I did an editorial recently on how accountability and responsibility are what made America great. Personal responsibility is a trait that serves people well in every phase of their lives, whether that's as a kid in Boy Scouts, as an adult in your job or as a parent. That's why when I see reports of people complaining because the city of Detroit is turning off the water to some of the 65,000 residential customers who've stopped paying and owe close to $49 million to the water department, I shake my head in disgust. |
It's not fair, we're told. It is inhumane to cut off the water. The United Nations has termed it as a human rights violation.
Nonsense. The infrastructure in Detroit, like any city, costs money. The pipes, the water treatment plants and the employees who keep it running in a safe, efficient manner all cost money. If you want the service, you pay for it. Customers are not entitled to free water.
In the Obama era we have more than 47 million people getting free food. We have people who've been collection unemployment checks, not for a matter of weeks, but for years. We have government provided phones, and the list goes on.
What happened to personal responsibility? In a caring society we help someone when they are knocked down. If someone needs help for a couple of months while they find a new job, of course we help, but the perpetual class that doesn't work, doesn't' pay for their own food, doesn't pay for their own housing and now doesn't think they should have to pay for utilities like water or electricity? We owe them nothing.
Much is said among politicians from the left about income inequality. Let's be clear. There has never been a guarantee of equal prosperity in the US. Our system is set up to provide an equal opportunity. For those who choose not to take advantage of their God given gifts but instead would rather take advantage of the system, we don't owe them anything.
No one minds giving someone a hand when they truly need it. But the perpetual hand-outs have to stop.
Nonsense. The infrastructure in Detroit, like any city, costs money. The pipes, the water treatment plants and the employees who keep it running in a safe, efficient manner all cost money. If you want the service, you pay for it. Customers are not entitled to free water.
In the Obama era we have more than 47 million people getting free food. We have people who've been collection unemployment checks, not for a matter of weeks, but for years. We have government provided phones, and the list goes on.
What happened to personal responsibility? In a caring society we help someone when they are knocked down. If someone needs help for a couple of months while they find a new job, of course we help, but the perpetual class that doesn't work, doesn't' pay for their own food, doesn't pay for their own housing and now doesn't think they should have to pay for utilities like water or electricity? We owe them nothing.
Much is said among politicians from the left about income inequality. Let's be clear. There has never been a guarantee of equal prosperity in the US. Our system is set up to provide an equal opportunity. For those who choose not to take advantage of their God given gifts but instead would rather take advantage of the system, we don't owe them anything.
No one minds giving someone a hand when they truly need it. But the perpetual hand-outs have to stop.