"Occupy Wall Street" Needs to Remember Personal Responsibility, Too

by Sarah Marie Anderson

 

Do the Occupy Wall Street protestors expect something for nothing?

Is Personal Responsibility Missing from the Protest?

With all this “Occupy Wall Street” hubbub going on, I think it’s time for the hoi polloi to speak up.

First off, Republicans aren’t all rich old white men, as I keep hearing through this. I’m a Republican, and I’m neither rich, old or a man. We’re going to ignore the fact that I’m blonde for the time being, however.

Sure, I’m “white”, but those who focus on race are the real racists anyways (that’s an article for another time, however).

Bottom line… I don’t think the vast majority of Americans want the government involved in their lives anymore than absolutely necessary. I think the vast majority of Americans trend libertarian—stay out of my bedroom, the rest of my house, my business, my armory, my healthcare and my internet and I’ll be happy.

There are only three real functions of the Federal government: interstate travel, provide for the free conduct of trade and protect the citizens within the borders (perhaps an over-simplification, but those are the only three real purposes of the Federal government in the broadest sense).

But it seems not all Americans agree with me (too bad, the world would be a better place otherwise…). It’s those kinds of people in this country who need to learn that you need to work for something to earn it. Life doesn’t just hand you champagne and filet mignon, you start with nothing and build from there.

What you build is directly proportional to your effort. That’s the beauty of this country—anyone can truly achieve anything if they work hard enough. We have to end all entitlements (in a responsible way--I understand some people are counting on the latter three, so it has to be done right, we didn't get into this mess overnight and we can't fix it that quickly either): welfare, social security, Medicare, Medicaid... and kick the victim mentality to the curb by getting rid of unions, affirmative action, all "discrimination" laws, et al.

If we're truly a land of freedom, let's start acting like it and opening up a fair, level playing field for those who are willing to work for it. Buck up, get a job and don't blame anyone else for your problems.

All I want to see is a little more personal responsibility. Come on, America... grow up!

On a personal note, I get how hard it is to find a job. I get how it sucks to live below the poverty line. I get how discrimination is dehumanizing. I've been through it all.

I'm not just speaking on some pompous soapbox. I've worked my butt off for everything I've accomplished in life, and while my parents did the best they could, I didn't have the opportunities some people do simply because we never had that kind of disposable income. I know what it is to be annoyed that some people get to do things just because they have more money than me, not because they work for it and not because they necessarily deserve it.

However, I get very frustrated with people who won't work hard (or even work at all), and then expect me to support them. There is a different between someone who won't and someone who just needs help--and thank God for charities and churches, we need the government to get out of the charity business and let charities do their work. They do a hell of a better job than the government does.

Being just given something without having to work for it is, to me, humiliating. I can't imagine it's that different for most people.