The key to enjoying greater riches is working harder and longer

The so-called great divide between the “rich” and the “poor” ideally is seen as those whose aspirations are ascending and those whose aspirations are not.

Aspiring to achieve ever worthier goals in life (and/or an afterlife) form the baseline for all else. How we pursue these goals often determines outcome, and freedom from interference paves the road to successful pursuit of them.

The term “rich” takes on a variety of meanings. Financially, of course, its definition has been stated as those who are wealthier than you are. Those who aspire to move up the economic ladder work harder than those who lack that aspiration, but lacking it does not necessarily indicate “poorness.” Many so-called poor accept their status and lead productive lives. They are not truly poor (as in destitute) but simply do not aspire toward greater financial success.

Those who do aspire toward financial success devote more time and energy to achieve that status. They are not necessarily “rich” but have more financially than those who do not or cannot devote sufficient time and energy to become “rich.”

It is unseemly for politicians to devote their time and energy on the campaign trail to casting the rich as not paying their “fair share” in taxes while ignoring the fact that the “poor” often pay no or very little income tax. Our progressive income tax structure with rates increasingly higher for increased earnings usually translates into higher taxes paid by the achievers than the non-achievers resulting in the “rich” paying a greater share of income in tax than the “poor’” This tax structure alone should meet the definition of “fair” and shame on the political party that attempts to curry favor and votes by dividing us into classes of either the “halves” or the “have nots.”

We are all created with a desire for freedom. What usually sets us in this country apart from others is relative freedom from contrived impediments to achieving our worthy goals. Those who have the most freedom generally find it easier to achieve than those whose governments, together with social and cultural restrictions, impede upward mobility. How hard we try and if we achieve depends mostly upon overcoming those impediments with our God given time and energy.

Atty. Carl D. Rafoth, Youngstown