Government Helping our Citizens in Need . . . Are They Really????

Who is the Government Really Governing?

Bianca Jones, a classmate in my Texas Government course, has written an interesting passage regarding politicians, underprivileged citizens, and the economic recession present in our entire country.  The piece mentions the unaffected government leaders versus the less fortunate citizens in need.  It is absurd that these "leaders" seem to experience no life changes or negative effects from these difficult economic times, but our less fortunate individuals that simply need to stay cool in the extreme heat, for example, are often being put in situations that are unnecessarily harmful in my opinion.  The elderly population, more specifically, are greatly affected by the heat because their bodies are not able to tolerate the intense temperatures as a younger person can.  If they get too over-heated or become dehydrated, it can become a seriously hazardous situation.  Their internal mechanics cannot compensate as quickly to overcome what seems uncomplicated to many younger people's bodies.  Some elderly people are also unable to care for themselves independently, but basic daily care for them cannot be funded by the government for unknown reasons.  Their health care is often not a priority either when it needs to be provided by our government.  Every individual should be treated as a person with important basic needs, not treated like a case number or a "lost dollar sign" or an amount of money.  

My classmate has stated our government claims to be, "by the people and for the people".  I completely agree with Bianca because when people's lives are in danger, the priorities are not appropriately in order.  Human lives are without a doubt, infinitely more important than politicians' yachts, mansions, or other lavish belongings.  Where exactly are the funds ending up?  If working citizens of all ages are struggling with paying their bills and financially scraping by day to day, the citizens in need labeled as also struggling are most likely being under-represented.  My colleague has expressed the point, short and simple, our government leaders must be callous and without compassion to not recognize the significant struggles of our disadvantaged citizens.  Our government claims to be for its people, then they need to stand up and provide for those that are unable to provide these fundamental elements for themselves!


Article:  "Who is the Government Really Governing?"
By:  Bianca Jones
Published:  8/1/2011
http://bjones12-txgov.blogspot.com/