What Obama Could Learn From Bad Parents

A neighbor recently gave my two oldest an old Kawasaki Mule.  This utv has some problems, and they were told that it was theirs for the cost of fixing it.  They are thrilled.  Minus a few indian burns and cheap kidney punches, the two pugilists have worked nonstop on what they see as their ticket to freedom from an oppressive home environment.  Unfortunately, things went south on the latest test ride; it died on them in the middle of the horse pasture.  They did what the male of our species always does when faced with unexpected mechanical issues; they lifted the 'hood' and stared at the offending motor with absolutely no clue what to do.  After some intense staring and banging on various parts with an end-wrench failed to revive it, a determination was made to tow it home. 

Mr and Mrs Goodwrench, as I like to call them, came barging into the house demanding that I fulfill my role as father-figure and help them tow the offending vehicle home and fix it.  Sadly, they had come during my sacrosanct afternoon 'rest' period and there was nothing I could do.  Disappointed, they walked outside and did what any good delinquents would;  they 'borrowed' my 4-wheeler and did it themselves.  Some time later, they roared back into the driveway with the 7 yr old driving the tow vehicle and the 13 yr old screaming unheeded instructions from behind the wheel of the dead mule.  If I had gotten up off the couch to see it, I would have been proud.   My inherent laziness had given them an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and the pride and confidence that comes from overcoming their own challenges.

Watching this got me thinking;  maybe Obama shouldn't try to be such a helpful parent....

President Obama and his band of merry men/women need to allow people to solve some of their own problems.  Government should provide those things that individuals cannot procure themselves: i.e. roads, property rights, military, etc.  Remember, a world without risk is a world without reward.