Yeah, there was a time I could have been considered ….wait for it… Liberal.  Ooohhh….

Of course, I was younger, about 30 pounds thinner, and I had a lot more hair.  Quick story…back then, I worked for a wealthy family who made sure to take care of their own.  I recall the year that we were told “no bonuses” and a couple of months later, the patriarch had himself a new 50-foot sailboat.  I was one of those “tax the rich” proponents.  However, instead of calling my congressman, I got a new job.  His loss… it cost him more to replace me than it would have for a bonus.

Man, have things changed.  No, I am not wealthy by any measure.  I have a good profession with a suburban home and a family.  I work hard, try to make smart decisions, and be responsible.

But, I have learned that bleeding one group dry so that another group can have “economic justice” is utter nonsense.  Hard work and ingenuity should be rewarded to whatever extent some one can legally earn that reward.  Over the years, as my life and situation has changed, so has my perspective.  I have a different view of capitalism and individual liberty.  There are many who agree with me, there are many who do not.

I have also grown to realize that this disagreement is just fine.  Our perspectives are different and we’re probably both right.  I respect differences and whenever possible, I try to remind myself that I am not in the other person’s shoes.  The truth most likely lies in between.

I’m sure that when I’m 65 and set to retire (I hope), my perspective will change again.  What used to be…hey kids, go play in the yard.  Will become…damned kids, get off my lawn!  Its all perspective…

iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation… even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.
~ leonardo da vinci

U.s. Constitution

All things and all actions should be judged by these words because all things and all actions are made possible by these words.

Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Greens, Whigs, Pansexual Peace Party … THIS is your baseline and your guiding light.

Use it…

I intended to retire at 40…

I intended to listen to my wife…

I intended to … I was going to… I meant to…  What’s been accomplished?  Nothing.

I still need get this concept through my thick skull because its too easy to let things slide, hoping to to get by on intentions.

Intentions are meaningless and have no value unless acted upon.

Perhaps my point needs a little clarification…and I apologize for not necessarily being more clear to start with.  Not everyone agrees with me and that’s what makes this country, and our Constitution, great!  Of course, I merely posted a portion of the original blog.  To truly appreciate the story, I believe you must start at the beginning and read the whole thing, not just my excerpt.  The story is a global (as in big picture) lesson of effort and resulting reward…

Daniel Clark makes some very excellent points and I think he and I could have a terrific debate over a few dozen pots of coffee (see you in New York?).  Judi makes some great comments as well to follow up on Daniel’s post.  There are points by each that I agree with and of course point that I don’t.

I have issue with the housing bailout announced last week.  I understand its point…and I understand the methodology (at least what’s been disclosed).  I don’t agree with some of the folks that the money will go to and why.  Mr. Prez tried to clarify that last night with a few remarks…perhaps he’s on the right track.  But bailing out bad decisions with tax payer money is not the answer.  Look at it this way… bailing out banks for bad decisions… bailing out people for bad decisions… which is right, which is wrong, which is fair?

I have issue with taxing the so called “rich” (not me) more than other groups so that they “pay their fair share.”  Here’s where the question of “fair” lies….fair to whom?  My answer in this case….only to the recipient.  Did you know that the wealthiest 5% of this country pay roughly 60% of total income tax revenue and the top 1% of all earners account for almost 40% of income tax revenue to the Federal Government?  Is this a “fair share”?  Why not have them pay 75%, why not 99%?  Where is the line of fair and by whom is it defined?

I have no problem with Bill Gates or Warren Buffet and their billions – they earned it.  I have no problem with my client who flies on a private jet – he earned it.  I have no problem with the guy down the street who probably earns three times what I do – he earns it.  I don’t have a problem with Exxon earning $14 billion on $120 billion in gross revenue (a 12% profit, what was your margin?) – they also pay $35 billion in taxes (which, if you think they’ll just absorb a tax increase and not charge you at the pump, you’re kidding yourself).

Let me make this clear, the CEO of a car company or mega-bank flying on a private jet from his villa in Aspen to go ask for billions in bailouts is a load of crap.  I don’t agree with it… and I don’t support it…  As far as I’m concerned, when that CEO has sold off his personal stock and reinvested his millions, then he can ask for money, assuming he’s doing his job well (unlike Jeffrey Immelt).

I have a problem with singling out people who have worked hard and earned what they make so that they can pay “their fair share.”  I have issue with the continuous load of entitlements we, and our children, and our grandchildren, are burdened with.  Too often the cry is…I didn’t have fair opportunity or, you have too much!  There’s an easier way to explain my point of earning and keeping your reward:

Let’s use Daniel’s books…

Daniel comes up with an idea for a book…

He toils over his keyboard for hours and days writing the book…often skipping sleep and missing time with his adorable daughter.

Daniel formats and then publishes the book…at his expense and again, probably losing sleep.

He then markets the book…at his own expense, and once again missing time with his daughter.

Daniel sells books for a profit!  Hooray!

Now, if Daniel sells two or fewer books, I will pay for his expenses plus issue a credit to him for future expenses at his discretion.

If he sells three to five books, he gets to keep everything he makes (less his expenses of course).

If Daniel sells more than five books, which is now excessive, he must pay me 50% of his profits to help pay for the guys only selling two books.

Is this fair?

Look…I absolutely support helping those who have found themselves in a bad situation.  This is the greatest country on the planet and is filled with good, honest people who run into bad luck or circumstances beyond their control.  We could all do more for those less fortunate.  However, you have to draw a line somewhere, and that line needs to be labeled “personal responsibility.”

The news lately is filled with bailouts and aid to various groups, business, and individuals.  Of course, this money has to come from somewhere.  Those doling out as well as those receiving cry out, “its only fair!”  Fair to whom, exactly?  My guess, and this may be a stretch, only the recipient…

The following excerpt from a post at the American Thinker updates and modernizes the old tale of the little red hen…

She baked five loaves and after they were finished she held them up for all of her neighbors to see.  “Who shall help me eat this bread?” asked the little red hen.

“I will,” said the cow.  “I need to eat to make good milk and I don’t have the time.”
“I will,” said the duck.  “My welfare benefits don’t provide bread.”
“I will,” said the pig.  “I learned to eat in school.”
“I will,” said the goose.  “If you don’t give me any bread, that’s discrimination.”

But the little red hen said, “No, I made the bread I shall eat all five loaves.”  And she did.

“Excess profits!” cried the cow.  (Nancy Pelosi)

“Capitalist leech!” screamed the duck.  (Barbara Boxer)

“I demand equal rights!” yelled the goose.  (Jesse Jackson)

The pig just grunted in disdain.  (Ted Kennedy)

And they all painted ‘Unfair!’ picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.

Then Farmer Obama came.  He said to the little red hen, “You must not be so greedy.”

“But I worked hard and earned the bread,” protested the little red hen.

“Exactly,” said Barack the farmer.  “That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful.  Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants.  But under our modern government system, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who who are not productive. It is only fair.”

The little red hen smiled and clucked, “I am grateful, for now I truly understand.”

The little red hen never again baked bread but signed up for all the free stimulus bread joining her friends the cow, the duck, the pig and the goose.  And one by one all the bread bakers stopped baking bread, following the example of their friend, the little red hen.  And soon there was no more bread and everyone was hungry.

And all the Democrats smiled.  Fairness and equality had been established and ruled the land.

Pretty much sums it up…