bssthound said:
Great point, S3. I don't recall being asked anything about it. I am happy that the guys who need jobs are able to come over, though. Like I said before, several guys in my Reserve unit are either furloughed or about to be. It hits home when you know folks. Besides, who knows who among us will be furloughed in the decades to come?? I figure I'll wear the shoe on the other foot sooner or later.
While you weren't "asked" it is probable that your elected leaders voiced their opinions anyway. Perhaps they were listened to, perhaps not.
It is quite true that the day may come in the future when you or those who work where you are now may be furloughed. The most interesting part of your statement seems to be the idea that you believe that if you are "helpful" or sympathetic to those that are furloughed today, you anticipate some form of reciprocity should it happen to you tomorrow.
While that's a noble thought, I think you'll discover that if it does happen and the tables are turned, you'll soon learn that those you support today will not remember and won't give you or your fellows the time of day. They will readily find a thousand reasons to remind you that you are not qualified to join their ranks for one reason or another, including the possibility that it might prevent one of their "friends" from being hired off the street.
Charity should begin at home but you seem to have missed the fact that you are only considered to be a member of the "family" when other
real members have a need and you have something they want. In good times, you're not even acknowledged as a step relative.
Sometimes one should see things as they are rather than how we might like them to be. Give all you want but expect nothing in return for you wont get it from that source. If they could find a way to displace you now, don't kid yourself, it would be done in nothing flat without the slightest concern for who might be furloughed or displaced on "your side" of the created fence. They have already made it clear that what you do is really there's and you have no right to it. Wake up man.
It's nice to be nice, but there should be a limit to naivete.
"If you make yourselves sheep, the wolves will eat you."
- Benjamin Franklin-