For those who come after me, I want them to know, I chose freedom every time; even at the worst times of my life.
The term, economic equality, is once again being pondered around corporate circles; thanks to the misdirection ploys of our politicians. They use this term as a slight of hand trick to draw our attention from their out-of-control spending which in turn must lead to future tax increases. In my sixty years on earth, I cannot count the times I’ve experienced these cycles when the American people were told economic equality is the problem. To be clear, it is something that needs to be addressed but the fact of the matter is, it has never truly been the problem…it is a symptom of a problem; multiple problems to be precise.
Our republic is based on a free market society. This means that people are free to own their own businesses, work where they wish to work, buy goods and services from whom they wish to do business and to do all of this without government intervention. The “dimples” that cause income disparities to form are those people who are willing to work harder than everybody else, those willing and able to take on more financial risks, and are gifted with more creativity, amazing talents, and/or a higher intelligence than others. Speaking as more of a “wrinkle” than a “dimple”, I could not or would not personally meet some of those criteria. In their cases, the situation creates a greater opportunity for increased income; and rightly so. This is the main incentive that makes our free-market system thrive. These “dimples” do deserve and will always make more money than the rest of the people but they will also hire more people giving others the ability to reach their own stride in the race for financial success; many of whom will become “dimples”. The income range of this group will be on the high side of the equator and will vary significantly.
On the far extreme side of the economic spectrum are those who, for many reasons, cannot or choose not to benefit from the free market dynamics. These people are the health deprived, the extremely handicapped or people who, for a plethora of reasons, temporarily or permanently find themselves in dire straits. For these citizens, our Republic uses the people-granted power of taxation in order to subsidize their incomes so as to provide the basic standard of living. For those people not wishing to be in this situation, when possible, will return to the working fold. Some of these will also rise to the ranks of the highly compensated. Also, sadly, there will always be those who try and may game the system; taking advantage of those of us who work hard every day.
The third and center portion of the economic pyramid is the middle-income group. These people work every day and their income, like the “dimples”, will vary greatly. The one thing this group needs more than the others, is a budget which includes a gameplan for financial growth. With proper budgeting, a caring financial advisor, and ethical motivation every one of these people has the ability to reach a financially sound existence and a large portion could and will be financially independent by retirement age.
For a free-market society to thrive, economic equality should never jeopardize the incentives that make us free or hinder the aspects that allow each individual the revenue needed to hire more people. Think, if hard work, talents, and dreams never provided the ability to earn a premium income, who would be willing to pay the price to excel? Just as important, we should never bring down the overall average pay to find equality; however, without doing so would require the taxpayers to subsidize an unjust and unattainable level of taxation. In other words, the problem has never been economic inequality; it has been a symptom. The true definition of Economic Equality is that everyone has an equal opportunity to earn an income based on their level of talents, skills, abilities, effort, risk tolerance and a sprinkling of good luck. The problem I have seen time and again has always been, the government’s over-reach of control and their desire to change the definitions of initiatives whenever it suits those in power.
By entitling too many people, projects, and bureaucracies; the elected struggle to sustain a balanced budget which negatively impacts the free market system. The increase reach of these programs negatively affects the high and middle-income people while never fixing the problems of the lower wage earners. If the programs worked the politicians would lose political leverage from a shrinking entitlement base. In addition, they continue to expand their grasp by “selling” programs to those who should be able to thrive without assistance. Once seized, in any of their programs, most workers become incarcerated to the entitlements and lose all incentives to work harder. Their dreams begin to crumble and hope is slowly crushed. The politicians then use the “gifts” as a form of intimidation to secure future election support. This taints the whole system with unethical behaviors. When allowed to function properly and without government intervention, a free market system, will always provide enough jobs to those who wish to work. As proven, time and time again, the escalation of “free” healthcare, college tuition, exorbitant unemployment benefits, and any other government “giveaway” leads to the diminished value of who we are as a person by making us dependent on the government funds. Heaven forbid that we call it what it is, welfare.
Through my life time, I have been in all three income groups. I have never seen a rich man become poor through giving; yet there have been millions of people become poor through inappropriate taking. Taking comes in many forms. Outright theft, taking advantage of the generosity of others, the unjust allowance of entitlements, misappropriation of spending in excess of an individual’s budget or that of the national or local government’s budget. We once were a proud people; a people who shunned a hand out but accepted and welcomed a hand up. Past generations understood it was better to be treated fairly than equally. When we are treated fairly it puts everyone on equal par from the starting block. Isn’t that what we all want; a chance to personally define our own greatness? Americans should be free to be their best, regardless of who is better. As people move up, they graciously and eagerly will and have wanted to help raise others below them. A rising tide raises all ships and that is a true statement. It is also true, when anyone intentionally sinks all but a few ships; it benefits the chosen and never allows those that were sunk a fair chance to return to their greatness. We have to learn not to interfere with the tide.
If this is my last post, I want all to know there was only one purpose for all that I have written; to have made a positive difference in the lives of others.
“Inquisitio veritatis”
Anthony “Tony” Boquet, Vice President, The American College and the author of “The Bloodline of Wisdom, The Awakening of a Modern Solutionary”