It really boils down to what are YOU going to do to change the environment you live in?
Per the many examples in previous replies, when people were faced with hardships they had two choices, give up or work towards change. The successful ones opted for change and passed that legacy and values on to their off-spring. In turn, their off-spring carried that mantra forward and the cycle continued on a path forward.
The ones that chose to give up generally fell by the wayside and ended up with either the welfare state (dependent on Government assistance) or rebellious against the system.
Amazing how the choice of one generation can dictate the behavior of subsequent generation(s) isn't it?
The macro challenges discussed here are similar to the micro challenges I have seen in small town Ontario except "Race" has been completely eliminated from the equation. I have seen generations of families dependent on the system to provide for them and in turn they were shunned on by their neighbors, their kids were teased at school, and they were generally regarded as losers and leaches on society. Basically they faced the same challenges as discussed in this thread.
Some of the kids I knew realized what was happening, and similar to what others have expressed here, realized that the only way out of their current situation was to make a conscious decision and make an effort to change who they were and move forward. They did not need a "Group" to encourage them, they did not need the government to create a special program for them, all that was needed was a simple decision to change.
Change will only happen for those who are willing to accept and work for it. It is not going to be handed to you. It never has and never will. It will be difficult and it will be hard.
This is not a Race issue, it is a human behavioral issue. People need to face reality and realize that positive change exists only within themselves.
Excellently summed up!
There's major issues with lazy people expecting handouts and the government giving in. Governments don't have a budget to adhere to, nor does overspending come out of their own wallets, so no politician really cares. Budgets are made to be broken, and even the poorest government in the world don't go broke. They may be poor and in debt, but life still goes on. While a person or business in heavy debt will eventually go broke as it gets to a point the hammer comes down and bankers and lawyers move in to foreclose, governments keep on trucking.
And when governments need cash, all they do is a pass a law and taxes increase.
In the business world, you can't do that as prices between companies, and between store and customer are stated. It's up to either party to accept or decline. And especially for larger sized businesses doing business with each other, it's contracted by paperwork. Someone can't just swoop in and change stuff and force it. If it's not contracted, a party can always decline and go elsewhere.
As for individuals, I think a major part of people's failures comes down to a few things:
1. Some people are born with incapabilities that limit their potential. Mental, physical, permanent sickness etc.... Can't blame someone with this bad luck
2. Some people are able bodied and know what's going on in the world, but are just dumb and lazy. It doesn't matter if it's present day or 1,000 years ago when people had to grow their own food make their own clothes. Some people just don't give a shit, live like slobs and live hand to mouth, and as much handouts as possible to get by
3. The government giving handouts to #2. I guess the government has to make everyone happy, or they just don't have a great way of giving to #1, while avoiding giving to #2. But at the end of the day #2 still get social assistance, which is from the backs of people getting up and going to work and paying taxes.
4. People with no control. Too many kids, spending habits through the roof. Let's face it, Western countries aren't cheap to live in. You need a reasonable amount of income to support a decent lifestyle. And if you have kids, you need even more money. If you can afford it all, more credit to you. If you can't and need people to pay it for you, get lost. You can't use contraceptives, or keep your money in check (gov subsidies and bankruptcy laws), why should I pay for it?
5. Lack of guidance for students. Teachers will argue it's not their job, but I disagree. If a school wants to teach about stuff like there's 3 kinds of clouds in the sky (which 0.001% of students will ever care about), then surely you can teach students responsibilities when it comes to career, budgeting and work ethic (which applies to everyone). And then add in consequences of being a drop out living off handouts, and there should be students who take notice. You got to have balls and teach this stuff and not be afraid to. It also doesn't do service to allow students to go top the next grade if they are idiots. I'm no teacher myself, but I heard for the past 10+ years a teacher can't fail a student.... is that right? So Mike the Moron who skips class and gets Ds and Fs can still go to the next grade? What kind of lesson in learning or effort is that?
The argument is that you have to help out #2 to make society better, and the everyone will be happier. Says who? If I had more money in my pocket, I'd surely be happier spending more on me, buying friends and family stuff, or helping people I personally know with some $$$..... like when I gave a dying friend $$$ to help pay bills (RIP). Selfishly speaking, what do I care about someone on the other side of town who made poor choices in life and wasted their early years. Why should taxpayers reward them with $$$.
If you do the math, for every $1 of income you get, you should lose at least 40% of it to various taxes (50%+ if you make a lot).... income tax and deductibles, property tax, HST, all those nickel and dime license plate/passport/driver's license fees.
