Sunday, June 28, 2015

ENTITLEMENT or Occult Compensation?

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Many years ago my mother asked me to get something from her bureau in the bedroom. I opened the dresser drawer and peeked in. There was a wooden box, probably a jewelry box, with a variety of open compartments. In one of the containers was a hand full of change. I decided to help myself to a nickel! No one was around and in those days five cents would buy five candy penny bags at the corner store. I slipped a nickel into my pocket and left the room. Obviously, it bothered me a long time as I still remember the whole episode clearly.


Many years later at work I was presented with an expense account by another employee. I refused to sign approval. The individual then took it to my supervisor. I never did hear the outcome, but I do know I got one cold shoulder from that day on!

As a child I stole five cents. Today it is no  longer necessary to steal, just gather your "entitlements".  No doubt there are the compulsive thieves and kleptomaniacs out there plying their trade - Men of Steal - as some have called them.  I recently received an email, supposedly from  Revenue Canada telling me I was eligible to a large tax refund! Yeah, sure!  These phishing scams, this time an income tax scam,  are often very clever and unfortunately some people get hurt financially. Oh well, don't worry, crime on the streets is down says the federal government!

On the other hand, in a war torn country would it be illegal to steal food to stay alive? Some would say that no one holds ABSOLUTE right to private property. On the other hand, others would say if someone has food they have an obligation to share it with those who have none. If my life, or the life of my family depended on it, I would not hesitate to take what was necessary, and I would not consider myself a thief.

Unfortunately in today's world many don't consider themselves thieves for far less. "After all I work so hard and they don't pay me what I deserve, so I just pad my expense account, pick up odds-and-ends around the office and leave work early on Friday afternoon." The presumption being it is not stealing, it is simply getting what I deserve!  They may convince themselves they have the right to take from others in some circumstances. They don't think twice about making copies at work, taking home pens and paper, skip paying taxes by paying cash, not pointing out to the server that she forgot to include your drinks on the bill...you get the picture.  At one time some of this was called 'occult compensation'.  I probably messed up here a few times as well!

Blue Water Twin Bridge
CBC The Fifth Estate recently revealed the lavish spending of an unpaid director of the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario. One trip, a 4 day conference in Germany, the individual stayed 9 days in the best hotel, went on tours, ate at the expensive restaurants and then presented an expense account for over $36,000! And that was the tip of the iceberg! She then said she deserved it! All of it tax payers money. Abuse of this magnitude led Transport Minister  Lisa Raitt to say, " We find the abuse of public funds to be unacceptable" So do most Canadians, Lisa!

Sometimes we forget that at the root of our many freedoms in Canada rests a foundation of laws and obligations. Rules and regulations, if they don't become ridiculous, are the basis of our freedoms. Imagine a large highway without rules and you get the picture. In one sense "entitlements" is just another form of arrogance and false reasoning. The danger is, how far will it go if not stopped. None of us are saints, at least I have yet to meet one!

Sorry Mom, I don't remember where I spent that nickel.

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did you Know?
Marijuana is now permitted in some form in 23 states? I thought smoking caused cancer and other awful ills?


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