The campaign slogan of the Clinton administration is ringing in my ears after a late night of channel surfing. After watching the likes of CNN, FOX News and CNBC it appears everyone has an opinion about the economy and frankly, none of it makes sense. There seems to be no shortage of posturing and/or finger pointing yet an astonishing vacuum of ideas and solutions. I too have an opinion, so here it goes...
It's easy to take shots at our leaders and feel entitled because we too joined the circle of a school yard fight but does any of this really help? What we need is a cease fire! Unfortunately, hearing political pundits forge weak cases for their own dialectics, I'll agree that on one hand we should keep loosely supported thoughts to ourselves yet on the other, someone needs to suggest the very policies and solutions unfolding should be halted, but for a time, to see the types of impact this first 90 days is having on our economy.
Why are the markets in a free fall? Where has confidence gone? When will we see the balance of sacrifice hit "EVERYONE?" Right now, all I hear is, "The Rich, the Rich, the Rich!" Who are the rich and what defines those who are? In the world's standards, aren't we all rich here in the "good ol' US of A?" Yes, we have people who live in less than ideal conditions - poverty; it's argued. But compared to Ghana? Afghanistan? Haiti?
I believe we are rich and we should help those who are captive to impoverished need. I do believe "Fat Cat" corporations are guilty of preying on the weakness of the poor and should be punished for their abuse. But I also believe what makes the "Rich" is the heart of good, hard working people, through freedom and creativity making something for themselves and by doing so create something for those who could not. Honestly, do you want the government to determine who can prosper and those who can not? Have we really considered the consequences of removing the incentives of personal prosperity?
Yeah, yeah... I know, we have more than our fair share of exotic-car loving, substance abusing, obnoxiously selfish, head rippers but when I see this country I look at the generosity of people toward others and whether sacrificial or diabolical, I still believe justice is served. We hear decries about imperialism and how America is only concerned for it's own welfare and I say they are negative, no-gooders who refuse to see beyond their own political idealism to look at women who hold bake sales for single mothers dying from cancer, children who start nonprofits for the homeless and men who, while out of work themselves, fly to the south to clear debris and remove moldy drywall from a slum ward after a hurricane!
The generosity and good nature of America is strong and healthy. Not because the government made it so, but because the government allows it! If we insist in a redistribution of the very "thing" of those that have to those who don't, we'll break the will of our goodness and completely destroy any remaining drive to help our fellow. That thing is not called wealth it's called... opportunity.
So, don't be dumb. Don't let anyone take it from you and may you give it away!
