UNCOMMON CENTS 25

IS "ECONOMIC INJUSTICE" WOVEN INTO OUR AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE? WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF THIS AMORPHOUS PHRASE "ECONOMIC INJUSTICE"? IS IT A COVER-UP FOR MARXIST PHILOSOPHY OF ‘FROM EACH ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY, TO EACH ACCORDING TO HIS NEEDS? DO WE "DRIFT TOWARD A CLASS-BASED SYSTEM?" THESE TWO QUESTIONS STEM FROM STATEMENTS MADE BY NEWLY ELECTED LIBERAL SENATOR JIM WEBB. THE ANSWER IS AN EMPHATIC NO. THESE IDEAS ARE UN-AMERICAN. ONLY A SOCIALIST OR A SOCIAL ENGINEER COULD SO MISINTERPRET THE FREEDOM OF OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED IN OUR SOCIETY WHICH, BY THE WAY, TOPS THE TOTEM POLE OF DEMOCRACY. THE AMERICAN IDEALS OF INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM, ACHIEVEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE ALIVE AND WELL. WHAT'S PROBLEMATIC IS THE RESISTANCE OF SOME INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SYSTEM. ANY INJUSTICE (INEQUALITY?) TO THE SYSTEM OF AGGREGATING MONEY OR PURSUING HAPPINESS RESTS WITH THE BEHAVIORS OF CITIZENS THEMSELVES. THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR, THE SUCCESSFUL AND THE COMPLAINERS EXISTS BECAUSE YOUNG AND OLD DO NOT KNOW HOW TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL SUCCESS.

FOR THE YOUNG, FINISH HIGH SCHOOL. GET A JOB. WAIT TO MARRY AND CREATE CHILDREN UNTIL IN YOUR 20'S. STAY IN THE WORK FORCE; THIS WILL FACILITATE 'MOVING ON UP.' WHATEVER IT TAKES, STAY OUT OF DEBT. BEGIN A HABIT OF REGULAR SAVINGS. ACCUMULATE AT LEAST $3000 OF DISCRETIONARY FUNDS TO INVEST IN AN INDEX FUND FOR GROWTH.

FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS, DO NOT ORDER A PIZZA DELIVERY. IT PROVES THAT YOU CHOOSE TO WASTE MONEY. LET ME COUNT THE WAYS THAT THIS MAKES NO FINANCIAL SENSE. FROZEN OR HOME-MADE PIZZAS, EMBELLISHED OR NOT, COST LESS. TIPS TO THE DRIVER KILL CASH THAT COULD LIVE ON AND BE USED MORE SENSIBLY. IF THE PURCHASE OF THIS TREAT DOES NOT CRUNCH YOUR BUDGET, PICK UP THE PIZZA AT THE PARLOR. IF THE DRIVE TO THE PIZZA PARLOR EXCEEDS A HALF MILE, FORGET IT. PAYING FOR SELF-SATISFACTION HAS ITS COST-EFFECTIVE LIMITS.

HINT: FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF SOCRATES: THE EXAMINED LIFE IS WORTH LIVING. MAKE YOURS PROFITABLE TO YOU.