Poverty Was A Gift – What Made America Great

‎”Forward.” How did America become the world super power? Free trade, self-reliance and capitalism. Take those principles away and kiss “forward” goodbye. Associating the banking principles that caused the recession with the basic principles our forefathers employed to make America a global superpower is a slap in the face, a fabrication, a lie, an insult.

My parents cut me off financially in college. I didn’t complain or feel entitled, I welcomed it. It wasn’t their responsibility to pay for my college even though they could afford it. Cutting me off was the single greatest thing they did for me, difficult for them I’m sure, but a great showing of love. I struggled, I scraped, I barely made it, I graduated, applied for 100 jobs, got 10 interviews, 3 offers and accepted one with salary and benefits, I paid off my loans. I give all the credit to my parents who taught me to read, get an education and work hard. That struggle defined who I am, gave me insatiable drive, creativity and understanding of what it takes to make a dollar. Experiencing poverty was a gift.

I can’t help but draw a parallel with our government. There was a month when I desperately needed my parents to pay my rent and they did. I paid them back. There is a place and time for government aid but the belief in long-term dependence that is growing in America is false, unsustainable and if continued, will turn our fate to that of ancient Rome and modern Greece.