Does our Government Owe Us for Being Americans?

Of all of our readings, this week's were the most depressing. Declining wages, unemployment, underemployment all appear to significantly affect the depth of political representation and access to crucial resources. While this does not surprise me - I think we have all figured this out by now - it does have serious implications for American democracy. I have long believed that access to resources (such as education, home loans, etc.) is something that should be earned. Never a fan of handouts, I've often wondered why it should be the responsibility of the government to fix the economic disparities prevalent in America. However, I now find that my conservative assumptions are not a one-size-fits all approach to governance. Our government has increasingly become incapable, perhaps unwilling, to take care of those most in need, including those who've exhausted themselves attempting to achieve success. The inability of hard-working folks to improve their circumstances despite their tireless efforts should spark the government and the citizenry into action. When college graduates cannot find employment, when career workers are being laid-off, when families can't pay the mortgage, or take care of their dependent children, the government does have a responsibility to step in. When those who follow all the rules and work for years to achieve the American dream are still capable of drowning, something is not right. And to make it worse, the "Haves-turned-have-nots" are also in danger of losing, according to Bartels, political participation. It may be too easy to look at our poorer citizens and say "better them than me", but what happens when "me" becomes "them"?

But we still cannot blame the government entirely. A new generation of entitled Americans who believe they deserve it all would probably disgust most of our WWII generation grandparents, who were willing to give up everything when called upon by their government. We have become a culture of expectations. We are changing our identity and our beliefs. Indeed we are a nature of consumers content with our attempts and desires to keep up with the Jones'. Does the government have a responsibility to ensure our necessities only, or should they also provide for our frivolities as well? Is a roof over our heads, food on our tables, and clothes on our backs enough? Or are we also including in our demands for assistance a flat-screen television, a brand new car, and wages beyond our skill? While we have the right to demand equality, security, and representation from our government, perhaps we also have the responsibility to not spend beyond our means, to expect our children to go to JMU instead of Harvard, to drive a 5 year old care instead of a brand new one...

If we look at citizenship and political participation as something to be earned instead of given to us, when we have exhausted, as some certainly have, all of our own options to make our lives better (this may not mean better-off), then we may begin to demand that our government provide for us, or at a bare minimum, make up the difference.