Zero sum economics

Many politicians (in particular Democrats) subscribe, or at least pretend to subscribe, to the economic theory called zero sum. Wikipedia defines zero sum mentality as a way of thinking in which "there must be one winner and one loser, for every gain there is a loss." Politicians seem to like using the zero sum game as a wedge to divide their constituents into segments that can more easily manipulate. Blame the rich for the poor. Blame those that have for those that do not. The best way to test the zero sum economic theory is to apply it in the reverse and see if it holds true. Let's try it. In the last 6 months I have become poorer. That means someone else must have become richer. I would like to meet that fortunate individual who benefited from my stock market misfortune. We might have a few things to discuss. Datadiver 1-7-2009