In the nineties I was involved with a number of companies that brought Russian technology to the United States to develop businesses. At one point I asked one of the Russian gentlemen what he thought of our country. He said he was particularly taken by our privileged class. When I asked him to clarify the statement, he said, “You know, your teenagers.” He went on to explain how they drive the cars, buy the clothes and the electronic equipment, and they do it all at little to no cost to themselves. However, they are not the only group that has favor in this nation. There are other groups with favor based on age, health, income, net worth, and occupation.
Age has privilege based on certain, milestones like turning 65 and gaining eligibility for Medicare, health care at a reduced rate, and reduced real estate taxes. At age 59½ money can be withdrawn from retirement with no penalties. At 24 a student receives financial aid based on his own salary and not his parent’s income.
If income is too low, one can receive food, free medical costs, reduced rent, free tax money, free education, free day care, reduced utilities, and free legal aid.
If net worth is low and income is low, people can have many of the privileges outlined in the previous paragraph. In addition, one may be eligible for free nursing home care.
Specific occupations also have privilege. For instance, individuals in the military or clergy do not pay taxes on the expense of housing. Veterans receive discounts at many retail stores and can also receive, if qualified, free health care, funeral expenses, education, financial counseling and can receive job preference. If one works for certain non-profit organizations or for the government, student education loans can be forgiven. Parents who work for the government also receive preference for their children on financial aid for college.
With the right knowledge, small business owners can structure income to their advantage from an income tax standpoint. There are numerous benefits that can be offered to employees structured to the advantage of the owner of the business. Profits of the company or business can also receive preferential treatment tax wise.
More recently we see first time home buyers, car buyers, union members, Congress, and attorneys receiving preferential treatment, even in the face of incompetence. Certain large businesses like banks, insurance companies, and auto companies have received advantages created by legislation coming out of Washington. The difficulty in having this preferential treatment is that by the time people discover what benefits are available, the time period to take advantage of these benefits has expired. As a result it benefits only those who keep informed or those who lobby help. In addition, it always results in taking from some people and redistributing it to others. Those who benefit receive value not by their own efforts, but by circumstances.
In United States societies of the past (50’s and 60’s) the check for business greed was customer service and customer satisfaction. The check mate for government is our Constitution; but Congress, as well as the judicial and executive branch of government, has over-reached its authority. The result will lead to socialism. It is not, nor has it ever been, the role of government to give charity, because it always leads to corruption. The church needs to take back it’s authority over feeding the poor, healing the sick, strengthening the weak, and providing clothes and shelter to those in need.
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