What is wrong with some people? !!

[jaes]

Humanity?

greed , one of the worst aspect of humanity

---I worry more about the increasing loss of humanity. ---Recently, I saw pictures of people peacefully standing in line waiting to get into a "soup kitchen," during the great depression. If we come even close to the depths of the great depression, in current day America, do you really think people will be able to stand, peacefully, in line for food---without the National Guard, protecting the line and the food kitchen. In recent years, in big cities, we have people getting killed over sport jackets. Times HAVE changed ---when I was in my teens, living in a small town, people did not lock their houses, it was not at all unusual for people to leave their cars unlocked and the keys in the car ignition while they went in a store to shop. I remember, my younger brother going trick-or-treating, alone, when he was 7 or 8 years old---today that would be unthinkable---if someone left their 7 or 8 yr old do that today--- they would be up for child neglect. I don't worry so much about greed---I worry more about violence and the feeling that you are entitled to take what you can get---by any means necessary. ---Just a few happy thoughts. ----Jaes.

[cschin4]

Technology hasn't made us dumber but it has affected our social nature. People are more "in touch" with one another but more socially isolated. We don't have the large families around or really have to interact with one another. We can turn off our devices and interact on our terms.
And, along with the social isolation we have had a breakdown of morality where nobody seems to really know what to believe anymore so it becomes easier to just embrace an "all about me" type concept.
As resources become scarce, I think the Wild West is going to make it's reappearance.

[Inkstain82]

I think things are very much worse today than even 25 years ago. People seem very much different, and I'm not sure why. I doubt that technology is the cause of it.

Today I see some people not working (and these are people very capable of working), but won't take a job "because I'd have to give the money to my ex for child support," or I see people not attending the classes in college they signed up for, or I see people not really take any responsibility for their lives.

Yes, I've also seen "responsible" people; but these days I feel overwhelmed with the sense that more people are irresponsible; and that "responsibility" has become the minority.

People aren't different. Your perspective on things is different. You see a lot more than you probably did 25 years ago. We get a bit more perceptive as we get older

[Inkstain82]

There is not doubt that our current govt is willing to reward bad behavior. We simply can't incentivize this kind of thing any longer.

I think that's true, but it's only half the problem.

The concept of the free market is based on the assumption of rational behavior. But human beings aren't wired that way.

You need to avoid incentivizing bad behavior, but you also need to incentivize and educate toward good behavior as well, if you expect people to act in ways market models predict.

[davrobins]

All I can say is the government works in strange ways most of the time.

[Goldy1]

IT just bothers me to think of people ruining a good house like that. I know some things will never change. I have a deep love and concern for children and people and the thought of kids getting thrown out of homes is terrible, but when you read the articles about how the "bad banks" are kicking people out, you never hear things written about that cruise and 2nd home mortgage that finanaces a bigger than needed car etc. etc

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I agree --- and it you where to live in Europe --- in particular Spain --- you will be in shock to find out , that even after they trow you out ---- you still have to pay the loan --- the house will put to sale , and the difference remains your responsibility for life or until the remainder of the loan is paid off even if you don't have a job ---- Spaniards could not comprehend , that in this country the bank takes your house or your car if you cannot pay --- but no more

Uh, RedThunderBird? I think one would still owe (in the US) the difference between what the bank eventually sells the house for and what you had still owed. Any second mortgages don't just go away either.

[disneysteve]

Today I see some people not working (and these are people very capable of working), but won't take a job "because I'd have to give the money to my ex for child support," or I see people not attending the classes in college they signed up for, or I see people not really take any responsibility for their lives.

While I agree that this happens, I also see another side of the issue. I have patients who are on disability for some reason. Many of them are capable of being gainfully employed. The problem is that the minute they start earning a paycheck, they lose their health benefits and they simply can't take that risk because they do have legitimate medical issues. So they continue to live off the system because if they don't, they'd be in big trouble, not able to afford their medical care and prescriptions and such. If we had some type of national healthcare, these people could get back to work and be contributing to society instead of collecting tax payer dollars.

[Brad VanGuard]

That would make me mad! That would take the value of the surrounding homes down with it. As an example of people, we had a family down the street move north and try to sell their house. I'm from Utah and by the housing market here it was worth 400K before the market dive bombed. The house has been vacant for two and a half years. Some people looked at it a few weeks ago and agreed to offer 380K for it. Then right before they closed the deal they found out the people who were trying to sell it were desperate to sell it so they dropped their price to 360K. The sellers knew they wouldn't find another buyer so they took what they could get. I think it's stupid and very irresponsible of the buyers to treat people that way. Not to mention they sellers had to pay the bills on the house as well as their new one.

[Peterz]

just calm down, everything will be ok from now on. The truth will be known by every one. Technology will benefit us all the same.

[asmom]

I think there have always been dead beats. I'm pretty sure there is not a higher percentage of dead beats today than there were 20 years ago. But we always remember the past differently than it was, just as our current perception of the world is different than it actually is.

I think things are very much worse today than even 25 years ago. People seem very much different, and I'm not sure why. I doubt that technology is the cause of it.

This reminds me of a discussion I had with a retired school teacher about 10 years ago when I was still working as a home health nurse. At that time she was in her mid 80s. Her daughter who was herself in her late 60s had been over to vent about how terrible children and the world in general was today. Mrs. K went on to tell me about some of the stunts her daughter had pulled as a child and some of the behavior of some of the children in her classes as well as their parents. She finished up by saying:

"You see Sharon. Folks were just as bad then as they are now, we just didn't hear about it as much. I could tell you some things that would make your hair stand on end. Don't tell me about any good old days."

and she sat back in her rocking chair with a little glint in her eye, nodding her head and rocking. I'll take her word for it.

She always did make me laugh, I miss that lady.