March 20, 2010:
Saturday, the day before the vote on Health Care, I got drunk and cried. Not for myself but for my son, Aaron. I was hoping I would not have to call and apologize for my generation’s attempt to stunt his dreams and shrink his opportunities for a prosperous future.
March 21, 2010:
Today is Sunday and Stupak, as well as other representatives, caved and sent the vote over the needed count. Sadly, my drunken stupor was not in vain and as I strolled in my backyard, thoughts volleyed back and forth. They swayed between being dumbfounded in a Washington that actually would vote on legislature requiring passage “so we can see what’s in it” to lethargic angst expecting the village idiots to succeed. They did and I will now ask Aaron’s forgiveness. I will also vow that, from this day forth, all who love this magnificent land will make it their priority to set her back on course.
Now the news is reporting that, with passage of this entitlement, our country will be changed forever. At a glance, yes, it will dramatically shift but it shouldn’t shock anyone viewing through a wider lens. We have been gradually climbing this mountain for a long time. How else could this day have arrived? Today’s events would have been unthinkable were it not for the slow erosion of our very foundation:
The freedom to succeed or fail, partnered with personal responsibility.
This is where the fruits of labor and the unintended consequences of choice are found. Should you fail? Hope is never far off because you can pick yourself up, brush the dirt off your knees and try again…and again.
We’ve changed and a lot is not pretty. Examples:
1.) Toyota shareholders are now suing Toyota for the devaluation of their investment. Two things come to mind: a.) Stock is a ‘risk’ investment. Were it not, everyone would jump on the bandwagon. Why should it even occur to anyone to sue? That’s the chance you take. Do you share the gains when you make a profit? More importantly is: b.) It seem to conflict with your interest by killing the Golden Goose. How can you expect the stock (the golden egg) to make a comeback if the hen is dead. Twenty years ago, it would’ve been rare and risible to hear an investor whine about being entitled to profit. Besides, we were too proud to admit a loss.
2.) Brave men and women who, after 9/11, thought nothing of their own well-being as they tirelessly labored at Ground Zero. Now, some eight years later, they are filing suit to claim monies for physical harms incurred. Twenty years ago, no one would have thought of compensation and no judge would have ruled out the settlement because the money wasn’t enough. Well, it’s enough to make me hesitate accepting help from anyone, no matter how well intentioned they are!
Again, please note I am not making a judgment call for that is not the intent. I’m trying to enlighten on how ingrained our presumption of entitlement and/ or compensation has become. It’s not just the fringe crazies anymore that ‘sue for coffee too hot at McDonald’s’.
Please tell me how a business, much less a country, can prosper under such behavior. Do we really have the ability to grant everyone all things they feel are due to them? How much more entitlements and taxes can be levied? A mule is strong but has its limits and I hate to burst your bubble but the Golden Goose is a fairy tale written for children.
The playing field use to be level, we could all work toward our dream. But where is the motivation now for the ‘Dream Catcher’? He seems preoccupied looking over his shoulder for fear that a loser who will run up and yell, “Not fair! I want some of that, too!”
One last time, allow me to inculcate the theme of this: In times past, a judge would have thrown many of the cases that are now clogging our courtrooms out the window in disgust. Today, there’s good odds the “plaintiff” will be granted half of another man’s dream and wouldn’t even ‘kiss’ him first!
