This kinda sounds like Oprah sounded when she gave away the cars. Doesn't it? Entitlements for EVERYBODY. Well, not everybody, but almost. Today in the United States of America 52% of households are receiving some form of entitlement. This is more than at ANY other time in US history. We are becoming a nation of people with our hands out. More than 45% of US households will not pay federal income tax this year. What is happening to our nation? Why do people want a hand out? Why do people think they DESERVE a handout? I remember when a president of this nation gave an inaugural address which included these famous words, " And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." I remember watching people whining about the government in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Where was their government entitlement? How was the government going to help them? When were they going to get their MONEY? (btw, the money they were going to get wasn't theirs, it was yours.)
I think the government has proven it is lousy at helping people out. The government doesn't have the first idea how to improve people's lives. The government doesn't have the first idea how to raise a child. The government doesn't have the first idea how to support a family. However, the government does know the first thing about getting between churches and the needy. The ACLU doesn't sit well with spirit based institutions giving aid and the government is scared silly of the ACLU.
Last night I went to church for Ash Wednesday. The sermon was titled, "What's in it for me?" The minister spoke about this time of Lent being a time of preparation for Easter. Not preparation Easter dinner or Easter visitors or a new Easter dress, but a time for preparation to focus on the benefits we receive because of the sacrifices made for us. He spoke about entitlements and the changing face of our nation to those begging, "where's mine." He said our nation is sounding more and more like a toddler. See if any of these toddler rules of possession sound familiar.
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in anyway.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
I think I've heard sound bites on the news by adults saying these words, almost verbatim.
There is a family living in a house I own. And by living, I mean existing. I just paid the water bill for them because the water has been shut off for three months. Seriously, no water. The house stinks because they still use the toilets, but there is no water. The biggest earner in the family, and by family I mean baby, baby daddy, uncle of baby and grandma of baby, is the baby. The baby is getting all the entitlements to allow this group of people to pay the rent, fuel oil and electric. Too bad the baby couldn't earn a little more and pay the water bill. Bad baby. This collection of sorry adults do not have a job between them. What is this world coming to when two able bodied men won't work and choose to live off a baby. It is unbelievable to me.
So, what's in it for me? I'm continuing to focus on the sacrifice of my savior this Lenten season. I pray our nation will get a clue. All they have to do is turn on the tv and see what is happening in Greece. I know my post sounds like a frustrated rant today, and it is. I'm so tired of reading tweets of people complaining about having no money, then running out to get a tattoo with their income tax refund check. They act as if they just received "found money." Are they so dense they do not realize they just gave the government an interest free loan with THEIR money? I guess they are. Oh well, enjoy that purple butterfly tattoo. You'll have it forever.
Gratitudes:
9. my job
10. my house, all fixed after Hurricane Irene
11. a minister not afraid to speak the truth. (even if there were democrats in the room)
12. a beautiful sunny warm day in February
I think the government has proven it is lousy at helping people out. The government doesn't have the first idea how to improve people's lives. The government doesn't have the first idea how to raise a child. The government doesn't have the first idea how to support a family. However, the government does know the first thing about getting between churches and the needy. The ACLU doesn't sit well with spirit based institutions giving aid and the government is scared silly of the ACLU.
Last night I went to church for Ash Wednesday. The sermon was titled, "What's in it for me?" The minister spoke about this time of Lent being a time of preparation for Easter. Not preparation Easter dinner or Easter visitors or a new Easter dress, but a time for preparation to focus on the benefits we receive because of the sacrifices made for us. He spoke about entitlements and the changing face of our nation to those begging, "where's mine." He said our nation is sounding more and more like a toddler. See if any of these toddler rules of possession sound familiar.
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must NEVER appear to be yours in anyway.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
I think I've heard sound bites on the news by adults saying these words, almost verbatim.
There is a family living in a house I own. And by living, I mean existing. I just paid the water bill for them because the water has been shut off for three months. Seriously, no water. The house stinks because they still use the toilets, but there is no water. The biggest earner in the family, and by family I mean baby, baby daddy, uncle of baby and grandma of baby, is the baby. The baby is getting all the entitlements to allow this group of people to pay the rent, fuel oil and electric. Too bad the baby couldn't earn a little more and pay the water bill. Bad baby. This collection of sorry adults do not have a job between them. What is this world coming to when two able bodied men won't work and choose to live off a baby. It is unbelievable to me.
So, what's in it for me? I'm continuing to focus on the sacrifice of my savior this Lenten season. I pray our nation will get a clue. All they have to do is turn on the tv and see what is happening in Greece. I know my post sounds like a frustrated rant today, and it is. I'm so tired of reading tweets of people complaining about having no money, then running out to get a tattoo with their income tax refund check. They act as if they just received "found money." Are they so dense they do not realize they just gave the government an interest free loan with THEIR money? I guess they are. Oh well, enjoy that purple butterfly tattoo. You'll have it forever.
Gratitudes:
9. my job
10. my house, all fixed after Hurricane Irene
11. a minister not afraid to speak the truth. (even if there were democrats in the room)
12. a beautiful sunny warm day in February
I'm a Democrat, but I don't feel particularly entitled. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are probably the one paying for them. What do you think about that? Thanks for encouraging me to go to church. I think the sermon last night was a gift for me. I was impressed with the courage of this minister's conviction. :)
ReplyDeletei think in many ways we have raised up a generation of entitled people actually...
ReplyDeleteYou are so "right on" about entitlements. Thanks for telling it like it is. I am just a visitor on your sight today, but am now considering future "readings" for lack of a better word. Keep up the good work and may God Bless You! Linda
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading. I hope you'll come back.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the generation of entitled people will be able to raise up a generation of responsible people? Hmmm.... I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteServing at a church that is on the inner city I see this lived out. There are generations that have lived off entitlements and to have them move ahead with their life and be thankful to have a job or even strive to get a job is a challenge. Why work when you've had things given to you free for years? Seeing the traps these entitlements create in people's lives I am ever so much against them.
ReplyDeleteIn Mexico, the government doesn't "help" the people like in the US and as you probably know, there's a huge poverty problem over there. There's no middle class, people are either rich or poor. The poor get no help, so they help themselves to breaking into houses and stealing. Mexico is so dangerous right now. The rich people don't feel safe. Could it be that because of the hand outs, the US is a safer place than Mexico? Sometimes I think that people with poor money management skills will always exist, what to do about it, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteExcellent - you are thankful for the right things!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about our nation. We have definitely gotten so far away from Biblical principles.
ReplyDeleteI just want to tell you thanks for always being such an encouragement to me. You make me happy, Happy Girl!
Lots of good points Miss Happy Girl!
ReplyDelete