>So you didn't go to public schools? You don't use public roads? You never attended a community college? If you did any of those, then someone (US taxpayers) gave you something.
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>You know perfectly well that I meant that no one ever gave me any free money. And since Uncle Sam takes 50% of my income, I am the tax payer. BTW, I never attended a community college. Let me guess. The next thing you are going to tell me is that Andy and I didn't build Tightline Computers. Someone else did that for us.
>

No, I didn't say and I don't think you guys didn't build Tightline yourselves. OTOH, the VFP world is actually a great example of community and of helping each other to succeed. You and Andy have been big contributors, but I'm pretty sure you also benefited from the contributions of other people to the community, people like Lisa, Whil, Doug, Rick Strahl, Rick Schummer, Toni & Mike, etc. None of us could have done as much alone as we did as a group.

Similarly, in broader society, none of us could have done as well as we did by forming governments, creating schools, building roads, etc., etc., etc. No one succeeds alone. They always build on what came before.

To answer your specific comment, no one gave you free money. Okay. Did you get government-guaranteed student loans? I did and I freely admit that I got a better education because of it.

>I agree that, short of being born to rich parents, hard work is a necessary component of success, but I reject the notion that it's sufficient. Opportunity is also required, and you were given opportunities, both by the taxpayers and by individuals in your life. (For example, ISTR you having mentioned a boss who let you set up a work schedule that allowed you to go to school.
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>Then your memory is faulty. I worked my way through school tending bar. I took classes when I could. Sometimes at night and sometimes during the day depending on what my work schedule was. Don't get me started about any opportunities that individuals in my life gave me. As you may know, I had a terrible childhood and I am surprised that I didn't grow up top be an axe murderer.

Yes, I know you had a rough childhood and I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry that your father went through what he went through and that he didn't get therapy to help him recover better.

I remembered your saying that the manager at the bar gave you a regular schedule, so you were able to take classes. It appears that, at least, once you were taking a course, the bar accommodated to your class schedule for that semester. I hear that a lot of food service workers today can't get that kind of regularity, and it's making it really hard for them to arrange childcare, let alone go to school.

Bottom line is that yes, you took a rotten childhood and you worked very hard and you made a success of your life. But you couldn't have done it with a public education, a job that allowed you to take courses, and the gift of a good mind. (And possibly, interest-deferred student loans.)

Tamar