Stop Your Sniveling

One of the best things about being an adult is the ability to have a rational and intelligent conversation with ones parent and actually feeling like they respect your opinion, even if they don't agree.

I had an opportunity to talk to my dad on the phone the other day and as is usual with our conversations, it veered in a political direction. We were talking about the economy, the cash-for-clunkers program, unemployment, and healthcare. During the course of the discussion dad inquired about college and I told him about the problems I am having finding funding to go to school. With the U of A increase in tuition, the hike in program fees, the hike in parking permits, and the ungodly amount they want for books, I wasn't (and am still not) certain how to pay for all of it. I started to whine and complain about how everybody else is getting a hand out but our president and congress can't figure out a way to increase available money for education. (I would like to add here that I am not looking for free money, but any money that I can repay!)

At that very moment the following things went through my mind:

1. You should be disgusted with yourself for crying like a baby when your dad is on the brink of losing his job.

2. The government doesn't owe you anything. Their only purpose in your life is to provide and ensure safety services (like fire/police/disaster relief) and protection by the military. The fact that they have pushed themselves into every other facet of your life doesn't mean they owe you those things.

I realized at that moment that I was no better than those individuals who collect welfare and other public services, not because they have to, but because they feel like it is owed to them. I have decided that I will get through school, I will persevere, I will graduate, and I will be happy despite the obstacles that are put in my way and with as little government assistance as possible. I will prosper not because "I got what was owed to me" but because I earned it.