I was reminded of these concepts while recently watching the movie, Cinderella Man, starring Russell Crowe as James Braddock a heavyweight fighter in the 1920′s and 30′s. The movie portrays Braddock as an up and coming fighter with a good string of successes when the stock market crash of 1929 hits. The depression brings an abrupt halt to his fighting career. Not knowing anything else, and with jobs scarce, he does ANY job he can find to support his wife and 3 children. When his wife sends the kids to live with her sister because they have no food to eat, Braddock is angry and determined to get them back. He goes to the mens club where boxing promoters and gentlemen go to socialize, drink and smoke. Braddock removes his tattered hat and with heavy heart begs for money. He is embarrassed, humbled, and nearly defeated to be in such a position. The gentlemen give him money and are embarrassed to see such a young, strong man brought to this.

Today, no one has enough pride to feel responsible for ones own outcome. We are not only willing to beg,  we demand that we be taken care of by others. The US government used to exist to provide the common defense, make treaties, regulate international trade, etc. Now, we care not for these things, we demand that we be coddled with guaranteed jobs, guaranteed health care, guaranteed outcome. The only positive outcome of this situation is we will no longer have to be concerned with illegal immigration. We will be the same, pathetic, individual debasing, nation as all the others. Our days of being a beacon of hope for the individuals in the world who want to be producers will be over.

American men like Braddock wanted to earn everything they got, they did not want charity. Only extreme conditions, almost unheard of today, could drive these men to beg. Now, Americans today don’t WANT charity, they DEMAND it as a right. In their eyes charity no longer exists, whatever they want they deserve. America is in dire need of more Americans.