THE PRIVILEGED

Recently I have heard President Obama and Timothy Geithner use the term “privileged” when referring to those they feel should be carrying a larger share of the load than they already are.  I looked the word up on Dictionary.com and found the following definitions: 1. belonging to a class that enjoys special privileges; favored: the privileged few.  2. entitled to or exercising a privilege.  President Obama and Mr. Geithner have deemed people privileged by having exceeded a certain level of annual income.

Setting aside those that won the lottery, inherited a fortune or benefited from some other stroke of good fortune; I feel there are certain characteristics germane to this group they call privileged.  Somewhere along the line they made the decision to take whatever steps necessary to improve their lot in life.  Maybe, through education, they prepared themselves for a desired career or improved their worth in the job market.  In the pursuit of that education they surely missed out on many fun things others were doing.  If they were not fortunate enough to have family help, they may have worked two jobs and weekends, taken night classes, often taking years to achieve their educational goals. 

Maybe they saved their money, started a business in their garage and rolled the dice on an idea they had.  I am sure taking risks is common among these people.  Funny thing is, when you take risks it doesn’t always work out.  Maybe your idea was not a good one or trends, fashions or tastes changed and what was a booming business goes in the tank.  You had a good thing going for a while, made a decent income, provided jobs for some people then all of a sudden it’s all gone, your home, retirement fund, savings, everything you ever worked for.  Nobody passes the hat for you.  You’re on your own.  Failure is common among those that take risks.  But so are perseverance and the desire to get off the floor and try again. 

More power to those content with a 9-5 job, weekends and holidays off and a nice, paid vacation every year.  I am sure they have enjoyed many of the truly important things in life that others miss out on.  There is much to be said for never missing a birthday party, first at bat or graduation.  Not everyone is cut out for nor desires the stress and long hours demanded of others pursuing their dreams. 

Those that put in long hours to excel at their chosen line of work and the business owner that does not have the luxury of clocking out at 5 on Friday afternoon, know the price they pay and are willing to make the effort.  Call them industrious, driven, determined, ambitious and often lucky, but don’t call them privileged.  In most cases, whatever they have achieved, they have earned.