Jane always has interesting thoughts.  She is one of my favorite bloggers, and one of my favorite educators.  I am certain that people who attend her classes come out of the experience with a deeper understanding of personal responsibility and doing what’s right, along with the tools they need to continue their education.

Today Jane posted some quotes and thoughts about what can happen in an entitlement society, and the types of people and attitudes entitlements can produce.  I especially liked three of the quotes she found:

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.  –Thomas Jefferson

Once the government becomes the supplier of people’s needs, there is no limit to the needs that will be claimed as a basic right.  –Laurence Auster

(Note:  Auster went to Columbia like Obama, but clearly has a very diffent view of the role of government and the long-range implications of entitlements)

One ungrateful man does an injury to all who stand in need of aid.  –Publius Syrus

Thomas Jefferson clearly saw this coming and tried to warn us against it.  Well before him, Syrus was aware of what can happen when handouts become expected rather than appreciated.

We are now very far down the slippery slope of making living off entitlements a right instead of an appreciated temporary helping hand.

I am still waiting to see what will happen with our current believers in entitlements in total power.  And I am hoping they will temper their entitlements with a requirement of personal responsibility and self-improvement from the recipients.  I know it’s wishful thinking, but I can still hope for the best.  We shall see….

You can see Jane’s full post here.  Stop by and say hi.  She is good people.

Whether you agree with the guy or not, he does have some interesting points.

Go take a look if you have time.  It’s only one page.

Wouldn’t it be nice? To live your life without consequences for the bad choices you make? As our society increasingly becomes centered on Socialist principals (“shared prosperity” is the new tag line for this), we are losing all sense of what it means to experience consequences for what we do.

Don’t feel like studying for the State mandated test? No worries. Either your teachers will step in for your parents and MAKE you study for the test by assigning detentions and summer school for bad results, or in some cases the teachers will actually give you the answers ahead of time to ensure you pass and their merit pay is not decreased.

Decide that pre-marital sex without protection is the way to go? It’s okay. You just made a “bad choice”. We wouldn’t want you to be “punished with a baby”. If you can’t afford it, the State will pay for you to dispose of your unwanted child.

Don’t feel like working? No problem. We’ll pay your rent. We’ll pay for your groceries. We’ll even pay for your beer with a small cash stipend. We’ll also pay for your health care in full. Yours and your kids’ and your grandkids’ health care will be paid for. You….are covered. To live your life in relaxed, paid for certainty.

Don’t want to pay for health insurance even though you can afford it? We have your back. We know things like booze and cigarettes and satellites and new cars every few years are WAY more important in your life. Just go to the emergency room for whatever ails you. The government (using taxpayer money) will pick up the tab.

Don’t want to wait in line to enter the country and begin the citizenship process legally? We understand. Things are rough where you are. We’ll pay for your kids’ educations, all your medical care, and your housing and food if need be. Just go to your nearest sanctuary city. We’ll set you up.

Don’t want to save to buy a house? That’s okay. Just find a lender that’s willing to give you an adjustable rate mortgage for a house you couldn’t afford to make payments on if your life depended on it. Just skip a few payments and eventually the government will step in and clean things up for you. Bad financial decisions are NOT your fault. You were taken advantage of when you refused to actually read what you were signing. We’ll let other taxpayers take on the burden of your bad loan and let you keep your house.

Now…there ARE a few exceptions to the rules our new Socialist society lives under:

1. If you are a Christian, don’t expect to enjoy the same freedoms that other religions have. You are banned from wearing crosses, praying silently during lunch at school, or putting up traditional decorations at your office. Christianity…is bad. All other religions are okay. You might want to convert.

2. If you are a successful, hard-working person and can pay your mortgage on time and can afford to send your kids to college…well, we’ll take care of that as soon as we can. Others must be able to “share in your prosperity”. Start saving now and hiding your money off-shore. The boom is going to fall on all your hard work and long range plans. Your piece of your own pie you baked will become a mere sliver of the prosperity you worked for under our former capitalist society.

Note: Lest you think I am totally without a heart…I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I am not opposed to giving law-abiding, legal citizens a helping hand when the chips are down. Newly divorced single moms that suddenly find themselves below the poverty line should be given aid and additional educational assistance so they can make their own way. But they will have to do the work at school to make this happen so they can get off the dole as soon as possible. Poor kids should be given medical coverage…but their parents should be made to educate themselves and find work in order to qualify for that assistance. People that no-kidding actually have a disability and cannot work should be taken care of…all of their needs, soup to nuts. That should go without saying.

But….people should have to take on some personal responsibility for their prosperity instead of constantly being rewarded for the bad choices they make. At least, that’s what I think.

As a family member gets ready this week for another mission far away, I can’t help but think of all those souls who are deployed to parts known and unknown in defense of our country. The gentle soul I know will miss his daughter’s first Christmas while the majority of us remain at home, safe and happy with our loved ones.

And so, once again I feel compelled to post this poem written by a soldier far, far away one lonely night.

Please read. And remember that peace always comes at a cost to someone.

*******************************************************************************************

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,

And to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,

I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

Not how I pictured a United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I had just read,

Curled up0on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I was visiting this night,

Owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon all around the world the children would play,

And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedoms each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lie alone.

On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice.

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,

My life is my God, my Country, my Corps.”

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,

I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,

And we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave, on that cold, dark night,

This Guardian of Honor, so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, and with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, ‘”Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day. All is secure.”

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,

Merry Christmas my friend, and to all good night.

But also please take a moment to pause and remember why you are free.

On Monday morning there will be many out there regretting how much they drank Sunday night. Given that, I went searching for an up to date article on hangover causes and cures. Here it is.

The severity of a hangover is related to the blood alcohol level you reach, how rapidly you drink, and the amount you drink….

I’ll buy that. Makes perfect sense.

Don’t believe the folklore remedy that drinking more alcohol will cure your hangover.

More alcoholic drinks will only boost the existing toxicity of the alcohol already in one’s body, and may lead to further drinking, according to previous research.

Since most of us have January 1 off, what’s wrong with further drinking if it makes you feel better? Huh? Don’t believe everything you read.

Symptoms of dehydration include headache, cottonmouth, lightheadedness, and thirst.

Methinks they’re contradicting themselves a bit. When I’m really thirsty, nothing tastes better than an icy cold beer. The glass is good for holding against one’s head to relieve the headache as well. Right?

I better start pre-drinking now so I can be sure to be ready for the hair of the dog thing by Monday.

Note: Just kidding. Really, I am. I’ve never been able to drink with massive allergy symptoms. I hope they go away enough for at least one cocktail by Sunday!

Seriously, from me to you…use the every other drink rule. Always works unless you’re intent to binge drink. Every other drink should be water..it will keep you full and less likely to overindulge. In any case, I hope everyone has fun on Sunday! Tommy will be home this year so I’ll have him to kiss at midnight!

Not only the reason for the season. But also those who right now, this very moment, are defending themselves against incoming in the name of freedom. While you go about your lives, digging out of the snow or shopping for your loved ones or looking forward to the holiday, please take a moment to think about those who serve.

I know I will…..

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
And to see just who in this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I’d found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read,
Curled upon a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I was visiting this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon ‘round the world the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedoms each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't’t help wonder how many lie alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
My life is my God, my Country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
And we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

I didn't want to leave, on that cold, dark night,
This Guardian of Honor, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, and with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day.  All is secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, and to all good night.