An entertainer called Chapter recently released the satirical video “It’s Free, Swipe Yo EBT.” I was ticked off until I realized the song was a poor attempt at parody. But, the bigger questions are the social responsibility of so-called artists and the direct effect they have on the entitlement mentality.
Warning: strong language
If you grew up when and where I did, you know that the government isn’t your friend. The limited role of government ranges from delivering the mail and defending the borders to helping hungry children. The truly heartless are the only ones who want to see hungry babies resulting from some people have children at the wrong time with the wrong people.
Chapter or Keywanda actually started an important discussion. When people on the far Right argue that the federal government should be extremely limited, they should remember that Black people appreciate the intervention of the fed into the affairs of southern states during the struggle for freedom.
In the 1990s, Newt Gingrich pushed Bill Clinton in the correct direction and Speaker Gingrich had me convinced that the roles of federal, state and local governments are to create a level playing field or fair opportunity for Americans to develop. If an individual blew those opportunities in the best country on earth, that person made their bed.
We spend so much government money addressing bad personal decisions and it’s not free. Yes, temporary assistance is a needed safety net but some people misunderstand the intent. With medical science, proper diet and regular exercise, people are living longer. So, young people should enjoy being young, develop a career path and have fun until they are in their mid 20s—there will be ample time for marriage and parenthood after the club days are over. Club sweethearts aren’t necessarily spouse material.
This video was made in California but southern Blacks who actually vote are appalled by the mindset that this video highlights. We must get and keep the government out of our business and no one should need to tell any parents of any color to care for kids who didn’t ask to be born.
Project Logic Ga 
Slyram. Good points. I was in a public place and couldn’t view the video based on your comment about it’s content. But I will watch another time. We (as a race) have a long way to go in removing or minimizing the entitlement mentality. And that’s a shame too.
Ted,
Check Laws-n-sausages at 4:00 today for my take. Know that it’s a positive one though 😀
I am heaing to the tennis court for some much needed sweating but I will be visiting your blog to see it. Fletcher’s story in the Albany Herald a few days later was on the same subject.
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2011/sep/03/reliance-on-government-can-be-demeaning/?opinion
[…] respected the decision. However, his piece really spoke clearly to me and my own beliefs of government. An entertainer called Chapter recently released the satirical video “It’s Free, Swipe Yo […]