[The Saucepan Man]

Is there any suggestion that the people of Laketown were downtrodden or poverty-stricken? Were they subject to any great suffering prior to the arrival of Bilbo and the Dwarves? Were they unhappy in any way with their lot in life? I think not. Rather it seems to me that they were quite a contented and well-off bunch, at least until a certain Dragon landed upon their homes. And the latter, I think, cannot be attributed to the Master of Laketown, but to a certain bunch of Dwarves accompanied by a certain (somewhat reluctant) burglar.

Now, why would the people of Laketown be contented and well-off? Could it be that the Master, through his own mercantile skills, had built the place up into quite an affluent little community, to the benefit of all? I believe so. And, if he paid himself commissions out of the town's revenue, well this only reflected due reward for his honest efforts in creating such an affluent society. Wealth creation is an important skill, which is to the benefit of all honest members of a society, and therefore deserves just reward.

Being an entrepreneur, is it any wonder that he was rather at a loss when the town was demolished by a downed Dragon? What skills did he have to help out at that time? His skills lay not in reconstruction and the relief of suffering, but in trade. Yet, despite all having benefitted from his efforts in the past, they cruelly throw him out simply because his skills were not what was required at that time.

While on the island, he has set up a decent system of barter, which has benefitted all those who are willing to pitch in and do an honest day's work. He has also been instrumental in setting up a counsel to resolve disputes between the contestants and meet out just reward or punishment, as appropriate. The commissions which he is taking by way of compensation for his efforts in this regard are entirely fair and in line with the salary that a man of his skill and ability might expect.

His contributions may not be showing in the more active tasks faced by the contestants, but he has nevertheless earned a right to stay by virtue of the contributions that he has made based on the skills that he is able to offer.

He should not be voted off.