Indiana

Blessed Are the Poor, For They Shall Have a Hell of a Lot of Nerve

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Although the title of this blog post may not seem very Christian, it’s okay because I am not.  In fact, these days in a tough economy I’m feeling a lot less generous and a lot less giving.

It’s been reported that the city is closing down some local pools in order to make some badly needed repairs.  Instead of being grateful, the people complained.

The story is similar when it comes to Mayor’s Action Center.  A local story infers that people poor neighborhoods don’t get their problems responded to as quick in those in more affluent (translation: citizens who pay more in taxes).

Now while I doubt if city services are doled out based on where you live, however I really don’t see why the paying customers shouldn’t get taken care of first.  I would much rather have a city of tax contributors than tax consumers.   

For example, Just this past weekend I got word of a couple who had to move in with their parents, but still managed to find enough cash to buy a new car and a Nintendo Wii.  And for the record, I was a never a big fan of bailing out banks, auto industries or professional sports teams and the more I hear from the “poor and disenfranchised” not getting their entitlements, my sympathy diminishes by leaps and bounds.

I have no qualms about helping the truly needy, but in light of some people, maybe we really need to redefine who’s in need.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 23, 2009 (boomark / email).