2008-08-30

Safety or Salvation?

For a long time I was only able to read about the Revolution in English....so I never really thought anything of the translation of "Comite de Salut Public" as "Committee of Public Safety"

But as I taught myself to read French I became aware that the word "Salut" could also mean "Salvation". So I find myself wondering if "Committee of Public Salvation" would be a better translation...more in keeping with the intent of its mission.

The Maximum

I also find myself thinking about the Revolutionary concept of the Maximum and if it would have any use in today's world. History seems to have proven that general limits on wages and prices don't work...and I certainly wouldn't advocate a maximum possible wage for the "average citizen"

But I can't help but wonder if there would be some sense in an internationally agreed Maximum for such people as CEO's or professional athletes. What if a CEO could "only" earn a maximum of 5 million per year? What if a baseball player could "only" earn a million per year? Would the world be worse off? I think we would still be able to fill the positions!