Craig at The Door links to this column written by Sandra Tsing Loh. The problem with many do gooders is that they become focused on particular issues, ignoring a much wider reality. The whole column is a good read, but I'll focus on the following passage:
Reformed weapons designer and "Radical Simplicity" author Jim Merkel urges us to ask further: "Does my employment . . . restore the earth, further damage the earth, or is it neutral?" And what about the act of making money itself? After leaving his job, Merkel made his new goal setting his income "below a taxable level. Then not a single cent of mine would rain bombs and bullets onto peasants who live near coveted resources." Of course, some taxes go toward bridges, schools and libraries but . . . eh, once again, too much eco-thinking. Headache coming on.
Money is fungible, and what "public good" gets produced depends upon what the politicians decide is best for themselves. Suppose enough people earn less than a taxable level, leaving only enough gov't revenue for a bomber or a school. If making the bomber optimizes politicians' chances at getting re-elected, then the bomber it will be.
Dennis Moore eventually realized the redistribution of wealth was a tricky subject. So is "saving" the planet. It's easy to want to change the world. The devil's in the details.