The Sense of Entitlement in America

   I have noticed the sense of entitlement in America has really gained momentum in recent years. Apparently people have come to believe there is always someone else to blame in every unfortunate situation and that an outrageous compensation must be paid. Oddly enough, it appears the courts agree.

   Some examples:

   1. Only in America can you spill a cup of coffee and be awarded a million bucks for burning yourself. Honestly – Should we have the right to sue anyone for what we do with a product we purchased even when the product was as described? Should we have the right to sue a sports car manufacturer for selling a fast car we crashed? Doesn’t a consumer have any responsibility for their actions?

2. A man fell through a skylight in California school while committing theft and vandalism. He sued for damages…and was compensated!  Injured Burglar Sues Honestly I thought crime wasn’t supposed to pay!

   Fortunately not every frivolous case is rewarded, like the judge who filed a suit for $67,000,000.00 against the drycleaners who lost his pants. Judge Sues for over $65 million on Lost Pants Personally I still find it disturbing that a judge could even file such a case.

      Far too many of these law suits clog the courts making it difficult for a legitimate cases to be tried. Far too often people are trading their common sense and responsibility in an effort to make someone else pay. When will it cease and desist?

Felon on Infomercial

     Being an insomniac watching television in the wee hours of the morning has truly been an eye opener. One infomercial in particular not only claims I am entitled to free money from the government, but that there is also a conspiracy to keep it from me. The spiel goes on to promote a book that will help me get my fair share if I buy his book. Is he for real?

   Let’s think about this in real common sense terms.

   First off, this “author” and I use the term loosely, has a rather colorful past including numerous large fines and has served prison time for false advertising, credit card fraud and larceny. He has been successfully prosecuted for misrepresenting himself  for claiming to cure health issues. Why would I believe he has suddenly discovered I am due money especially from the government? Why would I believe he could know with such certainty or that he would even care? Why would anyone believe a convicted felon on such matters?

The infomercial is attempting to present a few ideas as facts. First, he would like you to believe the government has conspired to keep you from what you deserve. Then he wants to convince you that his book will give you the knowledge to get your funds held hostage. It could just get your dander up. Slow down and think about that for just a moment. Do you really think the government has money it is supposed to give you but will only do so if you say the magic words? We may balk about our taxation, but I doubt the infomercial is correct in its presentation. He just wants to sell his book and get your money. Besides, do you seriously believe the government is sitting on all that cash while the national deficit is so out of control?

http://hubpages.com/hub/Is-the-National-Deficit-Really-My-Problem

Now as much as I admire the guy’s determination and creativity to sell his book, I am more furious he has stooped to manipulate a sense of entitlement in so many people. If he is so smart to have “discovered” the conspiracy then wouldn’t you think he could realize the national deficit means the government is not flush but dangerously high in debt? There is no money in the coffer, but suppose there was.

Frivolous Grants and Such

Through out the past several years we have all heard rumors of government grant money being used for ridiculous studies. Seems to me popular rumors were of funds granted to study the sex life of lady bugs, to finance someone making art of a burned flag or a desecrated crucifix, or worse. Hopefully these have just been rumors, but what if indeed funds had been allocated for these kinds of things?

That train of thought would cause me to be quite angry. We have hungry and homeless people in this country. There are veterans who need help. We have masses that are ill and uninsured. As long as we have yet to find a cure for cancer, diabetes and other diseases, we cannot be casual about money. I am ashamed to think the government would grant or that anyone could even ask for money for foolish things while so many are in desperate need. If it is been done it needs to be stopped. Now.

Common Sense Must Rise Again

For the spell to be broken and the sense of entitlement to be derailed we must draw the line and take a stand. Having the right to sue does not always make it right. We can refuse to buy a book. We can decide to take responsibility for our own actions. We can replace it with common sense. The sense of entitlement is only helpful to some lawyers and those who don’t want to be responsible for themselves. In any case, The first step is to admit there is a problem.