Selfishness will be the decline of our nation
After reading Mr. Faber's letter to the editor on March 14th, I was very impressed with his thoughts and his writing ability and clarity. He seemed to express all that I have felt and thought about for quite some time. In trying to discuss these subjects with people, it seems the hardest point to make is the one talked about in Mr. Faber's last paragraph … about our “decreasing concern” for people who are not family, and who are so needy in our society in so many ways.
I am so tired of some people’s and groups’ beliefs and opinions that “they” should all "pull themselves up by their bootstraps" and make their own way in life-and not look for someone to “hand them a thing that they don't earn.” It's like we are so afraid to give some of what we have. Is it just human nature to only be concerned with how something affects “me?” Is there any possibility that we can broaden our definition of “family?” Why must we only look for how something affects “me” and not ever show concern for someone else's needs. We do this with other people, and with our lack of concern for our earth and its' resources. I wish you could force people to care about others, but since there is no way to do that, I have to admit to getting very discouraged sometimes. I agree with Mr. Faber that this is a "dangerous symptom of our decline" and in my opinion, will be our demise. Cheryl M.T. Bremer Ann Arbor
Comments
Diagenes
Fri, Apr 9, 2010 : 6:36 a.m.
Rational selfishness is a virtue.
Val Losse
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.
Can you imagine being given a free education by the citizens of this great country and not taking advantage of it? Every year there a thousands of students who drop out of school who then want the rest of use to give them a living, people who had the chance to make something of themselves. Where does it say that my hard work should be given to those who choose not to work hard. Granted there are people who fall on hard times. But this should be for a short time and not a life time of standing around with their hand out. Giving a is a decision I want to keep so I can give to those who need help in the short run and will pull themselves up and start working again.
mike from saline
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
Cheryl, your letter seems long on vague generalities, and very short on substance, and detail! I'd need to know more about what YOU do, in regards to your concern for needy people, other than write preechy letters to the editor. Please give us some examples.
tracyann
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 10:29 p.m.
I think there are ways to "give" without parting with money. You can volunteer your time and also gain some perspective on things. Volunteering at a homeless shelter gives one a new appreciation for the fact that they have their own bed to sleep in at night, volunteering at Motts Children's Hospital makes one grateful that their own children aren't going through the same misfortunes as these children, some of whom will never leave the hospital, and volunteering at the VA will give one insight as to just how much some men and women have given of themselves for our country.
stunhsif
Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 9:22 p.m.
"Its like we are so afraid to give some of what we have" Cheryl, I give around 35% of what I earn to others through taxes. That does not include hidden taxes like the gas tax or the 6% michigan sales tax. How much more of my money do you want to take? My personal responsibility is to my family and those 4 humans I helped create called my children. Again, how much more of my money do you want because I have a lot less than I did several years ago?
mike from saline
Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 5:57 p.m.
Cheryl, the entire premise of your letter is PURE BUNK. Americans are now, and [for at least the last 100 years] the most generous people on earth. That generosity extends not only to our own cit- izens, but to the rest of the world.
Top Cat
Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 7:21 a.m.
Our demise will be policies that further punish those that are productive and further reward those that are not.
Michigan Reader
Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 4:52 p.m.
I think the "entitlement mentality", that is, people who think they're entitled without creating any value for others is a big part of the economic decline we're in now. That and the rise of socialism. Look at the banking system, and you can see "entitlement" written all over the system, from the loans the banks never should have made, to the loans that never should have been taken by consumers. The country is headed in the direction of decline because of that. Yes, there are many diabled people who genuinely need help and can't contribute value to society, but they are in the minority. Society has an obligation to them.