Let me commence by saying I am grateful for my Father having engrained the concept of “Personal Responsibility” deep into my persona and character at a very young age. When we do not exercise “self responsibility” we feed the cultural decline that exists. The image above is a linear representation of our current position on the landscape of societal governance. The current direction and tendency of movement is to the right end of the scale. This moves us closer to Totalitarianism. Every man has God given unalienable rights. Among those are the pursuit of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Property. My Government is designed and only meant to protect my rights. They are not the grantors of my rights but the protector of my rights. This is the foundation of our Country and exists at the left end of the spectrum above. While we have the “right” to live our life in a way we desire, we also have a “personal responsibility” to be held accountable for our actions. Accountability does not solely mean punishment. It also means , reward, or punishment for an act or omission, in accordance with one’s “personal responsibility”. As an example, when we focus on the pursuit of property (money) we have a responsibility to do so in a way that is preserving of our fellow mans rights. If we pursue property with no regard of consequence that our actions create, then we are abdicating our “personal responsibility” and must be acceptant of and face the consequence of our action. If however we practice “personal responsibility” and bring service or product to our fellow man that is wanted and needed, while obtaining property (money) we will also experience consequence. This consequence is just reward. It is my right to live as I desire. It is also my responsibility not to injure my neighbor or create means by which they loose fortune. If my actions do so I need claim personal responsibility. This practice and life style was lived not so long ago in our Republic. Today however we see a disturbing trend that is moving us closer to the right end of the spectrum above and it’s fuel is rooted deep in the ideals of Progressivism. Government has separated themselves from the people. They have become arbiters in the quest for social justice. They have removed large levels of self responsibility and replaced it with Largess. The Progressive movement (both major political factions) have told our people that they need not worry of consequence of action. There are those among us that have learned that they can more easily remove all effort and allow government to provide for them. The same government that was meant to be their protector of rights and not a bureaucracy of providers. Some citizens have substituted the personal pursuit of Life, Liberty and Property for mailbox money of which they have no real ownership. They have left their personal responsibility behind and allowed others to become their providers. These are not free men, these are political slaves, housed, clothed and fed for a vote. The day will come when those providing will cease to provide enough for those that do not. And when that day comes, those that understand “personal responsibility” will say to those who don’t, welcome neighbor to the United Socialist States of America. As every small incremental change takes place and complacency or a s sense of overwhelming uncertainty invades our cultural persons we will continue our march towards larger government and less freedom in a faster manner. This is proven throughout the millennia and those unwilling to learn from mans past are doomed to repeat it. Which are you? A man of personal responsibility or a cultural degenerate? ~ Eric D. Miller – 2013