Why do social programs and government handouts weaken individuals and destroy initiative?
It used to be if you wanted something you would be forced to prioritize, economize, save, work harder, get more training or improve yourself. Years ago I wanted a better guitar. I had learned that when you have better tools you can do better work. I did not have the money for the quality I felt I needed. My credit was good enough I could have charged what I wanted and let my wife try to figure it out. That is not how I operate. Instead, I began setting aside small amounts and going without on luxuries. Eventually I had enough set aside to pay cash. It is called “saving up” or delayed gratification. It is a vanishing skill. Now you just look for a handout and complain if you don’t get it.
Millions of people working off the books don’t need to do any of this because the various charities fill the gaps and supply the wants. Why go to college when the government will give you what you want? Why work when you can party?
An example was my friendly neighborhood philanthropist talking about a young man trying to get ahead in life. He just couldn’t seem to make enough so my friend was helping him out. The details slowly came out. He had two children and was not married to their mother. He did not go go college and did not plan on going. He refused to get trained for a better job. He was doing what he wanted to do working as an aide in a private school. He felt fulfilled and he was enabled by my friends contributions and all the free stuff he got from the government.
In a past world he would have been forced to improve himself or starve. Now he can pursue his dreams and expects others to subsidize him.
Society has always had some people like this. It is now becoming pandemic. Does the term “critical mass” mean anything to you? It is the point in a nuclear reaction when there is enough radioactive material to begin the chain reaction setting loose the destruction of the nuclear explosion. Our society is reaching a critical mass in parasites that are draining the life from the economy.
My fear is that instead of treating the infection we will feed the gangrene.
homo unius libri
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