Who is John Galt?

Democratic? Capitalistic? Socialistic? Republic? Which are we? Which is ideal?

This topic should invite debate as we all have our own ideals in mind. The first thing that trips off of our tongue is that we are a democratic society … Not true. We were actually set up as a Republic more than a democracy. But is that what we truly are? Why? Why not? Should we really be trying for one of these alone or maybe a combination of several?

Some might claim that we are truly a capitalistic society…Those who work hard and succeed, benefit from gaining more reward for their work. If we were truly so however, we would not have to pay taxes on what we make. We would simply pay for everything we get. Tolls for every time we used a road. Every time we went to a park. No Smithsonian Museum to be a record for our history or our accomplishments as there wouldn't be the tax money to preserve them. We'd have to hire our own body guards and police as shop keepers do in the cities of Bogota and Medellin Colombia if we want our families and belongings to be protected. No judges to make decisions when a crime is committed towards someone who does not have the money to pay for their services. No public defenders when someone is accused but has no money for a defense or for justice when a crime is committed on someone who is poor or a child. No help when a death leaves a child without a parent to care for him.

Socialism sounds good on paper … almost like somethingout of the Bible at first glance. Everyone working and everyone getting the same payment in return. The same food and healthcare, child care, housing and transportation. No one left out in the cold. No one getting educated any better or worse than anyone else. But wait. Why try to work too awfully hard if it's not going to get you any farther than the next guy … He's taking breaks every 30 minutes but stillgets three meals a day and government housing just the same….What's there to make anyone want to accomplish anything from birth to grave if it doesn't result in any reward for more effort? Ayn Rand warned of this result in her book Atlas Shrugged. Even though it was written over 50 years ago, much of it still rings true today when we see those who think that they are entitled to things that others worked hard for. What happens when everyone thinks that they are entitled without any output. Then what productivity is going to carry the society?

Democracy supposedly puts all on even playing field so all have the same opportunity to work towards their own accomplishments and gains dependent upon them…But are all really given the same opportunities? Some are born to parents who aren't capable of mentoring their children to be all they can be, some are not physically or mentally equal to others. Some are born into poverty which doesn't allow progress at the same rate due to poor nutrition, resulting in slower brain and body development so when opportunities present themselves the person isn't yet prepared to take them. Some don't have the benefit of quality healthcare which cause them to miss more school. Some have the responsibility of caring for siblings at home due to parent jobs or lack of parenting. Some are born to minorities, or even into local families who historically and even today in some cases are not thought to be able to compete academically so are written off instead of invested in by some who could be their mentors. How can the next generation strive to gain a higher level when they have already been painted with the same brush as their parents and not given the chance?

I contend it is a delicate balance to maintain so we can take a little from those who have more in order to help level the playing field for those who were dealt a poorer hand while not creating a situation where true effort and ability are not rewarded with so much penalty that it makes the effort un achievable. We have made mistakes at both ends of the spectrum. We have let manifest destiny trample the rights of those not ruthless enough to realize that some are only out for their own personal gain and we have the situation where others think that a safety net will catch them no matter how little drive or effort they put into life.

The safety net needs to be there for our faith based teachings tell us that we are all deserving and that we are our brother's keepers, but just how much does that safety net need to provide? Simple basics so the individual knows that without effort there will just be a minimal amount of support or does the support need to be incremental depending upon the individual in need and what they have accomplished in the past? Do we pour it all into a child in hopes of them catching on to be all they can be in their adulthood, or does the influence of their parents mentoring of entitlement overpower what is taught outside the home making the investment fruitless? Do we acknowledge that the price of some of our servicemen have paid to protect our way of life will make them disabled permanentlyfrom the horrors they have witnessed and we should be obligated to share with them our "harvest" as payment? At what level? Do we truly look at the aged veteran as a member of our society or as someone to be warehoused out of sight as too unpleasant part of our history? What are we truly willing to give up? What about that unwed pregnant teen? Why do they always seem to disappear from school and rarely come back when staying in school and getting their education is the best thing that she could do for herself and her baby, even if she decided to give it up for adoption? If her parents can't stand the embarrassment of her being out in public, how many would take her in to save her from making yet another mistake that will affect her future further?

Either way there is a price to pay. Capitalism/Socialism. Higher taxes more amenities for both the individual and the community with the one who is more productive paying for some who do not or cannot be. Lowtaxes and a larger gap between rich and poor with fewer chances of the poor ever getting out of poverty in future generations. Neither one is working. What is the proper balance which giveschances to the young and innocent in order for them to become productive adults and also provides a safety net for poor health and poor luck when those try their best? What is enough to make those who feel entitled get off their rumps and want to better themselves to have more for their families?

I feel thateducation is the answer. It is the one thing that cannot be taken away once achieved but this is not a secret. All the world knows this it seems so we must attempt to reach the highest level so we can be more competitive in the world. A better educated community will bring in better jobs, more growth, and abetter future. If we are going to spend our money to subsidize others in order that they better themselves, it needs to be in education and literacy. Instead of spending our money on cable and satellite TV, support a county wide library and encourage EVERYONE to spend time there for lifelong learning. Stop being complacent and saying our schools were good enough for the grandparents so must be good enough for the kids as they ARE NOT. Forty years ago, we were in competition with only those in immediate area. Now we are in competition with new graduates from around the world. Stop taking middle schoolers to local businesses as if they could all find well paying jobs at Great Dane and Hancor right out of high school. That level of education will not feed a family. The more educated our community is the less meth labs needed to make money and provide a mental escape from poverty. The less need for mind altering drugs, the less theft to support the drug habits. The less frustration that causes spousal and child abuse. The less need for incarceration.

People, no one likes taxes but if we as a community continue to fight taxation that improves the playing field of our graduates, we will end up paying more taxes on the result of undereducated financially strapped local economy. It's like putting a roof on your house. If you don't spend the money now to protect the rest of the house, it will come tumbling down due to water damage. It's time to repair our education in order to prevent our "house" from falling down around us.

What are you willing to do to protect your investment?