Why Shouldn’t We “Spread The Wealth Around”?

Two friends of mine posted this cartoon on their blogs, and something about it struck a chord with me. I thought to myself, “Why shouldn’t we “Spread the Wealth Around”? What is wrong with Barack Obama saying these 4 words? After all, isn’t it a good thing that everyone has at least something?

I don’t know a single person who wants other people to suffer or be poor. Everyone wants government policy that will help decrease poverty and increase wealth for every American and everyone in the world. The debate comes from how this is best accomplished.

My biggest concern with the “spread the wealth around” philosophy is that it does such a disservice to both the giver and receiver of the handout.

The giver is deprived of the satisfaction of knowing they helped someone because they wanted to and not because the government forced them.

The receiver is deprived of the satisfaction of knowing the amazing feeling of the reward for working hard and improving their own life.

Both parties have no future motivation to give or strive to earn their own rewards.

Non-profit organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others will find their donations dry up because people will be less willing and able to give.

The individuals who receive the hand outs will be less motivated to go find a job or further educate themselves because they will never know the satisfaction of earning their own reward.

It amazes me when I see young kids sporting events where everyone gets a trophy. It doesn’t matter if you come in first place or last place, everyone gets a trophy.

When I grew up, that didn’t happen. First, Second, and Third got the reward.

If I finished last, I didn’t want a reward. I was mad. I knew if I wanted to finish first I needed to work my butt off to get where I wanted to be.

I remember one track event in particular where I finished dead last. I didn’t bitch and moan about how fast the other guys were. I didn’t say, “man that isn’t fair, those guys are too fast. They need to slow down so I can catch up”. I think everyone can agree that statement is laughable.

Let’s put this in different terms. “Man that isn’t fair, those guys are too rich. They need to give me some of their money so I can catch up.” Why do we not think this statement is laughable?

The reason Obama’s plan sounds so good to half the country is because we have taken the approach with our kids that everyone is rewarded just for participating. This mentality wasn’t what made America great.

This cheats the kids who finish first because they see the kids who finish last get a reward too.

What is their motivation to work harder and get even better?

What is the motivation of the kid who finished last to improve or focus on something where he can excel if he always gets rewarded “just for trying”?

The hand outs the government needs to provide are tools and opportunities not cash. Setup a reward system not a welfare system.

If we hand out cash, this problem will only compound itself 5, 10, 15 years from now and we truly will find ourselves in a socialist society.

America has the richest poor people in the world and that is because there are rewards for being successful. The answer to improving everyone’s life in this country is not to “spread the wealth around”, but to drive people to work hard and reward them for their success.

The more Bill Gates, Warren Buffets, Steve Jobs, and Jeff Bezos this country produces, the more jobs will be created. Jobs help people to be come productive members of society and help people’s self worth and self esteem. This allows everyone to enjoy the rewards of hard work and improve their lives; not at the expense of others, but because of others.

This country was made great by people working hard so they can earn a reward to help their families and then provide opportunities for other families.

I would prefer to continue the course that made America great and not the “spread the wealth around” course taken by countries like China, Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela, and others.

Electing Barack Obama would not cause our country to become Socialist overnight, but with a Democrat majority in the House and Senate we certainly would be taking HUGE steps toward that direction.

This country needs change. We took our eye off the ball, but the change needed is not a whole new game plan toward Socialism. We need change that puts us back on the path that made us a great country in the first place.

Capitalism NOT Socialism
Hard Work NOT Handouts
Personal Responsibility NOT Entitlement
Traditional Family Values NOT Hollywood Values
Smaller Government NOT Bigger Government
Fiscal Responsibility NOT Tax and Spend
Private Businesses/Services NOT Government Controlled Services

I am not convinced John McCain would put us back in the right direction for all of these critical areas where we lost our focus.

I am certain that a Barack Obama presidency and a Democrat House and Senate majority would not.

I pray we make the right decision as a country.