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Said Abraham Lincoln, December 3, 1861:
"...Many independent men everywhere in these States a few years back in
their lives were hired laborers. The prudent, penniless beginner in the world labors for wages awhile, saves a surplus
with which to buy tools or land for himself, then labors on his own account another while, and at length hires another new
beginner to help him. This is the just and generous and prosperous system which opens the way to all, gives hope to
all, and consequent energy and progress and improvement of condition to all."
(Coker, Francis W., Democracy, Liberty, and Property, The Macmillan Company, 1942, p.555)
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Says Bruce G. Anderson, March 10, 2007:
"Abraham Lincoln, a great and early republican
president, left us that inspirational message. It is one which affected my career thoughts when younger.
In the year 2007 I don't know if his 'working man becomes successful contractor' vision of America is still possible.
With the utmost admiration for the industrious local contractor, be he a landscaper, home remodeler, or computer enthusiast,
I wonder. Are they realizing the success of which Lincoln spoke ?
What obstacles stand in their way
? Every entrepreneur needs a good accountant or should have some tax filing knowledge. He must be a good salesperson
as well. We are all wary of fast buck artists.
Today, it is more an argument of whether the working man, the new
or less skilled employee, is fairly paid at a legislated minimum wage. Our esteemed President Lincoln probably had
no forethought of that minimum wage or even the present day tax code. Lincoln was surely reflecting upon the servitude
endured by his ancestors in the UK, a society in which they had much less opportunity for advancement.
As I look around the Philadelphia area I know there are businesses
taking advantage of that minimum wage law to increase profits or inflate salaries for some. There are those too,
who in contracting with the public have no conscience or concern for the wages of the average man. May Lincoln return to scold us all."
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