i think the "poorly written terrible analogy" has been upvoted to rank #3 (as i see it now) because it points out a paradoxical logic. The key point of the article is when he points out that the rich wouldn't care to keep their $1000. When the reader first sees the tagline, they are intrigued because it makes no sense to give bill gates $1000. Through the analogy, one can see though, why it does. I think the purpose of the analogy is exactly that point--and not one to try and match the real-world dilemma. Also... to the comment about going to law-school and no shortage of good housing-- you are not understanding what "poor" truly means.