Editor:

It is my belief that ‘equality comes with opportunity.’ I do not believe that it comes by law nor government action. It is this basic belief that undoubtedly makes me a conservative and not a liberal.

I have very little patience with those who do not take advantage of opportunities afforded to them in terms of securing an education or acquiring skills according to mental/physical abilities. If you are uneducated and lack skills to fit into the workforce (long term), one cannot expect to enjoy all the luxuries of life. I feel that many have come to expect much, with little or no effort or sacrifice. Work is not a dirty word; it is a path to achievement.

It has become acceptable in our society to voice the concept that those who achieve a degree of wealth and success are not contributing their share in this society. What is meant by a fair share? Are those who work hard responsible for providing all the comforts of life to those who are content not to work?

Growing up, it was instilled in me that people worked for a living. Don’t expect a “good living” without hard work. It is well to remember education and skills are achieved by hard work and are rewarded by better living conditions. People who work hard and achieve success should not be expected to provide for those who expect much with little or no effort. Work is not a bad word; it is a fact of life.
I may be labeled a heartless conservative. I believe that I am a realist. While I understand that some are unable to do for themselves, I believe that the abuse of the system is of epic proportion. I also believe that sooner or later, those who work for a living will truly tire of providing a lifestyle for those who labor under the impression that you don’t have to work.

In the real world, you are expected to work for a living. One should accept the fact that without a good education and skills to fit into the workforce, you will qualify for only minimum wages.

Russ Babicky, Rhinelander