Eric Hoffer Quote

Who is the arbiter of what you call "appropriate"?  What about just plain right and wrong, good and evil?  Is there evil in the world, and should we not do what is truly right? Yes.  Has making rules stopped the criminals from ignoring them? No. How is appropriating the fruits of someone else's labors and industry in any way 'taking responsibility'?

Freedom absolutely requires responsibility.  When people do not take responsibility and insist that others provide for them because it is 'just,' 'equitable,' and 'fair,' they corrupt not only themselves but the law of nature: as you sow, so shall you reap.  Victim consciousness and the blame game (which you are quite adept at, Fred) are mere excuses for theft and slavery.

How can we do better?  Great question!  My take is how to empower people to take responsibility rather than place their burdens on others or the state?  Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day, teach him to fish, and he can feed himself forever.  Socialism treats people as powerless, and individuals who are not are a threat and must be brought to heel so that wiser council members (who produce nothing) can regulate them.

Take a long penetrating look at the history of the Soviet Union, communist China & Cuba, the socialist dictators in Central and South America — the common people are reduced to poverty, their countries loaded with unpayable debts until barrels full of currency can't buy a loaf of bread.  It is not due to the common people but due to their leadership, all of whom spout the same rhetoric you do, Fred.  Crap may be plentiful but it is not nourishing.