Success is not the enemy!

What happened to us? We used to see success as a good thing; we encouraged, supported and applauded it – even socialists did not begrudge people their financial successes, they just said: ‘that’s not for me’

The right believed in enterprising and a smaller state where people are bigger than the government. Where individuals are trusted to know what’s best for them and the government’s job was to protect its citizens and help those who needed help by giving them a hand up. The left believed government knew best and decided how people should live their lives and gave handouts. But in spite of their ideological differences both celebrated and cheered achievements when and where ever they happened.

I appreciate times are hard, and believe we all need to pull together if we are to ride this tide. But also believe in personal responsibility and private charity, and in nudging those with deeper pockets to do more for their communities. That’s why I find the vulturous attitude towards some extremely disturbing, it is that mentality what created the divisions we see in our society today. That ‘us and them’ attitude inherited from 13 years of confused socialism is what gave birth to the entitlement mindset we saw burning and looting in London Streets last August.

And when politicians and clergymen make it their business to incite division who can we turn to for balance and sound guidance?

I might not sound ‘progressive’ but maybe it is time for some good old fashioned Keep Calm and Carry On. However, it is definitely time we stop demonizing success and those who succeed because success is not the enemy.