Why does NPR not want to post this comment? Re: Egypt's Conservative Society Further Burdens Poor Women

Awaiting approval for about an hour, so far...

News reports about the challenges faced by those who are least well-off economically would benefit from mention of the idea that natural wealth belongs to all and (some people believe) should be shared equally. If we recognize that air and water belongs to all, and if we require compensation be paid by industries when they put pollution or take resources, then corporations would have incentive to reduce pollution as a way to increase profit, and no one would live in abject poverty. If proceeds from pollution fees are combined with proceeds from fees charged against industries that take natural resources of various kinds, the total amount collected would be enough to provide everyone on Earth a base income of about $20 per day. (R. Costanza, et al; Nature, 1997)

Equal sharing of natural wealth would end extreme poverty AND would tend to moderate the swings in the cycle of economic boom and bust. [Overheating economies would be dampened by increasing environmental impact fees (assuming fees are adjusted to maintain set limits to overall impacts), while slowing economies would not shrink to a dangerously slow pace because all people will have a modest base income in the form of a natural wealth stipend. The most vital sectors of the economy would be insulated from the more damaging effects of a slowdown.]

Systemic flaws are not reported

More security for the least secure means more security for all

Equal sharing of Natural Resources promotes Justice and Sustainability