Wild Pigs

Below is a copy of a forwarded email we received a few days ago. I usually don't respond to forwarded emails, but I did reply to this one. About half way down, you'll find my reply.

So here is the original email:
There was a Chemistry professor in a large college that had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Prof noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt.

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He h ad been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government. In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'

The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line.
The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.

Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America. The government keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, free medical, etc. while we continually lose our freedoms - just a little at a time.

One should always remember 'There is no such thing as a free Lunch! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.

Also, if you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America, you might want to send this on to your friends. If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life then you will probably delete this e-mail, but God help you when the gate slams shut!

'A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.'
... Thomas Jefferson


Here is my reply:
If the exchange student with the bullet in his back has such a problem with the U.S.A., perhaps he should return to his native country to complete his schooling. However, it is likely that he wants to stay in our country because he knows that no matter how messed up people can make our country appear in email stories, we are still by far the best country in the world for a person to earn a decent living and enjoy a comfortable life.

My concern with emails such as this is that it makes me think that some of the people who have been blessed with the ability to earn a decent living have very little compassion for those who do not have that same ability. Worse than that, I think that many of these people do not even consider the possibility that there may even be people out there who cannot support themselves.

I work as an attorney specializing almost exclusively in Social Security disability. I deal every day with the “wild pigs” who eat the “free corn.” These are people who simply do not have the ability to earn a good living. They are not lazy. They just don’t have the physical and/or mental capacity to hold a job. Almost all of them have tried and failed repeatedly.

Do you know what their “free corn” is valued at? They receive Supplemental Security Income of $637 per month from the Social Security Administration. Try living on that! I know that my family could not do it. I think it is great that these people who would otherwise have absolutely nothing at least have the opportunity to have a small apartment and the medical care they need. I am happy to know that my taxes make this possible.

A few weeks ago, we were on vacation in Hawaii. Everybody there was living the good life – driving fancy cars, taking tours, eating at expensive restaurants, etc. Then I saw a couple of homeless people. My first thought was that it is ridiculous that in a place with so much extravagant spending on luxuries that there would be anyone who had to beg for his basic daily food and sleep on the sidewalk (sidewalks are very hard even in beautiful Hawaii).

That is crazy to me, but I think it really speaks to one of the lines in this email: “One should always remember 'There is no such thing as a free Lunch! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.” These are great points. Programs to provide services to these destitute people are not free. I gladly pay for them with my tax dollars. It is also true that if we would take care of such people on our own through private charities, etc., we could do it cheaper than the politicians. The problem is that collectively we don’t give enough willingly, so the only remaining alternative is for politicians to set up the programs. In this regard, I definitely feel that doing something is a better response than doing nothing at all.

A couple of weeks ago during Sunday School, we read 2 Nephi 9:30. It states: “But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.” I think that this speaks volumes. What does it say to you?

We ought to be more concerned with our fellow human beings who are suffering right here in our land of promise, and we ought to be less concerned with our fat wallets, luxurious homes, and fancy cars. Personally, I feel that there is more than enough money available for us to live comfortably and also lend a helping hand to those less fortunate.

One final comment. You should be very careful in judging these “wild pigs.” You never know when it could happen to you. I have represented many people who were successful professionals and earning good incomes. Something happens in their life like an accident, the death of a spouse or child, or a debilitating disease. They find themselves unable cope with these problems and unable to support themselves or their families. Then severe depression sets in making them further unable to support themselves. They do not make the choice to go from productive to dependant. It just happens.

I certainly hope that I never have to endure such circumstances. I also hope that none of you reading this email ever have to deal with such things. However, the fact is that these types of things can hit anyone at anytime with no warning. If that does ever happen to me, I know how I would like to be treated. How would you want to be treated if it happens to you?

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” -Jesus Christ- (Matt. 7:12). We should all try a little harder to live by the Golden Rule.

I know that it has probably been difficult for you to read through all this compassionate propaganda, but I thank you for taking the time to consider my point of view. I hope that it sparks a bit of introspection.

Thanks,
Dave