The Ten Cannots by William J. H. Boetcker

Many years ago I used to work in an office with a militant socialist. I'm sure that in his head he saw himself as a champion for the poor, but once you got to know him you soon realized that he didn't care at all about helping the poor. He just hated those who were rich and successful.The following list of statements, published as a pamphlet by William J. H. Boetcker in 1916, is something which that former colleague and all socialists should read:The truth never changes, and some of William J. H. Boetcker's statements are more relevant today than ever.The message I took from this list was one of personal responsibility. A good government should work to create opportunities for its people, but if people fail to make the most of those opportunities then that's on their own hands.And similarly, if people turn those opportunities into successes then they deserve credit for their success.