Merit

Updated March 22, 2022

The word merit means being worthy and talented enough to deserve praise and reward. That word has been used in the US for well over 100+ years. Yet today, many of our national leaders on the left would like to eliminate merit as a criterion for selection, reward, advancement and praise.

The Boy Scouts had merit badges to reward, recognize and encourage achievement in many important areas. Merit badges were earned. In school, the US had National Merit Scholarships to recognize superior achievement in academics. For the selected students, it was a high honor. In industry, employees receive merit pay increases, often annually, to reward performance and contribution. Talented employees that worked hard received more pay and advancement. Colleges and universities admitted applicants based on merit. Merit for their high school classes and grades and achievement on entrance exams. That process worked. There is a direct correlation, although not perfect, between college success to applicant merit.

The application of merit in these few examples encouraged effort, skill development and initiative. Any person, regardless of gender, race, religion, etc. would often get recognized for merit. These examples also form the basis of a meritocracy. Reward, recognition and praise based on merit. Think about the investment industry. Lenders want to invest, especially in concepts, inventions and people with merit. That’s what due diligence is all about. Determine those investments that have the top chances of succeeding. Makes sense and has served the US for 200+ years.

However, democrats want to use gender, race, and ethnicity to reward people. Let’s invest in black businesses, black farmers, promote employees that are women. Colleges are now using fluff to judge applicants. The fluff is called “life’s struggles” whatever that means. And-how is it determined? So admission to the US Naval Academy and West Point will be based on gender, race and fluff. Wow! Is that fair to young people with merit? How will that affect academic standards at these academies. Now-I am not saying women and minorities do not have merit. I’m just saying those applicants with the highest levels of merit should be considered first. That is the only way to build great future leaders for our military.