For those living in poorer neighborhoods, the public education system is simply not cutting it and private school may very well appear to be a necessity in these areas for parents who value education and self-enrichment. It’s a sad state of affairs when taxpayers feel that an education system they’re paying for is not up to snuff, so they feel that they must shell out more money for a private education.

I think a lot of people are also missing one of the downsides to being a HENRY as opposed to actually rich: your income can still go to zero. When you’re rich, the assumption is that you’re almost untouchable. HENRYs still worry about unemployment, heath care bills, and more.

I mean, it’s just not right that they have to “starve themselves of luxuries” as the article pointed out. That’s just so….what’s the word?…..CRUEL!

Oh those poor, poor, poor souls (figuratively poor, that is). And the terrible plight of that Selden family…it breaks my heart. They’re just two doctors trying to scratch out a modest living in a super-modest $750,000 home in the Charlotte suburbs and they have to….I can barely finish this sentence through my tears….that poor family (figuratively poor, that is) has to postpone their “pet project” to expand their playroom.

My GOD, what has this world come to when a family of two doctors with a small playroom can’t even make it bigger when they want to?!?! They have to WAIT!! WAIT, I tell you! Ohhhh, the inhumanity of it all.

Matthew — I know the road I took as well. And my road included getting up at 3:30 in the morning, on two hours of sleep delivering newspapers. That was so my wife could be a stay at home mom and to rent a decent home (1000 sq. ft.). Then working 8:30AM to 6:30 or 7:30PM. My point is, it should be my decision how to spread my “wealth” around. I think I’ve worked hard enough to have earned the right to make it. Obama and crew want to make it for me and you. Somehow they know better. Just like they were smarter about Freddie and Fannie. Wait, they weren’t. :O)

David, I hear the “I turned out fine” argument way to often. I don’t want my children to just turn out “fine”. I want them to excel in strength, courage, and devotion. I also want their education to be undergirded by the fundamentals of my faith. There is no public school that offers that. Also, for the most part you don’t get to pick your public school. There are choices when it comes to charter schools, but frankly I’m not a big fan of using public dollars for schools that should really be private. That is a whole different discussion though. I wouldn’t trade the world for the school my children are currently attending. But I do appreciate your thoughtfulness.

CD Rates: No problem about disagreeing. Expressing our points of view is what makes our society great since we are always learn from each other.

I’m not saying that high taxes are good at all. As someone who has decent salary and coming from Hong Kong (where 10-20% tax rates are common even for the wealthiest), I can never understand why our government can waste so much money every single year.

All I’m saying is that like everyone else, America’s way of life has made decisions (some good, some bad). We should all embrace the country as a whole.

On the school subject though, I think I feel private schools are unnecessary because my sister and I both went to public school and came out fine. It’s true that I haven’t been to any schools in the United States in recent days so perhaps it’s much worst than I thought. I also think that within the public system, there must be schools that are better than others. Perhaps you can look around instead of going the private school route? If there’s something I can do or help, just email me and we can probably chat.

2. A lot has to do with luck. Just think of the life you were born into. I know the road I took to where I am now was much easier than most. That’s why I’m ok with spreading the wealth.

3. Anyone that thinks Obama is a socialist is a little out to lunch. In Canada, he’d be the most right wing candidate.