UNCOMMON CENTS 71

WHY WERE OUR FOUNDING FATHERS SO INTENT UPON ENSHRINING THE PRINCIPLE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY IN OUR CONSTITUTION? OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE THEY WERE WEALTHY YOU SAY? YES, BUT MORE IMPORTANT WAS THEIR BELIEF THAT PROPERTY WAS THE KEY TO HUMAN AUTONOMY AND HUMAN DIGNITY, THAT NOT ONLY HUMAN BEINGS BUT CIVIC VIRTUE COULD NOT FLOURISH UNLESS THE CAPACITY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY EXITED. WELL, HAVE WE NOT AS GOOD AMERICANS PUT THIS THEORY TO REST, WHAT WITH ACQUISITIVENESS AT ITS ZENITH TODAY? EXCEPT FOR SAVINGS. WE ARE NOT ACCUMULATING ENOUGH SAVINGS, A COMPONENT OF PROPERTY THAT MAY BE MOST IMPORTANT FOR OUR DIGNITY AND AUTONOMY. IF THE CONCEPT OF PROPERTY IS EMBEDDED IN THE VISION OF 'THE AMERICAN DREAM' WHY ARE WE NOT MAKING OUR DREAMS COME TRUE? WE HAVE SLACKED OFF OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ALLOWED SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS, WITHDRAWN FROM PAYCHECKS, AND GOVERNMENT BAILOUTS LIKE MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND, THANK GOODNESS FAR FEWER, WELFARE PAYMENTS, TO OFTEN CARRY US ALONG. INSTEAD, OR IN ADDITION, MONEY INTO A 401K SHOULD BE MAXED OUT, YET HOW MANY WORKERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TAX-DEFERRED OPPORTUNITY? HOW MANY CONSUMERS PAY OFF THEIR CREDIT CARD OR CARDS EACH MONTH TO AVOID THE FINANCE CHARGES, EVEN THOUGH THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROFITS REAPED BY COMPANIES FROM THEIR FAILING TO DO SO? HOW MANY SHOPAHOLICS HAVE BEEN FACILITATED BY AND FALLEN PREY TO THE ABUNDANCE OF GOODS AND SERVICES THIS COUNTRY HAS TO OFFER IN 2007?

EVEN A FEW, FIRST INCHES OF SNOW FALLING, IN ITS WHITE, WINTRY WONDER, CANCELS SCHOOLS AND CHURCH ASSEMBLIES BUT, OF COURSE, DOES NOT DETER SHOPPERS OR PLEASURE SEEKERS FROM ENTERING THEIR VEHICLES, PERHAPS, HATLESS, GLOVELESS, BOOTLESS AND CLUELESS ABOUT DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER. 'DRESSING FOR WEATHER' HAS GONE THE WAY OF 'SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY.'

HINT: MONEY IS AT THE ROOT OF OUR RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. ISN'T IT TIME WE GOT UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH IT, FAMILIARIZED OURSELVES WITH IT, RESPECTED IT LIKE A PROSPECTIVE LOVER?