FORTUNE

I love to think about words.  While listening to the President give his little speech at GWU today about how he proposes to reduce the National Debt by a trillion dollars in 12 years, I was struck by his use of one set of words.  He wants to increase taxes on those "more fortunate" than the rest.  "More fortunate" is one of those expressions that seems so natural but actually demands explanation.  He means "rich folks" of course...those that have a fortune.  The difference is subtle but different for sure.  "More fortunate" connotes 'luck' in addition to wealth.   The underlying theme is that these "rich folks" acquired their wealth not by use of their intelligence, schooling, hard work, planning, courage and persistence but by 'luck'.  It's much easier to take money from those who got their wealth because of luck.  Nobody deserves to be luckier than we are.
:-)