The left wages endless class warfare. One of the foundational talking points revolves around endless drivel concerning the widening gap between our “rich” and “poor”. Those terms in and of themselves connote separation and anxiety. Those who favor redistribution of wealth insist that without same the United States is sliding perilously down the slope of inevitable revolution. Social upheaval is apparently what must happen unless the “rich” give more to the “poor”. Proponents of this are quick to point to the French (1789) and Russian (1917) Revolutions as cases in point.
Let’s put this class warfare to rest, shall we? First, let’s understand that both aforementioned revolutions were indeed revolts by the people. They were not political, they were social. It is important to understand the difference. The people simply rose and upended the political framework. In Russia’s case, they literally did so in the space of one week. Both revolutions (each in their own way and in their own time) became political, but they were not inspired by politics or politicians.
In each case, the people rose up because they had nothing; nada. In each case, they were truly the 99% who were relegated to hopeless lives; no upward mobility, no ability to put food on the table, no anything!
The United States bears no resemblance to the failed monarchies that created the social upheaval which ended pre Revolutionary France and Russia. The hue and cry over GOP ruthlessness is a mockery. We are arguing about runaway deficit spending and entitlement philosophy. No one in the United States is suggesting we should not help our “poor”.
So lets start by stopping the “rich” and “poor” rhetoric. We have successful and less successful Americans. Some Americans are completely down on their luck and are just plumb not successful. They have run into roadblocks at every turn. The GOP wants to help those who want to help themselves. The GOP also wants to help those who have given up. The difference between the left and the GOP is that the GOP doesn’t want to perpetuate hopelessness and make it a way of life. In short, we believe government support should be like a trampoline. One should be able to receive assistance until one can bounce back onto one’s feet. We do not think the taxpayer should be required to provided a metaphoric hammock; something that encourages one to lie down and never get back up!
To put things in perspective, look how much money we spend on social programs. (Click here to see.) We spend over $350,000,000,000 a year on the social safety net! All I am saying is that we should all agree that the net should be more like a trampoline than a hammock!
It is a sham for the left to continue to try to foment social upheaval based on the economic gap between those who have succeeded and those who haven’t. We are a kind nation. There is help for those who need it. Let’s also not forget the magnificence of our philanthropic endeavors. Those who have succeeded contribute billions of dollars a year to those less fortunate. In fact, in 2016, Americans gave over $390,000,000,000 of their own money to charity. (Click here to see report.) The private sector will always be able to target and more efficiently help those in need than will the massive bureaucracy that is our US government. Just out of interest, how much money do you think our private sector will contribute if the government continues to tax it into ruin?
As an aside, if you want to help someone, I recommend you check out I Am Waters. It is the only non-profit organization in the country dedicated to the physical and spiritual hydration of our homeless population; a group of people democrats and Republicans have left behind. If you want to learn more, click here.)
I could easily segue into the the current (and seemingly endless) health care repeal and replace debate. No folks, the GOP is not trying to kill you. Obamacare is imploding. It will die under its own weight. Will whatever comes out of the House and Senate conference be perfect? No! But whatever comes out will be better than the DOA legislation that is currently derailing. The left is not being honest with the American people. They are not acknowledging how terribly flawed the current law is. We will end up with a muddled compromise, but it will be less murky and more navigable than the quicksand in which we now try to walk.
But I digress. All I ask is this; the next time Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi rise up in righteous indignation about GOP cold hearted 1% callousness, just take a step back and ask yourself, “wait, what?” And when you take the time to see what is driving the GOP’s philosophy, you just might find that it makes some sense. Only time will tell. I’m just asking you to give it a shot.
Just to close, we are not France in 1789. Nor are we Russia in 1917. Not even close. We have a heart. Don’t smirk at Lee Greenwood. This song (here) resonated for a reason.
More to follow-