A message to all the anxious John Galts/producers from someone who was in the work force for

[Skidmore]

a long time.

While you are trembling in your shoes in fear that the flotsam and jetsam of the nation will rise up and take away your wealth, you need to understand that the workers of this nation, and of the world, own a part of that wealth. You did not get where you are because you were such a exceptional specimen alone. Your initial idea found its time and a market but the realization of the idea required the participation of many others, from those to whom you sold shares to those who consume the product. Your facilities likely were built because whole communities of people gave you revenue breaks, built roads and other essential infrastructure, and provided a pool of skilled workers educated by the community. Your original idea was likely refined and further perfected by the combined knowledge and experience of those employees and undoubtedly is not the same formulation that propelled you into the market. Your consumers come from the community and beyond and are individuals who choose to buy your product or service and can just as easily decide not to. It is also likely that there are other John Galts out there who could easily step into your shoes and you would not be missed at all.

Bottom line is that the dynamic that is at play in this nation has nothing to do with your rugged individualism and everything to do with your responsibilities to the communities which gave you success. It has everything to do with respecting the humanity at the most basic level of those who work for you (either by providing labor or materials or services) or purchase from you. They are individuals as well and deserve the same considerations for health, personal security, and well being that you demand for yourselves. They deserve to be rewarded for their contributions in a manner which affords personal dignity and respect from you. These individuals as a community provide the foundation in which your base your claim to wealth. Beyond the money, these individuals are the nation's greatest wealth. You are just one individual who happened to be in the right place at the right time and there are millions of others willing to step in and take your place, some of them with a greater appreciation for the community from which they rose.

[kestrel91316]

1. EXCELLENT!!

[guitar man]

2. K and a big R!!!

I've been trying to express this exact sentiment for a while but have been unable to adequately get the thoughts in my head translated into words through the keyboard. you nailed it, rather eloquently.

Bottom line, nobody makes a billion dollars in a vacuum. Sacrifices both seen and unseen are required by many to make it happen for them...

[econoclast]

3. I know this won't be well received, but

I'll ask this anyway ...

During your long time in the workforce did you ever ask for shares in the company instead of a monetary raise? If not, why not?

[Skidmore]

4. Kicking this because we need to be saying these things.

Workers need to push back. The bullpuckey about "producers"/"job creators" is just that. The more that wealth is tied up at the top, the more closed off opportunity for the many becomes in all aspects of society--financial, educational, and political.