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Friday, January 21, 2011

Accountability II

The idea of personal accountability is something that needs to become an issue of public debate because it is the foundation of all that our government does.  Tony Blair spoke of welfare as becoming a "hand up and not a hand-out" an idea originally ascribed to FDR and the New Deal.  At the root of this statement is a firm belief that it is the individual's responsibility to make their own way in life.  It is the idea that one's success or failure is an individual responsibility and that the government's role is to offer a second chance and a level playing field.  It is the idea that it is not the government's responsibility to ensure everyone's success.

This is the major divide between the left and the right at this point.  When Tea Party members talk about "big government" they are really talking about the belief that the government's job is to protect all from any danger through regulation and legislation.  The belief that it is government's responsibility to make sure that everyone can afford to eat three meals a day and live in suitable housing without even having to work if they can't find a job that they like.  The belief that those who are more successful should share their financial success with those who are less successful by paying higher taxes, regardless of the effort put forth by those who are less successful.

Is this what we really believe?  Is it true that people are no longer responsible for their own actions?  Is everything controlled by our environment and everything bad that happens the result of actions beyond our control?  Is that a reason for the government to control all aspects of our lives in order to "keep us safe"?

Thoughts anyone?

florsheim.com (Weyco Group, Inc.)

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