In the House of Wood

Opinion

Discussion

May 31, 2012

In the House of Wood

Fair

Steve Woodhouse Journal-Express The Zope Gazette Thu May 31, 2012, 10:07 AM CDT

Knoxville —

President Obama, Congressman Leonard Boswell and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack each stressed that they wanted everyone to get a fair shake in America. I really don't see how this is possible.

If you look at today's America, everyone has the ability to receive an education through our public school system. I'll give you that teachers, administrators, funding, surroundings, etc., are not created equal, but I also believe that these obstacles can be overcome and success achieved if one is willing to work at it.

If you've worked hard, earned decent grades, etc., anyone can go to college. There are countless grants, loans, jobs, scholarships and other means of funding a college education today. In fact, colleges are rewarded by the government for providing opportunities to students who might not otherwise be able to attend. There's no excuse for not continuing your education if you want to.

It's not all work, either. As I've said before, I believe God created us all equal, but results vary. While we are all equal, that does not necessarily mean our intelligence and skill sets are the same to allow “fairness” to be achieved. We just need to know where we excel, our physical and mental limitations, and utilize our strengths to make the most of our lives.

These are the kinds of things that cannot and should not be legislated. Therefore, no matter how much federal government involvement takes place, you're always going to have winners and losers.

Punishing success or pointing at the rich, saying, “It's not fair they have that and I don't” only breeds envy. I think we all have the ability to be envious, but we need those around us to put things back into perspective. Let's be thankful for what we have and enjoy the freedom this magnificent country is supposed to offer us.

To make things “fair” outcomes must be determined. The divisions among groups of people should be determined by a person's actions and abilities, not legislation. Achieving “fairness” often requires the successful to give up something they have earned or achieved and handing a portion over to someone who has not. This is equivalent to making any success meaningless.

“You made it on the honor roll? Good for you! But, Jimmy did not make the honor roll, so we're going to create this special one for him, because he tried so hard.”

In the grown-up world, the attempts to be “fair” often means the loss of freedom. The very definition of communism is an economic system is a “classless society.” What else do you think we will become if we keep fighting for economic “fairness”?

I know very well that Boswell, Vilsack, and maybe even Obama, believe that it is unfair that CEOs and others are making ridiculous amounts of money while others are struggling. It might not be just, but it's their company's money. That's capitalism. It's up to these companies how they want to spend their money.

If you don't like how much the CEO of a company is being paid, don't buy the product. Don't patronize the business in protest. Organize boycotts. Change is more effective, and freedom remains more secure, when the power of the free market chooses the economic winners and losers instead of the government.

One way I believe the government can make things fair is by doing away the mess of a tax code we have and install a flat tax. It's not fair that half of the country does not pay any income tax. If I were a millionaire, I'm sure I would think it is not fair that I have to pay a much higher rate of taxes than other people who enjoy the same, if not more, of the services provided by the government.

Fairness should begin with a flat tax. Think about the money that would be saved if we did not have the Internal Revenue Service. I can't think of anything more fair than everybody giving a small percentage of their income.

Take care of yourself and thank you for reading.

Text Only

Opinion

Slices of Life: I'll do it later "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." Thomas Jefferson Yeah right. I've been meaning to write a column about procrastination - I just never got around to it. Besides, I'm not sure even Thomas Jefferson could abide by his own words 100
May 17, 2013
Some of the lessons of motherhood I've been on the job for more than 21 years, without a day off for longevity, illness, endurance or good behavior. I'm not complaining. I wouldn't want a day off. Not a whole day, anyway. Although I do appreciate 10 minutes under a hot shower within
May 10, 2013
A thought for you How often do you stop and think How much you owe your mother And if she goes away for good You never have another How often do you realize Just how much she's worth The trouble she had raising you That started in at birth And as a child, the care you
May 10, 2013
No Headline Provided To the Editor: In your recent article, "Controversy at Board of Health Meeting", the board had a problem at a meeting and blamed their argument on Robert's Rules of Order. They now plan to discuss whether to use Robert's Rules in the future. Your art
May 10, 2013
The bonds of preschool It was a party 14 years in the making. Attendees included nine moms who met when our kids were in preschool. Now, we came together to anticipate and celebrate those same preschoolers' high school graduations. We sat around a long table at a local res
May 3, 2013
The Sinclair Report
This year’s legislative session was scheduled to last 110 days. We reached that mark on Friday, May 3. Though we are in the final days of the first year of the 85^th General Assembly, our adjournment date remains uncertain.

May 2, 2013 1 Photo
Medicaid expansion will help property tax payers Opponents of Medicaid expansion have mischaracterized the effect its implementation would have on Iowa counties. In pointing out the fact that more Iowans with a need for mental health services would be covered and funded with federal dollars, it is
May 1, 2013
Letter to the Editor To the Editor: I appreciate your candor in explaining your use of quotation marks around the word "affordable" in news stories regarding the Affordable Care Act. The issue here is not affordability but credibility. News is to be presented objectively
May 1, 2013
Iowa's child care, early education providers call for worthy wages For over 20 years, at the beginning of each May, child care providers and other early childhood professionals nationwide recognize Worthy Wage Day (May 1), raising public awareness to highlight the importance of child care provider compensation as pa
May 1, 2013
'Taking time off?!' Some of us like to think that when employees get time off, it is deserved, that their work justifies their vacation time. Not so, unfortunately, with a major group of employees we share. A recent email from our Representative in Washington, DC, Dave
May 1, 2013 1 Photo
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

In the House of Wood

Fair

Do you intend to volunteer for RAGBRAI®'s stop in Knoxville?

Site Map

Contact Us