Real Wealth with Ben Stein and The "Bests"

The video above has gone viral in Sandpoint, at least.  Maybe other places too.  

When Ben Stein talks, people listen.

Anyone?  Anyone?

I'm sure Sandpoint's tourist/real estate portfolio grew a little wealthier when Ben spoke on "CBS Sunday Morning" a couple of days ago about real wealth, with real beauty of our area in the background. 

His piece is a wonderful segment, reminding us that wealth does not just come in dollars and cents.  

Of course, if folks locally capitalize on his words and images, that's okay too, cuz Warren Buffet has a lot of dollars, and he is Ben Stein's friend.  

Warren Buffet does a lot of good with his dollars, in addition to owning a lot of stuff.

Money is nice, and it does open doors.  

I read a letter to the editor in today's Daily Bee suggesting that many of the newspaper's recently published "Bests" for 2013 may have achieved their distinction through deep pockets rather than the fact that they are truly the "best" the Sandpoint area has to offer.

The letter suggests that in some cases the well-strapped can buy lots of newspapers so they can cast lots of votes in the annual balloting so they can win the Best in their category and then put that news on their marqee and then more people will use their services and they will still have their deep pockets to compete and win the "Bests" next year.

Being a journalist, I would want to research this thoroughly, but having gut feelings and having seen how this contest works, I'd say the letter may not be far off in its assertions.

Still, I saw a lot of "Bests" in the most recent balloting who probably don't buy newspapers to get the votes.  Folks just plain love 'em.  Take the Hoot Owl, for instance. 

And, when we think about how Sandpoint earned the distinction of "America's Most Beautiful Small Town," I seem to recall personally participating in a "stuff the ballot box" campaign on Facebook.  

So, yes, I'm as guilty as any other person for wanting my hometown to claim such an honor.  

Right now, my sister has a photo entered in a Coeur d'Alene Casino campaign, which, by the way requires that you "like" the Coeur d'Alene Casino to vote.

I've looked at the photos, and from my slightly tuned photographic eye, I'd say Barbara's photo is hands-down the best, composition-wise and with its uniqueness.  Still, if she wants to win, she has to launch a stuff-the-ballot-box campaign.  

Overall, I do think most of the "Bests" we see truly do deserve their awards, but we still have to consider that that's not always the case, thanks to our American society's more flexible, kinder rules for filling ballot boxes. 

There is real wealth in being the best, and I'd say Sandpoint has earned its high standing for reasons far beyond any voting campaign.  

After all, a guy like Ben Stein who, with all his well-publicized money, could choose virtually anywhere in the world to spend his leisure time.

He chose Sandpoint, and he chooses to showcase Sandpoint in the national spotlight with virtually every opportunity.  So, I don't think we need ballot boxes to validate our America's Small Town title. 

And, when a guy like Ben Stein reminds us of something we natives already know from our own life experiences---that wealth comes in a myriad of packages---we like what we hear. 

Thank you, Ben Stein.  Your comments on this past "CBS Sunday Morning" were the "best," and we don't have to buy newspapers and vote to prove it.