Whatever Happened to, "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You"?

By John Lillpop —— Bio and Archives November 23, 2013

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Yesterday we remember the life, death and legacy of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States. Fondly remembered by many Americans as “Camelot.”

One of the more remarkable quotes from the brief JFK presidency was delivered during his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961, when he said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Fifty years later, those inspiring words seem to have been lost on the American people as scores of millions, citizens and non-citizens alike, now rely on government for many of the basic needs of living. Indeed, 49.2 percent of Americans now receive benefits from one or more government programs:

In the fourth quarter of 2011, 49.2 percent of Americans received benefits from one or more government programs, according to data released Tuesday by the Census Bureau. In total, the Census Bureau estimated, 151,014,000 Americans out of a population then estimated to be 306,804,000 received benefits from one or more government programs during the last three months of 2011. Those 151,014,000 beneficiaries equaled 49.2 percent of the population. This included 82,457,000 people--or 26.9 percent of the population--who lived in households in which one or more people received Medicaid benefits. Also among the 151,014,000 who received benefits from one or more government programs during that period: 49,901,000 who collected Social Security; 49,073,000 who got food stamps; 46,440,000 on Medicare; 23,228,000 in the Women, Infants and Children program, 20,223,000 getting Supplemental Security Income;13,433,000 who lived in public or subsidized rental housing; 5,098,000 who got unemployment; 3,178,000 who got veterans' benefits; and 364,000 who got railroad retirement benefits.”

Today, politicians vigorously encourage an entitlement mentality as a means for securing and retaining political power. All too often, Americans are brainwashed to believe that government perks (paid for by others), are guaranteed by the US Constitution and are, therefore, inalienable. This sort of government insanity even extends beyond the US borders. For example, the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) broadcasts information, in Spanish, about the availability of food stamps into Mexico, either as a service to the illegal alien population living in the US and/ or as a lure to attract even more invaders. Again, the perks are advertised with no mention of whom pays the bills. And we wonder why the economy is in shambles and the national debt is completely out of control? America would be greatly served by a return to the Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You…” ideal in the Oval office and in the halls of Congress!