Government Can’t Save You: Just Live Your Life

The government can’t save you. But you can save you. Is life really that bad out there? I still don’t believe America is anywhere near the misery of the 1920s and 1930s.

I actually think Americans are still relatively wealthy. Even with cutting back, people have accumulated so much stuff, unnecessary stuff, that a couple year recession could take hold and people could maintain their currently obscene standard of living.

So, when there is talk of government bailouts and stimulus packages, what needs to be stimulated, exactly? People who are given something for nothing aren’t usually grateful for it. To quote Rihanna and TI:

Some move away to make a way not move away cause they afraid.
I’ll go back to the hood and all you ever did was take away.

Much to the chagrin of my friends, I enjoy hip-hop. This song is about making it, seeking after fame and money and the vagaries within. So a guy makes it, goes back, and people take. He counsels gratitude for what they do have, but no. They “chase paper”.

You know, the government will receive no more gratitude than a flush friend who’s generous should it decide to be the new Mommy Givebucks. People tend to be a whole lot more thankful for what they work for than what they’re given, no strings attached. This is not always the case. I’m reminded of the one (out of 10) blind men who came back and thanked Christ for restoring his sight. That ratio seems about right. Maybe 10% are grateful for what they’re given.

It is important for us, as citizens, to decide exactly when and how the government should be involved with being a safety net and what form that takes. A system that implodes under the weight of largess or steals from the next generation is not being generous but immoral. In order for there to be something around for later, those given to now should be deserving and actually helped, rather than be enslaved.

There are a whole host of government social programs, art funding, research projects and ego-enhancing public works. We don’t get something for nothing. Someone, you, is paying. What do you want to pay for?

Citizens Against Government Waste and this site have some lists of things to cut. More from the Heritage Foundation. What do you think should stay and go?

Cross-posted at RightWingNews

Posted in Political Animals • Show Me The Money
Tags: Government • Liberalism • Money • Tax