Unfortunately our current elected officials nationwide need to have that quote emblazoned into their consciousness.

... or branded onto their a----

I totally agree with this quote. Nobody wants to work hard only to hand it over to those who refuse to better themselves. However, taking care of the people who have tried desperately to make ends meet, feed their kids and put a roof over their heads is not the same as giving money to lazy bums. Some people have such myopic ways of looking at life that they fail to understand the difference. In this economy, so many of the needy were once employed and never asked for a dime from anyone. They paid their bills and took care of their families. Losing your job, becoming disabled or being a victim of an investment scam can happen to anyone. Look at all the people who lost their pensions because of crooks like Bernard Madoff and Kenneth Lay. No matter how much I listen to him, I can't think of one time I heard our new President tell people to stay home and sit on their butts. In fact, I heard just the opposite. I heard him say we need to work hard, lift ourselves up, get a better education and become involved in our community in order to get ahead, since we are responsible for our own futures and the futures of our children & grandchildren.   There is a big difference between wealth and greed, something else many fail to understand.

Just one more thing that suddenly came to mind. Maybe this is off-topic, but I'm reminded of my paternal grandfather who owned a successful textile company. Before the Great Depression he gave loans to his clients who were having trouble making ends meet. He also helped friends and family who couldn't find work. So eventually, when the banks failed and nobody was able to pay him back, he lost his business. I never once heard him complain although my grandparents lived in a small apartment in Roxbury and lived a simple life. The last time I saw him in the hospital before he died of leukemia, he said "I'm alright. Don't worry." I was 11.   Bitter people live & die bitterly. Generous, caring people live & die surrounded by love & abundance.

Excellent quote.