society made up of god like beings. The poor will
always be with us because the can. Outlawing poverty, (equivalent to
genocide), would be like killing all dung beetles because you think, (in
your god like arrogance), that their biological niche is demeaning to
*them*. Note, it is their life, not yours.

Like a diverse eco system the poor keep the rich honest, and vice versa,
preventing competition between individuals would soon lead to general
corruption, the promotion of uselessness and the ultimate destruction of
humanity. Human beings should and are diversifying to fill all
available niches, from the rubbish heaps of Bangladesh to the ivory
towers of the West. Passing moral judgment upon the poverty niche is
the epitome of hubris.

What is essential is the freedom of opportunity to find your niche, the
lowliest kid on a rubbish heap in Bangladesh, given the talent, should
be able to rise to the highest possible position, though it need not
necessarily be easy, (and vice versa). The primary role of society is
to insure a level playing field for free and open competition between
individuals This also serves as a sound basis for the accomplishment of
higher goals, which benefit all individuals.

Pete.