U.S. increasingly is a nation of the haves, have-nots

We live in an era of ever expanding disparity between the haves and have-nots. Eighty percent of the recent tax breaks went to people who make $200,000-plus a year. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We find an expanding lower class and a decreasing middle class. America is in dire need of a philosophy offering a better concept affecting the distribution of the wealth of our nation. Few with much and many with little or nothing is unacceptable. We are our brother's keeper.

Opportunities that provide avenues to enter middle class status are the answers. Our capitalistic system infused with a societal consciousness will give birth to a new, energized, more balanced, and successful America for all.

The New Deal, the GI Bill of Rights, labor unions, a minimum wage above poverty level, social security, universal health care, respect for the elderly, and the negation of apartheid mentalities of separate but equal are examples of policies that create an enlightened society.

Trickle down policies of the present elitist administration serve only the haves. Tax breaks directed to the rich advance only the already powerful. The vast majority of the haves, given even more money, will not invest to increase the betterment of society. They invest in entities that ensure the formation of governments that guarantee the continuation of their power and their exalted upper class status.

President Bush addressing a gathering of his affluent supporters stated( I paraphrase )," It's a privilege to appear before the haves and the have more, some refer to you as the upper crust I call you my base." He received thunderous applause. Observing this scene sickened me.

The haves spending habits are basically stagnate. They concentrate their energy in areas that insure the growth of their personal wealth. Many of those who control the tools of industry provide as little as possible to those they employ. They invest their monies in the expanding international markets not America.

To energize the American economy one need only put money into the hands of the middle and poorer classes who will directly reinvest it in local economies. This will create a vigorous and ever expanding demand for goods and services and will create a strong dynamic economy for all Americans. The demand will feed the economy and the people thus energizing the society immediately and create an ever expanding middle class. The result will be the emergence of an enlightened society of equals and will be more advanced then any visualized by the great philosophers.

My concept of capitalism is one that serves the common good. The present situation of more wealth and power concentrated in the hands of ever fewer individuals is not tolerable.

I'm sure the Bill Gates of America will be able to survive well on a few billion dollars less in their overburdened wallets. I am sure neither their energy nor desire to succeed will be diminished.

In the end, all that truly matters is the narrative of the life one presents to one's maker, not how huge one's bank account is or how many toys one possesses.

WILLIAM OUIMET

Sandpoint