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Where’s the Accountability?

By Staff | Mar 18, 2009

Dear Editor,

I am a political conservative; anyone who knows me knows this. My experiences over just the past few years have brought me to the conclusion that a major part of the deterioration of this country is the fact that we are not, as a society or as individual families, teaching our children to be responsible and productive citizens.

I see parents every day that allow their children of all ages to run them, parents that state “I can’t get my child to take their medicine” to “It is easier to give in to their demands than to stand my ground.” Where did the ideology change in this country? When did this become the norm?

I am entitled to social welfare programs even though I have not contributed to them. How is it possible that citizens that have NEVER worked or paid taxes are able collect monies that they have not earned?

We as American citizens hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

It states nowhere in the Declaration of Independence that we are entitled to other citizens’ hard-earned money. We as a nation need to wake up and start demanding that our fellow citizens live up to their potential.

How is it possible that citizens can stay home and collect federal and state dollars because they are recovering addicts, or have psychological disorders?

I see people everyday that are second and third generation social program recipients. It saddens me terribly to think that due to these programs and the fundamental break down in family morals and values that we have, as a society, allowed the next Einstein or Fleming, or Curie to not develop.

These programs have stifled innovation and encouraged individuals to be content with mediocrity. Government is not the answer, we as American citizens are the answer.

We need to start holding one another accountable; we need to start demanding that every one of us live up to our potential. We need to stop allowing others to make excuses for why they cannot work and contribute to America’s greatness.

This is still the best country in the world. Just the fact that I am allowed to write this letter confirms this. So I would like to call all citizens together, to begin holding your fellow citizens accountable to their actions and encourage one another to be the best citizens we can be.

Let us reclaim our country and start living our lives to the fullest. It makes no difference whether you are Republican, Democrat, or Libertarian, or whether you believe in God, Allah, Buddha or any other deity; we all have the responsibility to contribute to society and our country all our good works.

Shelley Anne Nelson

South Williamsport