America was Built on Independence not Dependence

On July 4, 1776, our founders signed the Declaration of Independence. They had enough of the tyrannical policies of the British Crown and wanted to separate from it. They were tired of dependence on the Crown and instead wanted to be independent. However, this spirit of independence is being replaced by a spirit of dependence for many in our nation.

It all began with Roosevelt’s New Deal. The country was experiencing a great depression. Roosevelt’s new deal promised to give people a hand up to assist them until the economy recovered. However, like many well-intentioned government programs, they expanded and more and more individuals have come to depend on these programs. Instead of saving for their retirement, many depend on Social Security and Medicare to take care of them. This is the main reason both of these programs are broke and cannot be sustained in their present state.

The elderly are not the only ones who are dependent. Instead of helping the poor work out of their poverty, our government continues to give them more money. Without any incentive to better themselves, these individuals become entrenched in poverty.

Even corporations have come to depend on government grants and small business loans to survive. In addition, our higher education system is primarily funded through government grants and student loans from the government.

Whenever an individual or corporation accepts government money, there are usually strings attached. Through Social Security and Medicare, the government can dictate the quality of life someone will enjoy in their retirement years. The poor who have been entrenched in poverty for several generations no longer believe they can work their way out of poverty. Corporations receiving government largesse open the door for the government to regulate their business. Institutions of higher learning that depend on grant money and student loans must be accredited by the government. This accreditation process allows the government to control the school’s curriculum.

It is time to begin dismantling the dependent class and create a new independent class. Welfare payments and refundable tax credits need a limit on how many years an individual can take them. This will create an incentive for these individuals to better them selves and become independent of government handouts before they run out.

We need a less intrusive government so that jobs and opportunities can be created for these individuals coming off welfare programs. This will also create a business friendly atmosphere for businesses to profit without government handouts.

Our education system also needs to teach people how to think instead of teaching them what to think. Independent thought encourages innovation. Innovation is what has made this country great since its inception.

The American Dream is asleep for many today. It is time for it to awaken. When it does, we will see this nation become the land of opportunity it once was. Most of us are descendents of immigrants who came to this nation with dreams of a better life. That dream is still alive and available for any one of us who wants to put in the effort to pursue it.