Are You In Hot Water?

During the mid-1800s, Alexis DeTocqueville, the famous French Historian, endeavored to capture and record some of the spirit of the American Dream. He traveled extensively in the United States and his written impressions of the country have been widely quoted to this day by historians, political scientists, politicians and others. Recently, the Chairman of the Board of one of America’s corporate giants ended a speech with the following quote from Alexis DeTocqueville’s writings: “i know of no other country where the love of money has taken a stronger hold on the affections of men.”

DeToqueville regarded this condition as an aberration, a spiritual sickness. But, after quoting DeTocqueville’s impression, the Chairman of the Board triumphantly contradicted it. “Believe me,”…