There are many people in the United States that have this belief that society, government or other "owes us." This belief came to fruition in the late 1890s and early 1900s. It was made famous men such as William Jennings Bryant, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Eugene Debs, Franklin Roosevelt as well as others. This belief goes by names such as "soak the rich" and, my favorite. "compassion." What thsi belief really entails is the punishment of achievement and the promotion of class envy. It is the belief of pitting one group against another.
In the 1960s, and now I should say, this belief went a step further. There are minority groups that say, like Al Sharpton did in Atlanta three years ago, that "America owes us." These groups encompass Women, African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, Gays and Lesbians as well as others. By preaching this type of envy, we develop resentments, anger, hostility and some, if not much anarchy.
If American Society owes its citizens anything at all. It is the following:
Liberty: For the people to follow whichever pursuits they wish without interference from government via taxation, oppressive laws or regulations.
Protection of their freedoms: Government must and has to ensure the right of one to live how he or she chooses provided that he or she does not hurt or interfere with the rights of another. It is there to protect lives. Society and government has digressed away from this task and now puts its nose into the business of all individuals.
Equal Protection and Equal Opportunity: All individuals should compete in society and not be given favoritism because of their class, education, race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or other. Government and society has failed in this task tremendously. This must be corrected.
The pitting of groups against groups has been one that has caused hate, consternation as well as many a resentment for so long. For over 100 years, this has been the case. Enough is enough. It is time for this to end and for all to come to the realization that America, society does not "owe us' and that we instead owe ourselves.