Wooden on tearing down the strong to strengthen the weak

John Wooden asked this poignant question about policy makers:

 "Why are there many who want to build up the weak by tearing down the strong?"

Steve Jobs

Policy makers are slaves to their own self interests. They make a commitment to understand politics instead of understanding why structuring incentives properly is the key to good policies. Sadly, in most cases the primary objective of policy makers in America is NOT good policy. Instead it is playing to the lowest common denominator of ideology within the crowd. Ambitious politicians work hard to make sure the emotion of "envy" is legitimized in society. Accordingly, business people who hire people and make payrolls are demonized. It has become too easy to convince most people to blame the strong. It has become too easy to make excuses for those who are not industrious. It has become too easy to sell the majority of American people on the bogus idea that government can actually be "generous" after it has confiscated somebody else's earnings.

Ironically, Steve Jobs, who is one of the strongest Americans ever, strengthened those around him by demanding industriousness. He structured incentives properly and those who helped Apple achieve great things were transitioned from paupers to millionaires over time. It was completely unnecessary for government policymakers to look for ways to weaken Steve Jobs in the hopes of strengthening others. What Jobs produced in tax revenue as a by-product of his efforts far exceeds the value any bureaucrat can bring to the table.

Of course, not every businsess person is Steve Jobs. But we would have more people like Steve Jobs if policymakers were not so intent on building up the weak by tearing down the strong with government acting as middleman.