Money Changes Everything

When it comes to politics, I try to see both sides of the argument.  Though I admit to being more left leaning, I still feel that a “middle of the road approach” is the most reasonable way to look at things.

My father is conservative, though he considers himself a libertarian.  He was born in 1946, a year that saw widespread labor strikes and Churchill’s famed “Iron Curtain” speech.  He is a true baby boomer, 1946 being the year that saw the largest spike in U.S. births.  Both of his parents, my grandparents, worked to support their family.  They didn’t have a lot, but I doubt my father or his brother’s noticed much.  I think that’s the role of a parent: make sure your child is provided for, and that at least in their world, everything seems completely in order.

As a child, I spent a lot of time being spoiled by my family.  There was never a vacancy below the Christmas tree.  Birthdays were full of clothes and toys and good food.  Actually good food was a major part of my childhood.  Our cupboards were never bare, my closet never empty.  I don’t even remember my parent’s having any discussions on our financial status.  Family issues aside, I knew that everything was alright.

If I’d been able to see inside of my parent’s minds, I may have seen a very different scenario.  Money was tight.  Bills were piling up and credit card debt was increasing.  I’d venture to say that Peter had been bled dry.

My father believes that our government should be smaller, the rich should not be penalized for being rich,  and that “spreading the wealth” is both unfair and ineffective.  I don’t want our government digging into every aspect of my life.  I don’t believe rich people are inherently bad because of their estate. I also don’t think poor people are inherently bad because of what they don’t have.  And that’s where it gets tricky.

I’m told that it’s nothing more than socialist thinking to suggest that everyone should be on an even playing field.  What I can’t understand is, how does “trickle down economics” help stimulate our economy when the rich just continously move their money overseas, to avoid the tax liability?

There is a strong suggestion that those without are less deserving that those who have.  I don’t follow that logic.  Are there poor people who screw the system?  Of course!  Are there wealthy people who are compassionate?  Of course!  Bill and Melinda Gates come to mind.

But that’s a bad example I guess.