The Birth of American Entitlement???

I couldn't help but "repost my response to another poster from a previous post I made", because, my answer was actually a thought that deserved more than being buried in the depths of another post, as a MERE comment to a comment!:sleep:

I thoroughly believe that JFK had it 110% correct when he challenged America and American's to "Ask not what your country can do for you, BUT, what you can do for your country..."

IMHO, that was the last time a POTUS actually came out and challenged this nation to drop the Faux-sense of ENTITLEMENT from their personal agenda when it came to their government. His was more than words. I believe JFK meant every word of that challenge, furthermore, I believe he would have followed through on making good on that challenge during his presidency. Unfortunately, I also believe that may be one of the reasons he was killed.

Following the assassination of JFK came the new-age of "bleeding heart liberal" led by LBJ, who singlehandedly introduced and implemented a sweeping change with his New Society. A plan that was meant to be a "safety net for the unfortunate" that over the years morphed into an American institution. Thus, social welfare, and the snowball effect drive to self entitlement [within the hearts and minds of the American people] had its birth...and, that single program has delivered us to the upcoming vote on Christmas Eve 2009 that will entitle everyone in this nation to health insurance, whether they want it, OR NOT!

True, ALL American's need some form of health insurance, and that is why the safety net of Medicaid was put in place under LBJ. Medicaid is very good plan for those who deem it only necessary to have a medical care in an emergency; so why change it now?

IMHO, it is because the Democrats can do it because they have the votes [in both the House and Senate], and the POTUS has an ego based need to fulfill his legacy as the first black POTUS to do something of a sweeping, long term nature. The passage of this bill will more than likely solidify his second term, which is why the program won't start in full until 2013, and the "entitled" American's waiting for their medical care to start will come out and vote for Obama to assure the bill is implemented.

Finally, I must add, that this sweeping plan is being FORCED upon all Americans, and it is nothing less than a true form of world socialism. I say it is socialism because it carries a mandate that everyone will have it regardless of their personal desires, and to assure that everyone has the plan, there is:

1) A penalty [a fine] for those who do not have the plan;

2) and, a TAX on those of us who have earned the right to a good plan [RE: the Cadillac plan] through having gainful employment with well deserved "perks."

So now, the age of social ENTITLEMENT has come full circle, and this nation will not be the same. I guarantee it!

Merry Christmas and Goodwill to all of you on the Board,

Pastor Paul:type:

 

I Agree, Kind Of...

I do not disagree with you. I had the personal and professional misfortune of being injured on the job, and I was forced to go through years of workers comp. During my time at medical appointments and physical therpay I heard enough to make me believe that there is a tremendous amount of fraud going on.

With that said, I was eventually declared "totally disabled" and forced to leave my state government job. I am now trying to live on a combination of SSDI, PERS, and a small allotment from MetLife for long term disablitlty. The MetLife thing is another post/story, but, let me say that what I paid into that program I will never recoup. Their plan for LTD is a sham and a lie.

If I could work, or find an employer who would employ me, I'd gladly take it, but, unfortunately, you have finally come across a person who is actually unable to be "gainfully" employed [make the same amount of money and perks to match what I was making before my employer said "leave!"]. To work for someone else is honestly impossible, and not just because of the cash and perks. I live in constant pain, and the pain has morphed into several chronic diseases. This is fact, not an excuse!

I worked with my original disability and a growing list of accomodations, from 1986 to December 2000. My employer decided that even with accomodations, I was no longer able to work, and I fought that decision through court for another 5 years. However, God has patiently shown me that my current condition is what is best for me. Believe me, that was a hard pill to swollow. There is a matter of personal pride, and being totally disabled [where a person can be gainfully employed] is frustrating as well as embarrassing.

Forgive me for being one of those who live off your taxes, but, I did pay my share, and had the MetLife policy paid me as it advertised, I'd not be using SSDI.

Shalom, and Merry Christmas my brother, I do understand your comments all too well...

Pastor Paul:type:

 

Great Point

I totally agree with that comment. As you said, I too have seen far too many folks who could be working and weren't. This is why many Americans are angry. Our tax dollars are being spent on those who malinger their way through life.

I am not in a place to judge who is and who isn't disabled. However, there are those whom I know are working on the side, and taking pay from under the table; and this is a crime. I've always turned those folks in, anonymously of course, and some have lost their benefits.

Pastor Paul

 

I Know You Were Not Being Judgemental

Your gracious response is much appreciated. You have a gentle, genuine spirit, and, like I said, I know all too well how way too many have used and milked the system. I thought you said a few things even better than I could have said them. My thanks for your prayers, and may we forever be united in the Spirit of Christ, as true brothers are called to be.

Pastor Paul:type:

 

I Know You Are Kidding, Right?

Believe me Winman, you don't want to use those entitlements until it is really necessary.

A funny thing happened to me on my way to life. My first state government job was with vocational rehab. As a counselor, I'd be taking down the personal info from clients, and within me, I'd make personal judgments about these folks. I'd quietly sit there and doubt their sincerity as well as their "professed disabilities."

Prior to my job with rehab, my wife was injured by a cow [she was a milker at a dairy, of course] in 1983, and I doubted her back injury too....because I couldn't actually see her injury, I doubted that she, and my voc rehab clients could have such pain that they couldn't work. I was such a "cad!

Any way, it wasn't until I slipped and fell in a bathtub shower, no less, that I finally understood just how disabling back pain injuries could be! For 16years, I struggled to go to work, even after my emergency five space spinal fusion surgery, and I still cry myself to sleep at night becaue I'd rather be working than live with so much pain and pride.

I had to repent for all the judgments I made, which meant I also had to swallow my pride, and apologize to my wife for casting dispersions her way for several years.

Back pain is real...For many, it goes away. For others, surgery takes care of the problem, and they are healed. In my case, I never healed correctly, and I have had to live with ever increasing pain and disability. That is a hard and painful pill for someone with my personal convictions and determination to overcome. I gues you could say that my back injury was my "Waterloo."

I wrote my second book to help people live with the pain and suffering of chronic disease and injuries. No one knows better than the disabled person just how tremendous the guilt is for those who don't get better. And, unfortunately, I discovered a whole lot of personal judgment coming from those of faith, mostly because I was never completely healed through their prayers.

Thorn Daze [my book] deals honestly with the shame, guilt, pain and suffering of those who have not been healed, or, as I appropriately named the book, those who did not have their personal "thorn's" removed through the prayers and faith of others, as well as their own faith and prayers.

So, Winman, take my advice...never wish you could take advantage of those entitlements...it could come your way, and it just may never leave you the same. I'd give anything to switch places with you...but, I know, if you knew of my longsuffering, you'd surely not want to change places with me, even if it meant getting those entitlements you paid for for so many years!

Blessings for a Merry Christmas, and a fantastic new year.

Pastor Paul:type: