Self-reliance is a virtue that everyone, Heathen or not, should work toward. It does take a lot of discipline these days to be self-reliant. Years ago, people had to fight and struggle to survive. These days, everything is handed out. Self-reliance is defined as : "reliance on one's own efforts and abilities." When the government has to dish out food stamps, unemployment, social security, healthcare, and a ton of other "benefits", people are not being self-reliant, but dependent. They are relying on someone elses efforts and abilities. But, as I say this, I'm guilty of not being self-reliant.
My parents have done a lot to help me out over the years. I have worked my ass off since I was 16 years old, paid lots in taxes, and paid my dues. Just over a year ago, I got laid off from a job I had for 8 1/2 years. I realized that I could get school paid for at a local community college in networking technology. I'm going for a diploma rather than a degree, which will take less time and get me working faster. It will also cost less than going to school for a longer time. Am I being self-reliant? No. Am I doing what I need to do to get back to work in a field that I should be able to get myself back to where I need to be? Yes. Am I going to be leeching on the system beyond my planned length of time? No. Do other people ride on the back of the system with no intentions of doing things for themselves? Yes.
While I am receiving benefits and free education, I am learning the skills needed to become part of the working class again. These days, it's difficult to become completely self-reliant. Even if we grow our own food, we still have to figure out how to pay property taxes on homes and vehicles, and all sorts of other taxes. With all that I've paid in over the past 20 years, do I believe I deserve the opportunity to get the schooling to get me back in a stable field of work? You bet! It's a field that I've researched to see whether I could find a job or not. many people find a field that they think is "fun" or "neat". When they get out of school at a fancy school with high loans, they find out what they should have researched earlier: they can't find a job in that field. The schools will teach you whatever you want to learn, but they can't guarantee you will ever find a job. Why should they forgive student loans for your decision? Maybe it would be better if loans weren't given and you had to pay it before going to school.
Economic systems such as Socialism and Communism don't allow for people to be self-reliant. They force those that can do for themselves to do for those that can't, or won't. It doesn't matter which it is, can't/won't, either way, they aren't doing for themselves. Capitalism isn't really much better, but does allow people to increase their value of life. But, when one person prospers, others lose. Is there an economic system that would benefit people as a whole? Not really. They either allow for some to gain while others lose, or take from some that have to give to those that have-not. In this world today, we have to be as self-reliant as we can while working around those factors that work against us.
I'm sure more thoughts will come later.
My parents have done a lot to help me out over the years. I have worked my ass off since I was 16 years old, paid lots in taxes, and paid my dues. Just over a year ago, I got laid off from a job I had for 8 1/2 years. I realized that I could get school paid for at a local community college in networking technology. I'm going for a diploma rather than a degree, which will take less time and get me working faster. It will also cost less than going to school for a longer time. Am I being self-reliant? No. Am I doing what I need to do to get back to work in a field that I should be able to get myself back to where I need to be? Yes. Am I going to be leeching on the system beyond my planned length of time? No. Do other people ride on the back of the system with no intentions of doing things for themselves? Yes.
While I am receiving benefits and free education, I am learning the skills needed to become part of the working class again. These days, it's difficult to become completely self-reliant. Even if we grow our own food, we still have to figure out how to pay property taxes on homes and vehicles, and all sorts of other taxes. With all that I've paid in over the past 20 years, do I believe I deserve the opportunity to get the schooling to get me back in a stable field of work? You bet! It's a field that I've researched to see whether I could find a job or not. many people find a field that they think is "fun" or "neat". When they get out of school at a fancy school with high loans, they find out what they should have researched earlier: they can't find a job in that field. The schools will teach you whatever you want to learn, but they can't guarantee you will ever find a job. Why should they forgive student loans for your decision? Maybe it would be better if loans weren't given and you had to pay it before going to school.
Economic systems such as Socialism and Communism don't allow for people to be self-reliant. They force those that can do for themselves to do for those that can't, or won't. It doesn't matter which it is, can't/won't, either way, they aren't doing for themselves. Capitalism isn't really much better, but does allow people to increase their value of life. But, when one person prospers, others lose. Is there an economic system that would benefit people as a whole? Not really. They either allow for some to gain while others lose, or take from some that have to give to those that have-not. In this world today, we have to be as self-reliant as we can while working around those factors that work against us.
I'm sure more thoughts will come later.