Here is a lesson from economics 101, for people of every political inclination.
Www.bobbiejrae.com uses the WordPress platform. WordPress uses mini-programs called a “plug-ins” to perform various additional functions.
Bobbiejrae.com is now 25 months old. Until yesterday, I used a free plug-in to view “google analytics” or website statistics. But it quit working last week. My website support and I both checked and rechecked the settings, but neither of us could convince the free plug-in to work again.
I finally paid for the professional version of the free plug-in, and now I can see the analytics data for bobbiejrae.com. I realized that the free service I had been getting was not free to the plug-in’s developer, that they had been helping me at no cost to me for two years. Since they could not keep doing this forever, now I must pay for their service.
Yes, I felt disappointed that I now had to pay for something I had previously received free of charge. However, I realized I can’t get something free forever. How can the developer remain in business without income?
Although I am not happy to pay $100 a year for something I previously used for free, I am happy that this company manages its resources well, that it will be able to continue providing its services.
There are two economic concepts in my story. First, nothing is free–someone somewhere must pay. Second, you can’t always get what you want.
Now let’s look at a real country’s past to understand how these economic concepts apply to government.
A certain country used to have a strong economy, but the citizens wanted everything for free. Free health care, free food, free everything. So, in 1998, they elected a leader who promised to give them what they wanted.
To give the people what they wanted, this new leader immediately passed laws redistributing land and wealth. In 2005, he issued a land decree that eliminated larger estates to benefit the poor in rural areas. At first, the leadership had the money to give everyone health care and other things for free. But the people who lost their hard-earned property to oppressive regime left the country and the country lacked income. In spite of lack of income and mounting debt, the government kept giving away things to its citizens..
What has happened to this country? Just twenty-one years later, the regime has collapsed. Its citizens are fleeing, trying to come to the United States. I do not blame them for trying to relocate, and I wish that I could help every fleeing person. Even if a citizen there has the money to buy milk, toilet paper, or bread (which 99% do not have), there is none to buy.
When too many people lean on an entity to provide things for free, the entity must generate more revenue or it will collapse.
The country mentioned above is Venezuela. Can you imagine what would happen if the US collapsed like Venezuela? What would happen to the world’s economy?
Let the encouraging words in these bobbiejrae posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
Can America stay on top?
FYI: Another economics post.
Follow you heart and your dreams!
A college degree is not essential to success!