Thomas Sowell: "Work Pays"

Townhall.com ^ | May 2, 2003 | Thomas Sowell

[proxy_user]

Oh, rats! I guess I'll have to get back to work....

[strider44]

I guess it's nice to know I'm in the top 5%. An accurate stat that I would love to see is what percentage of Americans live "beyond their means." I would guess that percentage is about 85-90. How many "poor" people do you see walking around with cell phones? Or new rims on their old vehicle?
I certainly don't consider myself to be rich, but I guess in comparison to the rest of the world I am (combined income of myself and my fiance $200K/year). We live in Boston and have a huge mortgage. But you know what? We both drive used cars. We share one cell phone. My TV and stereo are about 12 years old. We save money. I actually check books out of the library. But according to the Dems, I'm rolling in it like Rockefeller. Please tax me more!

[k2blader]

"Envy zealots." Describes them to a "T."

[Lady Eileen]

bump

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Truth bump.

[Trust but Verify]

Good for you. I predict a bright future for you and your future bride. That said, you are an aberration.

We are aspiring to the top 5%. We have a ways to go, but we'll get there.

[mabelkitty]

I am outraged!

$85,000 PER FAMILY is in the top 20 percentile? Why am I bothering to go to college? Why am I taking out loans of $30,000 and why am I working 50 hours a week?

Only to get half of what a family in the top 20% are making? This is peanuts!

Can someone give me one good reason on why my husband and I shouldn't quit our jobs and sit home? Just one? I WORK MY ASS OFF TO MAKE IT WITHOUT A HANDOUT - EVER- and George Voinivich tells me I can't have my money back??

[mabelkitty]

I'm right with you, there. No fancy restaurants, no trips, no new clothes, etc.

Ohio is taxing me more, I have no children but I have to be taxed on a school system that adds no value to my home, my insurance went up, and now they are moving another city's water into my street costing me upfront $8,500. Water will no longer be free.

I'm a white woman, but I am tired of being hassled by "the man". And I use that term to symbolize the tax and spend politicians running this country.

[strider44]

My advice is live somewhere cheap! That has helped us. When we met we both lived in Kentucky. Moving to Boston has been a financial shell-shock. You have no choice but to be frugal. Our income will go down when we have kids though. It will be a tough call when the time comes, she makes much more money than I do. Can you say Mr. Mom?

[lilmsdangrus]

Great article- my husband has been making this point to our dummycrat friends, who don't even get that they are in the exact position Sowell is talking about, and they work their asses off to get there, as do my husband and I!!!!

[strider44]

"Can someone give me one good reason on why my husband and I shouldn't quit our jobs and sit home? Just one? I WORK MY ASS OFF TO MAKE IT WITHOUT A HANDOUT - EVER- and George Voinivich tells me I can't have my money back??"

PRIDE.

[lilmsdangrus]

Mabelkitty--
I share your frustration!! There are quite a few days when you wonder what you do it all for---- for instance your next door neighbors, who have claimed bankruptcy, pull up with a new vehicle, or some other new toys day after day, and we are driving used vehicles, living in an older home, because we are HONEST, HARDWORKING AMERICANS!

[goodnesswins]

"what percentage of americans live 'beyond their means.'"

Yeah, and what's it all going to cost us to support them when their little world falls apart? (Medical, retirement, etc.) The poorest people seem to want to look like they HAVE money...by the standards of the TV advertising they see...not by how they REALLY live and run (or ruin) their lives. /Rant.

[strider44]

Hey, I just left Ohio (Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati). I miss the golf and my low mortgage payment. Keep up your frugal ways, you'll find a man that respects and appreciates that!

[lilmsdangrus]

Excellent reply-- and when all is said and done, that IS exactly what keeps us going- that and the fact we had great parents who taught us the right values. There isn't enough money in the world to pay for that education..

[strider44]

Too true. These people will never know how great it feels to be debt-free. The tough argument though is that all the profligate spending by the millions of dopes in this country drive the ecomony. It's a double-edged sword.

[Capitalism2003]

his books are great....I recommend everyone find a few on Amazon

[Trust but Verify]

Can you say Mr. Mom?

Sure! Our kids are almost grown and we now are paying for college for 2. Not fun, but necessary.

[strider44]

I was going to mention my upbringing, but you beat me to it. I owe my parents everything. My dad grew up dirt-poor in Summerville Ma. A big traditional Catholic family - 6 kids. He used to tell me stories about going to the bakery and having to buy the "Stalies" Donuts that were at least a day old. My grandfather wouldn't pay for the fresh ones. He's retired now after becoming a very successful corporate executive working for the same company for 35 years. And you know what? He wore his $10 digital watch and drove a Chevy Cavalier. My mom dragged him kicking and screaming into a Volvo dealership and now they have the sensible wagon.
He saved money his whole life to put me, my brother, and sister through college. My brother and I both went to school on full 4-year ROTC scholarships. We saved my parents about $200K. That was one of the proudest moments in my life, when I knew he wouldn't have to pay for my 4 years in college. But still, I feel I owe them everything.