WHAT SOME PEOPLE THINK

I’m sitting here in front of the TV watching a re-run of a Sean Hannity show that first aired this past week. Frank Luntz, the pollster was his guest along with fifteen to twenty voters from New Jersey. They were primarily discussing the upcoming New Jersey gubernatorial election between democrat incumbent John Corzine, republican Chris Christie, and an independent whose name escapes me.

The fifteen to twenty voters appeared to be middle class voters just like me. With the exception of one or two, it appeared that the group felt that the government owed them cradle to grave benefits and distribution of wealth is a good thing. Again, this is New Jersey a known liberal/democrat state. I was born and raised and currently live in Alabama, a conservative/republican state. I was taught to work hard and “take care of my own back yard.”

One woman admitted to Sean that she was in favor of, “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” When Sean told her this concept originated from Karl Marx, she seemed unaffected. I’m not so sure that she knew who Karl Marx was. I was taught about “from each according to his ability and to each according to his need” in ninth grade civics. I was also taught that it doesn’t work. And I believe that.

A lot of the folks in the group were concerned about the millions of dollars that are going to pay bonuses to high-level executives these days. One guy opined that this was capitalism; in other words, some get it, and some don’t. I do admit it’s frustrating to hear about these bonuses when I’ve gotten anywhere from nothing to one week’s salary as bonuses throughout my career. You don’t have to do business with those companies; nor do you have to work for them. You might say, that company or that business is the only game in town and you have no choice but to accept their employment and to purchase their goods/services. You do have a choice, but you’re not willing to make that choice. You could quit that job and do something else, but you don’t want to. It pays the bills and may allow you to have a somewhat comfortable life and that week’s salary sure helps with some of those expenses. You have a choice, but you choose to stay with your company. This makes me not so sure that you have a right to gripe about large bonuses.

A few years back, the University of Alabama found itself in need of a good football coach to bring back its once proud football program. As many of you may know, Athletic Director Mal Moore went out there and hired Nick Saban, the best; and agreed to pay him what was then the highest salary for a head football coach in NCAA Division 1 football. Well, the media and the Auburn fans had a field day with this. How could we pay that kind of money for a football coach? Well, if anyone objects to it, quit supporting the University and quit going to ballgames. To date, I don’t know of anyone who has done that. In fact, most of us have just reached further into our pockets and are thoroughly enjoying watching our top five football team win Saturday after Saturday. We’ve got a tough one this weekend, though. If Coach Saban’s salary was so objectionable to the folks, just quite purchasing football tickets or even go to school somewhere else.

The point I’m trying to make is that if you find something objectionable, you don’t have to participate. Don’t purchase the products, don’t work for the company, don’t pump in money.

You and I certainly have the ability to make a difference; but do we want to, especially if substantial risk is involved?