Recently I was having a conversation with my 90 something aunt, a woman as sharp as they come. We drifted to the topic of the current state of affairs in America. Remember this is a person who has actually lived through what were the really tough times in America.
Like many Americans (I hope) she doesn’t get the attitudes that seem to prevail today. What can I get free (including my birth control), which of my poor decisions will be forgiven, I am entitled to …
Then she hit me with this, “During the depression people didn’t want to accept help, they were embarrassed to take relief.”
That’s not the case today. Nobody seems embarrassed about taking all they can get, truly needy or not. In the last thirty years the percentage of Americans at the official poverty level has remained the same at about 15%, but the number of Americans receiving income-based assistance has ballooned. Check out this George Will article.
It doesn’t even have to be a formal program like SNAP, every tax credit, every subsidy for health care even when you are well above the poverty level is a form of welfare and the left comes up with new ideas on a daily basis to increase redistribution and dependency. If old Lizzy has her way, Social Security will join the welfare programs.
Even the traditional family gets short-changed in the quest for more relief. The President’s most recent tax proposals seek to assist two earner families, but ignore a family with mom at home. I guess she doesn’t fit into the progressive mold of a 21st century women with the hidden message of lesser value than her career and political oriented peers. The left has it backward.
The depression wasn’t so great, but the attitudes of Americans of that generation were indeed “the good old days!”
So as we continue our march toward “why bother trying harder” mediocrity, let’s hope the 1% continues to thrive. They will have a heavy burden caring for the rest of us. And to all you stay at home moms (and dads), don’t lose heart. You are and always have been the foundation of the American family. Keep up the good work even in the face of your impending extinction.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 