CommentsTHE DOCTOR IS IN - Ain't this a time o'plenty!
No wonder hordes of young people (and those young of heart, and who don't let all those old-fashioned "earn it yourself, it's not yours if you didn't earn it" fuddy-duddies) voted in our City Council, Mayor, Legislature, Governor, and President.
Because times really ARE tough. And times ARE really expensive. And because the cost of living, housing, gas, and groceries really ARE all increasingly unaffordable and downright unrealistic.
And because corporate welfare is REALLY out of control.
And, of course, because the rich/poor divide is getting worse and worse and worse.
So...the right response: when the guv'mint offers something free, you should take your fair share and GIT SOME!
1) Student loan forgiveness ? GIT SOME!
Because...how the heck else are you going to get ahead with your life if you have that student loan monkey on your back?
And if it's offered to you, aren't you kind of an idiot to not take advantage of that offer?
There won't be any financial blowback! Future employers won't inquire and look any forgiveness programs up! You won't have it on your permanent record!
And for those who DID pay back, and/or ARE in the process of paying back their student loans, then let THEM live with their decisions. Because they're suckers, old-fashioned and not with the New Reality of the 21st Century.
And for those who didn't go to college, and are working unskilled labor as plumbers, electricians, small store owners, etc.? Well, those blue-collar rubes aren't worth much of a consideration, after all.
Because...haven't you heard? The future is in tech and college-educated careers, STEM or liberal arts! Only THOSE jobs matter! Heck, by grabbing a student loan forgiveness opportunity, you're doing the nation and world a favor!
2) Cost of Living making you move? That is so 20th Century!
The cities are where it's at!
Urban infill, lofts, hipster hangouts, upscale culture, and nothing but college-age professionals live there.
Let the lowlife blue-collar Americans live out in the boonies. Those knuckle-draggers don't care about, or need, culture anyway, right?
Because owning your own house, paying for old-fashioned petroleum-product utilities and automobiles are all just things of the past.
Besides, those "rich people" and the government will pay for all that, sooner or later.
3) Free Internet? Git some!
4) Preventing illegal immigrant access to the U.S. because of national health concerns? All racist. Let THEM get free stuff, and let ME get free stuff...
...because it's only The Rich who will have to pay for all of this.
And the stupid, old canards that The Rich will get special consideration for political power, legal power, low-wage workers, and corporate welfare because they're paying for everyone else?
Well, we've got politicians for that. They will protect us. They will make sure that The Rich pay their fair share.
Leaving plenty enough for me...so how kewl is that? It's FREE! GIT SOME!
(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father to two cherished children and a wonderful wife. He was termed out of the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) twice after two stints as a Board member for 9, years and is also a Board member of the Westside Village Homeowners Association. He previously co-chaired the MVCC Outreach, Planning, and Transportation/Infrastructure Committees for 10 years. He was previously co-chair of the CD11 Transportation Advisory Committee, the grassroots Friends of the Green Line (which focused on a Green Line/LAX connection), and the nonprofit Transit Coalition His latest project is his fictional online book entitled The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth and can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)
