The US Government has been in the business of “redistributing” wealth since the FDR days. Prior to 1943, there wasn’t even a federal income tax on individuals. In the last few months, redistribution has risen to escalating proportions.
Since this is a relatively new concept in the history of our nation, I think we’d do well to examine this shift and whether it is a positive one. I maintain that it is not, and over the next few posts I’ll share why redistribution is just another term for robbery.
#1 It Robs the Poor of Their Potential to Grow
In May of 1990, my husband and I were in a bad situation. He was jobless and I was a stay at home mom. We had 2 small children, one of whom was on a heart monitor that cost $600/month to rent. It was then that I started my business. The first six years were excruciating. There was feast and famine, debt, and stress. Along the way, we surely could have qualified for government assistance, but we never sought it. Instead, my husband found what employment he could, and I worked and learned about business.
Even after the first six years, we struggled for at least another 4-5 more. Nothing about the road was easy. Yet, heaven sent me mentors along the way who taught me not only how to run a business and how to market, but also how to think. Experience taught me to lean on the Lord. I most certainly would not be the person I am today had I never endured it.
Looking back, there is only one thing I would do differently. I wouldn’t have borrowed from Peter to pay Paul. I would have worked out some arrangements with Peter and left Paul out of it. But that’s a whole other article.
Bottom line, if someone said that they could go back in time and hand me some ongoing support through those early years so that I never would have to suffer, I wouldn’t take it. Why? Because it would rob me of the experiences that made me who I am. It would rob me of my strength of character, my faith, my trust in the Lord, and my ability to use creativity, ingenuity and inspiration to find solutions. It would deprive me of my ability to produce my own income.
When we seek to “fix” someone else's life on the pretext of “not wanting them to suffer” we usually do more harm than good. Sure, there were people who gave us things along the way. Charity was extended to us by our kind parents and siblings on more than one occasion. But they did not support us to such an extent that they deprived us of our dignity or our ability to grow.
The Declaration of Independence lists “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as the three inalienable rights of mankind. It is the “pursuit of happiness” which has made me who I am. The struggle has made me stronger, and the journey has brought joy and happiness. Happiness cannot be forced upon us, or handed to us on a silver platter. The Founding Fathers knew that governments that get out of the individual’s way foster greatness, strength of character and ultimate freedom. I hope and pray that my children will enjoy the same freedom I have had to pursue their own happiness.
Comments