Risky business

This quotation from Rick Santorum, pulled out from a Kos diary by Joe Ascanio with his highlighting, really made me think about something:

“The reason you see some sympathy among the American public for them is the grave concern,” he said, according to the Des Moines Register, “and it’s a legitimate one.” 

“They talk about income inequality. I’m for income inequality. I think some people should make more than other people, because some people work harder and have better ideas and take more risk, and they should be rewarded for it. I have no problem with income inequality.”

Wait a minute! Rewarding people for hard work? Sure. Rewarding people for better ideas? Why not? But rewarding people for taking risks? I beg your pardon? You get the reward if the risk pans out, you lose if it doesn't. That's what risk means! If you're not running an actual risk, then you're just playing Risk down in your well-renovated rumpus room, Mr. Master of the Universe.