Welfare Nation Reaches 33%

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Entitlements are modern slavery. Like the Master on the Plantation, the democrats provide housing, food and clothing for their modern day slaves, asking only in return undying loyalty.

Nothing is free in life. The people receiving assistance from the government is not getting free stuff like they think. The enticing promise of free stuff comes with attachments. The granters of entitlements from the government have ulterior motives. Givers always want something in return. In the case of entitlements, often the recipients give back without even realizing it. Worried that their entitlement might be taken away, they give their votes to those that grant them gifts from the treasury. Receiving free stuff from the government builds a culture of dependency - the recipient trades their independence for dependence on the government, and commitment to the democrat party. Choice is tossed aside for the promise of gifts from the government. . . freedom for slavery.

The bailouts, the welfare checks, the food stamps, the socialized health care, and the government pensions all come with an alluring promise of something for nothing, but are bought with personal freedom, and the money of the producers of this nation. Those that make the economy grow are now being penalized for their success, and are being made to pay out more to those in society that refuse to be self-reliant. Yes, I understand there are exceptions to the rule, and some of those people really need a hand. That is what charities are for. Overall, however, a vast majority takes advantage of the system, and are glad to do so, even though they are sacrificing personal freedom in the long run.

The problem is that people on the government dole believe they have a right to the governmental payout. They begin to believe they have an inherent claim to the entitlement. That is how the people in Greece feel, which is why when the government ran out of money and had no choice but to institute austerity measures, the people began to riot. They felt they were so entitled that even running out of money was no excuse.

Once an entitlement becomes ingrained, the concept of enslavement takes its place in the mix. The recipient becomes dependent on the giver, losing their independence in the process. Freedom is traded for slavery as surely as drug addiction overcomes personal choice.

The politicians always want something in return for handouts - votes, and political support, in addition to a promise of control.

Like with education. Federal money going in allows the federal government to dictate to the states on how to operate their educational programs. Federal bailouts to private businesses comes with federal control over corporate operations.

Eventually, the recipients of entitlements get to the point that they become fully dependent on government entitlements. The governmental handouts become an essential part of their personal lives. The person becomes less motivated, feel no need to take a risk on opportunities, and the dependence on government dulls any drive they may have had for personal economic independence. The person stops becoming self-reliant. The security of government aid brings about economic and emotional slavery.

The entitlement system also breaks up families. The role of the father is being replaced by government handouts, and the dads are walking out. The kids, without Dad on the scene, are more likely to turn to crime, or refuse to try to become self-reliant. Then, the cycle of entitlement slavery follows them around too.

America's entitlement culture is a culture of slavery to the government. Personal freedom and independence have been traded for the promise of free stuff. The cockroaches of Washington promise more and more in knowing that the people, once the government has its fangs in them, are willing to trade personal independence and freedom for dependence on the government and consequential slavery.

Now, to make it worse, Obama has taken out the work requirement that was added in 1996 by the Republican Congress, and of which Clinton signed after refusing to three times before. The reform worked, less people were on welfare, and more were becoming self-reliant. Now, the democrats have returned it to what it always was. . . a check in the mail for doing nothing.

Entitlement slavery threatens the very foundation of our free society. The slavery is growing, and eventually the takers will outnumber the producers. . . and on that day we will join Greece in collapse.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary