Fairness 6/17/04
There have been several commercials airing on local radio that have left me scratching my head in wonder.
Various political action committees paid for these liberal, conservative, and even affiliation-ambiguous advertisements. The ads blur the traditional boundaries of political ideology, because they are each selling the same objective: To make life more “fair”.
My thesaurus considers the following words synonymous with “fair”: Non-discriminatory; Even-handed; Rational; Reasonable and Impartial. These are noble words to associate with an election campaign, but they are highly subjective.
Governor James McGreevey is touting his new tax initiative as the F.A.I.R. (Fair And Immediate Relief) plan. Although a family earning $500,000 per year is already paying more into the tax base and the economy than a family earning $70,000, the F.A.I.R. plan only applies to those who earn more than a half-million dollars per year. The proposed new tax is commonly referred to as the “Millionaires Tax”, because it discriminates against prosperity.
Governor McGreevey is using the word “fair” to describe a redistribution of wealth.
Consider the business owners who want to relocate his or her companies. Will they choose New Jersey, a state that levies a tax on their success? Most wealthy people work hard or do something extraordinary to earn their money. How many “millionaires” will move from our state because of this? Wealthy people directly and indirectly create employment opportunities. Will they take jobs with them?
An even-handed solution would be to identify and close tax loopholes (a creation of politicians) and tax each dollar earned by everyone at the same rate.
One of the advertisements portrays a commencement ceremony at a college in New Jersey. Along with their diplomas, the graduates receive bus, train or air fare to other US cities. Why? Because they cannot afford a home in NJ, “near our family and friends.” The narrative ends with the now familiar whine, “that’s not fair”.
Housing costs are determined by the free market economy and the rule of supply and demand. I have some friends and family who live in Manhattan. I conduct the majority of my business on Fifth Avenue. Would it be rational for me to claim that the government should be concerned with my inability to afford a home in my own ‘neighborhood’?
When my wife and I first married, we lived in a series of rented apartments and houses throughout Monmouth County. We based our choices on what we needed, on what we wanted, and on what we could reasonably afford.
Local rent control laws protect tenants from increases in their rent by limiting the profitability of investment property. Federal housing laws protect senior citizens, disabled persons, and low-income families from being forced out of their homes by a rise in the value of the property on which they live. Voters who support rent control in the name of fairness contribute to the decline in the quality of life in their own neighborhoods.
My experience has taught me that life is not fair. Hardship has enabled me to overcome many obstacles with difficult work and tenacity. Proffering entitlements to secure a voting base has gone too far this election season.
With cavalier use of the term “fair”, current campaign rhetoric has launched an attack on the character of our nation. The Declaration of Independence demands only the “pursuit” of happiness.
Since both ends of the political spectrum appear to be selling their intent to legislate compassion, I acknowledge that this tragic attack is impartial.
These high-impact political ads commit an enormous foul with their deliberate use of a vague and emotional word such as “fair”.
Various political action committees paid for these liberal, conservative, and even affiliation-ambiguous advertisements. The ads blur the traditional boundaries of political ideology, because they are each selling the same objective: To make life more “fair”.
My thesaurus considers the following words synonymous with “fair”: Non-discriminatory; Even-handed; Rational; Reasonable and Impartial. These are noble words to associate with an election campaign, but they are highly subjective.
Governor James McGreevey is touting his new tax initiative as the F.A.I.R. (Fair And Immediate Relief) plan. Although a family earning $500,000 per year is already paying more into the tax base and the economy than a family earning $70,000, the F.A.I.R. plan only applies to those who earn more than a half-million dollars per year. The proposed new tax is commonly referred to as the “Millionaires Tax”, because it discriminates against prosperity.
Governor McGreevey is using the word “fair” to describe a redistribution of wealth.
Consider the business owners who want to relocate his or her companies. Will they choose New Jersey, a state that levies a tax on their success? Most wealthy people work hard or do something extraordinary to earn their money. How many “millionaires” will move from our state because of this? Wealthy people directly and indirectly create employment opportunities. Will they take jobs with them?
An even-handed solution would be to identify and close tax loopholes (a creation of politicians) and tax each dollar earned by everyone at the same rate.
One of the advertisements portrays a commencement ceremony at a college in New Jersey. Along with their diplomas, the graduates receive bus, train or air fare to other US cities. Why? Because they cannot afford a home in NJ, “near our family and friends.” The narrative ends with the now familiar whine, “that’s not fair”.
Housing costs are determined by the free market economy and the rule of supply and demand. I have some friends and family who live in Manhattan. I conduct the majority of my business on Fifth Avenue. Would it be rational for me to claim that the government should be concerned with my inability to afford a home in my own ‘neighborhood’?
When my wife and I first married, we lived in a series of rented apartments and houses throughout Monmouth County. We based our choices on what we needed, on what we wanted, and on what we could reasonably afford.
Local rent control laws protect tenants from increases in their rent by limiting the profitability of investment property. Federal housing laws protect senior citizens, disabled persons, and low-income families from being forced out of their homes by a rise in the value of the property on which they live. Voters who support rent control in the name of fairness contribute to the decline in the quality of life in their own neighborhoods.
My experience has taught me that life is not fair. Hardship has enabled me to overcome many obstacles with difficult work and tenacity. Proffering entitlements to secure a voting base has gone too far this election season.
With cavalier use of the term “fair”, current campaign rhetoric has launched an attack on the character of our nation. The Declaration of Independence demands only the “pursuit” of happiness.
Since both ends of the political spectrum appear to be selling their intent to legislate compassion, I acknowledge that this tragic attack is impartial.
These high-impact political ads commit an enormous foul with their deliberate use of a vague and emotional word such as “fair”.
posted by Rich Kohler at 6:35 PM
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