Healthy Living

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ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY



The entitlement mentality implies that someone owes you something for which you are not deserving. This recalls a young woman who benefitted from a free college education. After which, she insisted that she be provided with employment commensurate with her education. Fiction? No, fact.
Conversely, the Declaration of Independence set forth a very different approach to entitlements. In this regard, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to serve these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Several observations seem warranted. (1) If self-evident, then not in need of a labored defense. Created in God’s image, then capable of selective choice, and persisting resolve. So that one should not expect others to do for him or her, what unwilling to do for one’s self.
(2) This does not extend to those who for some reason are not able to function appropriately. Provision should be made for those who cannot, but not for those who will not. Even in this instance, one needs to be realistic.
(3) Created equal, persons should be treated equally. Accordingly, nothing is free. Someone pays for something, whether voluntarily or under duress. So that an excess taxation amounts to theft, under the disguise of benevolence.
(4) Moreover, persons are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Granted by God, they should be exercised by the recipients. But not the recipients alone, but by others who may be tempted to infringe upon them.
(5) First mentioned among these is life. All else hinges on this fundamental right. In Jewish tradition, it is said that three are involved in giving birth: God and the parents. If so, then all three have invested interests, which should be duly observed. This is a right seriously threatened by current abortion interests. For instance, instead of funding abortion, it would appear to be more appropriate to support adoption procedures.
(6) Second among the three rights mentioned is liberty. Liberty has increasingly been curtailed to further a political agenda. As when institutions or individuals are forced to comply with objectionable practices. So that I have heard it said, “When one is not free, none are free.”
(7) The final right identified is the pursuit of happiness. This cannot be guaranteed, but permitted. Even with good intention, there is a problem with overreach. Setting unrealistic goals is a guarantee of failure.
(8) Governance is set forth in the form of a mandate, established by God for the well-being of citizens. As such, it is responsible to God for its exercise of power. “Righteousness exalts a notion, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34).
(9) Even so, governments derive their just powers from the consent of people. Rather than imposed on them by some elitist group, in contradiction to the will of the populace. In this regard, there can be no genuine leadership that does not invoke a significant following.
(10) Examples proliferate. For instance, it would seem preferable to provide higher or more technical education for those who have already served in some capacity. As for those who have served in the military, or some other social capacity.
(11) While it is of critical importance to accept financial constraints. Running a huge national debt is decidedly not the way to go. For we thus burden others with our indiscretion.
Common sense would seem to dictate the above. However, the cynic humorously observes: “The problem with common sense is that it is so uncommon.” So it would appear.

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