A recent letter declared "those 'who have'" have become dangerous to "those who 'have not'" ("Haves becoming too dangerous," Sept. 3). Sadly, this line of thinking reflects a false narrative that liberals and their Hollywood/media friends have been preaching for decades. The idea is that wealth is unearned and that anybody who has wealth is undeserving of it. We see this in President Barack Obama's constant class-warfare rhetoric and in the mustache-twirling, villainous businessmen of Hollywood films.
But it's a lie. First, the only difference between a businessman and a worker is how they choose to make money. One thinks it best to work for somebody else, the other tries to do it on his or her own. They both are looking to take care of their families and themselves. Second, to make a fortune in America you have to serve the people's needs. You have to make something they want. The grocery chain sells food, the tech company makes phones and computers, they all provide access to goods and services we need. And since you can't be forced to buy something, it's all voluntary. So how is earning money in this way immoral or evil?
Why do liberals push this narrative? Liberals are the "big-taxing," "big-spending" party. They always need more money. If they admitted that successful people earned their wealth, then taking it would be rightly seen as stealing. But if they demonize businessmen and financially successful people, they can take money from people that earned it, give it to their friends and constituents, and con themselves into thinking that they're virtuous for doing so.
David Welch
Scotia
