Prosperity and Opportunity
Government Spending
As of June 5, 2024 at 3:00pm, the United States Federal government is over $34,797,304,xxx,xxx in debt. The debt clock is increasing too fast to get an accurate number. There is a national spending addiction.
A prosperous economy is not created by endless governmental spending. We all must look beyond our immediate benefit. Our children and grandchildren will one day come to grips with the reality of the debt accumulated by the generations before them.
Equality of Opportunity
Hard working, innovative, determined people who have a vision to succeed and be creative are the people who will create jobs, promote opportunity, and supply inspiration for others. These individuals may be a template for a prosperous future.
However, not everyone who works hard becomes wealthy. It is also true that not everyone aspires above all else to amass wealth. Many people have tried and failed. Meanwhile, others have become enormously wealthy and used their wealth for personal, political, and philanthropic purposes.
Equality of opportunity comes about when everyone has equal opportunity to succeed in an environment where their prosperity is not considered to be a reproach. We must remember that success is in the eye of the beholder. One person’s victory may feel good to them while another may find it a poor fit for their life. Let’s make sure the people of Colorado are equipped to succeed. The success of another does not limit our own opportunity to succeed. The government need not pick winners and losers; let the free market do that.
The Government's Role in Prosperity and Opportunity
Government should strive to make the playing field level. It should position people for success, not punish the successful through excessive taxation and regulation. There is a role for regulation regarding health and safety issues, etc., but those measures should not be punitive or retaliatory.
Government should ensure equality of opportunity, not guarantee equality of outcome. The former gives everyone the opportunity to succeed in proportion to the skills, ambition, sacrifice, and vision. The latter often stifles the very traits that lead to success. Working to feed the coffers of government entities is not very inspirational.
We should seek to grow the economy, responsibly use natural resources, innovate with a futuristic outlook, and ensure no one is denied the opportunity to succeed through regulation, discrimination, or any other oppressive means.
Equality of opportunity and equality of application of our laws must become normative. There must not be a tiered system of opportunity, justice, or enforcement. We must see the economy and opportunity grow, not the government. Success is not more government jobs.
Government can help by working to lessen the burdens of taxation and regulation as it uses its authority to declutter the path to success.