This is the time of the year when we should step back from all the noise out of Washington and the talking heads on television and reflect on the good things in life.
All this is spelled out in my autobiography, which was published in the Kindle edition last week; the paperback will be available in the next few days.
A preview of why I am especially thankful this year.
I am thankful my parents decided to come to America with my older brother and me in 1949, so our family could live in peace after they were the only members of their respective families to survive the Holocaust in Poland.
I am thankful my parents instilled several values in me at an early age, especially the importance of getting an education. I did not stop until I earned a PhD in 1981.
I am thankful for all the great teachers I had from K-12 and in my college years at Hunter, Lehman and Rutgers.
I am thankful I met Murray Rothbard, in 1974, who was a member of my dissertation committee and had the greatest influence in my intellectual journey.
I am thankful that I was introduced to the Austrian School of Economics and libertarian philosophy about 50 years ago.
I am thankful for the opportunities I had working for an economic research organization and investment companies that paved the way for my college teaching career.
I am eternally grateful for Sebastian Raciti, the late dean of the Ramapo College business school, who hired me in 1985 for a one year appointment that turned into a tenure track position and a 35 year career teaching Finance.
I am thankful for my colleagues who supported me to be appointed with tenure in 1990, promoted to associate professor in 1992 and full professor in 1996. I would be remiss if I did not single out my colleague philosophy professor Richard Bond who championed my application for promotion in 1996 at the All College Promotions Committee, even though he was on the opposite side of the political spectrum.
I am thankful for all the wonderful people I worked with at Ramapo College, and I am especially thankful for all my students who expressed their appreciation for what I brought to the classroom to make my Finance courses relevant in their lives.
I am thankful for all the men and women entrepreneurs who continue to create, innovate and produce despite the statist polices of all levels of government.
I am thankful for Michael Harrison who published my autobiography, which I hope will be an inspiration to millions of young Americans. America is indeed the land of opportunity despite the naysayers
I am thankful that Florence Michelle said yes when I proposed to her 55 years ago.
And I am very thankful Florence is on the mend after a challenging year.
Well professor, we are thankful for you too.
One thing you made different is you thought us to be independent thinkers and not just follow the books or media or whatever anyone else said.
That I think is greatest education and we thank you for that.