This is a column I wrote October 17, 1998.
“I’ve just finished reading a book titled, The Rockefeller Conscience,” which, in great detail, examines the John D. Rockefeller dynasty, down to the present. John D. Rockefeller, left one of the world’s largest fortunes when he died. Others, such as Edison, Ford, Carnegie, and Vanderbilt, left huge amounts also. These industrialists, inventors, and innovators, worked their way up from poverty, none ever inherited a dime, and made huge sums of money, which is beyond the grasp of modern day citizens. In 1998 dollars, these men left trillions of dollars behind, when they died. An amount impossible to comprehend.
“During their lives, these men did wonderful things. They endowed Universities, orchestras, parks, and colleges. They gave money to those they thought were deserving, with the intent that what they donated to, would perpetuate itself, and bring further prosperity to America when they died. The America for which they held undying love and gratitude, which gave them freedom and opportunity to innovate, and build their fortunes. When they died, these fortunes were placed into trusts and foundations, with the explicit understanding and instructions that proceeds were to be used wisely down through the generations.
“The book on the Rockefellers, made me realize why something has gone radically wrong with the foundations. I have known for decades, that the Ford and Rockefeller foundations have supported every far left aggregation and effort known to man…in direct opposition to their founder’s wishes…but for some reason, I never realized just why it has happened. Reading about the descendents of John D. Rockefeller has opened my eyes. (in 2012 I think they’re all dead now). John D. had but one son, who became known as “Junior,” and one of “Junior’s” five sons, “JDR,” (John D. Rockefeller III), took it on himself to be a professional philanthropist with the family fortune. “Junior” did his best, and “JDR” did too, but therein lies the explanation, which I am certain can apply to the rest of the wealthy foundations.
“The offspring of the hard working, innovative industrialists, never had to do an honest day’s work in their life. Their children never did a lick either, and on it goes down the chain. They never had to wonder where their next meal or payment would come from, and never knew want or unfulfilled need or desire. They never had to speculate where the rent was coming from, nor watch a budget on trip to the market. They knew nothing about prices, markups, bargains, or any of the dozens of decisions we all have to make on a daily basis, to make our lives turn out successfully. All they had to do was pal around with the swells, dress properly, and administer the huge fortunes left to them. Having not only inherited huge fortunes, but the magical names of their forefathers, they were automatically appointed to boards of huge corporations, with enormous influence around the world. Banks sought them, and they found it rather easy to become influential in many areas of life.
“The “poor little rich boy” syndrome is alive and well, and has manifested itself in wealthy foundations. Consider the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who never had to work or want. What would their outlook on life be, as opposed to the founder’s? Andrew Carnegie came here at age 16, was dirt poor, and slaved every day, trying to make ends meet. His father died, leaving him an orphan. Henry Ford, and other soon to be nabobs, suffered similar childhood deprivations. They would turn over in their graves, if they knew what their money was going for, and the question begs, why has it happened?
“If I never had to worry or work for a living, and was filthy rich by inheritance, I might feel a bit guilty, first of all. Conscience is a human trait, and seems to be absent in only the most hardened of criminals. Conscience, would make a rich-by-inheritance person look at those who are poor, and say to himself, “Boy, I feel sorry for them, I’ll give them some of my money.” From page 193 of the book, we find that “JDR” (John D. Rockefeller III) decided that the Rockefeller Foundation was going to, “Concentrate its efforts in the following five areas of pressing human need. 1. Toward the conquest of hunger. 2. The population problem. 3. Strengthening emerging centers of learning. 4. Toward equal opportunity for all. 5. Aiding our cultural development.” Note that the bucks were going to, “pressing human need.” Nothing was mentioned about “deserving.” Little if any, was going to advance science, which would make everyone’s life healthier and easier. Little if any, was going to the restoration or development of American architecture, transportation, farming, inventing, exploration, or other heritage. Rather, the money was to be poured out to do things to weaken its recipients, and in turn weaken the entire world. The money was going to the needy, not the deserving, and there is a great difference. There are billions of needy, but few deserving.
“The world today, is full of needy, worthless, beggars, who commit hideous crimes, and haven’t the slightest idea of responsibility. When I was a kid, and wanted something, I was told to get off my duff, get a job, or work for it. I was taught that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and that the best solution for poverty, is to have nothing to do with it, and avoid it at all costs…by working to keep out of it. I was taught, as were most of my age group, with very few exceptions, that you need to keep your fly zipped if you don’t want to be a father, or take responsible actions to avoid it. I was taught that if you wanted to buy something, even if it were bare sustenance, you had to work and pay for it. Being “needy” was no excuse for anything. There was no welfare, subsidies, handouts, and magical checks from far off foundations. If you wanted to learn something, you studied and worked for it, and no one was going to hand you anything. Virtually all kids were taught this, and it became inculcated into our thoughts and actions throughout our lives. There was no guilt trip over being rich, and we never looked at the poor with an attitude other than, “get a job.” Being “needy” was their problem.”
Part two Tuesday, and in he mean time have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. I hope you have been watching the Republican Convention on Fox. The speeches are grand, and it’s a treat to see thousands cheer over and over again, wave signs, and clap, when the speaker tells it like it should be. Ann Romney did her husband well, and I look forward to hearing him tonight.