On Greed and Compassion
By: WILL "TAKE NO PRISONERS" HART
I quite resent this notion that the American people are somehow a greedy lot, and that they're only concerned about themselves. It certainly doesn't mesh with the world that I see and it doesn't mesh the data, either. According to the Charitable Aid Foundation, the United States is THE most generous country on the planet (65% of its citizens donate money, 43% donate personal time, and 73% help out strangers). And to think that this type of charity would somehow shrink up if in fact the government did decide to cut back a little is both ridiculous AND insulting..............................................................................................I also deeply resent the demonization of wealth and achievement in this society. It was, folks, the industrialists and business visionaries of the United States who truly made it the great place in which literally every frigging immigrant on the planet wanted to come to FOR DECADES. And even when these people like John D. Rockefeller (Jr. and Sr.), Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, and Walter Annenberg weren't busy creating wealth, they were even busier giving it away. Hell, folks, even Cornelius Vanderbilt, who admittedly was somewhat skinflint during his life, donated (in 2012 dollars) $260,000,000 toward the creation of Vanderbilt University. Compare this, I ask you, to the bullcrap ways in which Hoover and FDR frittered away taxpayers' money and, yes, it even becomes more of an outrage to demonize these great men.........................................................................................Of course, the thing that probably pisses me off the most is this idiotic notion that only liberals are capable of compassion - that they've essentially cornered the God-damned market on it, if you will. I mean, to me, the very concept of trying to solve, literally, EVERY PROBLEM with taxing the well-to-do and then creating yet another layer of bureaucracy isn't just a hackneyed approach. It's also a dangerous one in that it all too often hurts the very people that you're allegedly trying to help (rent controls - perfect example)..............................................................................................The bottom-line here, folks, is that we really, REALLY, need to work together and knock it off with all of this demonization bullcrap. Both sides.
I quite resent this notion that the American people are somehow a greedy lot, and that they're only concerned about themselves. It certainly doesn't mesh with the world that I see and it doesn't mesh the data, either. According to the Charitable Aid Foundation, the United States is THE most generous country on the planet (65% of its citizens donate money, 43% donate personal time, and 73% help out strangers). And to think that this type of charity would somehow shrink up if in fact the government did decide to cut back a little is both ridiculous AND insulting..............................................................................................I also deeply resent the demonization of wealth and achievement in this society. It was, folks, the industrialists and business visionaries of the United States who truly made it the great place in which literally every frigging immigrant on the planet wanted to come to FOR DECADES. And even when these people like John D. Rockefeller (Jr. and Sr.), Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, and Walter Annenberg weren't busy creating wealth, they were even busier giving it away. Hell, folks, even Cornelius Vanderbilt, who admittedly was somewhat skinflint during his life, donated (in 2012 dollars) $260,000,000 toward the creation of Vanderbilt University. Compare this, I ask you, to the bullcrap ways in which Hoover and FDR frittered away taxpayers' money and, yes, it even becomes more of an outrage to demonize these great men.........................................................................................Of course, the thing that probably pisses me off the most is this idiotic notion that only liberals are capable of compassion - that they've essentially cornered the God-damned market on it, if you will. I mean, to me, the very concept of trying to solve, literally, EVERY PROBLEM with taxing the well-to-do and then creating yet another layer of bureaucracy isn't just a hackneyed approach. It's also a dangerous one in that it all too often hurts the very people that you're allegedly trying to help (rent controls - perfect example)..............................................................................................The bottom-line here, folks, is that we really, REALLY, need to work together and knock it off with all of this demonization bullcrap. Both sides.
Excellent article!
ReplyDeleteThe reason it is unlikely things will change anytime soon?
One word, POWER.
The way to stay in power (or gain it back) is to endear yourselves in the hearts of those you are allegedly representing. How better to do this than to create fear and loathing for your opposition (never mind if the narrative is untruthful)? Who of course are really not much different from yourselves. Of course I'm talking both parties here.
The real important choice we have is either LIBERTY or TYRANNY. Either or both parties with their less than ethical legislators, senators, presidents, and the bureaucrats of Leviathan are only too capable of taking us down the path to tyranny. I believe they are quite willing as well.
We must remain vigilant and stand firm in defense of individualism, personal responsibility, self sufficiency, hard work and personal integrity, and we must hold to the fire the feet of our elected representatives and officials so they understand they work for us rather than the other way around.
And the advocates of liberty and the individual will continue their steadfast vigil over our republic.
Amen! Greed? In a free-market capitalist system you cannot legally get rich by ripping people off. Steve Jobs and millions of other entrepreneurs from big name inventors and marketers to plumbers and landscapers get rich by serving their fellow human beings. There is nothing greedy about that.
ReplyDeleteSilver: Exactly true. Nothing greedy about people working hard and earning money with the entirely free consent of those they interact with.
DeleteNow if you want real greed, look at the government and taxation. The ruling elites have at their disposal a near record amount of tax dollars. Now some of them want to plunder even more, a situation which comes close to the definition of "theft" while not meeting it completely, as it involves them forcibly taking what is ours under threat of violence. A dishonest way to make money: taking it at gunpoint.
What do you call a nation that freely chooses (vote for) economic policies that refuse to pay their bills and pile up trillions of dollars in debt? Deadbeats? Selfish? Certainly irresponsible.
ReplyDeleteA little off topic, but the American people have supported (voted for) politicians and policies that built this debt. If the debt had come from one administration, or party, maybe the people were duped by lying politicians. But the multi-trillion dollar debts have been adding up for 30 years. Surely the people must take their part of responsibility, for their continued approval (again voting) of these irresponsible financial policies?
We have always had a progressive tax rate. I don't agree, that the fact that some pay a few percent more, is demonizing them.
You seem to put the blame on the lefty BS. I put the blame on the Republicans I voted for (who have had more than their fair share of majority power) for telling me they would not be fiscally irresponsible like the Democrats, and stop the climbing debt. I don't believe any politician, but that was their claim, so I gave them a chance. I was duped (lied to) but I quit voting for them years ago. No, I didn't start voting for Dems., I stopped voting.
Anon, I wasn't referring to those who are asking the rich to go back to the Clinton era tax rates. This was much more in response to a certain breed of progressive blogger who constantly seems to think that a) libertarians are greedy and b) only liberals somehow have compassion. And I totally think that Les knows who I'm referring to here.
DeleteI have no idea who you might be talking about. Personally, I only agree with point A. Libertarians call greed "rational self interest". To them it's a virtue.
Deletewd, As usual you you show your lack of ability to think rationally. The fact YOU do NOT understand what rational self interest means is your cross to bear. But whatever floats your boat go for it wd. I am just glad I won't be in your boat when it sinks.
DeleteWD clearly thinks that a person who wants to keep what they properly earn and create is "greedy". Even if they are middle class or poor (which most Libertarians are). Which follows that he is calling a lot of middle-class people greedy.
Deletesilverfiddle,
ReplyDeletegreed is not a matter of legality. it is a matter of morality. and to some, profit itself is immoral. the reason being is that profit results from an unequal exchange of assets and inequality is seen as being immoral on any level. and that constitutes greed in their eyes.
If people see profit as immoral, then there is very little room for discussion with them.
DeleteThese same people have no problem with profits if the ruling elites are the ones that make them. but heaven forbid that any of the ruled work hard and earn money equal to the value of their work.
DeleteNot all "these people" see it that way. The limited ruling, and corrupt elite undoubtedly do. After all any other attitude would crimp their "greedy" and immoral take at gunpoint mentality. Would it not?
Delete"I also deeply resent the demonization of wealth and achievement in this society."
ReplyDeleteHyperbole. No one resents or demonizes wealth. What peoople don't like is the wealthiest of the wealthy not paying their fair share in taxes while the middle class has to carry the very rich on their backs.
"Of course, the thing that probably pisses me off the most is this idiotic notion that only liberals are capable of compassion ..."
Where exactly did you read that ONLY LIBERALS ARE CAPABLE OF COMPASSION? Can you point us to anyone who actually said or wrote that?
"...trying to solve, literally, EVERY PROBLEM with taxing the well-to-do..."
Mitt Romeny who is a multi-multi millionaire pays a tax rate of approx. 14% while you pay--what? Why do you think that's fair? Oh, and the future GOP presidential candidate has off-shore accounts, and Swiss bank accounts to avoid paying his red blooded American taxes. Rich people get to rake in the money then send it somewhere off-shore so you and the other people here have to make up for it. Good for you, helping Mitt Romney keep his money from going to helping the USof A.
"The bottom-line here, folks, is that we really, REALLY, need to work together and knock it off with all of this demonization bullcrap. Both sides."
Excuse me, Will, but this rant was a demonization of, well, you fill in the blank.
Shaw: Define "fair share."
DeleteYes Shaw, please do.
Delete"Mitt Romeny who is a multi-multi millionaire pays a tax rate of approx. 14% while you pay--what? Why do you think that's fair? Oh, and the future GOP presidential candidate has off-shore accounts, and Swiss bank accounts to avoid paying his red blooded American taxes."
DeleteAll of which is to try to obfuscate the fact that Romney pays hundreds of times as much in taxes as middle class or poor people (now THAT's a progressive tax in action!). And he has avoided nothing; having paid millions in "red blooded American taxes". Have you paid as much money as Romney in taxes or even charitable contributions? My, that sure is some high horse you are on.
"Hyperbole. No one resents or demonizes wealth. What peoople don't like is the wealthiest of the wealthy not paying their fair share in taxes while the middle class has to carry the very rich on their backs."
Lets fact check this? With the top 10% of earners paying 70% of the Federal income tax dollars, it is very clear who's carrying who on their backs.
"Rich people get to rake in the money then send it somewhere off-shore so you and the other people here have to make up for it."
DeleteUm, no we don't. That assumes a zero sum game which really does not exist. What is there to "make up for"??? Tax revenues, while they were a little higher several years ago due to the effects of the Bush tax cuts on the middle class, are now close to an all time high. It is like you are making up some sort of imaginary amount of magic money that does not exist, in order to claim some sort of lack in it and then demand that someone "make up for it" when it does not exist.
Sorry I missed this one, been busy working my butt off to make it to tax freedom day that is still three days away. Is it really sane that we have to work until the 17th of April to satisfy the hunger of our government? The rich are routinely demonized for not paying their fair share, but based on tax records the rich pay for everything, so who isn't paying their fair share as an American.
ReplyDeleteThe Buffet Rule is the most un-American proposal I have ever heard of because since when is it okay to single out any American for special punishment? I mean I thought this was the land where all men (this includes women) are created equal and endowed by the Creator, but apparently once you earn a certain amount of money you are a criminal and you are to be punished with unique fines (taxes).
The million dollar a year mark will not stand and the number will keep going lower and lower because only 400 people meet the criteria of the Buffet Rule, which results in a drop in the federal debt bucket. They will come for the $500,000 next, then $250,000, then $100,000, and finally anyone paying taxes will be a straight 30% rate, while the rest of the nation pays nothing.
Charity of the rich moved this country forward because they knew that had more than they could spend and wanted to make a lasting impression on the world with their money. It was mostly hubris, but it was a choice by them how they should use their money. Now we have the left saving that we must force people at the point of the gun to give their money to the government, so the government can make the charitable decisions. This smacks of slavery and is about as un-American as it gets. I am a libertarian for a reason and this is just one of the reasons, forced charity is slavery and I won't sit idly by and do nothing.
For evil to prevail only requires good men to do nothing, so good men rise up against tyranny and slavery. And don't get me started on generational slavery because our debt is going to enslave generations to come.
I just wish somebody, a progressive, would define the anti-concept fair and then objectively argue in it's defense.
ReplyDelete