The Nanny State of America
Today I read a comment from a newspaper reader who was upset at the failure of government to erect a cell phone tower in a remote wilderness part of Idaho.
The thinking of course-is that cellphone access would expedite help and save lives.
I am always happy when government does nothing. Not only is doing nothing government's specialty-but doing nothing prevents them from screwing something new up.
I'm not sure when it was exactly that people acquired this sense that they should be able to do anything they want, whenever or wherever they want, and that society should minimize or compensate them for their risk. Make it "safe" for them. And heaven forbid should you disagree, you might get labeled selfish and near sighted.
But that is the Nanny State of America. In America, we are entitled to do whatever we want. And by gawd, if through our poor decision making we get hurt or killed, then that certainly can't be our fault. It's somebody else's fault. Has to be. For not parking a cell tower or posting a trauma center near some wilderness destination. We need our government nanny to save us from ourselves.
I accept life on life's terms. I don't run around calling people names when they disagree with me. That doesn't work. I accept personal responsibility for my actions even if some adverse consequence is truly not my "fault." Because it is always partly your fault. Don't want to die on your motorcycle? Ok, don't ride one. Don't want to get killed crossing the street? Ok, stay at home. Don't want to die on some mountain pass? Ok, use an alternative route.
Failing to take personal responsibility for your choices/decisions is an epidemic in this country. We are a nation of victims and whiners. Don't want to lose money on your house or investments, gosh...don't buy a house or invest your money. Want free money? Prove someone else damaged you. That you were a "victim." Attach blame to someone else. Enlist friends and lawyers who will agree with you.
Some Americans think they are entitled to a certain amount of greed and to enjoy any lifestyle they want. And by gawd, it is the whole of society's responsibility to make sure that happens for those folks. And if you don't provide that safe comfortable level of enjoyment that they want, then they may label and attack you like little kids throwing a temper tantrum. Or ask the government for help.
Like our Frankenstein government will save us.
Frankenstein keeps trying to convince me he is here to save me. I think that big screw sticking out of his temple is loose. Maybe if I just give it a twist...
The thinking of course-is that cellphone access would expedite help and save lives.
I am always happy when government does nothing. Not only is doing nothing government's specialty-but doing nothing prevents them from screwing something new up.
I'm not sure when it was exactly that people acquired this sense that they should be able to do anything they want, whenever or wherever they want, and that society should minimize or compensate them for their risk. Make it "safe" for them. And heaven forbid should you disagree, you might get labeled selfish and near sighted.
But that is the Nanny State of America. In America, we are entitled to do whatever we want. And by gawd, if through our poor decision making we get hurt or killed, then that certainly can't be our fault. It's somebody else's fault. Has to be. For not parking a cell tower or posting a trauma center near some wilderness destination. We need our government nanny to save us from ourselves.
I accept life on life's terms. I don't run around calling people names when they disagree with me. That doesn't work. I accept personal responsibility for my actions even if some adverse consequence is truly not my "fault." Because it is always partly your fault. Don't want to die on your motorcycle? Ok, don't ride one. Don't want to get killed crossing the street? Ok, stay at home. Don't want to die on some mountain pass? Ok, use an alternative route.
Failing to take personal responsibility for your choices/decisions is an epidemic in this country. We are a nation of victims and whiners. Don't want to lose money on your house or investments, gosh...don't buy a house or invest your money. Want free money? Prove someone else damaged you. That you were a "victim." Attach blame to someone else. Enlist friends and lawyers who will agree with you.
Some Americans think they are entitled to a certain amount of greed and to enjoy any lifestyle they want. And by gawd, it is the whole of society's responsibility to make sure that happens for those folks. And if you don't provide that safe comfortable level of enjoyment that they want, then they may label and attack you like little kids throwing a temper tantrum. Or ask the government for help.
Like our Frankenstein government will save us.
Frankenstein keeps trying to convince me he is here to save me. I think that big screw sticking out of his temple is loose. Maybe if I just give it a twist...
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