The connection I hadn’t made before . . . I was trying to reason with my grandson this morning. He was demanding candy for breakfast . . . ugh, of course he was. Tantrum thrown, and candy forgotten, he finally ate his breakfast, was no longer hungry, and went off to play. Someone had stupidly set this breakfast candy trend and other precedents like it, and established his expectation that he’ll get what he wants, when he wants it. All he knows is what he wants, and that he doesn’t want to work for it or wait for it. I get that . . . he is only two years old, after all. Suddenly it hit me that this is the same struggle I’ve been having within America these past several decades . . . no, not just me . . . we. As natural beings, created in a totally helpless state, completely dependent upon others for what we need, we all start out the same way. It is only with growth, both physically and emotionally, that we take on responsibility for ourselves, freeing others of that burden. Is his behavior so unlike “adults” who want things, but don’t want to sacrifice to get them, whether the sacrifice be their time, their effort, or some other object of their desire? Now, I’m not talking about those who are incapable of addressing their own needs . . . the seriously infirmed and handicapped. They need the care of others. I’m referring to the childish adults, who believe someone else should make life easy for them. Those who throw tantrums of their own . . . whining about the things they don’t have, claiming and collecting benefits intended only for the truly needy . . . even rioting and looting. Those individuals would eagerly take more, even if they had no use for it . . . it’s what they’ve become . . . what they were conditioned to become . . . their brother’s burden. To those of you who are on the take, don’t be a burden . . . be a brother. And do it soon, before my grandson beats you to it.
I totally agree. I've been saying the same thing for years. Things are beginning to change for the better, however. Americans flirted with Socialism and found it was a terrible bed-mate. It's OK, though. If Americans hadn't seen how bad Socialism is, they would still be wanting it. America is back on the right track though, thanks not only to President Trump, but to all the hard-working people of this country who believe in capitalism, helping our downtrodden fellow man, common sense and equity.
Too bad we can't have a "two-state solution" here in the U.S., one where so-called conservative republican policies only affect so-called conservative republicans and liberal policies only affect liberals. The thought is appealing, as both sides would get what they want, and could avoid conflict with each other, but it's impossible to separate the country geographically using political ideology as a guide. If it were possible, I'd have to insist that the so-called conservative republican state be downwind of the liberal state, due to the noxious nature of so-called conservative republicans.
I always love the "free stuff" argument from the most clueless members of this country. The government isn't supposed to subsidize health care for the poor because it just means that they are being given "free stuff". How quaint. Under the category of.. "Did you know..." A $5 Big Mac would cost $13 if the retail price included hidden expenses that meat producers offload onto society. Animal food producers impose $414 billion in hidden costs on American society yearly. These are the bills for healthcare, subsidies, environmental damage, and other items related to producing and consuming meat and dairy products. That means that each time McDonald’s sells a Big Mac, the rest of us pay $8 in hidden costs. The American government spends $38 billion each year to subsidize the meat and dairy industries, but only 0.04 percent of that (i.e., $17 million) each year to subsidize fruits and vegetables. Did you also know that it takes 660 gallons of water to produce one 1/4 pounder hamburger.
I beg to differ. I daresay we spend an awful lot more than 26 cents each on the Democratic Party membership of roughly 65 million fruits and vegetables. .
