There seems to be an increase in politicians using the terms 'creating and maintaining wealth" lately. It's like a catchphrase. When state lawmakers talk about why they are voting for bills or why they pursue certain interests, it is almost becoming a stock answer to make it relate to giving everyone the 'right' to "create and maintain wealth."
There are several television and radio ads with state senators and city council people talking about how everyone needs to create and maintain wealth.
UM, sorry. Not everyone has that as a goal in life. Not everyone 'wants' to be rich.
In fact, if you asked most people, they would be very happy to be 'comfortable'. Meaning to have enough money to support the lifestyle they choose to live. This does not automatically need to be 'wealthy'.
As it is, society has long associated the notion that accumulated wealth automatically equals 'success'. You are not a successful person if you don't amass wealth, is the typical seemingly common idea.
I can ultimately only speak for myself when I say that amassing wealth is not my goal in life. I like to be able to own my own house, car, living 'niceties' like a refrigerator, etc...
I don't need the fanciest or most expensive models out there. I try to be practical. I don't abuse credit. Typically, if I can't afford to pay cash for something, then that means I can't afford it and it doesn't get bought. Period.
I know a lot of people who are like that as well. Conversely, I know a lot of people who think that money is the only way achieve happiness. only when they gotten the most popular things, the fanciest items, regardless of how far into debt they go to get them, they simply 'cannot' be happy until they have them.
That is the 'false' American Dream. The idea that anyone and everyone can and ought to be wealthy.
The United States Constitution does not guarantee a right to wealth. It simply says the government should not get in the way of people who attempt to do so.
As a matter of fact, most of the what the Constitution says has to do with keeping the government out of peoples way. Not instructing the government in making sure that these things happen.
The Constitution does not guarantee 'entitlements' of any kind. It was designed to allow people to pursue their lives in a way that gave them choices and unblocked opportunities to live their own lives without government interference or intrusion.
Yet and still, we have politicians who have decided in their quest for perpetual re-election to promise things to people they have no business offering. To not only see to it that people can create wealth, but to go the step further and create systems that practically demand it. Leaving people with no desire to be wealthy no choice but to participate in banking schemes, government projects and social pressures to try to gain wealth or be punished for not doing so.
The U.S. is the land of freedom and choice.
If you choose to be wealthy, then go for it. If you choose to be broke and homeless, no one is stopping you. The only thing government should be doing is making sure that it stays out of the way and keeps some from taking unfair advantage of others. That's it.
The U.S., state and local governments need to stop trying to tell people how to live. It is only their business to see to it that people are safe, free to live their own lives and make sure everyone is playing fairly. Even the steps it takes into meeting those obligations have limits so as not to supersede personal responsibility and being accountable to each other.
Stay our of our way, politicians and quit trying to force everyone else to live by your ideals. We have our own lives and ambitions, thank you very much.
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