Want to know what really gets under my skin — shiftless people who blame others for their current predicaments.
I’m sure you all know someone who is the epitome of a slothful human being. You know, the “woe is me” type of person who thinks the world is against them. The type of person who puts more energy into talking about others and complaining about “the man,” than they do looking for a job — and when they do look for a job, it’s only because the court has made them do so. This lazy individual is the type of person who thinks they know it all, when in actuality; they know absolutely nothing except how to perfect the role of an indolent.
Sadly, being an ineffective person seems to be the trend these days, as the numbers of dead-beat parents, drug-addicted people and criminals increase. What’s even more disappointing, however, is that these specific types of people seem to have more chances than hardworking, goal-oriented people who epitomize strength and tenacity.
More than once I’ve had conversations with people who felt that putting forth minimal efforts will get you maximum results from the government.
“I feel like I’m getting punished for working hard,” said one friend frustrated with the large amount of taxes being taken out of his check bi-weekly.
“Providing for my family is hard, but although I don’t make enough money to cover all our bills, the government says I make too much for certain types of assistance,” said a 33-year-old single mother of two.
What these two people have said is not uncommon nor is it untrue.
There are men and women who are physically and mentally capable of working, yet they don’t because they’re lazy and simply won’t work. There are people who have committed major felony crimes, gone to jail for a brief stint, released, then rearrested for a more heinous crime than the first. I can’t count the number of deadbeat fathers (and mothers) I know who don’t do a thing for their child, but are the first to brag when that child excels in a particular area.
The actions, or the lack thereof of the ineffective is highly unacceptable and action needs to be taken.
While jail is certainly an option, in order to enforce appropriate disciplinary action, certain things from the penal system need to be modified or strictly prohibited. One such example is cable television. There is absolutely no reason why inmates should have access to videos and movie channels. There are free, law-abiding people who can’t afford cable television, yet it’s being provided to incarcerated criminals free of charge!
There are people in prison with life sentences and no possibility of parole, yet they receive a free college education if they desire. I have friends who’ve never been imprisoned, yet they struggle to secure funding for college. The scales are completely unbalanced.
How does an inmate suffer the consequences of his/her actions if they have many of the same amenities in prison as they did on the outside? Where is the “punishment” aspect of being locked up? If it’s simply a place to house criminals at one specific location but provide them with access to nearly everything they had on the outside, then we’ve severely missed the bus. While some of the Recorder’s loyal inmate readers may not appreciate my comments, if they consider what I’m saying realistically, it would be hard for them to deny that my words are the truth.
While I feel very strongly about certain luxuries being prohibited for inmates, I don’t advocate for any mistreatment of offenders — be it physical or mental.
I’m not sure about you, but I’m tired of shiftless people who are continuously bringing down our community. Perhaps if jails try to be more like correctional facilities rather than hotels, incarceration for certain people would be an option. The most logical answer to the lazy, “woe is me type” if for that particular individual to own up to his/her mistakes and lifestyle by simply taking accountability.
Change starts from within and starts with each of us as individuals. While we all have the power to change, unfortunately, we all don’t have the desire.
