Over the last several years there has been an increasing level of negativity directed to those who are perceived to be in the to 1%. I've always found this ludicrous on several levels, primarily because those doing the criticizing are themselves a part of the to (at least)5% of the wealthiest people in the world. So whether it's Bernie and Hilary who want to tax the 1% out of existence or the "simple lifestyle" folks who complain about those who don't live up to their perception of a properly "simple' way of life while using their 4G smartphones to comment on blogs. It's just a symptom of people wanting (through tax policy or shaming) to control others and to force others to adopt their personal preferences.
But, I was given the opportunity the other night to see these folks through a different lens, I work for a non profit organization that is involved if providing affordable housing for low income families as well as access to affordable repair and maintenance services to those in need along with other services. Over the years thousands of people have benefited from these services. Unfortunately, this kind of thing costs money, and is becoming more and more expensive. So once a year we invite several hundred people, businesses, and faith organizations together to ask them to commit financial resources to moving our mission forward.
At one point in the evening after dinner and an auction, there was a request for people to step up and make a financial commitment to our shared vision withing seconds roughly 15-20 individuals committed to donate $20,000 each, then a similar number jumped in to commit $10,000 each, and on down the line. Within minutes well over $340,000 was raised all from these 1%ers who those on the left are so willing to blame for most of the bad things that are happening in our country.
This parallels what I've seen from a small number of doctors who have donated/invested tens of thousands of dollars in money, medical supplies and equipment, and time in order to bring high quality eye care to the population of the poorest, most under served zone in the country of Haiti.
When I see all of the kinds of things that folks on the 1% (and those greedy evil corporations as well) engage in on an ongoing basis in order to facilitate tangible measurable improvements in the lives of real people engaged in real struggles, I cannot help but thank God for the people who have been blessed with the skills and ability to reach the level of financial success necessary to write a $20,000 check to provide housing for those in need. Or buy the land, fund the construction costs, purchase the equipment and supplies, and pay for a Haitian ophthalmologist to provide ongoing eye care for the poorest of the poor. I can't help but wonder what those on the left think will be done better of they tax or shame these folks out of the financial resources they've earned.
Obviously, there are ample examples of those in the1% who are not nearly as willing to use their wealth to help others. But, you know what, that's their decision and who am I to suggest that they be taxed or shamed into doing something they would prefer not to do. Or to do something in a way other than that they would prefer.
I know that I'm a little biased because I'm blessed enough to be associated with some amazingly generous folks who are willing to share what they've earned with people in need. But, I just can't see how taxing or shaming people out of their wealth in the name of "equality" or whatever, actually really helps people in their real life situations.
Just a though, but how about we just maybe encourage these 1% folks when they use their wealth for good, instead of criticizing them for not paying enough taxes or living as simply as some random people think they should. I'm just going to guess that the more money taken from these folks in taxes, is going to leave less money for them to use to support worthy causes of their choice.
One last shout out, not only were there some folks writing some big checks the other night, but there were an even larger group of people (of much lesser means) writing checks for $500, or $100, or $50 also. It encourages me to see that we live in a place where we can gather a group of folks together to raise a total of over $700,000 (counting all the auction items as well as ticket sales) to provide affordable housing to those who need it.
FYI, over the next few months we will be rolling out two initiatives with a total fundraising goal of around $130,000,000 in order to significantly expand access to affordable housing and to provide access to mortgage products to a segment of the population who is currently not served in the traditional mortgage market. Virtually every dollar raised will be coming (voluntarily) for private individuals, corporations, and faith groups. You know, the people Bernie, Hilary and their supporters say "don't pay their fair share".
2 comments:
I witnessed a very similar thing several years ago. For a charity event to support research for ALS, a disease that took my father-in-law and was the reason we were invited...the whole family...eight of us...at the expense of the person who invited us. It was in one of the swankiest hotels in Chicago and I could not have felt more out of my element. There was a silent auction as well as a general sale of various things...but the general auction, with an auctioneer and everything, garnered half a million in about an hour. I don't know how much the silent auction and the other things brought. Here's the deal, though: the guy who invited us said he attends at least a half-dozen of these events every year on behalf of his employer. The people who attended this event do as well, with some doing this kind of thing almost monthly. They are so freakin' greedy and corrupted by their wealth that they bid for trips they could easily afford, forcing up the price of the the already expensive trips for the sake of whatever charity they happen to be supporting that night. They oughta be ashamed of themselves for being so incredibly wealthy that they can do more for a charity in a single night than most of us could do in a year.
Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. I don't know that one cannot serve God and still be stinking rich. Some need to believe, possibly out of covetousness, that all wealth is gained by sinful means. Shame on them.
Yes, heaven forbid that the greedy 1% would dare to choose what endeavors that want to support not to mention choosing at what level they choose to support them. Life would be so much better of we had some body (perhaps on a national level) who could dispassionately and fairly decide how much money should be taken from those who earn it, and how much of that should be given to others. That would be a much better system to eliminate poverty, homelessness, and every social ill that faces our society.
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