The Elected Elite Rule For Themselves

Biden Socks it to the Rich

President Biden has declared war on big corporations and the very rich. He has stated over and over that they don’t pay their fair share, and goes on the deplore the gap between the poor and the ultra-rich. His diatribe speaks to the have-nots who envy those who seem to have much more than their fair share. As the poor greatly outnumber the rich, his sock-it-to-the-rich campaign may get him elected, but punishing the rich is not good for America.

Jeff Bezos is currently the wealthiest man in the world. He recently retired with plans to enjoy his 100 billion dollars or so. I say good for him. Jeff Bezos was an ordinary guy with a vision. You and I could have had the same vision, but we didn’t. Not only did he have a vision, he dedicated his life to making that vision a reality. He began with a small operation in his garage and grew his business into the largest retail operation the world has ever known. Along the way, he provided jobs for hundreds of thousands of American workers. Workers who all pay taxes. Poor people don’t generate jobs. Only those who are successful enough to become rich generate jobs. Jeff Bezos has done more for the American economy than anyone else I know. It is silly to say he doesn’t pay his fair share. He should be applauded for achieving the American dream. He should not only be applauded; he should be emulated. Our government should neither penalize nor criticize Jeff Bezos for being successful. Nor should they penalize the success of any entrepreneur. Over half of all new business ventures close within the first year. Entrepreneurs assume the risk of failure.

I have read column after column saying the divide between the poor and rich is the greatest problem facing America today. That is just flat wrong. Income disparity is socialist propaganda that has been disproved over and over. The mantra of Karl Marx was that everyone should benefit equally regardless of their contribution. It is the utopian ideal, but has never worked. The totalitarian Soviet Union tried, but could not put it into practice. They even had to allow small private garden plots in order to feed their population. The divide between the poor and rich is what drives the economy. It is the life blood of a free nation. If citizens receive additional compensation, they will work harder and smarter. Why work hard if everyone receives the same reward? Why improve your skills if there is no economic incentive to do so?

No one in their right mind actually believes workers should all be paid the same regardless of skill and work ethic. No one benefits from that concept except politicians. Only a small percent of Americans are willing to take the risks necessary to become successful. Even among those who are willing to take the risk, very few actually achieve financial independence. So, the poor far outnumber the rich. But poor and rich alike have the same vote. If politicians can make even a small percentage of the poor believe the rich don’t pay their fair share they can sway voters. If politicians can sway even one per cent of the poor into believing their propaganda, they can get elected.

Our elected elite often care more for themselves than they do for the country. That is much more of a problem than disparity of wealth.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over 20 years.