How many of you pay your children to brush their teeth?
Our thinking is, not many.
Those who do — and we know you are out there — probably agree withy Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan to pay people who get the COVID-19 vaccination, as well as the General Assembly, which wants to pay people to get off unemplyment and get back to work.
Is this really what we’ve come to — paying people to do what they should be doing anyway?
What’s next, having law enforcement pull people over and giving them money for wearing a seat belt or doing the speed limit? Maybe children should be given a state-boosted allowance for attending school, or perhaps municipalities should give monetary rewards to those local residents who shop locally.
Silly, every single one of those. But how are they more far-fetched than Cooper’s plan or the General Assembly’s plan?
We have long agreed that every single eligible person should get the COVID-19 vaccination. No excuses. But using state monies, regardless of where they come from, to pay someone for getting the vaccine isn’t only ethically skewed, but it also disregards all of those who took on the responsibility long ago to get the vaccine on their own.
Save the money and simply make it a state mandate for residents to get the vaccination — or risk not being allowed into public places. If they can’t show a vaccination card, then there should be no entry into concerts, ballgames, government meetings, anywhere where gatherings take place.
Get tough, not soft.
People regularly complain that government reaches into their personal lives far too often with laws and mandates that should be left up to the individual to decide. This is not one of those things. This worldwide pandemic remains a threat, and spikes are still occurring, so it would seem those who prefer being rebels aren’t giving government a choice in the matter. Forcing people to do the right thing should be the next step, not paying people off.
Giving people a bonus to get off unemployment and go back to work is just another unnecessary government handout.
If the state really wants to get people off their couch, simply stop the unemployment benefits for anyone who isn’t actively seeking employment or has turned down a job offer. Period.
Earning a living and contributing positively to their family and community should be bonus enough for anyone with some common sense. Coddling and rewarding those who would rather wait for better handouts doesn’t make sense.
Rather than giving away money, the state should put that money to better use by creating job training programs that will give residents a chance at a better life.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Just do it.”