“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour’s.” (Exodus 20:17 KJV)

It is now evident that President Obama has laid the foundation for his 2012 re-election campaign. In 2008, it was Hope and Change. In 2012, it will be to make the wealthy pay their fair share and “spread the wealth around.”

This is not the American dream. The American dream is built on freedom to learn, to work, to build, to invest, to risk, and to enjoy the fruit of one’s labor.

Spreading the wealth around is based on a foundation of envy, jealousy, and covetousness. This kind of foundation is dangerous is to individuals, families, communities, and nations. It saps energy by diverting attention from effort to envy.

As Americans, we have an opportunity in this campaign cycle to take a serious look at the philosophy that made America great. Political tactics will try to distract by focusing on factors that divide us. Covetousness will destroy an individual, a community, a nation. We must look beyond the things that divide and focus on the foundation that makes us great.

Donald E. Cole
Cordele