Graham Walker: American Spirit
While Secretary Scott Bessent tells Americans they are going to receive "very large refunds" in the first quarter of 2026, the use of the word "large" is laughable. That money will be gone in less time than the life span of a gnat. Mr. Bessent seems to be fond of an economic model based on the work of Andrew Mellon. The needle is moving wildly for large tax breaks for the wealthy; to stimulate investment in new ventures; which then broadens the working class base which is represented by a word in the English language which I have come to detest: taxpayers. Yep. The paltry one-time offering of a $1,000-$2,000 tax refund for "We Poor Sods" - otherwise known as "We the People" - is just a sleight of hand magic show. Bessent is pure Mellonism. Of that, I am sure.
But let's consider what Graham Walker just did for his employees. His actions do not just pay a month's mortgage or allow a working family to take a vacation... in a canoe... down the Mississippi. His actions affect a generation. Based on the article below, his family fought hard for their employees every step of the way. They worked to keep the factory open during the hard years, and a small town did not disappear off the map. He embodies the best of what America has to offer. And I wish that I had spent a few years working for Graham Walker.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15413721/Factory-boss-Graham-Walker-bonuses.html
I retain the humiliating memory of my employer, Baylor Scott and White, handing out Target gift cards for our "holiday gift". Thanksgiving and Christmas were collapsed into one envelope so that we would not anticipate receiving a free turkey for the first holiday. This was a tradition in the earlier years of my nursing profession. At one hospital, we went out to the loading dock and a worker threw a frozen turkey into the hands of each awaiting recipient. We caught our frozen bonus!
The Target card that Baylor coughed up? Drum roll please. Thirteen dollars. Every year, thirteen dollars for a year of fidelity to duty, showing up during sleet storms for middle-of-the-night emergency surgeries, and missing family events because I was on 24 hour call for the PACU. On one New Year's Eve, I worked seventeen hours and returned to work five hours later to work an additional thirteen hours on New Year's Day.
Yep. My degree was worth $13 U.S. dollars when Satan-in-drag showed up as Santa.
And then there was the year I was the only nurse in my unit who refused to give to United Way because the organization funded abortions. Nope. My money could not be used to stall a heartbeat. Never. My boss informed me she had donated ten dollars in my name. Each unit would receive free pizza if there was 100 percent participation in the fund drive. She wanted us to have that pizza party. Satan showed up with two medium pepperoni pizza. I guess they were large pizza, in Scott Bessent's world.
I appreciated Baylor Scott and White for my years of employment, and the high level of professionalism demanded within our culture. It is a wonderful medical system. But that which was lacking was a culture of generosity toward the staff. Salaries were adequate for the market. But there was no Graham Walker at the helm.
May God richly bless Mr. Walker for his stewardship. He represents that which America was meant to be - not that which it has become - within too many of our industries. America is meant to be a blessing for her citizens. We are a nation rich in resources, talent and goodness. Isn't it time that we conduct ourselves as Americans in every aspect of our lives? Let it begin with the example set by those at the top of the chain of command within each industry. Because when the workforce is treated with kindness and generosity, the response can be one of reciprocal blessing from those who have received generosity from their employer. Your employees will work harder for you. Really, they will.
So if you are about to write that lil' check for an end of year bonus, please take a moment and consider the actual value of what you are about to offer your employee. Please don't insult them. And if your bonus is as tight as the ass-end of a frog - remember that your employee might have a great sense of humor regarding what they choose to do in the future. Another word comes to mind. Sabotage. wink
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