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I am a US Army veteran, and I served in the 4th infantry division during the first gulf war. The military provided an opportunity for me to escape poverty and make a good life for myself. I grew up in poverty and much of my family still lives in poverty. I know exactly what it is to struggle on an uneven playing field. Despite these challenges I've managed to earn a graduate degree in electrical engineering, and I now work in the semiconductor industry designing solid state circuits and devices. I hold several patents.
I have come to learn that this world is not strictly one of equal opportunity. While hard work is almost always a key ingredient of success, simply working hard does not necessarily guarantee it. Too many struggle without having received the gift of wealth, opportunity, privilege, intelligence, or athletic ability. Such gifts, when combined with hard work, very often determine one's station in life.
I also believe the accumulation of wealth and privilege is also made possible by the social benefits our country has provided: education, defense, police, fire, roads and interstate highways, airports, internet, fundamental science and medical research, clean air, water, sewer and water treatment facilities, safety standards, and the right to a public defense attorney to name just a few.
We would all do well to exercise some humility and remember that hard work is not the only ingredient of success. Of course one needs to work hard. But one also needs to remember all the lucky breaks, and also the many social benefits we often take for granted.
And so we each have a responsibility to pay back some measure in proportion to that which we have accrued. And corporations should be asked to do the same.
