Free Enterprise

At the end of our Junior Achievement board meeting we were talking about whether our economic system (free enterprise) would continue to exist in 10 years. Since the inception of our nation people have come to America so that they could be free and pursue their dreams. In the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson penned these words that were fundamental to the revolution "we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". We are created equal (equal opportunity) but we don't have equal abilities. I would love to be able to dunk a basketball, but I couldn't do it when I was 20 and I sure can't do it at 56. But, I can admire those that have the ability to dunk a ball. So when he said that we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness it means we have the right to try and dunk a basketball, or win American Idol or start a business. But, not all of us will succeed. Nevertheless, we should applaud those that do succeed and not show disdain or begrudge the great athlete, artist or business person for their success. When people rail against the 1% and accuse them of greed and not paying their fair share of taxes, is that fair? Do they treat the athlete, actor or the artist the same? I believe there is a double standard. We also have athletes, actors and artists as our role models for young people. But, business leaders are characterized as the villains. If young people no longer dream dreams beyond sports and entertainment our future entrepreneurs and business leaders will cease to exist, and the jobs that they create as well. We need to applaud new heroes in business and commerce instead of those we see on the big screen.