You don't deserve it just because

As I was mopping my floor last night I heard a commercial from a local rent/ rent-to-own place. The woman on the ad talked about how even though the economy is bad, you don't have to suffer. Why not stop in and get that furniture or tv you need and deserve! No one wants to live in a plain empty house. Right...

I agree, no one wants to live in a boring house. Mine is decorated and I love it! Goodness, I decorate my blog depending on my mood because I can't have it plain looking. I understand that line of thinking.

However, I do not agree with the thought that "you deserve _________", insert whatever material object your little heart desires. First off people, the economy is bad thanks to a few morons who couldn't live with-in their means. They felt they were entitled to whatever they wanted, regardless of it's affordability. Um, that created a lot of problems for a lot of people and has had long lasting effects. Have we learned anything from this? Obviously not. We still think we are entitled to things we cannot afford or are worthy of.

Second, since when is anyone entitled to a big flat screen tv or brand new leather couch? At what point in your life does that magic delivery man come to you and say "Bob, you've worked 25 years as a butcher and now are entitled to a tv with a screen as big as your kitchen." or "Jane, you've mothered six kids and so here is your new family room furniture." or "Sam, you had crappy parents, here's a new surround sound system on us!" That just doesn't happen. You see, working is just part of life. Yes, it sucks, but it's true. If you want to eat, have a roof over your head, etc. then you need an income. And dealing with life's hardships doesn't make you exempt from it. Most honest people work and get this thing called a paycheck. Said honest and, hopefully wise, people save money from those paychecks for expenses they may have. And here's the crazy thing, if our working honest person wants to buy something (gasp) they save up for it! Ah! Can you believe it?! What a novel idea! Working and saving money for something rather than just demanding it based on some false selfish ideal. Wow! Mind blowing!

Apparently the concept really is foreign when it comes to society as a whole. Just because you live, breathe, and take up space on this earth does not mean you are entitled to have all your whims satisfied. (Unless you are a baby, but most babies aren't the ones out there buying things they cannot afford. Thank goodness they aren't out buying anything. Jacob would buy ceiling fans to install over every inch of the house so he could look at them and giggle.) I work hard and I save to buy the things I need and want. My children understand this concept and yet for some reason it is too hard for many adults to get. Despite what the radio ads may say from "Bruce's" you aren't entitled to anything unless you work for it. So get a clue, stop whining, and get off your bum and go to work. If only people would listen . . .