To mark Autism Awareness Day a private group paid to have the Mackinac Bridge lit up blue at night. Meanwhile the Lieutenant Governor announced several new autism programs to start taking effect.
It wasn't long before the first comment came in--and it was negative. "Who is going to pay for all these programs? Oh, that's right, the taxpayers!" It didn't matter that this program might help some people live productive lives, all he or she cared about was his or her resentment at being forced to pay for it.
Make no mistake, the resentment is out there and it is growing. Does the phrase "useless eaters" come to mind? How about "the world is overpopulated"? Am I alone in thinking that something very ugly is starting to stir?
Recently there was an apartment fire where a young mother lost three of her four very young children. Now I am going to say something very racist and I hope you forgive me for it. But bear with me and see where I am going with this.
This young woman had four children by four different fathers, none of whom were involved with their children. At the time of the fire she was on boyfriend number five. And while I didn't see anyone say it in the numerous comments that accompanied the articles about the fire and its aftermath, the fact is if she does go to prison as is likely, well--she won't be popping any more out for us taxpayers to take care of for awhile. Yes, I know, that is a mean-spirited statement. But that is how a lot of people are thinking privately in their minds. The three dead won't be a burden either.
The children died because they were alone in the apartment while mother was out visiting a friend. This was not the first time she'd left them alone. Child Protective Services had been called sometime back because the apartment manager found the one-year-old alone. Apparently they did not feel that the situation called for removing the children at that time.
Now some of the people at my new church know this family and they are quick to say that we should not judge. But I say we should judge. I have heard that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, the village that was the apartment complex failed those children horribly. The boyfriend was outside at the time. Mamma was off somewhere. People knew this. They knew the children had been left alone. This was a village that was OK with little children under the age of 5 being left alone. Until fire broke out and the children were unable to get out. Now everyone is crying and grieving.
This is what Mitt Romney was referring to when he was talking about the 47% of Americans who pay no taxes and feel entitled. Someone who makes the choice to have baby after baby when neither she nor the fathers can support them. How long would it have been before baby number 5 was on its way? Number 6? Well, it may be her body and her choice but it's our wallets. All of a sudden these private decisions aren't so private after all, are they?
Is this young woman aware of the undercurrent of resentment towards her lifestyle? Probably not. But the day may be coming when people like her may not be as free to make the choices they are making now. It may even come when choices like that could cost her and her children their lives.
"Useless eaters." "Too many people." "Useless eaters." "Too many people." "There ought to be a hunting season on black people like there is on deer (yes, I actually heard a white coworker say that 30 years ago)." "Too many people." "Useless eaters." "Our country is overcrowded--we need more room." "All those people who think they are entitled." "Who will pay for it--taxpayers?" "Useless eaters." "Too many people." "The world is overpopulated. The world is overpopulated. The world is overpopulated . . ."
How long will it be before people start reassessing Hitler and his Final Solution and decide that he was right?
It wasn't long before the first comment came in--and it was negative. "Who is going to pay for all these programs? Oh, that's right, the taxpayers!" It didn't matter that this program might help some people live productive lives, all he or she cared about was his or her resentment at being forced to pay for it.
Make no mistake, the resentment is out there and it is growing. Does the phrase "useless eaters" come to mind? How about "the world is overpopulated"? Am I alone in thinking that something very ugly is starting to stir?
Recently there was an apartment fire where a young mother lost three of her four very young children. Now I am going to say something very racist and I hope you forgive me for it. But bear with me and see where I am going with this.
This young woman had four children by four different fathers, none of whom were involved with their children. At the time of the fire she was on boyfriend number five. And while I didn't see anyone say it in the numerous comments that accompanied the articles about the fire and its aftermath, the fact is if she does go to prison as is likely, well--she won't be popping any more out for us taxpayers to take care of for awhile. Yes, I know, that is a mean-spirited statement. But that is how a lot of people are thinking privately in their minds. The three dead won't be a burden either.
The children died because they were alone in the apartment while mother was out visiting a friend. This was not the first time she'd left them alone. Child Protective Services had been called sometime back because the apartment manager found the one-year-old alone. Apparently they did not feel that the situation called for removing the children at that time.
Now some of the people at my new church know this family and they are quick to say that we should not judge. But I say we should judge. I have heard that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, the village that was the apartment complex failed those children horribly. The boyfriend was outside at the time. Mamma was off somewhere. People knew this. They knew the children had been left alone. This was a village that was OK with little children under the age of 5 being left alone. Until fire broke out and the children were unable to get out. Now everyone is crying and grieving.
This is what Mitt Romney was referring to when he was talking about the 47% of Americans who pay no taxes and feel entitled. Someone who makes the choice to have baby after baby when neither she nor the fathers can support them. How long would it have been before baby number 5 was on its way? Number 6? Well, it may be her body and her choice but it's our wallets. All of a sudden these private decisions aren't so private after all, are they?
Is this young woman aware of the undercurrent of resentment towards her lifestyle? Probably not. But the day may be coming when people like her may not be as free to make the choices they are making now. It may even come when choices like that could cost her and her children their lives.
"Useless eaters." "Too many people." "Useless eaters." "Too many people." "There ought to be a hunting season on black people like there is on deer (yes, I actually heard a white coworker say that 30 years ago)." "Too many people." "Useless eaters." "Our country is overcrowded--we need more room." "All those people who think they are entitled." "Who will pay for it--taxpayers?" "Useless eaters." "Too many people." "The world is overpopulated. The world is overpopulated. The world is overpopulated . . ."
How long will it be before people start reassessing Hitler and his Final Solution and decide that he was right?
