I suspect many of you are still confused over just exactly what that phrase means. Perhaps even more so now that the governor has released his budget. So let me see if I can help. Let me walk you through the ins and outs of “shared sacrifice.”
First, stop playing the blame game. Sure, the economy did go off a cliff. Yes, that collapse caused 7 million jobs to disappear, along with all the revenue that went with them. But remember, that meltdown was cause by a small number of (enormous) banks, mortgage brokers, hedge-fund managers, insurance companies and (Bush) administration officials who looked the other way.
That was way back in 2007. Ancient history! Let it go — forgive and forget. Besides, all those bankers and derivative dealers are really nice guys. You’d like them if you ever met them. Just ask Gov. John Kasich — that’s why he lobbied so hard on their behalf.
This is where our understanding of the “shared” part of “shared sacrifice” should start.
Each of us has our role to play in the economy. Their role is to take a really big share of it. How big, you want to know? Well, that’s a pretty rude question, but in the interests of helping you understand: The wealthiest 1 percent of Americans now own about 40 percent of all income and assets. But they deserve it — just ask the governor. He’ll tell you why.
So if their role is to take (their) share, your role in the economy is to sacrifice, so that they can do their job (taking a larger and larger share). And look! It’s working already. Thanks to your sacrifice in bailing them out, those big bankers and mortgage brokers are making huge profits again.
There are lots of ways you can sacrifice. Start by asking yourself a basic question: Do I really need this? Like if your house catches on fire. Rather than call the fire department, with all of that expensive equipment manned by those overpaid firefighters, just call some neighbors and put the fire out yourself.
Likewise, if someone you know has a heart attack, don’t call the EMS. Do you know how much money those guys waste? Find a creative way to get to the hospital on your own.
I really admire what they’re doing in Delaware, just north of Columbus. There, in order to share the sacrifice, school district officials have just announced that because of their budget problems, kindergarten classes will be reduced to two half-days per week.
This is brilliant. Not only will it save big, big money, but it will teach children a valuable lesson. Just because they can’t yet read the words “shared sacrifice” doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be expected to engage in it.
A few of you may be asking: Why can’t we raise more revenue by asking those wealthy people and profitable corporations for a little bit more in taxes?
Once again, that is a very rude question and I wonder why your mother didn’t raise you to be more polite. But I’ll answer the question anyway.
The reason is: because that’s not the way things work. Those rich people made their money the old-fashioned way, as the old E.F. Hutton ad used to put it (by gaming the system, stacking the deck and getting bailed out when it all went south).
Rich people are better than you are, and so they shouldn’t be asked to sacrifice. Were you clever enough to get bailed out when your own finances took a hit? I didn’t think so.
And quit whining about collective bargaining! Teachers and policemen don’t deserve collective bargaining because if they were really valuable members of our society, they would be doing something that made them rich. Like managing hedge funds or lobbying for Wall Street bankers. Just ask the governor.
If you still aren’t persuaded that you should sacrifice in order to ensure the continued wealth of the wealthy, then I have one final suggestion. Change your name to Bob Evans and tell the governor that you are leaving the state.
The governor will surely give you a generous hand-out if you do.
Steven Conn is professor and director of public history at Ohio State University. He resides in Yellow Springs.
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