The concept of “free” is thrown around a lot now days. I personally teach my children to be wary of anybody touting “free” anything. As my mother always said, “Nothing in life is ever truly free.”

This week my oldest son got his first W-2 ever. To say he was shocked at what the government had taken out of his paycheck in the six months he worked last year is an understatement.

“Why did they take out so much?”

Welcome to reality I thought, doing my best not to crack a smile. “Where  do you think the government gets the money they give to other people and countries?”

Just like every teenager I’ve ever met, he made it all about himself. “Me.”

“Not just you, but all of us.”

“Man, this sucks.” He stomped down into his room.

Yes it does, and I hope he always remembers that. Maybe he won’t be so inclined to jump on the “free” train I see all around me. Because, eventually, any expanded “free” government programs will be coming out of his paycheck.