THRIFT AS PATRIOTISM

Thrift, however, is not merely a war necessity.  “The time when thrift shall not be needed—­needed as vitally as food itself—­will never come ...  Through thrift alone can the rebuilding come—­the rebuilding of America—­the rebuilding of the world ...  Thrift is patriot ism because it is the elimination of every element that tends to retard...” [Footnote:  S W Strauss, “The Patriotism of War Savings”]

Thrift is necessary both for individual success and for good citizenship.  It is only by thrift that the individual may in some measure repay others for the care he himself received during dependent childhood, and provide, during his productive years, for the “rainy day” of sickness and old age.  It is by thrift that capital is accumulated with which to carry on the world’s work.  The citizen who saves and invests his savings in a home, in business enterprises, in bonds or savings stamps, not only makes his own future secure, but becomes identified with the community and takes a greater interest in it.  The thrifty citizen inspires the confidence of the community, and acquires an influence in community affairs that the unthrifty citizen does not enjoy.  Finnish farmers in a certain section of New England are said to be able to obtain credit from neighboring bankers and businessmen more easily than many of their neighbors, and to be considered as especially desirable citizens, because of their reputation for thrift and honesty.  Thrift is often confused with stinginess and selfish ness.  On the contrary it alone makes generosity and service possible.

Thrift, “The essence of democracy”

“Thrift is the very essence of democracy.”  For democracy means freedom, equality of opportunity, “self-determination.”  No man is a greater slave than one who is bound and driven by financial necessity.  By thrift the mind is “unfettered by the petty annoyances that result from improvident ways.”  Thrift means providing for the future.  There is nothing in the world that will so establish one’s faith in the future and that will, therefore, give that freedom of spirit upon which democracy depends, as the wise use of to-day and of to-day’s resources.

THRIFT A RIGHT AS WELL AS A DUTY

“Every man must practice thrift and every man must have the chance of practicing it.”  It is a right as well as a duty.  Before the war it was said that four fifths of the wage earners of our country received less than $750 a year for their labor.  Studies in various cities also showed that an average family of five could not maintain health and efficiency on an income of less than from $750 to $1000.  Under such circumstances thrift is the strictest necessity, but it is a thrift that means pinching economy and the sacrifice of health and efficiency.  It is not the thrift that provides for the future and gives freedom to the individual, the thrift that is “the essence of democracy itself.”  Every man should have an opportunity to earn a “living wage,” which includes an opportunity to provide for the future.  Democracy is not complete until that opportunity is afforded.