It Just Doesn't Work...

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need". I am surprised lately at how many Americans think that this is a great idea we should entertain. The quote, in case some of you attended public school like me, is from Karl Marx. The idea is that everyone should share equally in the prosperity of the community, and in the wonderful land of Utopia created by Thomas More, maybe it would work. This however is an imperfect world filled with flawed and imperfect people.

The problem with the philosophy is that it punishes the industrious and rewards the shiftless. I think that we can all agree that there some among us that work very hard, and regardless of their motives for their work, they achieve great things. There are others that avoid work at all costs. Some would not even go through the trouble to seek hand-outs if their very existence did not depend on it. In America the idea that each person has the freedom to pursue their dreams and desires is the foundation upon which we build.

Lately I have been hearing individuals communicate their desire for a system that will take from those that have worked hard and reaped the rewards of their labor, and give it to others that have not earned it. The entitlement mentality many possess is a threat to our freedom and ultimately to our economic well being. We live in a country that offers us the freedom to pursue our desires. Our freedom gives us the right to strive for these things, not to have them. We will only achieve to the level we are willing to invest our ability, work ethic and persistence. The lessons learned from working, and many times failing, to achieve our goals is what molds us into people of character. Living off the work of others does nothing to build character, teach us perseverance, or bolster our sense of self worth.

For those that play the game of class-envy the result is always the same, the socialist and communist countries of the world have taught us this. Senator Obama continues the tradition of liberalism by espousing a tax policy that will punish the successful, the employers, the innovators in our country and increase the role of Big Government. Redistribution of wealth (which is what Obama admits his goal is) does not, has not and never will stimulate an economy or motivate individuals to work. The proven way to stimulate the economy and increase tax revenues to the state is through tax reductions. This was successfully proven twice in the last 50 years, once by JFK and again by Ronald Reagan. If, on the other hand, we are looking for a plan to "spread the poverty", squelch productivity, stagnate the economy and discourage individual achievement... the Obama plan would be it.