The summer's political conventions celebrated hardship. Ann Romney's grandfather worked in coal mines. Michelle Obama's disabled dad managed a pump. Speakers turned the art of name-dropping upside down, engaging in one-upmanship for the just-plain-folks. Workers are nobility; rich people are suspect, especially if they didn't clean toilets before striking gold.

Yet, it is success and good fortune that drive economies forward and result in homes, jobs and food on the table.

Millions camped out to buy the new iPhone 5 this past weekend. Not because the late Steve Jobs used to cash in soda bottles to buy food. It's because Jobs enriched us. Hard-working and creative Apple millionaires, carrying on the Jobs legacy, built the new iPhone to improve our lives. By creating wealth, they generated work and will further spread their wealth with investments, donations and purchases of food, shelter, clothing and entertainment. Let's hope the offspring of an Apple engineer speaks to a future political convention and proudly confesses something like this: "My mother designed state-of-the-art products that helped fellow Americans. This made our family rich."

The iPhone waiting lines should remind us of the late Michael Jackson's album releases. His hard work, talents and creativity improved lives. Jackson was rich because he created and spread wealth.

As some on the left ridiculed the Romneys for too many Cadillacs, the couple donated nearly 30 percent of their 2011 income to charity. Reuters reports that Ann and Mitt Romney declined full write-offs for donations, which means they chose a higher tax rate for themselves in order to spend more on government. Over a 20-year period, the Romneys have spent nearly 40 percent of their income on charity and taxes. Yet, the irrational political climate forces them to boast of struggles more than prosperity.

Few successful Americans bury their cash out back. They spread the wealth when they create, invest, consume and donate. So, it was of little surprise to learn that a multi-billion-dollar corporation — Home Depot — amassed about 400 company volunteers from around the country to help build houses for military veterans in Colorado Springs. Gazette Side Streets columnist Bill Vogrin explained how Home Depot volunteers will team with Christian ministry Habitat for Humanity to build three foundations, frame the walls for three other houses and erect 1,000 feet of fence and 20 sheds on a vacant lot in Fountain. Shovel ready.

Home Depot spent $30 million in just 18 months on homes for veterans and plans to devote at least $50 million more. The company employs about 35,000 veterans.

Success is the only source of revenue for government entitlements that politicians distribute as manna. It is the only source of revenue for jobs. If your parents mopped floors in a store, take pride. Celebrate no less if they owned the store and employed everyone in it.

REPRINTED FROM THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE