Socialists everywhere I look

What in the world has happened to a large proportion of our leaders these days?  There seems to be no middle ground on any issue and the result is that our country is gridlocked and getting nowhere fast.  Even the so-called independents are getting into the act!  I watched a video of an interview of former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura and though some of the things he was saying sounded interesting and decided to check out his book from the library and see what he has to say.  I was flabbergasted to find that he advocates a 90% tax on people who make over $400,000 per year.  Really? 

A person works hard, builds a company (contrary to the opinion of our current president) and, when he begins to achieve an executive salary, he must give back $360,000 of his earnings and live on only $40,000.  What would be the incentive for a person to excel in such a scenario?  Why would anyone bother to recruit, train and retain quality workers?  Why would they work hard to keep track of a payroll and meet their share of investment and health care contributions?  Is the intent of such taxation to make every business a local street corner operation where the owners scratch out a living year after year without any reason to expand?  When will politicians stop treating success like a crime? 

While I agree our current tax code is a mess, I do not agree that the way to fix things is to tax our most productive citizens far beyond reason.  Change the tax code!  Simplify it and take out a bunch of those stupid deductions!  Make sure that those below the poverty line are not paying tax!  Why is there a poverty line when it is meaningless at tax time?  If someone is impoverished, they ought not to have to pay any tax!  But to suggest that someone who has succeeded should have to give up what they have won by their labor and intelligence simply so the government can expand and give money to those who did not succeed is simply ridiculous. 

That way lies malaise, as those who can achieve great success begin to see that there is no reason to do so.  Where then will jobs come from and who will fund the programs that we really do need to retain?  We are already seeing the effect of governmental policies that are toxic to business as Campbell Soup and others pull out of California.  How many more businesses will have to close their American operations and move to other countries before our politicians realize they are causing this migration that will make our country extinct all too soon?

Wanted: Rich Men Willing To Lower Their Standards

Wanted: Rich Men Willing To Lower Their Standards

I just saw a piece on CBS News Sunday Morning that shows a disturbing new trend, women dating specifically to ensnare rich men. It reminded me of an old joke. A beautiful young woman finds herself alone with an older man at a party. She knows the man is very rich. The man asks, “Would you sleep with me for ten million dollars?” The young woman blushes but also responds excitedly, “Ten Million Dollars? Why, sure I’d sleep with you for ten million dollars!” The man replies, “How about for ten dollars?” The young woman is suddenly indignant and says, “For ten dollars? Certainly not! What kind of girl do you think I am?” The rich man says, “We’ve established that. Now we’re haggling over price.”

Certainly, there have always been people of both sexes willing to do anything for money, there is a reason that offering companionship, and sex in return for some sort of compensation is referred to as the world’s oldest profession. The problem, I believe, is with the mindset behind the people on either side of these relationships. Neither group seems to think they are worth the type of total commitment necessary to find, woo and retain a mate. They bravely attempt to justify their “positions” by rationalizing.

The women point out how men are unreliable philanderers, and only after sex and, after all, if we don’t take care of ourselves, who will? Everybody knows you need to have a certain amount of money to be able live and be happy. The men point out that women are all unreliable sluts, only after money, and who can spare the time away from acquiring wealth and trinkets to properly meet, woo and retain a mate.

I believe both camps are simply saying that the process is too much trouble and, therefore, not worth the bother. They are also saying the same thing about themselves. They are all saying. “I must not be not worth loving.”. They have given up on themselves and they are lowering their standards to reflect their perception of the sorry state of love and matrimony in the modern world.

Mind you, I’m not saying there are no problems with the way we stupid humans pursue and attempt to relate to the opposite sex. There certainly are. But I believe I am worth fighting my way through those problems and seeking, wooing and remaining committed to a spouse. Consequently, Sally and I have been married for over 27 years now. Sally must think she is worth some personal sacrifice as well or we would not have lasted this long.

You see I think we humans have this whole situation backwards, as usual. We think those other people aren’t worth our time. But what are you worth to yourself? Aren’t your worth the time and the trial and error? You say it’s too hard and too painful. Oh, please! The same women who are seeking these rich men have often undergone diets and exercise classes and plastic surgery and nameless other investments just to bag a millionaire. For what? Summer in the Hamptons? A new pair of Blahniks whenever you want them? To those of you who still think you aren’t enduring pain to bag rich guys I have two words to say; bikini wax!

This is all without mentioning the pain of knowing the entire time that you are not actually loved, but rather possessed. You have become a thing, an object, no more of a companion than a pet. What happens when you become last year’s model? Oh, yes! I forgot about the divorce settlement. I think what you forgot is that little thing rich guys came up with some years ago to protect themselves from women like you. It’s called a pre-nuptial agreement.

Lest anyone should say that I am unfairly picking on these women, I have a thing or two to say to the men involved as well. Are you really so fulfilled with your money and your cars and your yachts? And who will inherit all of this wealth you have amassed? What’s it all for, Ebenezer? So you give to charities! Poor people do so also and probably give a much bigger percentage of their total incomes. If you really want to do something to give back to society, get married, have a child and teach him or her to do what you do and continue your work.

The entire thing boils down to one basic truth. The people engaged in these sugar daddy dating services are seeking the same thing they have always sought; instant gratification. They all think that life is all about this moment. What do you have? Whom do you know? Where do you live? How banal! Do you not realize that life is about more than just this moment? What is your future? What is your legacy? Andrew Carnegie was one of the richest men who ever lived and yet he managed to find time to woo and marry the former Louise Whitfield, a woman who became his partner for the rest of his life, and who was reportedly responsible for influencing much of the philanthropy her husband is so well remembered for today. How about it, boys? Do you want to be another Andrew Carnegie? It takes more than just money. You have to be aware you are worth more than companions you have to pay.