Mankiw: Let jobless Leno ticketholders scalp seats
Jay Leno apparently has objected to an unemployed Detroiter trying to sell a (free) ticket to Leno's Detroit show on Ebay. Greg Mankiw objects to Leno's objection.
If a person down on his luck prefers the cash to the opportunity to watch Leno live, why would Leno object? Is it altruism that is really motivating Leno here? Is he really sure that the unemployed person in Detroit would be better off with an evening of laughs than $800 in his pocket? Or does Leno want to play to a live audience of unemployed workers so he will seem altruistic to his television audience?
Next, a person claiming to be the would-be scalper emails Mankiw, saying, 'You're right!'
While searching the internet I came across your article on the Leno-Palace tickets on ebay. Yes, I was the seller. While I never thought it would get to the point of what it's become, you are right. Being unemployed I would rather have the money from the tickets sold to help me. I do feel if Mr.Leno wanted to help the ones down on their luck, he shouldn't object to someone trying to help me. I just wanted to comment on your article, this whole situation just makes me chuckle.
Comments
So if I donate something to the Harvard economics department, it would be ok for Harvard to misuse the money?
I think I will order a review copy of Mankiw's text and then sell it on Ebay.
Posted by: save_the_rustbelt | March 18, 2009 10:14 AM
There is a difference between donating and giving something.
Posted by: Thomas Jefferson | March 18, 2009 2:50 PM
I don't think Jay thought his reaction through. And what does a donation to Harvard have to do with anything? These were "free" tickets for a down and out city. Why not let those who had the forsight to make some much needed cash for getting in line to pick them up? How many employed people could get off work to pick them up? Is it fair for only the very rich and the very poor to get tickets? Rush Limbaugh is allowing all the unemployed in Detroit and elsewhere to listen to his show for free tomorrow. You don't even have to pickup tickets! What a deal!!!
Posted by: Jusaolguy | March 18, 2009 3:01 PM
These people are likely the same schmucks who last October flooded the Phillies' ticket internet site and pillaged all the tickets for a victory rally after winning the 2008 World Series, and then turned around and sold them for up to $400/ticket. Which part of the word "free" didn't they get?
Posted by: James Craven | March 18, 2009 10:36 PM