Can You Survive on 3 Kernels of Corn a Day?

As we approach our annual turkey fest, it is worth taking note of the real lesson the Pilgrims taught us.  We're going through some tough times economically all across our land, but NOTHING like the earliest Americans experienced during their first two years on American soil.

To finance the cost of trip to this new land, the Pilgrims had to make a "deal with the devil".  A group of investors advanced them the funding, but the cost was incredibly high.  HALF of everything the Pilgrims owned and produced in this land for the first SEVEN YEARS belonged to these investors.  Think 50% income tax, 50% shared appreciation of all improvements, 50% confiscation of anything produced that had value.  Half - right off the top.

"Where were the predatory lending laws then, huh?"

And to control the situation even more, the investors put another caveat into the deal: No one would be allowed to own personal property until the terms of the contract were fulfilled.  All food and goods produced would be shared equally amongst the group.  Each family would be assigned plots of earth to plant and the harvest would be put into a public storehouse for redistribution according to need.  And private structures would not be allowed.

"Redistribution of Wealth?  How'd that work out for ya?"

Share and share alike.  Everyone work hard for the good of the group.  "Unite, and there will be plenty for all" was the message being preached.  Did it work out that way?  Not a chance.  Records show that many of the inhabitants simply refused to work and relied on the group to take care of them.  Resentment, bickering, and open hostility grew far faster than the crops.

The result of this redistribution of wealth idea?  HALF OF THE PILGRIMS DIED DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS - starvation, disease (mostly scurvy - an affliction caused by malnutrition and lack of vitamin C), and exposure to the elements due to inadequate shelters were the main causes.  During the second winter - after they should have had storehouses overflowing with the summer's harvest - a typical daily ration of food was 3 KERNELS OF CORN PER DAY PER PERSON.  You see, even faced with death, people would NOT put out maximum work effort (or any effort at all) in such a system.  The Pilgrim experiment was about to fail.

"You produce it - You keep it."

William Bradford made a decision that second winter to change things.  He had taken over leadership of the group after the original leader got sick and died the first year.  Bradford announce before that winter was over a new system:  Each family would now OWN a plot of earth to farm, build a home on, do with what they pleased.  Investors be damned - the system of share and share alike was over.  You produce it - You keep it.  If you have extra - you are free to sell or barter or give it to other members of the group.

This new system motivated families to prepare their fields early and tend the fields properly knowing this was an opportunity to get ahead.  The result was a HUGE early harvest - and a HUGE harvest feast celebration - the one the Pilgrims invited the Indians to and the one we model our own Thanksgiving celebration after.  And no one in the group went hungry that winter.  Read that last sentence again!

In our current environment of bailouts and financial market meltdowns, let us learn the lesson the Pilgrims taught us.  The key to economic survival and prosperity is Land & Home Ownership and Individual Economic Freedom.  Allow people the ability to choose their economic path and use the fruits of their labor the way they want to, and our country will survive this and continue to be the shining light on the hill for the world to see.  Go back to redistribution of wealth and central control - like what the Pilgrims faced - and our country will be in for a long hard winter. 

"God helps them that help themselves."  Benjamin Franklin

Corn Kernel Photo by:  ingridtaylar

Prayer Hand Photo by:  hpebley3