I had suspended this blog site and thought about deleting it
in order to concentrate on sports, but I can’t let it die. Especially since
there are so many ridiculously clueless folks out there who need some education
on common sense and personal responsibility.
Normally when I do a rant I like to go through five or six
items currently running in the news. Today I really want to touch on one
general subject and let it rip….RESPONSIBILITY!
Like most responsible people, I am sick and tired of hearing
about how unfair life is in the United States and how little the government
does for us. Actually, if the government only did what it is constitutionally responsible
for it would be more than enough.
Nowhere, and I mean NOWHERE in the constitution nor in the
Declaration of Independence did our fore-fathers ever agree to provide you with
anything more than the opportunity to allow you to make a future for yourself
in this country. They guaranteed Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
(not the guarantee of happiness).
There was no promise of a free college education, a minimum
wage, paid-family leave, welfare, unemployment, food stamps, Medicaid, or any
of the other idealistically socialist endeavors taken up by past or present
elected officials. Sure there can be valid reasoning or purpose for some if not
all of these; however, these were never guarantees we have ever been given, nor
should they be seen that way.
Currently the United States is not hovering on the brink of
bankruptcy – WE ARE THERE.
As a country, our path is corrupt, ineffective, and
completely unsustainable. To
think anything else is pure insanity. For the most part, our elected officials
want to believe that they have long-term solutions and ideas that will ease the
pain associated with correcting the path to destruction this country is
currently on.
Unfortunately, I am not sure there are enough responsible folks
out there in elected office to correct this problem. Too many politicians claim
to have a handle on the issues. They “know” what we need to fix what ails us as
a country. Of course this is complete bunk because if they actually did then
they WOULD HAVE DONE IT.
Truth is, far too many people in the United States don’t
have that sense of responsibility and look to focus the blame for their
shortcomings or societal woes squarely on……on…..on….well, anyone else but
themselves.
From the plight of the oppressed to the welfare of the poor;
politicians and activists groups prey on those willing to blame anyone and
everyone for their place in the world. In the next few weeks I hope to hit on individual
topics that touch on all these issues; however, first we must all be in
agreement that we are responsible for ourselves and our own actions. Until responsibility
is taken, we cannot begin to focus on those issues we need to address and
repair.
So the next time you begin to say to yourself, “I could/would
do that, but I can’t because……”, stop yourself and find out what it is you’re a
limiting yourself with. Nine times out of ten it is you who is doing the
limiting.
Are you an advocate and active member of a constructive
change like in Charleston, or are you a member of the self-perpetuating problem
like in Ferguson. Ask yourself, will I be an asset to my cause like Martin Luther
King, Jr. or Mother Teresa, or a leader of violence-inducing, hate-spewing
reactionary activism groups like the Black Panthers or the Klan.
Each of us must make a decision to be a responsible and respectful
person of character willing to make the tough choices to make things better. We
must approach these issues from a standpoint of personal responsibility and
quit looking for easy outs that allow for that responsibility to be shifted to
another person, group of people, or the government.
My Grandfather’s were greatly responsible for my beliefs and
values; and they both were similar in this piece of advice. If everyone took
care of their own back yard and if everyone would help at least one other
person to a better place in life, this world would be fine.
I know I’m still working on mine, but how is your back yard
and how many people have you helped out?
Later,
Bill
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