2 ms·
While politically popular, these "discounts for locals" schemes don't make much sense as poverty fighting measures. By their very nature, wealthy people will be
by legitster 5y ago
While politically popular, these "discounts for locals" schemes don't make much sense as poverty fighting measures. By their very nature, wealthy people will benefit more than the poor (a bigger home will consume more heat than a smaller home).
It would always be better to sell the commodity at market rate and just use the money to fund actual targeted poverty programs.
- colechristensen 5y agoThe broad programs are usually only in countries where the entire country is extremely poor: Venezuela isn’t going to benefit from “targeted” programs, they have a GDP problem. In the more developed world there are programs like “free or reduced gas bills if your income is below the poverty line” etc.
- thebean11 5y agoWealthy people also spend a much smaller percentage of their income on energy, so it depends how you look at it. A poor person is much more likely to notice energy costs going up despite using less energy.