9 minute read
FINANCIAL EDUCATION 101: EDUCATING THE YOUTH OF AMERICA
OPINION BY JAMES HOLDEN
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It’s abhorrent to see parents, some in the political class, along with others who take advantage of young and impressionable minds, attempt to instill a socialist-economic scheme into our economic system, and worse, our method of government. If left to succeed, such actions would bring this country to its knees while enriching those who would oversee its execution, gaining power and wealth, even though their philosophy is supposed to be contrary. As we watch lawmakers claim they are ‘public servants’ and earn a meager salary for doing the ‘people’s work,’ a good majority of the public acknowledges that these same politicians are a far cry from desperation, often attaining a lifestyle and level of living their middle-class constituents will never achieve. Congress is full of rich and powerful legislators, and as humorous as it appears, many elected officials landed in office with nearly enough change in their pockets to purchase a bus ticket back home for a holiday. Oddly enough, it seems that by working short weeks, taking extended holidays, traveling overseas for junkets—time and time again—not only have these same representatives become powerful, but they quickly move from rags to riches, which wasn’t the plan our founders had in mind. Admittedly, for a few months, during the pre-election season, they shake hands and pretend to be commoners, but once back in Washington, this wine and dine set settle in and don’t look back at voters—until the next election; no, they are usually found peddling influence which isn’t always in the public best interest.
Given this synopsis, accompanied by evidence, some politicians wish to turn our financial system on its head— for the benefit of ‘the workers’—perhaps we need to pause, so we might shine a light on their real agenda. A quick look at history, dovetailed with the actions of the socialist movement in America, defines the objectives of this radical and sometimes violent movement. It is, without a doubt, an organized, deceptive, and planned indoctrination of an entire generation of students being mobilized through radicalization taught in classrooms.
LET’S BEGIN. It’s well accepted that we live in a mixed-economic system; meaning, we function as a duality of both capitalism and socialism. It is a balance that relies on the population to work, invent, and participate—in other words—to get off their seats. While the government has oversight, rules, and laws, the primary purpose of most agencies is to ensure an equal playing field is maintained.
Its other purpose is to allow the government to intervene for the benefit of those who may not be able to achieve or participate in competitive activities that require good health, a sound mind, and ambition; no one would argue with this principle.
What is different about our economy to others is that it is based on a modified free-market paradigm; allow me to simplify this concept—supply and demand will act as a scale or balance between goods, services, and the public’s needs. However, for this system to function correctly, it requires that property be owned by private individuals and production be undertaken by the same. With this comes competitive pricing, voluntary purchasing, and hands-off supervision by elected officials. Unfortunately, this is where we have gone astray.
We are not a purely capitalistic society, far from it; principally, because our government places volumes of laws, restrictions, and regulations which often hinder progress; they place fees, duties, and require licenses for businesses to operate, in addition to heavy taxation and manipulate pricing with subsidies or policy inhibitors. Still, we have witnessed changes in the economic arena with an economy that is roaring back, even though many world events we face would, at other times, debilitate our stock market, employment numbers, and household incomes.
With this, the public is excited to reach for the American dream of inventing a product or creating a service for the betterment of our culture. In essence, for those who work, they shall receive; but if you don’t, you’ll end up on the sidelines hoping someone will play Robin Hood and take from those who earn a living and give those who don’t a handout.
Socialists believe that the government should own and run major institutions such as healthcare, education, housing, social security, and other vast networks designed to assist citizens. But, from what we observe, it’s often the hopelessly inept who go on to manage these giant service providers—begging the question, Why do they run poorly? One explanation is that politicians and bureaucrats are not businesspeople, and they have little in the way of hard skills. What attracts their interest is the lifestyle, security, and the lack of responsibility that seems to follow bloated public entities.
Today, we face far-left politicians, unlike the moderate democrats, many of us idolized in the 60s. Newly seated representatives seek a panacea of government programs that will take care of ‘the people’ from birth, (if you’re allowed to make it that far), to the grave, (how quickly you get there may not always be your decision). They have a vision of Medicare for all, free public education through college, and they want everyone to live an upper-class lifestyle without working for it, even if others pay for such luxury. But, best of all, the “New Socialist Party” is in favor of limiting workweeks to only three days. Huh? Can you not see it; you work 80-plus hours a week, so your lazy neighbor gets a four-day weekend. This needs to be exposed; it is financially impossible and false and is empty hope for a fickle public.
So, here is the rub; schools in the past, have been responsible
for teaching business skills and concepts, albeit, much has changed over the last decade. Today, rather than learning economic theory, young impressionable children are sitting with drag-queen performers (no dispersions cast—but really, do they belong in the classroom?), in reading circles. Far leaning fluff courses have replaced reliable and proven business math and basic accounting classes, while many schools have abolished work-study programs where students were once allowed to create small businesses within the school environment so they could get hands-on training and learn entrepreneurial skills.
Yes, primary education that builds and sustains our economic growth for decades is being eliminated from the classroom, and don’t think for a moment, this isn’t part of a plan to convert our capitalist system into a single, governmentowned and operated culture.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? Here is one organization I am pleased to recommend; it’s called Junior Achievement, and they’ve been a significant player in the education of students wanting to learn about business. For students with the drive and goals to succeed, it’s a breath of fresh air. (For more information visit to their website, juniorachievement.org/web/ja-usa/home).
Here is an indication of their philosophy and purpose. “JA’s [Junior Achievement] volunteer-delivered, kindergarten-12th
grade programs foster work-ready, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills, and use experiential learning to inspire students to dream big and reach their potential.” They go on to say, “Through interactive classroom activities, [students] starting their own entrepreneurial venture while still in high school, programs provide useful, practical content to assist teens in the transition from being students to productive, contributing members of society.”
Now, consider the Socialist view of education of students found on the website of American Socialist: “We [Socialist] are committed to the transformation of capitalism through the creation of a socialist society…to establish a new social and economic order that workers and community members will take responsibility for and control their interpersonal relationships, their neighborhoods, the local government, and the production and distribution of all goods and services.” In comparison, we should ask ourselves what system of learning will best equip our youth for the future? More importantly, how would such a transformation take place, and would our society survive the battle which would follow?
Please consider, is it healthy to rely on others for your standard of living and satisfaction? Should we inhibit and restrain those with a unique talent or skill, or better yet, should such individuals be forced to give up these valuable discoveries and never reach their full potential? It is depressing to consider that a few in power would force many of us to hand over the fruits of our labor, ambition, and entrepreneurship so that others without these qualities may live equally and enjoy similar benefits without contribution. In April, we mark the 400th Anniversary of the Pilgrims, who landed in Plymouth and created the foundation of a new world and culture. We are reminded that the new arrival had attempted to rule their plantation, based on a socialisteconomic structure until it was discovered that the plan was faulty. As new residents—nearly wiped out shortly after arriving—they found it necessary to embark on the same principled economic structure we have in place today.
History tells the tale that the Pilgrims found it necessary to convert to a capitalist system of economics and is attributed to saving the new community; the responsibility for survival was placed on the individual—leaving each person to carry their weight or suffer the alternative.
With this knowledge, consider the issues we face today. Some generations are subjected to parodies; (snowflakes), are spoofed about living in their parent’s basements, unable to face reality, find work—suitable and relevant enough as not to be embarrassed or offended, and lack all social skills. Supposedly they have little to no ambition, and because of this, they gravitate toward the socialist candidates who tell them it’s okay not to compete and that the loans—money they borrowed under contract—shouldn’t have to be paid back.
Viler is the notion that it is acceptable to take other’s wealth, security and independence, and label those who are rich as evil characters, and should be subjected to their money being confiscated by the government through unrealistic taxation, so it may be redistributed to those who don’t earn-but take.
If it were not so well documented, these calls for economic turmoil would all be fodder for an end of time novel or a frightening nightmarish movie, yet there is a growing acceptance by a significant number of citizens.
Unless we educate children from a very young age about self-worth, personal-reliance, and work ethic, and explain that our modified capitalist system has made our country strong and has provided them and all Americans an opportunity to thrive and build a powerful economic force in the world, we could face a tragic ending to these United States. Such a thought should rattle us all; to think that a complete dismantling of 400 years of progress could begin in under a year is farfetched but within the grip of the radical left and their candidates.
