I often hear folks talking about people cheating the system, and admittedly I am one of them (not the cheaters, the talkers). I was raised to think that we all have something to offer, that everyone must do something for the betterment of society. Some of us are smarter, more talented or disciplined than others, and thus, are likely to have more to contribute. But everyone must contribute. Part of this philosophy includes the notion that everyone is “entitled” to live a life that includes sufficient food and shelter. We have the ability to do this for all our citizens regardless of their earning ability.
However, this is based on their willingness to do their share. Nearly everyone is capable of contributing. Having a terrible childhood simply is not an acceptable reason for collecting a government check each month and sitting on the sidewalk smoking and drinking instead of making a living, a financial contribution to society.
My neighbor, a Vietnam veteran who has been suffering terribly from Agent Orange poisoning since the end of the war, who has been in and out of hospitals and too sick to hold down a job, has even managed to do his part by sweeping the streets, voluntarily on days when he is able to get out of bed.
One of my oldest and dearest friends was brutalized horrifically by his father throughout his childhood and still manages to hold down a job and do his part for society. I have known dozens of people with similar stories of woe who have accepted their responsibilities as citizens to do their financial part by holding down a job and paying taxes. I’m not suggesting we don’t provide help when it’s needed but it has to truly be needed and everyone must work.
There are also those who are well off, who have plenty of money, sometimes even wealthy ”“ and they cheat the system. I find this the most egregious. I’ve seen this many times as well. They use loopholes instead of government checks.
The larger issue for me is this: We must all work together to rebuild our great society. Our culture has changed from one where we all took pride in working hard and never taking anything for nothing, to many of us cheating wherever we can, to get what we can regardless of whether we are morally entitled to it.
I’ve heard too many people brag of how they cheated on their income or excise taxes, of how they beat the system as if the system was the bad guy. The system is what we support to manage our complex society and if we don’t all participate in supporting it, it works far less well. I have taught my daughter that regardless of what other people do, in our family we don’t take what isn’t ours and if we didn’t work for it or if it wasn’t a gift from a family member or friend, it isn’t ours. I’m proud to say that at 11 years old she has a strong sense of right and wrong.
I know that writing this column won’t change much. But perhaps, those of you reading it can stand up for what is right the next time you see cheating or hearing someone bragging about it and say “no!” That is not ok. That is messed up and one of the things we must change in our country if we are to get on the path of greatness again. So that is my rant for this week.
As always, I welcome your thoughts. Write a letter to the editor in response.
Thanks for reading and stay as warm as you can!
— Bruce M. Hardina is the publisher of the Journal Tribune, a singer-songwriter, a philosopher, a student of life and the human experience, a columnist, an entrepreneur and a family man. To comment on his musings, email bhardina@journaltribune.com or mail a note to Journal Tribune, Attn: Bruce Hardina, 457 Alfred St., Biddeford, ME 04005.
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