DOES ANYONE HAVE THE RIGHT NOT TO WORK?
Sucking Off the Government Teat Must Stop
“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.”
Negative vs. Positive Rights
Do people have the right not to work? The quick answer is—only if you don’t need shelter, food, clothing or other necessities. The more clearly defined answer differentiates between positive and negative rights. Negative rights are like the ones found in the Bill of Rights. They involve constraining people/governments from interfering in your life. Negative rights include civil rights such as the freedom to speak, to own/carry/use weapons, etc. They do not pose a burden on others. Positive rights can be understood as “entitlements.” This means that something can be taken from someone else and provided to you, whether you earned them or not, and whether the person providing them wants to help you.
In a reasonable society, some positive rights may be awarded by law, but you cannot assume that you will be afforded these rights simply because you want them.
The Democrats Ploy
One facet of Marxism at play is the desire to get everyone to be dependent on the government, rather than on our own considerable resources. When you are dependent, you must obey. Communist China has this in spades. Remember Julia’s story? Obama used this video as a campaign strategy, showing a single woman’s life completely dependent on taking money from taxpayers to fund her choices. It wasn’t popular.
If you want to give up your freedom, stop working. As those living under socialism/communism discovered, you also give up things like choice of food, housing (and who will be living with you), health care (not much) and more. You may be told how many children you can have and whether or not you will have any decision as to their education (indoctrination).
The Myth of Living Your Dream Without Working for It
This is what the Democrats promise. Figure out what you love, do it and we’ll make sure you can survive without earning enough to do so. However, most people have no idea of what their dream would be. And even when you figure it out, you may not have the talents or abilities to do it. I love to sing, but I’m never going to make a living at it. You have to look deeply at your abilities measured against what you love doing to find your purpose.
When you find your purpose, you will inevitably have to pay dues. Doctors spend long years in tough courses, along with internships and residencies to earn the right to practice medicine. They can’t just go out and “do.” But when you figure out what you want to do, building towards it provides rewards. Talk to a young adult who just got accepted into medical school after working hard in college and building a resume that separates them from the pack. Speak to a fighter pilot who got that coveted airline job. Anyone who worked their way up to their dream was willing to do the work. It will never be just handed to you. And the joy of achieving it will be greater for the work invested.
The Unemployment Problem
Often, too much of a good thing can be hazardous. Most of us remember drinking too much and paying the price in the morning. Even water can drown you if you drink too much (a rare occurrence, but don’t try it). During flush times, companies went overboard with pay and incentives, making even the most junior staffer feel a bit entitled. I remember having fresh fruit deliveries each week, along with a fridge stocked with free drinks. Google employees have three meals a day provided by carefully selected chefs.
But business cycles mean that pay and benefits can come and go. At the end of the day, businesses need to make money so they can pay employees, investors and those who provide products and services they need to survive. Right now, coming off the unnecessary CCP virus shutdown, many companies are struggling. At the same time, workers want more from them than most can provide.
Some young people spent the lockdown at home, fully supported and comfortable in their unencumbered lives. It’s tough to boot them off the couch, especially when the government keeps trying to give them more free stuff (like the latest proposal on college). And yet, companies die if they don’t have the people they need.
The Value of Work
A job is more than a paycheck. In fact, past a certain point, people stop being motivated by money. People who understand the true value of work are not only better at their jobs; they also enjoy them more. One of the sales people I knew defined her job as “helping companies achieve their goals faster and more easily.” She loved selling solutions. A doctor I knew saw his mission as “seeing how aging could be more joyful, focusing on not just curing disease but helping people be healthy.” How you see your work makes all the difference in enjoying it.
What else can work do for you? Where else can adults socialize and make friends, one of whom may end up being a partner? Self-esteem can only be earned. Having a purpose in life and being needed is critical to our mental health and self-confidence. Activity is good for your physical health too and the feeling of self-worth is important. Work simply makes you a better person. Your work serves society too.
People need to stop looking for a way to do nothing. You may have the opportunity to idle as a retiree, but as one, I can tell you that doing so will accelerate your decline. We need to work; it’s human nature.
Needed to be said. As you noted as well goods and services can only be provided by workers. Everyone can’t sit at home collecting unearned income. All the money in the world won’t buy what isn’t available.