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"The POOR"... WHY are "the poor" POOR ? How do "the rich" become RICH ? Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
Initiated 5/23/05; "Doctored": 5/05; 6/05; 7/3/05; 7/7/05; 7/8/05; 7/31/05; 9/27/05; 9/29/05; 10/6/05; 11/05; 12/05; 4/6/06; 4/9/06 SEE related "tablets": QUALITY of LIFE in ALABAMA (link) AND: SANTA CLAUS and ROBIN HOOD: Benefits for the POOR (link) This opinion-piece by John N. Todd III, the author of this website, was published in the Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News on 6/7/05, in response to an op-ed essay by Dr. Wayne Flynt.... concerning the plight of "the poor" in Alabama, and in the United States. There are a few minor additions in this Internet version. CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author ( jtoddiii@bellsouth.net ) Why are "the poor" poor? How do "the rich" become rich? Recently (May 15, 2005), the Tuscaloosa News published another laborious opinion-piece by Wayne Flynt, a "distinguished professor" of history, employed at Auburn University. Mr. Flynt distributes his essays to various liberal Alabama newspapers, quite frequently. Most of Flynt's compositions seem to be a simple re-phrasing of his "same-ole" notions about how terrible everything is in Alabama. We're poverty-stricken, poorly-schooled, ignorant, un-Christian, under-taxed, helpless and hopeless. Flynt's solution, like that of many of the "tax-reform" editorials in the Tuscaloosa News, seems to be that more money should be taken from "the rich", and that it should be showered in additional free benefits upon the poor, the underpaid, the old, the young, unmarried-moms, school-dropouts, the untrained, the undisciplined, the unemployed.... and upon Alabama's numerous other welfare recipients. I want our Tuscaloosa News to request Wayne Flynt's answers to two questions: Why are "the poor" poor?. And, how did "the rich" become rich? In his answers to the questions, I am hoping that Mr. Flynt, the historian, will review the classical history of those who are "rich", and those who are "poor". Let me now assist Dr. Flynt in his review. I will explain to him the obvious. Dr. Flynt.... the "history" of most of those who are "rich" and successful is that they have stayed in school; and that they have continued to expand their education; and that they have developed highly-sought skills and talents. They have mastered reading; and they comprehend mathematics. They have learned to communicate correctly in speech and in writing.... using the English language. Many of "the rich" have completed their college education. Most of the rich are talented in the sophisticated use of modern computers, and word-processors.... but they do not waste time with "computer-games". "The rich" use television mainly as an educational tool. The rich are addicted to work, usually seven days a week.... frequently in more than one job or business. They have committed themselves to persistent saving and investing of a portion of their income.... taking advantage of the well-known powerful magic of "compounding". (See Todd-Chart [link], showing growth of invested money, with "compounding".) The "rich" have stayed out of useless debt, especially credit-card addiction. They have avoided criminal activities. They do not waste their money on the fools' folly of senseless gambling.... like "scratch-cards", the dog-track, bingo-machines, and the lottery ("a tax on imbeciles"). They dress themselves appropriately.... for the job they have, and for the job they hope to get. They never contaminate themselves with "street drugs", or other addicting substances.... realizing that the quickest way to induce or perpetuate poverty is by way of habituation to drugs-and-drink. The rich protect their health, and guard their weight.... with a correct diet, and proper exercise. The majority of "the rich" maintain a normal and healthy marriage. The father is typically married to the mother of his children; and the father lives at home; and he participates in the instruction and development and financing of his children and his family. The rich family "sticks-together".... usually for a lifetime. Now, Mr. Flynt.... what does your specialty (history) tell you about "the poor".... as compared with "the rich"? Consider all of the factors listed above, concerning the rich. Which of these "factors" do you consider unnecessary, if the poor want to join the rich? Where are "the poor" falling short? Who is to blame.... that some individuals achieve more than others? What makes some people more energetic and ambitious than others? Tell us, Wayne Flynt, what are the "historical" characteristics that lead some individuals and groups to acquire and retain more material assets than others? Is it the responsibility of the "successful" to supply more unearned benefits to the un-successful ? Can "the rich" ever convince the "un-rich" to adopt the attributes that made "the rich" rich? You should realize, Wayne, that no one ever became rich by waiting-at-the-mailbox for government checks.... and for charitable donations. What is your remedy, Mr. Flynt? Will poverty in Alabama and elsewhere ever be overcome? Are "the poor" poor because "the rich" are not taxed enough? You seem to think that the "affluent" should donate (in taxes) more of their earnings and savings.... so that greater "entitlements" will enrich the poor. Should successful individuals work even harder and longer.... so that they can contribute more to the poor? Should the "rich" be made poor, so that the "poor" can be made rich? Should the hard-earned assets of "the rich" be confiscated, and delivered to our local and state legislators.... and to our eager Washington leaders.... so that they can "redistribute" our money, according to their whim? Could it be that some of "the poor" choose "poverty".... because of the numerous enriching benefits that "society" (the taxpayer) already freely bestows upon certain recipients? In this group, consider especially Alabama's numerous never-wed-single-moms. Are we not encouraging and subsidizing these pitiful uninformed childish females to get pregnant.... so that they can then relax, and become lifelong recipients of a taxpayer-sponsored bonanza.... including food-stamps, Medicaid, earned-income-tax-credits, SSI payments, aid-for-dependent-children, free "section 8" rental allowance, free child-care, free transportation to school, free books, and free food at school? These unearned and untaxed "benefits" can amount to as much as $35,000 per year.... for years and years. Wayne Flynt even evokes the Bible in his urgency to acquire more unearned benefits for the poor. He quotes Matthew 25 about feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. All of us want to help the truly helpless.... but no one should want to encourage more individuals to claim poverty in order to reap additional free governmental benefits. I will now quote for Wayne Flynt a very pertinent and true Bible verse concerning poverty, from Proverbs 6: "How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest... and poverty will come upon you like a robber; and want, like an armed warrior." I am convinced, Distinguished Professor Flynt, that you chould reconsider your thesis about really helping the poor. One thing is certain. the Wayne Flynt idea of giving more-and-more unearned benefits to all who claim to be "the poor", is the exact opposite of what should be done. END Here are other
thoughts that were considered.... but
not included in my response to Wayne Flynt's op-ed
piece in the Tuscaloosa News: |