Land of Entitlements

[Retired Navy GMC]

I have been watching the news religiously as so many others have been lately. IMO we are becoming a land of entitlements. What ever happened to personal responsibility and the drive to better yourself?

Our government is consistantly taking from the "haves" and giving to the "have nots". I have no problem with individuals giving to charities that help, but that is personal choice to give to those charities.

I have worked hard all my life since I was 11 yrs old. I did not rely on others to get where I am at today and I have been fortunate to have never asked for a hand out. No matter what life has dealt me.

We have people in our country that need welfare (which was originally enacted by republicans) to get them back on their feet during hard times. This is a fine program in its original form, however we have people that have made careers of drawing from this program. Where is the incentive for someone to do better? Maybe to get a welfare check an individual should be required to take a drug test. Most people that pay into welfare have to do this at their jobs. Why shouldn't the recipients have to do this too?

Now healthcare is going to be the same way.

The dem's are all for giving this entitlement and they think that this is what our country needs, but at what cost? And I'm not just talking about the 1.2 trillion that its going to cost the tax payers now and in the future.

If the public option goes into effect and basically shuts down health insurance companies how many more people in our country will be unemployed?

Unemployment is now at 10.2% (more like 17% with all that have stopped looking) Could this bill unemploy another million people in the health insurance industry?

Sorry about the rant but I am shocked at how weak this country is becoming.

[macville]

Been listing to Neil Bortz lately???

I can't say that everything our country has done in the past as good (such as slavery), but the ideas we were founded on are solid, good ideas. Too bad the stupid masses don't understand what we are losing.

Matthew

[Semiauto]

I have been watching the news religiously as so many others have been lately. IMO we are becoming a land of entitlements. What ever happened to personal responsibility and the drive to better yourself?

Our government is consistantly taking from the "haves" and giving to the "have nots". I have no problem with individuals giving to charities that help, but that is personal choice to give to those charities.

I have worked hard all my life since I was 11 yrs old. I did not rely on others to get where I am at today and I have been fortunate to have never asked for a hand out. No matter what life has dealt me.

We have people in our country that need welfare (which was originally enacted by republicans) to get them back on their feet during hard times. This is a fine program in its original form, however we have people that have made careers of drawing from this program. Where is the incentive for someone to do better? Maybe to get a welfare check an individual should be required to take a drug test. Most people that pay into welfare have to do this at their jobs. Why shouldn't the recipients have to do this too?

Now healthcare is going to be the same way.

The dem's are all for giving this entitlement and they think that this is what our country needs, but at what cost? And I'm not just talking about the 1.2 trillion that its going to cost the tax payers now and in the future.

If the public option goes into effect and basically shuts down health insurance companies how many more people in our country will be unemployed?

Unemployment is now at 10.2% (more like 17% with all that have stopped looking) Could this bill unemploy another million people in the health insurance industry?

Sorry about the rant but I am shocked at how weak this country is becoming.

This is the selfishness that destroyed Rome and Greece. Doing nothing is easy when other folks pay the bills.

[Guest marine77]

I have been watching the news religiously as so many others have been lately. IMO we are becoming a land of entitlements. What ever happened to personal responsibility and the drive to better yourself?

Our government is consistantly taking from the "haves" and giving to the "have nots". I have no problem with individuals giving to charities that help, but that is personal choice to give to those charities.

I have worked hard all my life since I was 11 yrs old. I did not rely on others to get where I am at today and I have been fortunate to have never asked for a hand out. No matter what life has dealt me.

We have people in our country that need welfare (which was originally enacted by republicans) to get them back on their feet during hard times. This is a fine program in its original form, however we have people that have made careers of drawing from this program. Where is the incentive for someone to do better? Maybe to get a welfare check an individual should be required to take a drug test. Most people that pay into welfare have to do this at their jobs. Why shouldn't the recipients have to do this too?

Now healthcare is going to be the same way.

The dem's are all for giving this entitlement and they think that this is what our country needs, but at what cost? And I'm not just talking about the 1.2 trillion that its going to cost the tax payers now and in the future.

If the public option goes into effect and basically shuts down health insurance companies how many more people in our country will be unemployed?

Unemployment is now at 10.2% (more like 17% with all that have stopped looking) Could this bill unemploy another million people in the health insurance industry?

Sorry about the rant but I am shocked at how weak this country is becoming.

Untill some americans get their heads screwed on tight, it's going to con-

tinue. Some might recognize this below:

That freedom, like respect, is earned and must be constantly nurtured and

protected from those who would take it away.

The right of every law-abiding citizen to protect his or her life, liberty, and

personal property by any means at hand without fear of arrest, criminal

prosecution, or lawsuit. The right to bear arms is central to maintaining

true personal freedom.

That liberal politicians, theorists, and socialists are the greatest threat to

freedom-loving americans and that their misguided efforts have caused

grave injustices in the fields of criminal law, education, and public welfare.

Therefore in respect to criminal law:

An effective criminal justice system should be guided by these basic

tenets:

-our courts must stop pampering criminals.

-the punishment must fit the crime.

-justice must be fair, but also be swift and, if necessary, harsh.

-there is no perfect society only a fair one.

Therefore in respect to education:

Education is the key to solving problems in the society and the lack of it

is the root cause of america's decline:

An effective system of education:

-must stress hard discipline along with the arts, sciences, fine music, and

basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.

-much teach fairness and respect.

-must teach morals, the dignity of labor, and the value of family.

Therefore in respect to welfare:

Welfare (we prefer workfare) is reserved only for the elderly, infirm, and

those who need a temporary helping hand and the welfare system must

also:

-instill honest work for honest pay.

-instill the concept that everyone who can work must work and be forced

to work if necessary.

-instill the concept that there is no free lunch and that being productive

citizens in a free society is the only honorable path to take.

That racial prejudice and bigotry are intolerable in a free and vital society.

-no one is worthy of respect simply because of the color of their skin.

-respect is earned by actions and be deeds, not by birthright.

-there are only two types of people on earth, decent and indecent. Those

who are decent will flourish, those who are not will perish.

-no laws laid down by a body of government can make one person like

another.

A free and just society must be protected at all costs even if it means

shedding the blood of its citizens. The willingness of citizens to lay down

their lives for the belief in democracy; without that willingness the struc-

ture of society will surely crumble and fall into the ashes of history.

-Along with the inalienable right to bear arms, and the inalienable right to

personal protection, a strong, skilled, and well-equipped military is essen-

tial to maintaining a free society.

-A strong military eliminates the need for "allies" allowing the society to

focus on the needs of its citizens.

-The business of citizens is not the business of the world unless the rights

of the citizens are infringed upon by outside forces.

-The duty of those who live in a free society is clear, personal freedom is

not negotiable.

[Guest Drewsett]

The issue as I see it...is that our sense of charity is played upon by these people. Everyone wants the problem of the uninsured solved. I don't know a conservative person that doesn't feel bad for someone who doesn't have health insurance who suffers a catastrophic injury.

I think that the best solution is to market health insurance on the open market. Doctors competing against other doctors on the best price and procedure. I remember a stat, the cost of a typical colonoscopy in the Los Angeles area ranges from two thousand and change to over ten thousand dollars. This is the same typical procedure many of us have undergone...you go in, they put you under, you're done in 20 minutes. You pay for whatever labs you need, so on and so forth. Managed care is the death of the system.

Imagine for a moment that you were required to buy into a plan that paid for your groceries. The plan pays for eighty percent of the cost of your groceries. You pay 20%. Wouldn't you be much more likely to shop for some filet mignon than you are for sirloin? When you're spending someone elses money there is no incentive for you to control costs. When you take the consumer out of cost decisions, the entire market suffers.

How would marketing insurance on the open market solve the problem of the uninsured? Well to be honest, it wouldn't. However, if the open market governed prices, they would be much better controlled than now. A minor tax, something in the neighborhood of 10% or less of premiums for those of us who pay for insurance on the open market, would fund city hospitals, such as we have in Nashville. These hospitals would not deny lifesaving care to anyone. If someone wants to declare bankruptcy and settle their medical debts in that manner, they are welcome to...but otherwise garnish wages and such to ensure payment.

A system like this would save costs over the long run and still reform our healthcare system.

Oh, tort reform is necessary as well. The days of the 100 million dollar lawsuits for minor claims are absolutely ridiculous. In the event of negligence, I would support awards of lifetime wage compensation. If the primary wage earner is the victim of malpractice, it is only right to compensate the families thusly.

Just my two cents on the debate.