Just Call It What It Is

"Ewwww, what is the smell?" were the words I heard from my student. He had never stepped foot on a farm before our field trip that day.
As we stood looking at the steer, I said, "It's poop, that is what you smell."
His reply, "I don't like it."

I have been thinking about that day on the farm. I could have told the child something like this: "That is called manure. And, once composted, we can do many beneficial things with manure." (Never mind that the kid is barely three and can't even say the word manure...just go with me here, ok?)

The bottom line is, I called it what it was...poop, plain and simple. Now, granted, we could wrap it up in a pretty box, with a gorgeous organza bow. (Ohhh, I do love organza. Sorry, I digress.) Anyway, we could package it up beautifully. We could attach a lovely tag labeled manure, written in some elaborately fancy font. But still, what you have is stinky poop.

That is how I feel about the "redistribution of wealth". Please just call it what it is. Socialism. You can wrap that phrase "redistribution of wealth" in a handsome package, eloquently presenting it before the crowds. But inside, you have one more step in socialism's direction.

As this package is currently being presented, it's as though some people are hearing the Hallelujah chorus being sung by angels escorting Christ back to earth. These people want desperately for someone to believe in, I understand that. But government is not the vehicle to deliver what can only come from within.

I have had conversations with people who are not the slightest bit bothered by the phrases "redistribution of wealth" or "spreading the wealth around". I never want to be disrespectful, but I am often astounded by those who choose to be so naive. Please do not be distracted by the carefully crafted words and packaging.

Sometimes I wonder if those who lean toward the socialist way of thinking are actually just lazy, regardless of their economic status. Lazy in that they are low yield, high maintenance....how can we get what we want, with little or no thought for others? Does any socialist thinker care that the Captain worked over 100 hours a week? No, they just want to take from my children and give it to someone else's. Do these people care that one of my coworkers holds two jobs so she can care for her ailing parents? No. And what about small business owners? I can't wrap my brain around why anyone would choose to punish those who work the hardest. But that is exactly what ends up happening. You end up with people who ask, "Why should I work when I am going to get what I want anyway?"

Many are lazy in that they do not want to think. I am noticing people don't really want to think these days. If the government takes over this "spreading the wealth around", socialist leaners never have to really get in there and get their hands dirty. They don't have to think of ways to help. They won't have to actually go into those inner city schools and mentor a fatherless child. They won't have to actually go down to the row houses in Baltimore and paint, or clean up the streets. Spend their time teaching an adult to read or teaching trades and skills? Oh goodness no. No time for service. Haven't you heard, money fixes everything? Socialist thinkers would prefer to just throw a few checks in the direction of the poor and needy. Then, they can go to bed feeling all warm and fuzzy. Laziness. This teaches nothing more than where to show up for the next check.

I too believe in change. We need change in our educational system. I am all for spreading some wealth around there. If that could ever be done correctly, I have a feeling many other programs would be unnecessary. As it stands now, we are often trying to unmake messes that should have been avoided in the first place.

We need to change attitudes from ones of entitlement back to ones of pride in a hard-earned dollar. We need to change ways of thinking. Teach young people work ethics that are not being taught in their homes. Teach marketable skills and trades, helping people find jobs. Do not just hand them a check. Help them become hopeful people. Help them find the hope inside themselves that comes from personal success. Not hope based on the wishful thinking promises of politicians. Those are changes I would like to see.

I am a compassionate person. I truly, sincerely want to help others. My heart aches for children who do not have their needs met. I desperately want to help those who are vulnerable, defenseless, and innocent. I feel a fire inside, pushing me to help those who desire to improve their lives. I hate poverty and the destruction it leaves behind.

I look forward to the day when I have the resources needed to begin a foundation. A foundation that will be dedicated to improving the lives of others. And yet, if I ever have the resources, that means I will probably have entered a new tax bracket. And quite possibly, the government will then take so much away that I can not help others effectively. I want to have choices. I do not want my government deciding how I should serve those less fortunate. I want to exercise my God-given free will. I understand that there are many greedy grinches in this country. Still, I do not feel the need to force them to be charitable. They will have to take that one up face to face with their Father in Heaven someday.

I fully comprehend the responsibility that our society has to care for one another. There are many who need a boost and, of course, we should help them. Years ago, I was the recipient of such a boost. But, I saw it for exactly what it was, a boost, not a way of life. I am not a scholar of economic policy, not by the longest stretch of the imagination. I have no quick fixes. But I do know that even in its most benign form, socialism is not the answer.

Winston Churchill said this: "Socialism is an attack on the right to breathe freely. Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the object worship of the state. It will prescribe for every one where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say. No socialist system can be established without a political police. They would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo..."

So there you have it, just call it what it is. No matter the packaging or coded wording, it's a stinky pile of poop. And I don't like it.