Reply #21: Gee, this must be a cheery fellow to live near [View All]

[Ezlivin]

He seems to have a chip on his shoulder.

Let's take a look at some of his statements.

"That is their damn fault, not ours.. and when I say "ours," I'm talking about my tax dollars being used to rebuild some losers home who didn't take the responsibility or initiative to protect themselves in the first place."

Okay, what if they did take "responsibility or initiative to protect themselves"? What then? How do you know how to separate the irresponsible from the responsible? If you do, then you need to share this wisdom with others.

"I'm sorry, but I do not feel sorry for most of those people at all."

I hope you don't have/never have children, lest they make one mistake in their lives. Compassion apparently is not your strong suit.

"Sure, I'm upset that Katrina occured, and yes, I have donated a lot of my own money and time to help Katrina victims; but dammit, at some point we all need to quit blaming the gov. and blame those who were irresponsible in the first place."

Why are you upset that "Katrina occured" (sic)? Mother Nature is known for her capriciousness.

You were upset that your tax dollars are being "used to rebuild some losers home", yet you donated "a lot" of your "own money" to help out Katrina victims. How did you separate the winners from the "losers"?

"However, I will say this---I do blame the gov. for having in place such a craddle to grave welfare program that allows people to essentially do nothing and act as leeches on society for years on end."

So would you be against corporate welfare? Would you support the removal of all subsidies to the oil and farm industries?

"Many Katrina victims were getting gov. assistance and/or subsidized housing, yet even then they chose not to protect themselves but instead spent their money on tangible items instead."

When you say "many", can you point to a single published report that backs your claim? And could you please explain the problem with buying "tangible items" as opposed to, say, intangible items?

"Again, they'll tell you they can't afford insurance---but you'll soon find out they somehow were able to afford tvs, cable, cell phones, stereos, alcohol, cigarettes, nice clothes...the list goes on and on."

Even those with insurance cannot get their homes rebuilt. Even those with the proper, paid-up insurance with the correct coverage are having great difficulty in getting their claims filled. Do you expect people to sacrifice everything in their lives to take out insurance?

"Its just like all the Florida residents down here who cried to the gov. when their non-insured homes were destroyed by hurricanes in recent years. In the end, responsible people like you and I had to bail them out with increased taxes and property insurance rates."

My parents live a mile from the coastline. Their insurance rates are going up to cover the homes that are built on the coast. My parents could never afford to live "on the water", but they will have to pay more for their insurance to cover these well-to-do snowbirds.

"This subject really hits a nerve with me, as I have no sympathy for those who chose to live a worthless life, and blame others for their irresponsible actions."

Socrates said "An unexamined life is not worth living." You should examine your life and ask yourself why you have lost all sense of empathy and compassion.

"We are the wealthiest country in the history of civilization, in which anyone can live a great life with hard work and sacrifice."

You have to be white to say that. Otherwise you'd know better than to say "anyone can live a great life with hard work and sacrifice."

"Also, millions of hard working people in any number of poor countries around the world would kill to live in America---yet we have a certain percentage of leeches who choose the live a worthless life, then come to you and I with their hands out when they need something."

Millions of Mexicans stream northward daily to live and work here. Unfortunately they are driving down wages and taking jobs away from the very people you berate.

Let me close by saying this: If you are ever in trouble, if your house is swept away in a flood or sucked into the sky by a twister, we will not turn our backs on you. We won't judge you and we won't shortchange you.

That used to be the American way and it still is for a lot of us.