Socialism for me but not for thee

I heard this story at my weekly coffee catch-up (kaffeeklatsch?) with a former colleague which was pretty much the same as a family of claims and complaints I heard n my years a principal. In other words, I want what I want today even if it is the opposite of what I wanted yesterday.

My colleague's mother-in-law lives in a condo with some impressive facilities which include a pool and gym. Both were paid for in the original construction, effectively making them an element of each condo's sale price. I don't know what happens in terms of capital upgrades, but regular repairs, maintenance and staff are funded through a user fee .

Recently, the condo board suggested abolishing this charge (although keeping guest levies) and funding the facilites through the condo fee thus spreading costs over all owners. Note that the condo fee is based on unit size so smaller and cheaper units pay less than the larger and more expensive. One particular owner loudly and widely opposed this, claiming it to be "socialism" and insisting that the American and democratic way is to operate on a user-pays basis. S/he received enough support that the AGM amended this recommendation and the user fee stayed, albeit at an increased level.

Last month, the condo board approved replacing the driers and washing machines which would incidentally result in lowered untility costs since new models are significantly more efficient. The package included raising the tokens needed by users and adopted a few years ago to stop people from the building next door coming in to use them, from $1 to $2.

I'm sure you can see what happened next.

The same human megaphone is now loudly and widely opposed to this increase arguing that the laundry machine renewals should be funded through the condo fee. Apparently it is now fair that this cost is spread over all owners and not borne only by the users because this is the American way, with everyone paying their share to help everyone else.

And the condo board has now reversed the laundry token fee increase, presumably funding the improvements from the general fund.

Irony is apparently dead. As we see so often in this fair land of ours, here again is a case of "socialism for me but not for thee".

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