Something I love about cultures other than ours is the great respect they show for their elders & families. Sadly sometimes it appears that many folks take an "It's all about me attitude". They assume its their job to care for their own kids - but when it comes to helping their parents or other family members, friends or neighbors - its each man for themselves. Those who step up to help are sometimes ridiculed for being a busy body. Now I don't think enabling a lazy individual who doesn't care to work is truly being helpful - but I do think its great for folks to stick together and help one another during hard times. At the same time - I do wonder what type of person an individual has been through life if they don't have any friends, family, children, neighbors, community members --- nobody who would help him. I think I'd rather take the minimum wage job as opposed to wasting 3 years of my life locked away from friends in family in the company of criminals. I just thought this story was really sad: http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_...n/20061012144809990025?ncid=NWS00010000000001 Bank Robber's Wish to Go to Prison Granted He Says Jail Time Would Tide Him Over Until Retirement COLUMBUS, Ohio (Oct. 13) - A man who couldn't find steady work came up with a plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect Social Security: He robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and waited for police. On Wednesday, Timothy J. Bowers told a judge a three-year prison sentence would suit him, and the judge obliged. "At my age, the jobs available to me are minimum-wage jobs. There is age discrimination out there," Bowers, who turns 63 in a few weeks, told Judge Angela White. The judge told him: "It's unfortunate you feel this is the only way to deal with the situation." Bowers said he had been able to find only odd jobs after the drug wholesaler he made deliveries for closed in 2003. He walked to a bank and handed a teller a note demanding cash in an envelope. The teller gave him four $20 bills and pushed a silent alarm. Bowers handed the money to a security guard standing in the lobby and told him it was his day to be a hero. He pleaded guilty to robbery, and a court-ordered psychological exam found him competent. "It's a pretty sad story when someone feels that's their only alternative," said defense attorney Jeremy W. Dodgion, who described Bowers as "a charming old man." Prosecutors had considered arguing against putting Bowers in prison at taxpayer expense, but they worried he would do something more reckless to be put behind bars. "It's not the financial plan I would choose, but it's a financial plan," prosecutor Dan Cable said.
I don't know how I missed this the first time around, but this is really a sad story. And Melinda, you're right. It's devestating to me to see so many of our seniors left to fend for themselves. I can understand how this poor guy felt he had no other alternative...
Well, * he has a better medical/prescription plan than most of us. * If it's his 1st offense, he can possibly have it expunged, or seek pardon from the governor or president * he can make use of the library to expand his knowledge * he can learn a trade in the shop And, nope, it just ain't the thing to do... How sad that we've let it come to this, while looking out for th rest of the world. I'd much rather keep foreign aid here to help with our domestic problems. The taxes are gone from my pocket, no matter where its spent. I'd just rather it was spent on Americans.
