I realize much of my writings of late has to do with governor-elect Bobby Jindal. This is not one of them -- although something he said got me thinking.
I was reading the transcript of Jindal's interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace Sunday.
During the interview, Jindal spoke of making things in New Orleans better than they were before Hurricane Katrina hit. "Don't rebuild the failing schools..." Jindal said.
Like many Americans, I saw residents of New Orleans walking down an interstate highway, pleading for help. I saw the thousands gathered at the Superdome, with no idea what to do. My heart broke. This is not the America I wanted to see, nor was it what I believed us to be.
I saw people so dependent on government they didn't know how to act when government was no longer in a position to take care of them. Tragedy struck and they were helpless.
For a time I thought this was limited to a small, poverty-stricken section of The Crescent City. I was wrong.
Recently, I have learned this dependence on government is an epidemic. I have watched first-hand as people were so concerned about their government check, they accused friends of "intercepting the mail." This didn't take place in New Orleans, but in my own hometown in northwest Louisiana.
Please understand, this is completely foreign to me. I have no understanding of this kind of life. I was not raised this way and was not exposed to it very often in life. I cannot say I have ever turned to the government for any type of help - unless you count my VA home loan.
Do I consider those who depend on the government as "lazy" or "evil?" Certainly not. My desire would be to help them out of such dependencies.
I'm a "problem solver" by nature. I like to analyze a situation and come up with a workable solution (or solutions.) In my analysis, there are some large questions:
1) How do you reverse a culture of dependency that spans generations? Cultural change is slow. America (and Americans) did not get to this point overnight.
2) Is "survival of the fittest" an option? This works to some extent in the animal kingdom, but we set ourselves apart by how we care for the weak -- as we should. Every human being has a right to live and to have a purpose on this earth. God did not create any "expendable" people.
3) How you actually help the dependent become more independent? Money obviously isn't the answer. Training only goes so far. Perhaps one key is to answer question #1.
4) How do you address the needs of the disabled? the single parent? the special needs person?
I am a firm believer that we have an obligation to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. I am also a proponent of the saying, "Give someone a fish, feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish, feed them for a lifetime."
We have to do two basic things (in my opinion):
1) Somehow inspire those in the culture of dependency to want to "learn to fish." Show them the American Dream is alive and well. Show them how they can come out of this culture and live like no one else - free from the shackles of dependency.
2) Provide the opportunity to learn. God has given each person special gifts and talents. We should identify those in people and provide them the opportunity to turn their gifts and talents into a livelihood.
We cannot force someone to leave this culture. But hopefully, over time, more and more will see the American Dream become a reality. The Bible says, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;" - Rev 12-11a. Perhaps we can overcome this culture of dependency through the same methods - as some get hold of this, their testimony would inspire others.
I don't have all the answers - no one does. But I hate to see how dependent we have become on the things and governments of this world. Perhaps we can truly have a "fresh start" in Louisiana. Perhaps the word of our testimony can help others overcome.
If you didn't see Jindal's interview, click here for the transcript. It's a pretty good read.
May the Blog Be With You.
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