takers

I came across a recent bit of text that made reference to being a "giver", not a "taker". It reminded me of something, and after a bit of thought, I remembered what it was: it was Romney's unfortunate, but honest, remark about being able to count on 47% of Americans voting against him because they were "takers", not "givers".

I'm also reminded of this piece by Nicholas Kristof, entitled "A Nation of Takers?". From the piece:

Here are five public welfare programs that are wasteful and turning us into a nation of "takers."

First, welfare subsidies for private planes. The United States offers three kinds of subsidies to tycoons with private jets: accelerated tax write-offs, avoidance of personal taxes on the benefit by claiming that private aircraft are for security, and use of air traffic control paid for by chumps flying commercial...

Second, welfare subsidies for yachts. The mortgage-interest deduction was meant to encourage a home-owning middle class. But it has been extended to provide subsidies for beach homes and even yachts...

I'm not going to quote the whole thing; it goes on from there. Let's be honest about who the "givers" and "takers" are. We are all BOTH givers AND takers. And you are lying, either to yourself, or to everyone else, or both, if you think that any class of people is only in one category or the other. Having worked both with business owners and with welfare recipients, I know the truth of this.