Letter: ‘Greater good’ concept lost

As a political Independent, I don’t have a party horse in any political race. I don’t vote for Democrats or Republicans. I don’t vote for men or women, liberals or conservatives. Neither do I vote for blacks, browns, reds, whites or yellows nor for Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims or those who have not yet learned enough to believe in God.

I vote for those candidates I think will support policies that will allow my children and grandchildren to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities this country has always offered its citizens. I want them to be free to worship, or not, as they please, to be able to speak their minds without fear of censure or prosecution, and to have the opportunity to work for what they want. I also want them to learn to accept responsibility for their choices, good or bad, and to face the consequences, good or bad, that are the results of those choices.

When I see opinions like the two in The Advocate on Nov. 9, I have to wonder who we as a nation have become. One said, “GOP must offer more to minorities” and the other asking, “Who will protect young generations.” These, in my opinion, describe one of the major problems we face as a nation. The concept of “the greater good of the taxpaying citizen” has either been lost or has been pushed so far back it is no longer relevant. A nation cannot be successfully governed when the focus is on hundreds or thousands of special interests as opposed to the best interests of the country as a whole.

In generations past we were taught to work for what we wanted, to face life as it came, and to do whatever was necessary at the time. I don’t remember as a child, a young adult, an adult or now as a senior on Social Security and Medicare worrying about being protected or asking for more. I was told decades ago that if things got really bad I could always strap on a tin bill and peck “stuff” with the chickens. I still can, and will if necessary.

If these two opinions really reflect the new normal in the country, I am afraid “the greatest generation” really is behind us, and that makes me sad for my children and grandchildren.

Bo Bienvenu

retired businessman

Prairieville

Comments

1) Comment by parrott - 15/11/2012

And I agree that we need to stop mentioning social security and welfare in the same conversations about entitlements. We paid in to that!

2) Comment by parrott - 15/11/2012

Wow!! If you want to get peoples panties in a wad, just mention God!!!

3) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 15/11/2012

ABB, you are confusing theology with spirituality. As evidenced in his writings, Einstein did embrace a natural spirituality (as Buddhist do) but emphatically rejected the notion of a personal god (which is what western religions are based upon). And my point still stands: Einstein rebuffed the idea that morals should be derived from one’s religious convictions as directed by a personal god.

4) Comment by ABayouBoy - 15/11/2012

@ Tea_Slayer. It's true what Einstein has quoted about his religious beliefs. But he was smart enough to acknowledge the need for a religion of the future, which encompasses both scientific and theological aspects. He referred to Buddhism as one example.

5) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 15/11/2012

“I do not believe in immortality of the individual, and I consider ethics to be an exclusively human concern with no superhuman authority behind it.” -- Einstein

6) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 15/11/2012

"It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it." -- Einstein “My position concerning God is that of an agnostic. I am convinced that a vivid consciousness of the primary importance of moral principles for the betterment and ennoblement of life does not need the idea of a law-giver, especially a law-giver who works on the basis of reward and punishment.”-- Einstein

7) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 15/11/2012

True, Einstein considered himself agnostic and did not believe in an anthropomorphic deity. So Einstein did not rely on religion as a crutch for his moral compass. And why is the religious among us try to label all "non-believers" as materialists or materialistic? As if, just because we don’t believe in Santa Claus, that we lack morals. Get over yourselves.

8) Comment by ABayouBoy - 15/11/2012

An excellent letter, Mr. Bienvenu. And, by the way bighug, Einstein was not an atheist. All that the "intelligent" comments seem to show here is that they are the fools. We are taught at an early age to believe in God, or religion if you will, as a means of setting our moral compass in life. It teaches us things that those who are purely materialistic refute or condemn out of their own ignorance. Belief is a state of mind, and attitude, and acceptance that there are still many things that science cannot yet explain. That this universe of ours is far greater than we. And that we should seek our destiny and answers with some humility. It also keeps us respectful and good to one another.

9) Comment by Loki - 14/11/2012

Don't worry Mr. Bo, there are many quiet folks who are out for the greater good. You might study our president's actions, as he quite thoroughly fits your model: admitting to setbacks, doing what's necessary, working with others (at least attempting to...).

10) Comment by Chucky - 14/11/2012

@chem- Well said and i understand , it is hard to subjugate your will to another I would offer that if we do not do it for the gods then for sure do not do it for the Government. DMJ- those are hard first words to get around, I just think we have, as they say, 'gone overboard' I believe in some regulation like not dumping upstream of your neighbor, if you get my drift, and that regulation being for the “ General Welfare” of all.

11) Comment by chem - 14/11/2012

Chucky: The totalitarian system I was referring to is religion. Think about it: In christianity, you must totally submit yourself to god. God "sees" everything you do. Talk about big brother! He can sentence you to eternal torment because of just your thoughts! Your dreams! You are told that you must not only love this god, but that you must also fear it. That is the totalitarianism of religion. I'll pass.

12) Comment by Whatchange - 14/11/2012

I guess when I start drawing my 401 that will be a handout also

13) Comment by Whatchange - 14/11/2012

As soon as they stop taking Social Security and Medicare out iof my paycheck, and start giving me free handouts when I retire, then and only then will I start calling it an entitlement.

14) Comment by Whatchange - 14/11/2012

@Bighug; Well Einstein, I said nothing bout comparing you to Einstein, re-read the comment

15) Comment by DMJ - 14/11/2012

Know what's funny? The first sentence of the U.S. Constitution contains the words 'union' and 'welfare.' Just sayin...

16) Comment by Chucky - 14/11/2012

@chem- I think most totalitarian systems do away with religion making the State the All, thus making its 'citizens' dependent on the State. Chem, think your there. When one prays to what ever deity for help, they are not holding the hand out, to the Government but asking there higher power to give them strength to make it. Even if you have no belief in a creator, turning to the Government is not mandated.

17) Comment by chem - 14/11/2012

Whatnow: If you are referring to my comment, I am not saying that anyone who avails himself of the benefits of SS and Medicare are "taking advantage." It simply means that someone is receiving the benefits of those two great programs. There was a little bit of sarcasm in my remark. The gentleman, Mr. Bienvenu, sounds as though everyone, including himself, should "work" and scrape for everything you want in life. He says that in his letter. But then he states that he is getting SS and medicare. I just find it amusing that people like Mr. Bienvenu say such things, yet take advantage of those awful socialist government programs. Sounds a little hypocritical to me.

18) Comment by Whatnow - 14/11/2012

I want to know why you Progressives think that Social Security and Medicare is taking advantage along with Medicaid and Welfare?

19) Comment by chem - 14/11/2012

As others have pointed out, what hypocrisy in this letter. Mr. Bienvenu writes about generations past being taught to work for what "we" wanted. I guess the "we" was referring to "his" generation. He writes of doing whatever is necessary at the time. But then he states that he is taking advantage of social security and medicare. What the .....? If he feels that strongly about working for what he wants, why doesn't he forego those socialist benefits and work for his keep? ••••• Those who have not learned to believe in a god? Give me a break. As someone pointed out, the more intelligent of society have much less need for superstitious nonsense such as gods, heaven, hell, angels and the like. Religion is for the easily led, the gullible. I refuse to be a part of a totalitarian system that says I have to bow down and fear some god in the sky.

20) Comment by Bighug - 14/11/2012

No, Whatchange, I'm just responding to the comment that atheists have only half a brain, and Einstein was an atheist. Congratulations on recognizing who Einstein was. You probably consider all scientists as workers for Satan. I may not be an Einstein, but I do have an IQ in the top 2%. Is yours over 100?

21) Comment by DMJ - 14/11/2012

"Give me" generation? Like....the elderly who rely on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security? Darn socialist 47%ers!!

22) Comment by Protean - 14/11/2012

This guy is no "independent". He's just a GOP minion with just enough self-awareness to be too embarrassed to admit it.

23) Comment by Whatchange - 14/11/2012

Whatnow; you hit the nail square on the head. Gotta love the comments by the "Give Me" generation.

24) Comment by Whatnow - 14/11/2012

Bighug, are you comparing yourself to Albert Einstein? Wow!

25) Comment by Bighug - 14/11/2012

Well, rgerald, at least we atheists use our half of a brain. Atheist Albert Einstein did well with his half. Well said, DMJ. I agree on all points you make.

26) Comment by Whatnow - 14/11/2012

In that whole letter the first thing most of you jumped on was religion and God. Is that the point of this letter? I think he was trying to say people who weren't taught about God period. It is about the direction that America is going. Not about religion. Boy, you atheists sure are sensitive. This letter was not pushing religion, guys. It was about self-reliance. Get a grip.

27) Comment by DMJ - 14/11/2012

Anyone find that line "those who have not yet learned enough to believe in God" just a tad condescending? Here's the thing, Bo... I learned to believe in god when I was a kid....then I learned enough to where I didn't have to. Having an open mind is very liberating. You should try it some time. And I know this guy says he doesn't vote based on race, pollitical idealogy or religion... but does anyone buy that? I sure don't. Just a hunch...but I'm betting this guy votes for whtie Republican Christians. Call me crazy... And by the way, Bo, Social Security and Medicare ARE looking out for the greater good. That's the whole point.

28) Comment by potkcalb - 14/11/2012

Religion is solely a personal and private matter, the province of the individual, the family, the home, the church, the religious denomination school, the private school is so elected and not publicly funded. Imposing religion on others and conflating it with government is the historic and well trodden path to rejection, torture, murder. One can only hope that will eventually be realized and that these unproductive brouhahas over religion will come to an end.

29) Comment by [e-mail] - 14/11/2012

Why vote for an atheist Bighug? By definitiion they believe in nothing but themselves so what is there to reccomend them as being concerned for the welfare of the most of us who are not atheists? Mr. Bienvenue is speaking for us normal people who have at least a half a brain; taking from the pot without putting something in has never been good form or even acceptable, and it can't and won't last.

30) Comment by tradewinns - 14/11/2012

i took that "..know god.." phrase as just another group he owes no allegiance. be that as it may, i agree with him for sure on all the rest. i'm in the same boat as he. our generation, while not the "greatest generation" so often mentioned, does prefer to suffer or do without to protect our decendants. politicians have found they can buy voters with "public" programs for those who have NOT contributed to the public good. they spend taxpayers' money like the proverbial drunken salior on leave. note even previously beginning "poor" federal politician leave office millionaires. how do they do that while operating two households on their salaries?

31) Comment by jdk944 - 14/11/2012

"If ye continue in my word, you are my Disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free". John 8:31-32. I do not know Mr. Bienvenu but his reference to God is "spot on". The shape this country is in are because of those who have fallen away from him. And yet they try to justify the symptoms this country is in with their so called educated elitist attitude, which is nothing more than the "arrogance of the lost".

32) Comment by potkcalb - 14/11/2012

Oops! You revealed your prejudices Bo when you said "those who have not yet learned enough to believe in God."

33) Comment by unevahno - 14/11/2012

"... those who have not yet learned enough to believe in God." Oft times it's the most intelligent that have the strong intellects and don't need the "magic" crutch. Keep believing in the talking snake. It's OK. Just don't require that everybody else suspend reality and join in your make believe world.

34) Comment by Bighug - 14/11/2012

"...those who have not yet learned enough to believe in God." ? Shouldn't that read "a god" or "gods"? You should check your sources of information, Bo, if you used any. If you look, you will find that the people who have rejected the myths of religion are on average far more intelligent and knowledgeable about religion than you believers in magic. Somehow I don't believe you when you indicate you would vote for an atheist.