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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: michael97123 who wrote (17566)	11/24/2003 2:42:00 PM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793835

We just want a fair shake for our kids. And they are not getting it. Mike, tell me what you want done and by whom so they will have a fair shake. I have already conceded the generational income redistribution inherent in Social Security and Medicare. I don't think that's fair, either. I offered that up because I am a systems analyst to my core and it is an unstable system, unworkable long term at its core, not because it is unfair, although I recognize the unfairness. I'm sorry but I think you go too far if you want any more support from the state for your rearing of your grandchildren. Already they entitle their parents to a tax deduction, parents who pay less in taxes even though they use more resources than those without children. I have never griped about paying school taxes although I have never had a kid in school. I didn't get any of the recent tax decreases even though I am partially supporting others' kids. I am not complaining about any of this, merely pointing out that, just as income is being redistributed to seniors from working people, income is also already being redistributed from those without children to those with. That is unfair, too, but I accept it. I have a stake, too, in a healthy and competent next generation. However, I'm not going to accept it so quietly that I won't challenge your assertion about the unfairness of the situation. I am already paying enough for other people's kids. I know you want the best for your kids, just like everyone else. And I know that people have elevated expectations these days. They think they are entitled to have it all. But I'm not buying the "fair shake" business as regards your grandchildren. People either wait until their ready to support kids before starting a family or accept the consequences gracefully, IMO. We all make choices. No one is forcing anyone to live where there is no public transportation. No one is forcing anyone to start a family with college loans still on the books. In fact no one forced anyone to take out college loans. There are other ways to get an education. I could tell you "walked to school in the snow" stories, but I will spare you. I will say that I have always been either responsible or too embarrassed by my lack of responsibility to whine about the consequences. I learned from my father, who didn't own a car until he was in his forties. He was a construction laborer who hitchhiked to work (in NJ) when he could get a ride and who walked sometimes ten miles before and after a hard day of pushing wheelbarrows and mixing cement when he couldn't. I have always chosen to live on public transportation, within walking distance to a grocery and drug store, and even close enough to work that I could hoof it in an emergency. Whoops, I promised to spare you the stories... When people are trapped by their own expectations and their own choices, claims of unfairness grate on me. And when people expect support from the state for their expectations and their choices, it makes my teeth hurt. The world doesn't owe us a living. I whine plenty, and I think lots of things are unfair, but I stop short at thinking my fellow citizens should subsidize my expectations. That said, your kids are lucky that they get help from their parents. They should count their blessings. I'm sorry that I cannot be more sympathetic to your claim of unfairness to young families.