January 24, 2010

Welcome to the Family, Little X-1

The wife of one of my friends is a MA liberal. She writes about how Obamacare will save the world, end war, and provide blow jobs for the homeless...or something like that. To be honest, I don't read all that closely. But I did notice in one of her recent diatribes, she came out with this gem:
I have three kids, and bring them to the doctor A LOT. At more than $160 per sick visit, that is too steep for me w/out medical insurance.
Now I like my friend, and although I don't know his wife all that well, she seems like a nice enough person. After reading this, however, my first thought was "if you're complaining about the medical costs for three children, then maybe, just maybe...YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD THREE FUCKING KIDS!" I can't tell you how irritating I find this kind of person. The "it's my choice what to do with my life and my body and don't you try to tell me how to live my life" people who then want the government to assist them when they are in over their heads. (And since governments don't create wealth so much as they distribute it through our taxes, guess where that assistance is really coming from.) This shouldn't come as a surprise to any adult: having children costs money. Especially if you want to take them to the doctor, instead of a good home leeching or mustard plaster. Children are little people; they are not accessories or status symbols. They get sick. They need medication and shots. They even occasionally bump into things or fall and break bones. If you're not aware of that, you shouldn't be having children. And if you can't afford to take the proper care, you shouldn't be having them. Or instead of having X number of children, perhaps have X-1.

Look, I firmly believe that everyone should be able to have as many children as they want to....IF they can pay for them. But somebody tell me why on Earth I and others like me, who live responsibly and within our means, should be taxed for programs such as government health care because you didn't take into account your kids' stomach flu. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck paying child support for a kid I didn't even have. I'm getting screwed, and I'm not even getting screwed.

I have nothing against kids. But you, you people with your broods of five or six or more that you can't afford? You are no better than those people who took out mortgages for houses they couldn't afford, and contributed to the economic fiasco that followed.

I know one couple, friends of mine, who are trying to decide between having children or buying a house. They realize that even though they both make fairly decent incomes, they can't afford both right now. Good for them.

Call me a dick if you want to, but just remember: I'm not the one who's doing anything that's going to increase your taxes to pay for my lifestyle choices.

4 comments:

  1. Amen to that. Honestly, in a world where I didn't have to care about money I would have 5 kids, realistcally I could afford having 2 at most, it's sad but it's the reality. I don't understand why people don't think in those terms.

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  2. I worried a little bit about this one, as I have a number of friends and family with large families, and I didn't want them to think this was directed towards them, as most of them are good, responsible parents who work hard and make sacrifices in their lives so their kids can be healthy and happy.

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  3. By the way, PD, I noticed you didn't comment on my best of/worst of list. I'd be interested to know what you thought.

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  4. Anonymous2:57 PM

    I have 3 kids and totally agree with you Shawn. We are only a 1 income family but we manage to get by. I will admit that I do get Heating assistance($500/YR). Could I get by without it? Maybe, but it does make things a bit easier. The part of her statement that annoys me is that her kids get sick alot and she takes them to the doctor every time. As I have said, we have 3 kids and they DO get sick alot, it is going to happen, but mine do not go to the doctor for every FEVER, SNIFFLE, or COUGH. I would be bankrupt if I took them every time. My sister does it and it ANNOYS THE SHIT OUT OF ME. Every little cough or fever and she has the kids at On-Call or the Doctor's office.

    Sean

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