By David R. Young, author of THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM: Freedom vs. Enslavement

 What makes a person happy is as varied as the American culture. Some are content with being a “beach bum” while other’s find contentment and happiness in a home, family and good friends. Thomas Peterffy, an immigrant from Hungary, grew up under Communism and was very happy to fulfill his dream to come to the U.S. and pursue the American dream. After growing up in poverty, he is now a very wealthy man.

Most people want the opportunity to become “rich”. Most children grow up with hopes of becoming “rich”. People are driven by their dreams and hopes. In a free society, as founded under our Constitutional Republic, all people have the opportunity to set and achieve their goals. Our government’s role is similar to a referee, making sure people play by the rules in their quest for life, liberty and their pursuit of happiness. They are not the players.

As government slides toward the political left, it begins to take more and more away from the private sector and begins to accumulate “business”, property and wealth. Socialistic governments take over more and more of the countries private businesses under the guise of paying for needed social programs.

On the extreme left of the political spectrum, a communist government, not only owns ALL property and wealth of the country, but also “owns” the people. The ridiculous concept that everyone must be equal is enforced by uniformity in dress, shelter, food, pay, etc. all of which are provided by government and none of which is owned by the individual. Everyone is equally poor and no one has reason to excel, be creative or work hard. As Peterffy says; “I grew up in a socialist country and I have seen what that does to people. There is no hope, no freedom, no pride in achievement.” 

As a free-society government shifts toward the left, it begins to demonize the wealthy, while denying it is doing so. Yet it continues its campaign with slogans of “Fair Share” and “Equal Opportunity”. Why? Because the “Rich” possess the property and wealth which the political left craves and eventually hopes to possess.

Common sense tells one: if government is attacking today’s rich under the guise of giving some “class” equal opportunity, taking advantage of such “opportunity” could make you the next target of government. The premise that government wants to take from the rich to give to the poor is a lie. If such programs are allowed the productive people leave and the poor are left in an oppressed society under an oppressive government. Thomas Peterffy illustrates this perfectly: “America’s wealth comes from the efforts of people striving for success. Take away their incentive with badmouthing success and you take away the wealth that helps us take care of the needy.” 

Never forget your own dreams to be rich or famous. Don’t allow government to kick another person’s dreams just because yours may not have turned out as you had hoped. Never let government set limits on how much a person can succeed or have. A wealthy person’s gains are not another person’s loss; it’s usually quite the contrary. But when government starts controlling the wealth, it’s everyone’s loss.