There is nothing wrong with the amount of snow we have received here. It is quite tiring, for sure, but nothing we can't handle. People need to start helping each other out, rather than complaining about how the roads aren't plowed or the snowbanks are so high they can't see around the corner..... I help neighbors move snowbanks back and get ready for the next storm.
Most people bitching about budgets and taxes are the first to complain when they feel the town isn't keeping up with snow plowing or road maintenance. Government is to support the people, it's the things going on that don't support the people in any way that are wrong. This country shouldn't have any problems paying for infrastructure.
Nicely said and I couldn't agree more. Our little town was slammed with a flood a year and a half ago. We are recovering - slowly and it's been lots of work. New roads, water plant, firestation, a few dozen new houses, two bridges, and a lot of creek work....the list of things repaired and the price tag get big very quickly. But thanks to everyone pulling together it is happening. Though not without lots and lots of volunteer help along with a staggering amount of outside funding. The funding comes mostly from the US Federal government agencies and a bit from the state. Like any group that gets this kind of help, part of our obligation here will be to raise taxes on ourselves so as to at least make a start on paying it back. That way the funds will be there for the next group that needs it.. In fact, that's coming up for a vote here this spring. It won't be easy or popular.....just necessary.
The personal volunteer help still comes from literally everywhere - including things as unforeseen as church groups from other countries. Who woulda thunk? Thank you Baptists and Mennonites! Everyone here is amazed at how much volunteer help still comes to help everyday and at their own expense. Nobody wanted the flood to happen, but it did and now it needs fixing. Simple as that.
After all, isn't this why we have govenments in the first place? Their task is to help out where needed and destribute the prosperity of the whole country to the areas that need help isn't it? Doing that is simple self-interest as that is what strong neighbors do for each other whether it's a neighborhood, town, city, state or country. The principle of what makes a group of people strong doesn't change whether it's a family or a nation, only the scale changes. Oh sure...it would be nice for people or towns or whole countries to be individually wealthy enough not to ever need help; maybe we all will be there someday. It's a worthy goal. But in the meantime there's only so much money that one really needs. After that, enjoying life pretty much comes from sharing the good parts and helping overcome the bad things.
I won't deny that there are always going to be people whose interest is more selfish than what we'd wish in our town. We have a few of those who live here as well and they're part of the community too. Any neighborhood - or country - can can stand a few of those, but a democracy simply won't work unless the selfish people are in the minority.
Enjoy!
rScotty
[ I complain just as much in the summer, don't like hot... that's why I live up heah.. ]
