We are still a nation that is generous and compassionate at its core. That is our foundation and it will remain our commitment, domestically and abroad. Providing a safety net for the seniors, poor, children, disabled, and other vulnerable citizens will always be a priority for Americans, without regard to political party or ideology. Contrary to the rancor that is dominating some corners of our public square, we are a united nation, not a divided one. Although we have differing views about how to solve our social and economic problems, at the heart of every solution is a commitment to helping those who are less fortunate or can’t help themselves.

Innovation and philanthropy are the heartbeat of America, and each of us has been blessed and endowed with certain inalienable talents and gifts that are designed to enable us to have prosperous and meaningful lives across our lifetimes. Whether we take the steps necessary to discover what our individual gifts are is up to each of us. And, at the end of the day, if we choose not to do anything, then shame on us, and we have no right to judge or condemn the next person because they put themselves in position to be financially successful.

The airwaves and the internet are inundated with discourse that is pitting Americans against one another and causing a level of distrust and resentment that is not characteristic of the American spirit. The public chatter is causing innocent and decent Americans to feel guilty because they’ve worked hard and are now reaping the financial rewards for their labors and sacrifices. The dissonance is even causing some in the wealthy class to vow that they would willingly pay more income taxes to our federal government.

No one is entitled to another person’s hard earned dollars. Each of us is responsible for the choices and decisions we make in life. Sometimes we reap substantial rewards and other times we’re not as lucky. The hypocrisy in the public square is stifling as people complain about the millionaires, billionaires, and the shrinking middle class. We should be most concerned about how to adequately respond to the severity of challenges confronting lower and working class Americans. The public schizophrenia is evident as well because people are only complaining and pointing fingers because they are not the beneficiaries of the financial success.

This type of poisonous environment is being perpetrated by people and entities who make their livings and have built their reputations by creating hostility among classes of people and by encouraging citizens to blame someone else for their misfortune in life. These so-called “advocates” specialize in lies and deception, in order to keep those who are less fortunate from discovering the personal and economic power that they already possess inside of themselves. Instead of encouraging them to want to be self-sufficient and create better lives for themselves and their families, these “advocates” promote dependency and the blame game in place of education and personal enrichment.

The attacks on the wealthiest citizens are peculiar because the “top 1%” is not a new phenomenon. We’ve always had a wealthy class and always will, and the gap may even become wider depending on how average citizens adjust their spending, consumption, and investment habits. We should not be demonizing fellow citizens because they have earned a great living and accumulated wealth, nor should we be blaming them for other people’s individual decisions and choices that had nothing to do with them.

Millionaires and billionaires are not the problem; instead, they will always be a part of the solution, as long as they continue to invest in people, products, markets, and businesses. People are lashing out at a free market system that operates the same today as it did decades ago; the difference now, though, is the esoteric nature and sophistication of the financial instruments and financing schemes. These complexities of our financial markets coupled with the fraud, abuse, waste, cronyism, and corruption across all levels of government are the straws that have broken the backs of the American taxpayer. Everyday people from all walks of life have simply run out of patience and tolerance.