Hey Joel,

Great post and I agree with everything you said 100%. I think the message is lost on a lot of people in America today.

I guess my original post was more of a culmination of responses to a myriad of posts I have read on the DG boards and probably even to the publicized debates between our candidates. Rhetoric is rhetoric for a reason I guess. I guess I wish our politicians were more in touch with the average hard working American.

I personally feel that a lot of people forget who the average American is. I guess where I differ from you is that I think it is ok if the government helps out some people who need it. Sometimes an unemployment check is necessary when you are laid off unexpectedly. Also, if you're a woman who is working two jobs, supporting two kids and attempting to make ends meet, you are entitled to a little help, whether with food or money to help her kids go to college. I think she is deserving of that.

I don't believe that someone who takes advantage of the system should be entitled to unlimited hand outs. If you are mom with two kids who sits home all day on your @#%$ and depends on Welfare to buy yourself a a Coach bag, new pair of Nikes, etc...I know many homes who would love to have more children, and I don't have any problem with seeing some people lose their children if they can't take care of them. If you can't take care of your kids- stop having them. Or- if you're a man who uses his unemployment for booze and drugs and doesn't actively seek a job- you can live in a box for a while and find out what no responsibility means and a care free life is really like. Of course, there are many, many more scenarios where people take advantage of the system. Too many scenarios.

Overall, I think your post was excellent on the Practicality and Common Sense rubric. :eek

Thanks.