June 5^th

Cal Thomas has read McCullough’s new book on the Wright Brothers. His column today is largely unconditional praise for the book. Of course he must also slam the current climate in this country which he claims discourages such efforts.

His comments on the book are laudatory and not entirely in agreement with other reviewers. I’ll not get into a criticism McCullough’s work here; this isn’t a book review blog. Let’s look at Thomas’ comments on the state of the nation then and now.

He points out the problem the Wright’s had getting any government funding but the government then did provide subsidies for some enterprises. In 1911 the federal government was subsidizing mail carrying steamships and had been doing so for some time. Then as now there were critics for any money set aside to finance harebrained schemes; harebrained of course in the mind of the protesting Senator. Senator Proxmire’s Golden Fleece awards, now famous, if a trifle antique were given for what that Senator thought were unnecessary, or foolish, projects. These awards in some cases were ridiculous; one was to determine if Army Officers should carry umbrellas in the rain; others were more ambiguous. Proxmire was particularly distressed that federal money was awarded a researcher to determine if Chimpanzees could communicate using sign language. The Senator, always quick to ridicule, said, “Who cares what chimpanzees think?” The senator apparently could not imagine that the techniques used to teach chimpanzees could also be used to teach intellectual disadvantaged children. Senators are not required to have imagination; they are only required to raise money.

Cal Thomas then waxes nostalgic for the bygone days that gave rise to the Wright Brother’s values. He cites their preacher father and their McGuffey Readers. Cal Thomas claims that,  “…if government taxation, regulation and envy of the successful had been the norm then the Wright Brothers dream of flying might never have gotten off the ground.” This statement is totally absurd. Imagine that the income tax had been 20 percent in 1900. Can’t you hear Wilbur saying to Orville, “I think we should just forget about this heavier than air flight; besides if we make it and get rich all of our friends will envy us. Let’s just stick to the bicycle shop.”

How about now; we have copious regulations and higher taxes than the Wright Brothers had. None of this stopped Bill gates from dropping out of Harvard and becoming one of the richest men in the world. Can you hear him saying, “Why bother, look at my taxes.” Maybe another example: try Dell Computers; it started in a dorm room in 1985 and grossed 73 million dollars its first year. Income taxes and regulation really hampered Michael Dell. Really?  Finally (for lack of space) there is the multi-billionaire Elizabeth Holmes creator of Theranos a privately held company she began at 19. Now at 31 she is worth about 4.5 billion dollars. Yes Cal, these odious taxes and regulations are sure stifling creativity and initiative.