Lazy? Yes, that is a choice.
Stupid, often enough. Many have worked hard to get an education, or to learn what they need to survive. If someone is stupid based on being lazy, that then is a choice.
I am all for helping those who can't help themselves. Not for helping those who choose to rely on others rather than put out effort to survive and thrive.
Re-read my post. I was talking about the idea of deeming them
intrinsically lazy, i.e., that they
didn't choose to be lazy. I know that's kinda wacky, but I'm trying to prove a point. Now, truth be told I've never met a person like that. I've met depressed people (they don't do too much of anything, especially in the later stages) I've met people whose brains are just not well-wired, but I've never met anyone who has the capability to work, a passion for something, and the desire to succeed just sit around. Maybe it's the lean, mean, fighting machine nature of New England (apparently, people are far nicer and more relaxed in other places) that prods them on, but I've never seen it.
We also have to define 'stupid'. If 'stupid' means of lower brain power, then 'stupid' people got a raw deal and
do need help. If 'stupid' means ignorant of knowledge needed for financial success, then we have to take into account bad schools, but I can understand your frustration at those who had the opportunity but didn't take it. Given those limitations, I don't see how there could be enough 'stupid' people to really make a difference. Now, I admit, if someone who shouldn't be driving due to a brain defect in the area of reaction time is on the highway, I'd be royally ticked off, not to mention terrified. However, once I found out, and especially if they didn't know about it, then I'd forgive them. It's like being angry at someone for disturbing your birthday party by discovering that they had shellfish allergy.
Consequently, I must say that I don't believe in the idea of a healthy person who has had a stable upbringing and life up to the moment in question doing something that is against their self-interest or the good of the community if given the chance to really consider what they're about to do. This may or may not jibe with what you guys think, but you'd be surprised at how subtle the effects of mental disease can be. For example, ADD can make social interaction a living nightmare by making staying focused on what the other person has to say very, very difficult. An outside observer will think that the person with ADD is just 'stupid' or 'mean,' when in reality they're doing the best that they can and still getting pounded. To really get my bias across, I'd always play as the medic when my friends and I played soldier. Call me soft, but I like people.
-Penguin
