Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan, Do you feel entitled?
When did we start to think we were owed more than Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
When did we start to feel entitled?
In the Depression of the 1930's, the jobless father of 4 asked the farmer if he could work on the farm for a day in exchange for food to feed his family.
In the Depression of 2010 do we just take the food from the farmer because, after all, you and your family are entitled to eat?
Are we:
Entitled to a life better than our parents had?
Entitled to own real estate?
Entitled to dis-own real estate?
Entitled to be bailed out?
Entitled to a job?
Entitled to health care? And to social security when we grow old?
You would sure think so by what surrounds us.
Why work? Why pay your bills? Why take care of your health and your finances? Why respect what others have earned?
Do we take the course that will help us? Or do we just help ourselves to what others have produced?
When did we start to believe that America owed us more than life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Is it because the government has redefined the word "rights" to include never needing to suffer?
Is it because a generation came of age when stock market wealth and real estate equity made it seem like real work was obsolete?
Did 100% stated income loans with a few years of teaser rates train us to believe the American Dream was what every American deserved?
Did plastic in our wallets make it seem like our rights included unlimited gratification?
Somehow, we have lost our way.
Let us hope to sprout fresh green grass across America we do not need to completely kill the roots.
Written by Janet Guilbault, Mortgage Banker/Broker and Direct Lender Based out of the San Francisco Bay Area
My sentiments exactly! I really am mistified when I hear people talk about their "rights". Funny how the rights grow with their preceived "needs".
I think for many people the sense of entitlement is tied to their upbringing. Children grow into adults who become what we teach them, not only through our words, but even more through our actions that they observe.
Interesting re-blog - and perspective - can't say I disagree with it!
I guess we are lucky to be here. My parents always made me work for what I wanted. I appreciate all I have I earned on my own.
You know, I found myself asking these same questions when Hurricane Katrica devastated the region where I live, and while we were pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, others were raging that our government wasn't doing enough. Huh? We rebuilt after Camille. We rebuilt after Frederick. And no one gave us a debit card. I was taught to earn my way, but now?
Oh when did we lose our way?
There is much confusion about what are rights and entitlements and what are priveleges. So often folks believe and act as though they are entitled and have a right when that is not the case.