Base taxes on need

The Obama administration's relentless pursuit of bigger government, higher taxes and the now-famous "redistribution of wealth" is the most divisive approach to governing in my memory.

Those in power want to turn the focus to race or partisan politics or whatever excuse du jour. But the reality is that a growing segment of Americans -- some would argue a clear majority -- simply resent and oppose the expansion of Mother Government on the backs of working Americans.

From health care to higher taxes, the redistribution mentality of the Obama administration is designed to divide us along financial, racial, ethnic and religious lines.

But here's the real issue that dominates the private coffee shop gabfests.

Americans are a generous, compassionate people. No one on the face of this Earth can match our assistance for those in need.

But the resentment stems from doling out dollars to those who make no effort to pull their weight, who have grown to both accept and demand that society provide their every need with no attempt nor effort to deserve that generosity.

No one on either side of the political spectrum resents or resists helping those truly in need. I defy you to find anyone -- even on the hard right -- who is unwilling to support assistance for those in true need.

Yet when individuals who are physically and mentally able to provide for their own needs but instead choose to take our tax dollars, resentment is the obvious result.

If there were a promise from Washington to closely examine all those receiving tax-supported assistance, there would be much less resistance to taxes and programs to support those in need.

Unfortunately, the dependent population has simply overwhelmed the support system and it's far too easy to "game" the system for that monthly check.

The struggle is not between the haves and the have-nots. It's between those who work hard to pay their taxes and those who work hard to get a bigger piece of the pie.

I have heard of parents who tell their children to misbehave in school so they may be eligible for SSI funding. I have heard of those receiving disability payments when their "disability" is a stretch at best. The list is endless.

Our taxes should help those in need. The resistance comes when our taxes fund poor lifestyle choices that are abundantly obvious to everyone.

Solve that problem and you'll solve much of our financial mess.