X

We all want something for nothing

Posted 4/19/11

To the Editor: Neighbors, when are we going to look in the mirror and realize that we are the problem? We want services but we don’t want to pay taxes to fund those services. We want our society to …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

We all want something for nothing

Posted

To the Editor:

Neighbors, when are we going to look in the mirror and realize that we are the problem? We want services but we don’t want to pay taxes to fund those services. We want our society to be civil but then we complain if schools discipline our children. We think our government officials are fools but then we don’t vote.

We want our children to learn, but then we don’t support teachers & schools (or make our children do their homework). We want clean streets but we still litter. We want personal economic security but we don’t save. We want healthy bodies but we won’t walk, exercise and eat well. We want the personal freedom to do whatever we want but then if there is a problem we want society to assist us.

We want to cut our Federal budget - just not the part that pays for our special interests. We quickly complain about issues, but we don’t take the time to read different perspectives so that we can understand complex problems.

We say we are a “God loving nation” but then we don’t go to church. We want cheap gas (based on oil, a diminishing resource) but we don’t understand the laws of supply & demand; don’t support alternative forms of energy; and don’t support enforced M.P.G. standards. We all want higher wages but we don’t want to pay higher prices. We want rights without responsibilities.

We want a better community but we don’t volunteer to help. It seems like we all want something for nothing. Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way. Three sayings come to mind: “You can’t have your cake and eat it too,” “People get the kind of government they deserve,” and “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

George Arnold, Potsdam