Does Obama “Hate” the Rich?

I did not really want to believe it. It was something in the outer quadrants of my mind and I wish it would stay there. Still, I can no longer avoid the question that confronts me every time I read an article or see a news report detailing our new President's latest budget plans. I need to know, "Does President Obama hate rich folk?"

Now I know "hate" is a strong term, no doubt invoking many to the defense of our President's noble demeanor; yet when I examine his efforts to "act in the best interests" of Americans, he notably singles out rich people as the "financiers" for this effort.

Just recently, I spoke to my brother, himself an Obama supporter, and he declared to me that he was "disappointed" that the so-called "Stimulus Package" did not include any funds for homeowners like him who would like low interest loans to invest in the improvement of their property. Instead, as we discussed, the package seems to reward those who bought more than they could afford and now, as our fearless leader suggests, must receive a "bailout" paid for by those who "got the money" or in laymen's terms – the rich.

As my brother lamented his plight and the plight of many hardworking Americans who struggle and do what is necessary within the boundaries of the law to pay their bills, I said to him, "While you will not get any stimulus money, it could be worse – they could have sent you the bill". We laughed as brothers do, but I thought within myself that somebody who worked perhaps equally or even harder than my brother to gain wealth would get the bill for this bailout.

Each time someone in the press core has the temerity to ask our mercurial Commander in Chief l who will pay for the massive spending in this so-called stimulus, he answers, "Didn't I say on the campaign trail that we would send the bill to those making 250,000 dollars a year and up?" I can imagine him thinking, "gosh, weren't they even listening? When I say 'spread the wealth', it was code for 'the rich must pay'.

Therefore, I told my brother that if we keep billing those who invest in the creation of wealth and jobs in this country, soon they would stop investing. Has anyone seen the Dow average lately? He quickly shot me a look and line that said, "Hey the rich can pay, they have more disposable income". Never mind that it is incredibly immoral to take a person's money simply because they have a lot of it. I am not sure if I want to win the lottery now.

After recovering from my brother's remark, I emphatically stated that rich people would do whatever it takes to stay rich, up to and including keeping investment dollars in their pockets; thereby depriving our economy of that necessary to foster growth. In fact, a family earning above the dreaded $250,000 rich people barometer are very likely to reduce contributions to 401(k)'s and other investments in order to maintain their lifestyle. They are unlikely to say, "Well since the President thinks we are rich and our taxes have gone up, let us put more money in the stock market and sell the Benz". No, the reality is that Fido will go before the Benz.

Armed with this evidence, it dawned upon me that maybe our President does not really care for people that labor to attain wealth. In fact, how rich is $250,000 per year? Is it Rockerfeller or Roc-A-Wear rich? Is "two-fiddy" 50 Cent or P-Diddy (Sorry, I mean Sean Combs) rich? Alternatively, does the President's barometer of wealth simply mean that two married adults, who stayed in school, completed their education and landed good jobs, attained some comfort in life, perhaps even blessed by their Creator; are now rich? Hello Mr. President, is there anybody home? Is not this the definition of the American Dream?

Of course, our silver-tongued leader of the free world would easily defend his actions toward rich folk by taking us to the pulpit and reeling of his best Jesse impersonation, saying, "These folks got to pay their fair share. They got rich in America, so they owe America. You who struggle to pay bills and have tough times deserve some of their success. Can I get an Amen? These wealthy folks making over $250,000 must support those of you who quit school, committed crimes, made irresponsible relationship choices, had the Man keep you down and best of all voted for me. I know I got a witness here!"

Sure, my satire here may anger you if you support our President's policies, but beyond that, try to understand that our leader does not encourage you to build wealth through that business idea you have. I am not against helping poor people, as I undoubtedly some will accuse me; I am simply against any idea that starts and ends with "giving people a fish" instead of "teaching them to fish". Perhaps you should just shelve your entrepreneurial plan for personal success and hop aboard the gravy train of government. We could all sing "We Are the World" holding hands instead of our wallets.

If you do decide to try to get rich in this Obama-nation, make sure you only make about $249,999.99. Anything more than that, you will be off Craigslist and on the government's list of those who can pay for our stuff.