I recently had a conversation with my brother in law, Jesse Beaty, about the Obama-McCain elections. He shared with me a very interesting fact about a group of Obama supporters and their reason for voting for him. Jesse is taking a number of electrical classes twice a week down in Rockville, Maryland to complete his journeyman electrician certification. Most of his classmates are union workers and are voting for Obama, which is very typical for union employees. Jesse began discussing Obama-McCain and causing a reaction as no one liked the fact that he was voting for McCain. The very sad results Jesse shared was that these men thought Obama should be elected so that he can raise takes of the rich and have more money available for people like them. They said that rich people already have too much money and can live with a little less. In other words, they do not see a problem at all with taking from the rich and giving to the “poor.” However, they consider themselves the “poor and needy.” They feel like the victims and cannot speak well of anyone who has money.

After listening to his colleagues defend Obama, Jesse broke the news that his tax increases are not just for the rich. He will tax the working citizens of this country, yes! even union workers. Why do you think you pay such high union dues? Do you think those dues are going just for hard hats and a decent medical insurance policy? No way! That money is being used to get Obama elected so that the union can have what they want: a socialistic way of life!

It got me thinking about the Rich vs. the Poor the other day! Typically a rich person became rich which means at one point in his (or her) life, he was poor. How did he become rich? Because of family inheritance or luck? Maybe the rich person you know or have heard about became rich by having a goal to do something, anything! That person did not just sit around waiting for the government or a rich uncle to bail him out of his financial struggles. He set his mind to do something productive and did it! Most people (not all) who want government handouts will never be goal setters. They will never run a successful business or train their children to be self-starters! They will continue to work the minimum amount of hours and struggle through life knowing that our friendly government is there to help! Can you imagine what America was like if we all were hungry for someone bailing us out of all our daily struggles or giving us financial support?

My wife gave me a simple little book called, “Strang & Fascinating Facts About Famous Brands.” Joli, knowing I love marketing, thought it would be the perfect Father’s Day gift! She was right! I just love this booklet. All this book is about are 1 paragraph to 1 page stories about people who started very successful companies but typically with very little money. Will Kellogg, inventer of breakfast cereal, came up with the idea while working in a sanitarium. His patience loved his little invention so he became a traveling salesman trying to sell his knew little product of “corn flakes.” No the Kellogg family is worth billions. Mr. Subway (Subway Sandwiches) was just a kid looking to go to college. A doctor friend of his encouraged him to earn money for school and said to start making subs and selling them. I’m not sure if the guy ever went back to college as Subway soon began to grow by leaps and bounds! Hersey and Resees Chocolates all started by a family, not a big corporation. The Resee family saw the money that their farm neighbors: The Herseys, started making from chocolate that they put their pennys together and invented the Resees Buttercup in their basement! Dominoes, Pizza Hut, Dr. Pepper, Ivory Soap, they all had meager beginnings. All of their founders were determined to press on with their goals of making it in this world without the help of Uncle Sam. This is pure and good capitalism!

So, if you want a morale booster or a book to help you get motivated to press on in life, get a copy of the facts about famous brands and read a few entries! God made man to be creative, to take dominion of the earth, to subdue it and rule it well! He expects us to be diligent and work for His glory. My hope is that our nation will one day begin to see that they are living each day under the mercies of Christ and will begin to follow our Maker! My hope is that these union workers will realize that the rich are not all evil. Maybe they too can realize their God-given abilities and do something great!