Our charismatic vice president recently made some mind-boggling comments about how Republicans just don't understand the "non-rich," whom I believe are classified as those making less than $350,000 per year. Rich people don’t seem to understand that the 99% also dream about making lots of money and being successful, he more or less barked into his podium’s microphone.
What our VP doesn’t seem to understand is that it’s not about some kind of physiological, inherent inability to dream. It’s about punishing those whose dreams have come true.
Who exactly are they after in this wealth envy-driven campaign? Is it “fat” Wall Street bankers, rich kids who’ve inherited tons of money, highly paid athletes and entertainers, Joe Schmoe who won the lottery, or perhaps U.S. senators and congressmen themselves?
They better not be after the guy who built an equipment dealership or landscape company from the ground up. Know any? Are you one? You know … the guy who worked 18 hours a day through the brutal heat of summer for 20 years to create a multi-million-dollar company he can now pass onto his children. The guy who created jobs for 10 if not 100 members of his community. The guy who donates time, money and expertise to his community. The guy who buys pallet after pallet of equipment and supplies from other local small businesses to help keep the gears of prosperity churning in the community. The guy who honorably provides a product or service that consumers want to buy.
I’m not rich, Mr. Vice President. That’s my fault. I stunk at math in high school and, thus, pursued a career in journalism. I have not made it big. But I have a comfortable life that I thank both God and my employer for every day.
I have also come to admire our thousands of readers who have risked everything to build prosperous businesses in the Green Industry. Should John Doe in Ohio, who started a lawn mowing business to get through college and now finds himself presiding over a $6 million company, be punished? Should this same contractor be chastised and taxed into oblivion if he chooses to sell his company for 75 cents on the sales dollar?
Just remember one thing: Many of today’s one-percenters were dreamers when they were in the 99% with the rest of us. Do not begrudge them for seeing their dreams through to fruition.
