Personal Responsibility seems to be lost in today's world. In every segment of society and every part of the world, this seems to be the case. However, in my opinion, this country seems to be the worst when it comes to personal responsibility. This is ironic to me since as Americans we have so much opportunity to improve our lives. But yet it seems that we have pushed more and more responsibility for our lives onto the governement which has made us increasingly less responsible for our futures. I, for one, am sick of it. I can handle my own life, thank you very much. And yet I seem to be taking care of my life and through my tax dollars I'm paying for everyone elses lives as well.

I blame the liberal movement for this. Rather than creating ways to help in a manner that fosters self-improvement, the government (and the liberal movement) are quick to write checks. I don't know about you all, but when I was made to earn things as a kid as opposed to just being handed something, I took much better care of the item I earned. The same is true with government assistance and personal responsibility.

How about a few examples:

1.  Low income housing - Most people in low income housing do not work nor does the governement insist that they work or go to school (two actions that would significantly improve their lifestyle). Rather, they collect checks. As the same time, if you asked most landlords, renters receiving government assistance are the ones that cause the most damage to their apartments. Is this the renters fault? No! The folks needing help should absolutely get the assistance they need. However, there should be some parameters around those funds so that they are not abused and not promised indefinately. There should be an incentive for people to work so that they can get off the government bill rather than promising them money for the rest of their lives. Indefinite assistance does nothing but create a cycle of poverty as children grow up knowing nothing other than where to go to get their government checks.

2. Hurricane Katrina - What a tragic event! However the latest bill I heard for abuse of FEMA monies was over the one billion mark. Can you believe that? Why does that happen? Well, as money is given out without restrictions and without any checks and balances, abuse and corruption will no doubt follow.

There are many other instances of government waste but the key here is that government waste has  created a society dependent on the governement! This is wonderful for the reelection of politicians but it is ruining the entrepreneurial spririt this country was founded on. We  need to step up as Americans and re-claim our government, make it smaller and re-instate personal responsibility. The country will be better for it...