Is personal accountability a thing of the past here in America?

Question

If you consider Y!A a decent sample of America (thank God I don't believe it is) then you would have to agree that most people hold no accountability for themselves... just look at some of the questions they post...


and for the record, because I know many of you know I am a liberal democrat.. and it's bound to come up, I believe social programs should be overhauled to include more accountability than they currently do.. just because I want to help people doesn't mean I think we should waste money in the process.

Answer 1

I agree that there are programs that need to be overhauled. I think that is and should be an ongoing thing. I do not think we should just "dump" all of our social programs as a number of Conservative/Republicans do. I think that is one of the things that sets us apart from other countries and one of the things that makes us the best country on the planet. It is our ability and efforts to help those in need that makes us special.

what we need is more government accountability. We don't need more taxes. We can have all the social programs we want on current or less taxes. We need a better system of auditing of how and where are taxes are being spent. We don't need a military budget that is nearly as much as all of the other countries in world.

has anyone ever looked at their cell phone and cable t.v. bills. There is enough taxes in those two items to run many countries. We desperately need government accountability.

Answer 2

Do you mean personal responsibility or fiscal responsibility of the government? Your second pseudo-paragraph obfuscates the question.

If you mean personal responsibility then absolutely I agree with you. The biggest problem with most people today is that they blame external forces for all problems. I constantly hear, the cigarette companies are to blame for my health problems, and my weight problem is the fault of McDonald's. When in actuality, no, it is your fault you contracted COPD or lung cancer or are obese.

While I do believe the tobacco industry should be punished for manipulating statistical data and altering the chemical components of cigarettes to keep people smoking, ultimately the decision to smoke is yours just as the decision to eat a Big Mac is also yours to make.

Nearly everything in life is changeable. Blaming others for personal mistakes is just an excuse to not take responsibly for choices made, and takes the focus away from negative aspects of life that truly are immutable.

Fiscal responsibly in government would require a fundamental change in the entire governmental structure. Both the Republican and Democrats waste tax payers' money rewarding supporters and getting re-elected. Pork barrel spending was attached to bills passed during the Republican Congress just as it is happening now with the Democrats in control.

Could some one please tell me what subsidizes for spinach farmers has to with the resolution to withdrew the troops from Iraq?

The administration of government sponsored social programs in no different. Liberals crucify Halliburton for being a war profiteer; however, they never ask the questions, who was given the contract to build the new Department of Health and Human Services buildings? Or who holds the lease for the Social Security Administration's newly rented office space? Were these given to the lowest cost bidder or were these given as payment for "services" rendered. Unfortunately, government is what it is and bureaucracy, overhead and waste are inherent in any task it performs. Without changing government on the atomic level, eradicating waste and created responsibly is impossible.

Answer 3

Here, Here! I feel the same way. We should be helping those that need help. I don't mind my tax dollars helping those who are being oppressed by those who have money, or better looks, or may be even smarter or better educated. It is called apathy which they lack. We are living in a day and time when people no longer have feelings for human kind.

There are a lot of things that need overhauling and one of them is this political system and taking our tax dollars out of their pockets and start putting it where it really belongs. Start at the top and work down.

Answer 4

We have become a fat and lazy nation. Public education contributes and poor parenting contributes (and I am not saying everyone is doing a bad job). Thinking government will bail me out if I screw up contributes as well.

So I would have to say yes is the answer to your question. Can this be changed? Yes again but it will take making changes and time.

Answer 5

pip,

I don't usually agree with liberal Democrats, but I have to give it to you. This is an excellent question.

I am a conservative, but I don't mind helping people out who sincerely need it. HOWEVER, people who have kids out of wedlock with no way of taking care of them should not receive government assistance. People do need to be held accountable for their actions.

There is too much government, not enough individuality.

Answer 6

It is all part of the dumbing of America. Things will turn around when we hit bottom in about 75 years.

Answer 7

Since FDR the commies have tried to do away with Personal Responsibility, it does not jibe with their desire to ruin our economy, our constitution and take our freedom and money.

There is one way, and I believe only one way to correct the ills of a sick, sick congress and that is TERM LIMITS. If they cannot stay there for life, they cannot screw us over for life.

Answer 8

That is THE key point of the Libertarian Party

Answer 9

so long as your side has power, personal accountability is a thing of the past. sorry