Those Privileged to Work and Should Spread the Wealth

This morning, CBS’s Sunday Morning had a rare moment of -- should we call it objectivity?

The segment came on right before the record-setting rock skipper section. (51 skips – great Americana story even though a kilted Scott was also featured!)

Last week, Ben Stein commented that this was not the time to raise taxes on the top income-earners…those who create jobs.

CBS certainly could not let that statement stand without a firm rebuke.

This morning, Sunday Morning passed the mike to Linda McGibney, producer and writer on Sci Fi channel. Sci Fi? Really?

She likely knows as much about economics as Steven Colbert knows about immigration.

Ms. McGibney comments included: “I am willing to pay this tax increase…it is the cost of doing business…some of us need to sacrifice for our country.”

OK, Ms. McGibney. Write the federal government a check. I'm sure someone can give you the address.

She also said, “having a job is a privilege” – a privilege? She continued that those having that privilege should “spread the good fortune.”

I had no idea that work was a privilege and that those of us lucky enough to get up every day, work hard to earn a living and take care of our families, were also fortunate. What does privilege and fortune have to do with it?

I guess to some whether or not we earn a living is a roll of the dice. Either you are lucky enough to work or you are not. It’s that simple to this sci fi writer. Maybe in some alternate universe that is the case, but not in America.

But it gets worse. Ms. McGibney goes on to say that those of us lucky enough to work are greedy if we don’t want to use government as the vehicle to spread our wealth. Linda called this the cost of doing business. Really?

Who creates jobs, Ms. McGibney? Haven't we seen that using the government to spread the wealth just doesn't work?

Ms. McGibney's thinking is wrong on so many levels.

I love the nature segments which Sunday Morning leaves their viewers with. Today, it featured the tall cactus outside Tucson, Arizona. Frankly, Ms. McGibney's commentary left me a bit prickly.

Why do I watch CBS?

I'm a Stein Girl

I love Ben Stein.

The only reason I watch CBS’s Sunday Morning is to hear Ben. I’m disappointed when he’s not on. And downright disappointed when some of the other commentators are.

Whether it is talking about Thanksgiving or taxes, Ben and I usually agree. I’m sure he’ll be happy to know that.

This Sunday, Ben Stein provided Obama some advice. He also gave that same advice to Wall Street and to Main Street.

Be optimistic.

Obama’s gloom and doom scenarios are sending unemployment skyrocketing. He blames the Bush Administration. Personally, I’d like to see which Bush spending measures then-Sen. Obama voted against.

I’d like to know what leadership Sen. Obama provided the country as Fannie and Freddie were lending more and discounting borrowers’ credit history or ability to afford what they were buying.

That’s history.

The future lies in our ability to project optimism. Optimism that Americans can succeed – and fail.

If we think we will succeed, then people will invest in businesses, consumers will buy, and employers will hire.

Ben Stein spelled out the recipe for our country’s recovery. It’s spelled o-p-t-i-m-i-s-m.