Dakota Beacon

Why work? Good question. When fifty percent of the American population pays no taxes and the other fifty percent support them, this begs the question: Why work? Why not live modestly and join the ranks of supported people? This choice offers free time for all.

Resourceful individuals with moderate tastes and a keen awareness of the social and economic environment figured it out long ago. These folks left the work force fleeing stress and hassle. Others will figure it out eventually.

Why work? As a society, we’ve finally arrived at the glory of a one-party system -- the Government Party – replete with a Democrat wing and Republican wing.

The decision whether to work is not a matter of ethics or conscience. It’s a matter of complying with the established norm, a culture built by generations of politicians.

Over the years politicians created a wonderful network of “no work” entitlements, grants, giveaways, and assorted benefits. In exchange for their largesse, voters retained their politicians in office for life (or so it seems). What a deal!

Why work? During election season voters must beware that they do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg! What a shame if our current crop of politicians were ousted. Their inexperienced replacements would screw things up trying to learn “the system”.

So, why work? The more a person earns the fewer benefits to which they are entitled. To add insult to injury, the greater a person’s income the more they pay in taxes to pay for the benefits granted to others. Benefits granted to the well-off, if any, are determined by a magic formula called “means testing.” If you earn too much money, you might get some small benefit and pay for full benefits of several more people.

Even special interest groups like AARP work hand-in-glove with congress advocating on behalf of seniors. For AARP, anyone over 50 is a senior entitled to a whole raft of benefits. But for various states and local governments, and the federal government, the definition of “senior” is on a sliding scale. For example, for purposes of social security, otherwise known as a Ponzi scheme, the age qualifying for benefits is pushed further out.

Why work? Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle ignore any restraint on presidential budget requests. Year after year more dollars are borrowed to fund an ever-expanding welfare system. Why shouldn’t every American get a slice of the pie? During Obama’s tenure and beyond, Congress repeatedly chose not to adopt a budget -- period. Then why should anyone be concerned about a ballooning deficit? In fact, most welfare programs, by law, are mandated to be funded. They can never be cut at the discretion of Congress. Why work?

Why work when everybody is guaranteed the American dream -- a home of their own -- regardless of the borrower’s ability to pay the mortgage? Banks are required to lend, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are required to make good on any default.

Why work? No one in America goes without food and shelter. President Johnson’s “Great Society” saw to that. In fact, we are told America has an obesity problem.

Why work? A well-educated generation of millennial graduates with degrees in puppet arts, theme park design, and bicycle design will surely solve America’s economic challenges. Their most challenging task will be finding sufficient tax credits when filing their tax returns.

Big manufacturing, big insurance, big banks, big pharma, and big agribusiness make big bucks. They replace people with artificial intelligence in the name of cost cutting and federal regulations. They ship jobs overseas preferring cheap Chinese and Mexican labor at the expense of American drive and ingenuity. So goes the foolish hue and cry, “Punish the rich.”

Why work? Those who pay into the system their entire working lives are merely looking for a return on their investment. Surely by taxing the rich there’s plenty of everything to go around.

First Lady Michelle Obama once remarked during her husband’s campaign stop in February 2008, “For the first time in my adult life, I’m really proud of my country.” Wonderful! And when her husband, Barack, was elected president she was proud that Barack led our government in a systemic redistribution of America’s wealth.

We are told that the real problem in the world is America. If America would stop polluting the earth and stealing the world’s resources for her own opulent lifestyle and cease her racist, obnoxious ways, then she would not need to spend money on a military presence. Cut the Defense Department and spread the wealth around.

The words once uttered by wise theologian Jeremiah Wright ring as clear today as ever, “America’s chickens are coming home to roost.”

Ah, yes, “A chicken in every pot” --- and feathers and entrails all over the place.

Why work?

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).