During a recent conversation with a Mexican national, now living in Texas, the subject ran to the narco-state mentality now enveloping Mexico. A seemingly natural segue from there led to people with money—from whatever means. My émigré friend recalled how when he was younger Mexican folks would display, show or by whatever means, signify that they had money. Real money, more than the average peon, for sure; “not working anymore” money. Stay at home money. Big car money.

That was then.

Now with the narco’s running wild, kidnapping and killing anyone with money or authority, the streets are not nearly as populated with large cars. Fancy dress is minimized. It was his opinion that most do not want now to be seen on the street. 

The point? Et tu, America?

Given the recent interview with the Connecticut coach—give back the money, salary-cap efforts against money-grubbing executives, only taxing the very wealthy, America is fast approaching Third World status. What American wants now to be perceived as successful—now defined as greedy? God forbid that anyone should charter an airplane rather than taking a commercial flight! Own an airplane—horrors! [Crop dusters—you’re next.]

If you’re successful, you might own a bigger house or a bigger car. However, since Obama-philes have made success a dirty word, you will now be required to pay more for utilities, for groceries, and for Burger Mac’s—if you feel it is safe to get out. Remember; you are successful. You can afford it. Moreover, if you pass a street-corner beggar without gifting the cup, you may be subject to a fine.

But don’t worry so much about having to make that donation. Obama-philes are assuring that you won’t have to do that. They’re getting their share first and passing it out.   [Re-distribution may not be used any longer. Look what it did for Joe the Plumber.] However, your house and your car are still very visible. Let the bushes grow unattended, uncut. People are watching, noting your wealth.

After all, the economy is bad and it’s because you rich people made it so. You took a profit [prof—sorry, I just can’t make it a four-letter word]. Money that was intended for the masses was diverted. Some child is suffering— it’s always the children, isn’t it?   Tens of millions of Americans are uninsured. However, they are all lined up in county hospitals, getting care. Go figure.

Prof? Maybe there’s the rub. What PROFessor purposefully taught that the Constitution envisioned a Nanny-state? [Notice: same number of letters as narco-state.] What PROFessor can spell capitalism without capital? Obama-philes want your capital, to defeat 400 years of capitalistic success. No matter that no Third World nor European country has the level of health and success that America enjoys. Poor people exist everywhere. Two hundred years of American success is wrong because they say so.

In what forefather’s nightmare was it ever envisioned that one American, having means, had an obligation to give to those that had less? Many, many Americans left countries in which they were forced to work for the benefit of the governing whatever. Have we progressed... Have we evolved…back? Now must we work for the government to give us…cold chills just ran down my leg...our healthcare, our education, our own money. Whatever has led Americans to believe that they are due social solidarity, that the “pursuit of happiness” is a guarantee of happiness, that equality means more than equal treatment, equal rights—compulsory equal material goods.

What type of life must one have led to find contempt for success now? Maybe we can read about it in a million-dollar book—which should have been capped at $500,000.