'YOU DID NOT BUILD THAT" - MY VIEW

President Obama and other like-minded politicians have been pilloried for suggesting that if you built a business, “you did not build that.” The reaction to this statement has been vehement! The perceived insinuation was that if you succeed in America, you do so thanks to the government.  Many found this insinuation laughable!

I have been thinking about this exchange.

The role of government is to put in place policies and programs that make it possible for people to reach their goals. The national infrastructure of roads and streets, highways, railways, was built to promote commerce. The government is responsible for our national defense, ensuring a safe and healthy environment, the protection of our parks and national forests, access to affordable education, and many other initiatives designed to ensure our liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Our banking system facilitates the flow of capital to and from entrepreneurs and businesses, and public institutions. The government is the watchdog, making sure that the practices are fair and consistent.

Individuals do take advantage of these policies and programs when pursuing their lifelong objectives, be it in academia, business, or the public sector.  

We all know that no two people are alike. Some are more ambitious, some are more gifted, some are harder workers, and some come from wealthier families. Ambition, intelligence, family economics, and willingness to work harder are not distributed equally. What separates many is the willingness to take risks.  

It is true that some benefit from special circumstances such a superior intellect, inheritance, being at the right place at the right time, and/or special connections. So what? Life can be inherently unfair! If life hands you a lemon, try to make a lemonade.

Even though the government tries to level the field, some individuals are more successful than others. Their success should not be trivialized! These folks contribute directly and indirectly to our national wealth by creating good paying jobs for many, paying the lion share of our taxes, and so forth. In spite of the many hurdles and obstacles, a few will rise above to achieve more. We should celebrate the accomplishments of others rather than poo-pooing others' success. 

Is it not this the American dream? To come from humble origins and reach the top of the heap, be it financially, academically, or politically?

The landscape is full of archetypes that illustrate our history:

·      Politics -- someone like Obama, Clinton, Carter, and Nixon has had the audacity to dream to some day become president of the country and actually achieve the dream.

·      Government – you can find at least four members of the U.S. Supreme Court who are sons or daughters of immigrants or of an oppressed minority, e.g., Alito, Scalia, Thomas, and Sotomayor.

·      Business – you can find  a large number of immigrants and refugees who have risen to the pinnacle of commerce such as Soros, Zaffaroni, Groves, Gupta, and Nadella, to name a few.

·      Academia –  you can attract scientists such as Einstein, Kinsey, Fermi, Teller, and Oppennheimer, to name a few.

My View:

It is mindless to engage in arguments that tend to divide people, to set one group against another, in order to score political points.  We need more, not fewer successful people.

We serve no useful purpose when we lower someone so that others might feel better for their lack of success. They say that misery loves company. Is that the point?

Fostering jealousy and envy does not serve well the larger society. 

Let's accept that government does a lot to help us without attacking those who manage to rise above others in income, prestige, or position. Both points of view are valid, both extremes are half truths, in my view.

And Your View?