[American_Centurion]

Most everyone at one time or another does deserve a kick in the ass. Unfortunately I can't be there at just the right time for everyone so I need some help from the rest of the principled Americans.

But I guess in my initial post, I was a little heavy on rant and light on what my rant was about.

I get pissed when someone sets themselves up to be some type of "victim" just to make a point. In this case this "victim" was named the common man. If the common man is in fact a victim, he is a victim only of his own lack of discipline and motivation. You supported this by stating most people live paycheck to paycheck and have to get an advance to buy gas to get to work. I'm sure they appreciate your kindness, which in turn fosters the honesty that allows them to ask. But IMO none of those things would have to occur if they were motivated and disciplined in the first place.

[Ches]

I wish I had your simplistic black and white view.

Believe me, I've been known to kick ass with the best of them.

Back to the article. I think it was corny and it did not resonate with me personally. But since it was about the National Endowment of the Arts, I wrote off his choice of a working schlumph to artistic license or playing to his audience. I do not find his writing to be great literature nor a real effective way to make points with the culturally elite. The message however, is plain and clear, "don't rob the working man to support a bunch of limp-wristed (and usually left of center) people who tend to be the real deadbeats and drain on society." Somehow, it got turned around to the guy with the job being the deadbeat.

Thank you for the clarification.

[AbsoluteJustice]

"If the common man is in fact a victim, he is a victim only of his own lack of discipline and motivation."

No he is a victim of a government that is unconstitutional in their acts and their taxation of the people, expanding government at such a rate it has made its serfs dependant upon the government!