The economy...the election...there is much to take in this fall of 2008. Hard times, historical moments and uncertainty of what next year will bring. 

When I look at history and what made the US a great country, I see people who risked everything. They fought and died for freedom including  freedom of religious expression and freedom to rise above circumstances and with hard work and ingenuity succeed and prosper. 

The idea that government is responsible for taking care of people doesn't seem to fit with the principles this country was founded on and brought it to greatness. A government that seeks to take care of its citizens reminds me of the parents who provide their newly married son or daughter with a fine house and furninshings and maybe even set them up in business. It seems like a great setup to the young couple, but in reality, the parents put demands on the couple to live according to the parents wishes. The couple can't live their own life. They can never grow to make it on their own, and yet they are in a trap that is very difficult to escape.  

Do people deserve a chance? Yes definitely, but what seems like a great and compassionate solution becomes a government with too much say in your life because after all, govenment is footing the bill.  In human relationships we recognize that as "unhealthy."  Wasn't the real "American Dream" about empowering people to reach their full potential, not enabling them in their dependency like grown children who can't leave home and make it in the world?