This was written by a guy here in town as an editorial in our local rag the Infernal Journal (Index Journal). Most of the time the paper isn't worth reading, but this guy, Collins, writes a pretty good piece ever so often. I thought this one was exceptionally good. ~Mergie

Blood, sweat and tears ... and wealth

Nobody in South Carolina was ever promised a rose garden -- or even a hard row to hoe. In fact, nobody anywhere in this sprawling country was promised anything other than a chance to be somebody. Repeat: chance. Spell that opportunity.

The one thing shared by all was as simple as it gets. They were given the freedom to take advantage of any opportunities that came their way. It’s been up to the individual to make the most of every chance to turn nothing into something. In fact, just about the only thing most Americans wanted right from the git-go was a chance -- an even chance or not, all that mattered was an opportunity.

However, many in this country couldn’t read the handwriting on the wall. Many have been too reluctant, too disinterested, or too lazy to reach for the gold ring, even when the merry-go-round of life kept right on spinning. History shows that when opportunity meets determination it opens avenues that lead to brighter days and better circumstances.

The story of America is narrated by those who have recognized opportunities and made the most of them. Sometimes it has taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears to persevere and reach the pinnacle of success. All that was needed was a chance, an open door, and when they came, hearty souls were ready.

It all began with the natural desire of people to be free. Americans challenged the odds, threats and dangers to build a new land and new lives. It wasn’t easy, but they were not to be denied, no matter what it took.

When their hard-earned freedom was won, everyone, from farmers to shopkeepers to adventurers who shared the pioneer spirit headed west. They were willing to put their lives on the line in order to exploit opportunities they made for themselves.

From the beginning they valued liberty for the nation and independence for the individual. If they couldn’t be self-reliant they had no desire to depend on others or the government.

Because of that independent streak -- some call it stubbornness -- America developed as the land of opportunity, the land of plenty, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

This wasn’t a land like any other in history. This became a land of enterprising people who came from all over the world. They came, they grasped the opportunities, they enjoyed the freedom to use their God-given minds, spirits and backs to build homes, businesses, industries, farms, railroads and fortunes.

No one believed he was doing anything but what a free society allows. He made money. So did many others. And none felt guilty because he was successful, and none was jealous because somebody else used his talents to become rich.

Throughout our history it’s what opportunity has been all about. Those willing to invest a little sweat of the brow and take the necessary risks that are central to most success stories, have become the ambassadors of a society that has raised the standard of living far beyond what our pioneer forefathers could have even imagined.

Opportunity has enabled a lot of people to make a good living. Some have done better than that. As the saying goes, most Americans got their wealth the old-fashioned way: they earned it.

They are, however, no different than the rest of us. Anyone can live the American Dream as long as opportunities are available. That is, if they are allowed to keep what they earn. Unfortunately, an alien philosophy has seduced previously unflappable individuals into believing that government is the beginning, the end and everything in between. Even worse, they accept what is a direct contradiction to freedom and stability. Taking from those who earn and giving it to those who don’t is becoming the foreign element that destroys from within. After a while, those who earn will realize what’s happening and do a flip-flop. They’ll stop earning. They’ll have no incentive.

It’s called the redistribution of wealth. Those who advocate it are doing everything they can to speed up the process. Too many in the White House, too many in Congress and too many fellow travelers all across the land are ceaselessly working to institutionalize spreading the wealth. And too many people who can stop it are either being deceived, are part of the deception, or are afraid that they will be labeled a bigot, even when the intent is to the contrary.

What’s worrisome is that being afraid is not part of the American character. Never has been, and shouldn’t be now.

Collins is editorial editor. He can be reached at bcollins@indexjournal.com or 943-2511. Views expressed in this column are those of the writer only and do not represent the newspaper’s opinion.