Chris, man, we need to work on your intelligent posts being much more bullet-pointy!
You're absolutely right, Derek, and I must apologize for all my pointy-ended posts. I won't apologize for my passion or thoughts behind them, but I get heated over these matters and it's in no way, shape, or form directed at anyone in particular.
I also must be honest with everyone to show where I'm coming from and how strongly I believe in this plan.
I come from an affluent family, at least on my mother's side. We're not talking oil company wealth, just affluent and successful. Fighter pilots turned airline pilots, deans of universities, scholars living abroad, etc. They didn't start affluent, just became affluent through hard work, dedication, smart investing, and above all, EDUCATION.
I had a good childhood and never wanted for anything. However, it was instilled in me from the very early age of about 5 to save money and that a want was not the same as a need. Frugality was the word of the day. Consequently, I had other plans and didn't follow in their footsteps, although they fought me tooth and nail on it. My grandfather and uncles both recommended I go into the AF out of high school, get my education, and either get out or become an officer as they had done. I had grown up with fighter pilots and that was my life since I can remember...they were like father figures for me, even though they weren't my actual father. My father was actually much more like who I am today...supportive of whatever I chose and wished me happiness over wealth. So after 18 years of chomping at the bit, I joined the AF and was having the time of my life until it all of a sudden did a U-turn and the military somehow turned into a political machine, not a war machine. Got out and have been living happily in Italy since.
When I decided to get out, my family completely lost their minds. They had visions of me living on the street in Europe, begging for food or something. I hadn't followed their plans to the letter and according to them there was no other way to find success. After they realized I could not only take care of myself but that I'm married and living a great life abroad, they've completely changed their tune. At one time I was the shame of them because I was being rash and deciding my future by which means I wished, not them. Now you can hear a little envy in their voices every time we speak, and it's not because I live in Italy (although that is one part of it). It's because I took the advice that was right FOR ME and shaped my own future, and I didn't need their mold to do it. They helped me get started by supporting my military career and when I became a man on my own I took the reigns. (don't worry, there's a point to all of this)
My Uncle Joe (what a common name) was in Venice the other day for a few days due to a long layover from his leg of flights from Delta, as he flies the European parts. This was the "golden child" of the family for the longest time; honest to a fault, never broke a rule, perfect in everything he did. During our visit, I quickly realized the difference between my living abroad and the rest of the family's living abroad over the years, whether it be in the military or professor at a university abroad. They had never really absorbed the culture that was all around them and were still outsiders, whereas I assimilated myself within this culture and became a part of it, and now I honestly believe that traveling isn't the best education, but becoming a part of another culture and immersing yourself in said culture. A good analogy would be typical tourists taking a group tour of Rome instead of meeting and befriending locals and experiencing the true culture of Rome. They were always outsiders, no matter how many stars their hotel had on it.
My other uncle Tom is also the squadron commander for one of the Reserve Refueling Wings at Tinker AFB and is also an airline pilot simultaneously. Do the math. He offered me the job I wanted to begin with when he found out I was leaving the AF, and I turned it down. I realized that my life would be a lot less glamorous, a little less stable and maybe a bit more difficult living on my own on the outside, but it was the right decision for me.
The point of all this is that I'm no stranger monetary success; I've been around it all my life and I can honestly say that if the affluent or super wealthy have to pay a little more than the everyday Tom, Dick or Harry for the survival of what was once the greatest nation on earth, then so be it. I'm not some outsider looking in and I've experienced it from both sides and I can honestly say that happiness and quality of life trumps wealth and success any day of the week. Yes, sometimes I miss living in the giant house overlooking the beautiful lake in the most affluent part of our small town where I'm from, but I wouldn't trade my position now for it in a million years. All the fast cars, toys, gadgets, and world traveling every year can't replace what I have. Now I can travel at my own leisure, albeit I'm staying in much less fancy hotels and sometimes not even a hotel. But it's not a vacation for me when I travel; it's a part of my life.
I've seen it from both sides and I believe the country will be much better off with one less Mercedes in the garage if in change we get stability and better quality of life for the ones who truly deserve it.
Jesus...
