A simple concept: Most of us realize that if we don’t die, we will get old. If we get old, we will get health problems. Dealing with them will cost money.
My family saves money, for cars that fail, for life’s predictable disasters. We don’t have fancy cars, giant TV sets, big life styles. Yes, we get insurance also. My mom could live in a big house, but chooses to live modestly so that she has financial alternatives when predictable disasters occur. She was a schoolteacher, as was my deceased father. Nonetheless, they managed to save up quite a tidy little bundle. They worked hard and practiced thrift to stay out of debt and make the most of the income they had.
Her insurance and Medicare cover most of her medical expenses. But when the time comes, she and we have resources to ensure that her final years (predictable) are as comfortable and happy as possible.
Bottom line: we are responsible for our own lives and the care of our loved ones.
If we work hard and save for our own security, why is it incumbent on us to provide for others? We do give to charities, and help people with tragic circumstances in various ways, by our own choice. I don’t see that it’s the business of government to make me financially responsible for the poor decisions of others. Sure, it’s not that cut and dried, some people are hapless and helpless. But I have no faith in government to solve these problems.
