Encourage Self-Reliance
Suppose we decide to host a party and invite 120 guests. Imagine the monumental task facing us. We would have to shop for the food, pay for it, and then cook for and serve 120 people. Yet, if every guest brings just one dish and either something to drink or paper goods, the burden on us would be lifted.
Then imagine if, while saying goodbye, every guest spends just 5 minutes helping with the cleanup — clearing the tables, wiping them down, folding chairs, gathering trash, or sweeping up. With just a 5-minute contribution from each guest, the combined effort would equate to over 10 hours of labor, freeing us from bearing the entire burden of the cleanup.
In the 10 hours saved, we could plan and throw another party, and still have a few hours left over to watch television.
The Point
Just a small contribution from each citizen can make a huge difference to America. In contrast, if we continue to expect government to bear the entire burden for all the services it renders presently, we must expect that America will become fatigued (analogous to us getting tired from throwing parties at our entire expense).
America cannot possibly continue to serve and clean up after close to 300 million "guests." At some point there simply will be too many guests to accommodate with too little resources.
America was founded on the assumption that people are self-reliant. The first America through to our great grandparents had to make smart decisions and tough choices or they would go hungry.
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Unfortunately, as government raised minimum standards over the decades, citizens have become less self-sufficient and more dependent on government to provide more and more "free services." (They are free to everyone but the taxpayers.) If citizens do not become self-sufficient once again, America will surely fail.
The Problem
It is the responsibility of our elected administers and representatives to inform citizens that they have an obligation to become and remain self-reliant. Yet, Congress has done everything it can to teach citizens to become dependent on society.
Today, society provides free medical care to people even if they purchase a new car, eat out rather than cook at home, buy the latest cell phone with extra minutes, and order cable TV with the premium channels. We give food stamps to people that spend money on alcohol and cigarettes, concert tickets, big-screen televisions, new furniture, name brand attire, gold jewelry, and fancy footwear.
According to Gravity Theory, we must expect citizens to act irresponsibly if the can do so without consequence. We cannot expect people to pay for their own food, housing, and healthcare when they can get those things for free from government. Why would they pay their bills when they can enjoy luxuries with that money instead?
Rather than teach our children to be self-reliant (as were our great grandparents), we send them to school with their hand out looking for free breakfast and then lunch. If we continue to train our children at 6 years old to be dependent on society and government, what can we expect from them when they become 16 and 26?
The Solution
The notion that it is unpatriotic to be dependent on government must be incorporated into the high school curriculum. If we do, within 10 years, every American will be prepared to participate rather than look for a free ride. The book A More Perfect Union was written to help accomplish this important goal — essential if we are to fortify and preserve America.
Conclusion
Only a small percentage of citizens serve in the military. However, each of us has a duty to defend America in our special way. One of the most important things we can do to fortify and preserve our nation is to become self-reliant.
We must all pitch in and do our small though essential part if America is to survive and flourish. Our part might be just to set a good example for others to follow. Maybe our role is to pay more taxes (than our fair share) from having earned so much more than our neighbors. Maybe our personal contribution over the next few years will be to raise children to become moral, service providing, taxpaying assets of society rather than liabilities to it.
If citizens are to do their part and carry their weight, they will have to learn to "check their feelings" and then "crank the elevator" (as per Humanology® — the science of understanding of human nature).
Regardless of our immediate and future roles (that are likely to change), each of us has a responsibility to do what we can to help make America a stronger and more secure nation. To do what we can begins with minimizing the burden we cast upon society.
The Patriot Party will promote the idea that being self-reliant is a necessary first step if citizens wish to perform as patriotic Americans.
