Who said you deserve free ice cream?

Life, Liberty and Freedom are not really free

Published on September 4, 2004 By lifehappens In Politics

Every member of my family for the last 3 generations has served in the military. Why? Not because of the great pay, but because we have patriotism and a longstanding belief that you get what you pay for....

See the article on Free Ice Cream by Draginol -it has NOTHING to do with my post except for the following quote that made me think....

He made a really great point...."I've learned something interesting: if you give away ice cream, eventually a lot of people will complain about the flavors, and others will complain that you aren't also giving away syrup and whipped cream and nuts. "
"The bottom line is that if you didn't pay for the product, good, or service that you're using you need to be conscious of that. Don't delude yourself into thinking you're some sort of customer entitled to anything. Any request you make is asking for a favor. No matter what that request is, no matter how reasonable or justified you believe that request to be, you are asking for a favor.
In other words, don't complain about the free ice cream."

How does this compare to serving in the military? Simple, it's the same as voting, serving on a jury, or participating in any community or public function. You get what you pay for.

You want a stronger, safer country? Then put your life on the line and work for it. Even if you never do anything but push papers, you are supporting and sustaining your military, that defends YOUR homeland.

You want different policies implemented in your school system? You don't like the "No Child Left Behind" policy? (I don't) Then get up, off your chair where you complain about the system and DO something. Learn about the issues and find a better plan. Support those who intend on implementing said plan. Or take a leadership position and take charge....

You hate Bush? You want someone different in office? Then VOTE!

Do you really think that you deserve everything that you are given JUST because you live in the USA? Think about all the things that make our country great. The sole fact you were born here does not give you the right to bitch and moan about taxes, leaders, military decisions, education, laws or anything. Once again.....The bottom line is that if you didn't pay for the product, good, or service that you're using you need to be conscious of that. Don't delude yourself into thinking you're entitled to anything." What have YOU done to earn the right to complain? First Amendment? That's another gimme. You didn't do anything for that, so don't assume it is a right. In many countries, there is no right of free speech. You just happen to be luckier to be in the right place at the right time.

My point?

First, If you want to enjoy the privilege of living here, then maybe you should think about serving your country before you start complaining. You can serve in many ways, not just the military or public office. Do something. If you are unable or unwilling to do anything else, educate yourself on issues, pick a side and VOTE. That is a right that many don't have. If you can't even do that, why complain?

Second, don't just bash the system or policies. “Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.” Robert Frost (1874-1963) Learn about the policies and present an alternative instead of demanding change without an new course of action. For example, if we pull out of Iraq today, RIGHT NOW, like some people demand, what will the ultimate result be? Instability and chaos in the region. The situation will be worse than before. Deal with the cards we have been dealt and find a SOLUTION. Don't pick a fight and demand change without a plan of action.

If you think I'm wrong, I'd love to hear why you think you automatically DESERVE anything in this life.

Comments

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 04, 2004

This is a good post overall. I would like to point out as to the statement about the military, you need to be careful not to judge why someone doesn't/didn't serve. I tried when I left high school, but was DQ'ed. Now, at 34, I'm basically too old, and my knees would never pass.

As to the statements about voting for someone who represents your views, for some people it's harder than others. The agendas of the Democratic and Republican parties are frighteningly similar once you boil down all the BS (as evidenced by the fact that, in 2002, 90% of the House seats went virtually or completely unopposed, meaning the opposing party deemed their representation "good enough"). For many of us, our views are not represented by the two major parties, and the parties we do believe in do not get fairly represented by the national news media. Fact is, the vast majority of Americans don't know who the Green and Libertarian party candidates are (sadly enough, many of them think the Green Party candidate is Ralph Nader).

The solution to this is basically as you said, and getting the word out. But it's a fair bet that my candidate doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell in this election, so we have to build for the next one.

As I said before, though, good post.

ShoZan

on Sep 04, 2004

I second it, as a good post.

sadly enough, many of them think the Green Party candidate is Ralph Nader).

Yeah I was laughing my arse off the day they announced that the Green Party chosen somebody else, and Ralph Nader was furious (probably a case of "It's my party and I will run if I want to, just like Perot").

Good article, and I served 2 years 3 months in the United States Army on Active Duty, but was discharged for a back injury I sustained while in service, and if I had to do it again I would have still entered the Military. As long as you vote, and remember to support the Military soldiers, never who's in charge at top (but you can if you want it's your choice as an American) but the soldiers themselves, because they don't make the decisions they just enforce them. I am looking at a V.A. Disability for my back injury, and I feel I don't deserve it because that's just me, I have been quoted by my friends, and family as being "sensitive", and I don't feel like a deserve anything unless I earned it with my own two hands and the grey matter inbetween my ears.

SSG Geezer

on Sep 04, 2004

Thanks for the Viewpoint Life.
I think we are fairly similar in our views on this subject.

lifehappens

on Sep 04, 2004

Thanks for the feedback.

I would like to point out as to the statement about the military, you need to be careful not to judge why someone doesn't/didn't serve

GM: Just to make sure there is no confusion....."You can serve in many ways, not just the military or public office." I applaud those who serve in the military (I did) but I certainly don't feel that it is the ONLY way....service is service. Hell, if the only thing you can do for your community and country is make sure there are no broken bottles on the playground, then you should do it.

On the subject of voting, sometimes choosing the lesser of two evils is the only option. It's a shame that we have such a limited pool of people to represent our nation. I certainly don't feel that Bush is correct in all his decisions, but there is no other alternative that I can support with a clear consience.

Gideon MacLeish

on Sep 04, 2004

On the subject of voting, sometimes choosing the lesser of two evils is the only option. It's a shame that we have such a limited pool of people to represent our nation.

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this. I personally feel like I'm being asked to choose between moose shit and elk shit.

lifehappens

on Sep 04, 2004

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this. I personally feel like I'm being asked to choose between moose shit and elk shit.

Gosh, I think I have felt the same way at times. Not quite this bad here and now, but I understand how you feel.

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