Why I am a Patriotic Millionaire

I don’t personally know Fred Rotondaro, but he wrote to me out of the blue, explaining the role of an organisation of which he is a member, Patriotic Millionaires. This is a group of rich people who support the role of government and want to turn back the clock to a time when government wanted to, and was able to, help all citizens, not just the few. In his email he described how his father came to America with 13 children at the turn of the last century with nothing, and became a coal miner in Pennsylvania.

Fred wrote: “I am a fan of government and yes, that includes big government. I have seen first hand for most of my life how government has helped average Americans. My uncle, also called Fred, graduated high school during World War II and immediately joined the Marines. He and millions of other GIs came home to a very grateful nation that helped them buy homes, find jobs, and in Uncle’s case, sent him to college. The federal government worked with unions, churches, and other civic organizations and created a true middle class. Now the extended family are teachers, lawyers, doctors, journalists, AIDs workers in Africa, medical researchers at Yale and John’s Hopkins, and one is now rebuilding a village in Sierra Leone.

“My family and millions of others like us came to America during a time when America had an implicit social contract. It was a time when key policy makers realized that the best investment that the nation could make was in its own citizens, so that those citizens would have the chance to lead decent and productive lives. It was a time of national wisdom, humanity, and humility.”

Bravo! Fred probably doesn’t look upon himself as a follower of Epicurus, but he is living an Epicurean life of moderation and care for his fellow citizens. Rich people are getting an increasingly bad Press in America, and justifiably so. But not all of them are selfish, greedy tax dodgers. Isn’t it nice to be able to say that?

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Hatred for the rich is increasing in America, on all sides of the political spectrum but especially on the extremes. To an extent, this is understandable: America’s is the world’ more unequal major country, and the rich are getting rich at a faster rate than everyone else. But I think some people have taken this too far. Most rich people (including the billionaires) are not horrible selfish people who simply want to horde their money and not give any of it back. Rich people pay a lot (though arguably not enough) in taxes. They also give a lot to charities and universities. I think the success of the rich is largely due to globalisation, which allows them to sell to a bigger market. It’s also because many rich people have started or run successful business whose products or services people like. I don’t believe in this conspiracy that there has been an intentional concerted effort to enrich the 1% at the expense of everyone else.

Having said all that, the rich could do so much more to make themselves likable. Away with the ludicrously expensive yachts, watches, clothes and other obscenities. By all means, live in a nice house and drive a nice car, but nothing extravagant. Don’t make it unnecessarily obvious that you’re rich, especially if you live in a poor neighbourhood or city. And in particular, never tell others how rich you are. My parents never disclose their financial information to anyone, and they aren’t rich at all! I also think people resent it when the rich publically do acts of charity, such as open a school or hospital in their name, or go to Africa to build a water system. They should be much more discreet in their generosity.

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I wouldn’t call it hatred for the rich, as such. Actually, as successful businessmen they are still admired It’s despair about the system and helplessness that so many people feel. The people responsible are, firstly, the Supreme Court, which must be the most politicised Court for decades (the Constitution really needs a thorough overhaul if this Court really believes half of what it pronounces) . They announced that “money was speech” and thus opened the door to vast sums of hidden, dirty money being lavished on elections without any public accounting. Unsurprisingly, it poured forth, largely from the richest 1%, although the current situation of Mr. Bush shows that even with lots of money you don’t necessarily thrive in the polls. But in general the system has been bought, access comes with cash, constituencies are gerrymandered, and congressmen willing to do what they are told are ushered into Congress and pass laws required by their paymasters. At least, this is what people believe. (I am talking about those who stop for a minute and think about it). What you have here is clear decline in most areas of American life, the only exception being the tech industry, maybe. Having known it in better days, I mourn

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Epicurus Today

Moderation, Enjoyment of Life, Tranquility, Friendship, Lack of Fear

Why I am a Patriotic Millionaire

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