The Great Divide

Paul Krugman's article on the steep political/cultural/moral divide within America highlights my own equivocal stance on the ethical responsibilities of our society. Born and manufactured from a culture dedicated to individualism and personal endeavors, I understand how one's ego can deter the "haves" from sharing what we righteously earned with the "have-nots." After all, I worked 'hard for my money,' wrangled out of the snares of the lazy gene, and deserve every cent I attained. But on the other hand, the "have-nots" do not have the option of choosing their parents, do not all suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, and honestly, are simply less lucky - and deserve a chance. So, when I ponder over the propriety of taxing the wealthy or promoting universal health care to extend social benefits to the lazy, fat, uneducated, apathetic, unemployed tax stealers, criminals, etc. - I cannot help but think it is still worth it - and spiritually uplifting - to help the few hard-working souls out there who aren't any of the aforementioned.