![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Are we really this selfish?
It amazes me what the past year has revealed to me about people in this country. Americans live in one of the most "possibly" countries on Earth. In other words, "All things are possible here". You know, if everyone else will allow you to rise above the place you were born into and the pigeonhole that conveniently keeps them fat and wealthy. I find myself dismayed by the number of citizen interviews that are blatantly uninformed, undereducated or flat out self-serving.
Today, I heard a parent say he doesn't want his child to become a community organizer. God forbid your child grow up to be someone whose purpose in life is the better the social construct of his neighbors. Heaven forfend they actually not chase the almight dollar, because honestly - that's done so well for our economy.
I look at the cost of education, health care, and social services rise to astronomical prices. Does anyone remember that these services used to be free or provided in like service trade? Why? Not because they were worthless, but because they were priceless. They were done with the intention of aiding your fellow man, not buying a new Maserati. Education was not an overpriced, undervalued, and ill-delivered rote system of testing less and less information for more and more students crammed into a classroom. It was a privilege and a honored institution for those who truly wanted to be there to learn. Health care was about healing, the wonder of the human body, and enriching quality of life.
I find myself ashamed when I watch the news half the time. Ashamed that people in my age bracket were somehow raised to believe that they are entitled to more than someone who was born to less. Even those not born to less, who have fallen on hard times or to illness, are regarded as inferior and undeserving. We are a nation quick to pass judgement without forethought and research. Instead of condemning those we feel are "getting a free ride" because someone wearing a suit claming to be on "your side of the party aisle" says that's the case, we could actually check out the facts for ourselves. Put your mouse down and volunteer somewhere in that part of town you normally disdain to even drive through and learn about the people you automatically reject because they don't look or dress to your standard. Leave your comfortable air-conditioned throne of judgement and visit the hospitals that get Medicare patients, homeless, and immigrants into their doors. Don't assume they are all illegal aliens working for $1.00 an hour (which you wouldn't do on a bet) and stealing your tax dollars.
Frankly, more of your tax dollars go to waste via unmonitored ill-spent government management choices on a daily basis than to anyone you see on the street in need. You would be surprised how many of your precious elected officials waste your tax dollars on a regular basis. We have oversight committees and agencies to help prevent this, but there are many more government agencies, projects and budget sheets than those policing them. Besides, most of the misspending isn't intential or with ill-intent. It's rushing to pat down a mob mentality or put out a fire, or undoing a previous administration mistake.
I've seen a 35 year old woman interviewed about her vehement hatred of the Health Care Bill. She was ill-educated on the contents, choosing to place her beliefs on political soundbites, and came from a financially comfortable standpoint having never known what it was to be without. I watched her, as a peer, and felt such remorse. I don't care what your political leanings are - but to frankly state that you believe you are more deserving of good health care than another - is the most hateful attitude.
On a personal note, I hear a lot of people who call themselves God-fearing Christians going against the very tenets of that faith. First, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (You never know when you may be without a job, and need a doctor) Secondly, Let those without sin cast the first stone. (Before we crucify any of our leadership, let's try putting ourselves in their shoes. These are very difficult decisions they are making. They affect an entire nation. If you don't have a constructive comment to help them, perhaps silence would be the better part of valor in this case? Anyone who thinks they can or have done a better job, please step forward.) Lastly, Blessed are the Meek and Merciful. (Not the rich, greedy, judgemental or selfish.)
I pray I never behave this way and if I should, my friends and family would let me know so I could change my ways. In reality this is a very small world and life is very short. The time we spend here should not be warring factions of people trying to keep the largest piece of the pie for themselves, but rather the enriching of our world for all it's citizens.
PS: If you're wondering where the three quotes are from, try reading that book you keep thumping and actually living its words, not just using them to throw at others. I am no perfect person and I'm guilty of my fair share of poor actions, words and thoughts. So consider this as one peer to another - we all have fallen short after all.
Today, I heard a parent say he doesn't want his child to become a community organizer. God forbid your child grow up to be someone whose purpose in life is the better the social construct of his neighbors. Heaven forfend they actually not chase the almight dollar, because honestly - that's done so well for our economy.
I look at the cost of education, health care, and social services rise to astronomical prices. Does anyone remember that these services used to be free or provided in like service trade? Why? Not because they were worthless, but because they were priceless. They were done with the intention of aiding your fellow man, not buying a new Maserati. Education was not an overpriced, undervalued, and ill-delivered rote system of testing less and less information for more and more students crammed into a classroom. It was a privilege and a honored institution for those who truly wanted to be there to learn. Health care was about healing, the wonder of the human body, and enriching quality of life.
I find myself ashamed when I watch the news half the time. Ashamed that people in my age bracket were somehow raised to believe that they are entitled to more than someone who was born to less. Even those not born to less, who have fallen on hard times or to illness, are regarded as inferior and undeserving. We are a nation quick to pass judgement without forethought and research. Instead of condemning those we feel are "getting a free ride" because someone wearing a suit claming to be on "your side of the party aisle" says that's the case, we could actually check out the facts for ourselves. Put your mouse down and volunteer somewhere in that part of town you normally disdain to even drive through and learn about the people you automatically reject because they don't look or dress to your standard. Leave your comfortable air-conditioned throne of judgement and visit the hospitals that get Medicare patients, homeless, and immigrants into their doors. Don't assume they are all illegal aliens working for $1.00 an hour (which you wouldn't do on a bet) and stealing your tax dollars.
Frankly, more of your tax dollars go to waste via unmonitored ill-spent government management choices on a daily basis than to anyone you see on the street in need. You would be surprised how many of your precious elected officials waste your tax dollars on a regular basis. We have oversight committees and agencies to help prevent this, but there are many more government agencies, projects and budget sheets than those policing them. Besides, most of the misspending isn't intential or with ill-intent. It's rushing to pat down a mob mentality or put out a fire, or undoing a previous administration mistake.
I've seen a 35 year old woman interviewed about her vehement hatred of the Health Care Bill. She was ill-educated on the contents, choosing to place her beliefs on political soundbites, and came from a financially comfortable standpoint having never known what it was to be without. I watched her, as a peer, and felt such remorse. I don't care what your political leanings are - but to frankly state that you believe you are more deserving of good health care than another - is the most hateful attitude.
On a personal note, I hear a lot of people who call themselves God-fearing Christians going against the very tenets of that faith. First, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (You never know when you may be without a job, and need a doctor) Secondly, Let those without sin cast the first stone. (Before we crucify any of our leadership, let's try putting ourselves in their shoes. These are very difficult decisions they are making. They affect an entire nation. If you don't have a constructive comment to help them, perhaps silence would be the better part of valor in this case? Anyone who thinks they can or have done a better job, please step forward.) Lastly, Blessed are the Meek and Merciful. (Not the rich, greedy, judgemental or selfish.)
I pray I never behave this way and if I should, my friends and family would let me know so I could change my ways. In reality this is a very small world and life is very short. The time we spend here should not be warring factions of people trying to keep the largest piece of the pie for themselves, but rather the enriching of our world for all it's citizens.
PS: If you're wondering where the three quotes are from, try reading that book you keep thumping and actually living its words, not just using them to throw at others. I am no perfect person and I'm guilty of my fair share of poor actions, words and thoughts. So consider this as one peer to another - we all have fallen short after all.
angry
contemplative
pleased
tired
