Introduction. This article in no way implies that human beings with real and legitimate handicaps should not get help from others or even government out of courtesy or need. I just don’t want to expand the disabled class so much that the people that truly deserve help aren’t properly recognized and the ones that don’t just get off their butt and get some exercise. The expansion of victimhood mentality naturally leads to the problems highlighted below.
There once was a time when Americans felt bad about being taken care of, or being “proud” about being down and out. That was a time when being “handicapped” or “disabled “ was not some watered down treat like a Senior Discount. It was a real thing for society to recognize because it was the right thing to do, especially for our soldiers.
Now, we freely accept the notion that programs from government (welfare) is something to “get” because we deserve it. My parents and grandparents hated the thought of assistance of any kind, even in the Great Depression.
Today, the mantra seems to be that we paid into the system, and by damn, I am going to get my share. I will wear my victimhood status proudly.
Please don’t get me wrong. There are people that deserve Government support and assistance. Many fought for America and returned missing limbs, lost their eyesight or became deaf when they were in the magazines of Battleships donning worthless hearing protection.
The men and women that came back in pieces, for a cause they believed in, are our real heroes. Many of them refused to be treated differently when they became “casualties of war”. Hollywood made movies celebrating their courage.
These are the Americans that believed that they suffered fate no worse than what others had suffered. They had humility and gratitude for just being alive. So, why be treated special or in a way unbecoming to a real man or woman of courage?
These were the ones that deserved special treatment, along with others with real and severe and debilitating illness, handicaps or disabilities.
Even then, some missing a leg from a WW2 battle or an Afghanistan IED might scoff at you as you opened the door for them with a “Thank you, but I can manage.” Are those days gone forever?
Times have changed.
It seems everybody in America wants extra help. Not from families, the Church or our dying social networks, but from Government.
Some say it’s simply part of the cycles of civilization or “turnings” that gives us feast and famine for fat and happy Americans. Or, the best of times and the worst of times, of which this website moniker derives.
Now, what I see all over America are Doctors handing out handicap stickers and placards like candy so that people over a certain age or weight and without actual disabilities get nice parking spots, remaining unhealthy from the lack of exercise that their Doctors apparently promote. Welcome to American Healthcare.
Over 65 or morbidly overweight? Check.
Virtually every state can accept people with “cardiovascular” disease for handicap placards. That’s a bunch of victims.
AI Assistant:
Nearly half of all U.S. adults have some type of cardiovascular disease, with high blood pressure and obesity being significant risk factors. 1
From DMV.org:
While qualifications vary by state, some of the medical conditions that could cause you to receive one of these special license plates (placards) are:
- The loss of use of your legs or hands.
- The inability to walk two blocks without resting.
- Heart, lung, or circulatory disease (Cardiovascular Diseases)
- Strokes or epilepsy.
- Mental health problems.
- Age and other forms of serious illness.
Today, the Uniparty that runs America loves creating victims, in return for their votes.
Where all this leads is to a very bad future and place where Americans lose their independence altogether and depend on Government instead of themselves, families and their social networks.
Maybe it’s no wonder that the generations before us had levels of independence and confidence that got them through the problems of the day without having to vote with their wallets for Government help, support and largesse. This helped to build a country once held in high esteem.
Are we now a country of perennial victims?
Are the Best Years of our Lives gone for good?
Sic Semper Tyrannis
1 Approximately 72% of Americans are considered medically obese, a largely voluntary ailment leading to many of the so called disabilities that they believe cannot be controlled but grants them special victim privileges.
