I saw the dumbest bumper sticker at lunch today.
It said:

Osama still has his job.
Do you still have yours?

This is ridiculous on so many levels, I don't even know where to begin. (And you can guess which political party sticker was on the other side.) Osama doesn't have a job, he's an evil murderer. Someone is trying to equate the job security of a terrorist to the plight of an American who demands that his government owes him a job. Well, if you think the unemployment rates are impressively low enough in the caves of Afghanistan, then take your pink slip and hightail it out of this country that apparently serves no purpose to you.

When I was a high-school senior, I interviewed for a scholarship from Wal-Mart (which is an abomination up here in Jeep Country.) They asked me if I could define capitalism. It threw me off a little and sadly, I didn't want to appear stupid if I defined it incorrectly, so I told them I didn't think I could comment on it. The thing was, though, I knew what capitalism was. I knew it involved the free market and the rights of people to own business and property. It is what makes America such a great country. And no, I didn't get the scholarship. You have the right to get out and create your own success. It's not about what the government can give me. Let them step back as much as morally possible and allow me to discover what will make me succeed.

My parents are living examples of this. After getting the raw end of a business deal over sixteen years ago, my Dad was in a situation of starting from square one. He came across a machine that cleaned blinds with ultrasonic waves, which did a better job than other methods. My Mom had experience with window treatments from working with my Grandmother several years prior. They put their talents together and formed a business on their own. Blinds Plus was born.

Radio ads were placed on the air, but as time went by, word of mouth became the best advertising of all. Dad gained accounts with offices, restaurants, and homeowners as he performed cleaning services that removed gunk, grease, and smoke stains from the decorative slats. Mom's expertise with sewing draperies and other window treatments created many satisfied customers and friends. Slowly, their business began to grow.

Several years later, they moved into a larger building to accomodate their needs. They eventually hired some help to meet the demands of their busy schedule. Every year they've been rewarded with cruises and vacations from their national dealer. Mom and Dad have been to Hawaii, Cancun, Alaska, St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands . . . to name a few. They are often on appointments and I rarely hear them pick up the phone anymore when I call the shop.

They achieved it. From a business standpoint, they are the American Dream. They worked hard, didn't expect handouts, put their noses to the grindstone, and toughed it out. They took their talents and put them to good use. And I'm darn proud of them. It may have taken an idiotic bumper sticker for me to say this, but I love them and marvel how they conducted themselves when faced with adversity or uncertainty. They succeed in their careers and retained their integrity, honesty, and class.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.