Quote:
Originally posted by Superman
...we are programmed by heredity and environment so fully that some folks are simply not going to be achievers in the American sense. Steve wonders why we don't all have your attitude. He wonders why we make judgements upon those lazy SOB's.
I suspect it makes us feel superior.
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I still contend this conversation is going in an opposite direction from where you guys might want. In short, I can see Hitler having the same discussion eighty or ninety years ago.
The coupling of heredity and environment conocts itself into an evil and explosive mixture, which more often has done as much a disservice to those in need as it has benefitted them. Why? Because there will always be another group who might say, "Hey, you helped them. What about us?" and from there, focus their ire on the group that's been helped.
This can lead to many, many social problems: the LA Riots for example.
Lately, I've taken a hard anti-Democrat view to programs of any sort designed to help one group catch up when so many others have fallen two steps back. I'd rather see all the benefit programs cut, than see this group or that race or that culture or this sex get thrusted ahead because of aimless fair-weather government concern.
If everyone in equal part can't be lifted from the bottom, then the system is simply broken and the programs themselves are unfairly biased.
But as far as "programmed by heredity and environment," I can't see that as anything more than an excuse. In fact, whomever feels empowered and superior over such an excuse, should not be held nearly as accountable as the person who uses it as their own excuse for the sad situation they find themselves in.
Of course, accountability is about as rare these days as table manners.
