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840high

(17,196 posts)

150. Personal responsibility....

Wed Jun 18, 2014, 03:29 PM

Jun 2014

Collins was driving and thought he saw a child on the highway. He stopped and there was a 2 yr. old toddler - he picked the child up and called 911. Most likely saved this baby's life. Here's his comment - sounds like personal responsibility to me:

Collins, who spent 10 years in prison for manufacturing cocaine, was released in 2009. During his incarceration, he said he chose to change his life, and this proves it.
“It made me feel good that I could be in society and do good,” Collins told the TV station. “Just as well as you can do bad, you can do good.”

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Since when did the words "personal responsibility" become taboo? [View all] clarice Jun 2014 OP

We live an either or society in a lot of ways el_bryanto Jun 2014 #1

This jollyreaper2112 Jun 2014 #7

When the repugs repeatedly and hypocritically misused and abused it lame54 Jun 2014 #2

Yes. Orrex Jun 2014 #8

and something they never practice... lame54 Jun 2014 #11

Personal Responsibility, Sir The Magistrate Jun 2014 #3

Um....ok. nt clarice Jun 2014 #4

In Other Words, Sir, As The Kids Would Say --- You Got Nuthin' The Magistrate Jun 2014 #12

First of all. please stop calling me Sir, clarice Jun 2014 #13

Thank You For The Laugh, Sir The Magistrate Jun 2014 #14

My pleasure sir, and good luck with the Eurotophobia. nt clarice Jun 2014 #17

That's the way The Magistrate talks to people--most of us like it and find it distinctive. MADem Jun 2014 #15

Ok...maybe it's me... clarice Jun 2014 #16

Fair Enough, Ma'am The Magistrate Jun 2014 #18

Thank you sir, and please disregard the post about Eurotophobia...bad girl !!!! nt clarice Jun 2014 #19

No Hard Feelings, Ma'am The Magistrate Jun 2014 #20

No hard feelings at all sir...... clarice Jun 2014 #28

More Philia Than Phobia, Ma'am, Where That Is Concerned The Magistrate Jun 2014 #34

lol. nt clarice Jun 2014 #37

When you see Clarice this image doesn't instantly come into your mind? snooper2 Jun 2014 #25

It May Now, Ma'am The Magistrate Jun 2014 #27

lol !!!!!! good one. nt clarice Jun 2014 #29

Maybe...and here's why. MADem Jun 2014 #21

Didn't think of that....time to update profile. nt clarice Jun 2014 #30

Speak for yourself Bluenorthwest Jun 2014 #44

Clearly, when I said "most of us" I wasn't talking about YOU. MADem Jun 2014 #59

+1 daleanime Jun 2014 #5

that's well said even if I don't entirely agree cali Jun 2014 #6

That Is One Of The Contingent Factors, Ma'am The Magistrate Jun 2014 #10

We don't hold the very wealthy responsible for their actions, by and large. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #45

They Take The Flip Side Of It, Sir The Magistrate Jun 2014 #52

Perfectly stated. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #53

Good explanation of how they feel and think, but truedelphi Jun 2014 #151

Respectfully......... clarice Jun 2014 #68

It is often perfectly right and just to hold people personally responsible for their choices. Vattel Jun 2014 #56

It Certainly Can Be, Sir The Magistrate Jun 2014 #57

You seem to have missed my point but maybe I am not understanding you. Vattel Jun 2014 #60

Couldn't have said it better. nt clarice Jun 2014 #69

Social Order Certainly Requires It, Sir The Magistrate Jun 2014 #102

Everything you say here is consistent with what I said. Vattel Jun 2014 #135

Then We Would Seem Met in Agreement, Sir The Magistrate Jun 2014 #136

Cheers. Vattel Jun 2014 #137

Exactly...nt clarice Jun 2014 #91

You said it better than I did. Well stated. liberal_at_heart Jun 2014 #40

Good stuff there. panader0 Jun 2014 #64

Since it tends to be used about those who have been railroaded by the system intaglio Jun 2014 #9

YES....What you are saying. Precisely. None of the benefits, all of the blame. MADem Jun 2014 #23

+1 nt Live and Learn Jun 2014 #183

Right Wing Doublespeak. They delibrately distort the language. hunter Jun 2014 #22

I hear you but....... clarice Jun 2014 #31

Nope. Not agreed. Too much baggage. hunter Jun 2014 #41

Expecting people to fix what they didn't break is really the crux of the matter. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #46

That Is A Very Important Point, Sir The Magistrate Jun 2014 #55

I do try to fix that stuff too. hunter Jun 2014 #61

Then it only makes sense to make the most that you can WITH it. nt clarice Jun 2014 #70

Of course. But when some people fall short, we shouldn't automatically blame them as individuals. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #73

We need to examine what caused those "Difficult Circumstances"..... clarice Jun 2014 #75

In most cases, no. Most poor people were born poor, a lot of criminals had criminals for parents. nt nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #78

Then following that thought...... clarice Jun 2014 #81

Someone may have down the line, I suppose. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #85

I can give you many examples of..... clarice Jun 2014 #87

Doesn't mean you can just condemn everyone else out of hand. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #93

I disagree....... clarice Jun 2014 #94

Read the "edit" at the bottom of my post. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #97

Ah ha...now we are at the crux of the issue..... clarice Jun 2014 #104

I mean the circumstances someone is *born into*. Like who their parents are. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #107

No...of course we can't.... clarice Jun 2014 #110

We aren't really masters of our own fate gollygee Jun 2014 #99

But what is ACTUALLY wrong with the term... clarice Jun 2014 #112

"It's easier to throw cliched bromides out than it is to address the REAL problem." nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #114

Ok...if we shouldn't reduce everything to individual choice...... clarice Jun 2014 #147

It's not that we're not responsible for our own actions. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #152

Agreed. Thanks for the nice civil conversation. nt clarice Jun 2014 #153

No problem. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #155

Thank you for putting it so well. This is basically the argument I was trying to make. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #116

They were more lucky than smart eridani Jun 2014 #139

How do you KNOW that ? nt clarice Jun 2014 #144

Because externals matter a lot more. In 2007, all kinds of smart people-- eridani Jun 2014 #158

I still believe that smarts AND common sense.... clarice Jun 2014 #166

And unicorns poop rainbows eridani Jun 2014 #187

I'm sorry if my optimism offends you. nt clarice Jun 2014 #189

That kind of optimism is what is sending this country down the tubes. eridani Jun 2014 #207

She sounds like a very negative person. nt clarice Jun 2014 #208

Having re-read carefully........ clarice Jun 2014 #210

Whereas terminally perky nutcases just crash the economy periodically with their cheery-- eridani Jun 2014 #211

Why are you so bitter? nt clarice Jun 2014 #215

Why are you so shallow? n/t eridani Jun 2014 #222

I would like clarice to follow up on this question. U4ikLefty Jun 2014 #240

wow. You're unfamiliar with Ehrenreich? RainDog Jun 2014 #213

I would consider myself more of a moderate.....calm down, life is GOOD ! nt clarice Jun 2014 #216

vapidity is not a value to many people RainDog Jun 2014 #219

Be that as it may....sometimes it helps... clarice Jun 2014 #220

LOL n/t RainDog Jun 2014 #221

That is not it at all. alarimer Jun 2014 #250

My biological dad is an abuser mythology Jun 2014 #122

I know what you mean. We can all at least *try* to do better than others before us did. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #123

Then what term would you use for those of us who "self govern ?.nt clarice Jun 2014 #72

Everybody "self governs." hunter Jun 2014 #162

well said. nt clarice Jun 2014 #163

When it became a RW meme to blame people for things outside their control Taitertots Jun 2014 #24

Lets see some personal responsibility from Wall Street and american corps randys1 Jun 2014 #26

Personal responsibility is a trait that should transcend socioeconomic boundries. IMO. nt clarice Jun 2014 #33

We have a private prison system that makes billions of dollars imprisoning all kinds of people. liberal_at_heart Jun 2014 #32

With all respect..... clarice Jun 2014 #36

It's been horribly misused for so long... Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jun 2014 #35

Perhaps so. thanks nt clarice Jun 2014 #38

That's the essence of "libertarian" bullshit: believing people's actions occur in a vacuum. n/t nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #48

"peoples actions occur in a vacuum"..... clarice Jun 2014 #67

That their circumstances and environment have nothing to do with their actions or ultimate fate. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #71

They don't ????!!!! Then what does? nt clarice Jun 2014 #74

I'm talking about the right-wing "libertarian" argument, not necessarily an argument anyone on DU nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #80

cool...I misread. Peace. nt clarice Jun 2014 #83

Take personal responsbility and stop eating crap. bigwillq Jun 2014 #98

Actually we're told to eat crap every single day we watch tv. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jun 2014 #109

Most of the things we do are our own fault. bigwillq Jun 2014 #111

We do have some ability to change things, yes. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jun 2014 #113

Oh, I totally agree with your last paragraph. bigwillq Jun 2014 #117

So tell me how somebody who's been raised by parents ill-informed about nutrition alp227 Jun 2014 #127

People need to take responsibility by informing themselves bigwillq Jun 2014 #133

When it became a racist code word, and when those who use it freely... joeybee12 Jun 2014 #39

I'm a moderate and I use the term frequently.....and I'm CERTAINLY not a racist. nt clarice Jun 2014 #76

Think Paul Ryan, Mittns Rmoney and the like... joeybee12 Jun 2014 #82

That's my whole point....thank you. clarice Jun 2014 #86

Yup...nt joeybee12 Jun 2014 #89

'personal responsibility' is right up there with 'family values' xchrom Jun 2014 #42

My family has values......we teach our children at a very young age. Nothing to scoff at. nt clarice Jun 2014 #43

... nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #50

Thank you....nt clarice Jun 2014 #77

It's become Republican code-speak treestar Jun 2014 #47

+1 nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #49

I'm sorry....I'm a little lost..... clarice Jun 2014 #79

because if you're born in the lucky club, your worst decisions have a lot less consequences.... bettyellen Jun 2014 #121

Exactly. I don't see how anyone can deny that. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #129

I loved your suggestion to apply it to the corporate/ economic elite! Perfect. bettyellen Jun 2014 #132

Code speak treestar Jun 2014 #159

When the word was grossly overused and abused by the right wing for decades. nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #51

when I was growing up I never heard of personal responsibility gwheezie Jun 2014 #54

Poor choice by the parental units.....but we can overcome !! nt clarice Jun 2014 #90

It went out of favor the day we suggested it could be applied to Republicans Warpy Jun 2014 #58

January 20, 2001 lpbk2713 Jun 2014 #62

Point ? nt clarice Jun 2014 #92

That's the date "personal responsibility" became irrelevant. lpbk2713 Jun 2014 #96

IMO...Personal responsiblity...... clarice Jun 2014 #100

You're a parent. That's why it's bugging you. mainer Jun 2014 #63

How many of those in prisons are there because of a corrupt system and rasicm MattBaggins Jun 2014 #65

I'm not sure.......do you have the figures? Thanks. nt. clarice Jun 2014 #66

More people need to take personal responsibilty for their actions. bigwillq Jun 2014 #84

* sarcasm* ? nt clarice Jun 2014 #88

No. bigwillq Jun 2014 #95

My apologies and thanks....nt clarice Jun 2014 #101

Yes. Growing up that 840high Jun 2014 #115

Mine too. bigwillq Jun 2014 #118

BECAUSE Skittles Jun 2014 #103

Then let's take the term BACK !!!! clarice Jun 2014 #106

We can start by applying it heavily to the corporate and political elite. n/t nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #130

Why give them power? 840high Jun 2014 #119

*I* don't - I call them out on their garbage every time Skittles Jun 2014 #125

As a former medical person, I agree with you. Smoke? You reap the consequences. mainer Jun 2014 #105

Yes...it is their DESCISION to smoke....and a very bad one at that.... clarice Jun 2014 #108

The right made them do it. 840high Jun 2014 #120

lol...that's CORRECT...I forgot about the right ! nt clarice Jun 2014 #143

Maybe having to deal with people like you on a daily basis? Live and Learn Jun 2014 #180

What do you mean? Was that a personal attack ? Are you a repug? nt clarice Jun 2014 #205

As a former medical person ... GeorgeGist Jun 2014 #138

Yes, addiction excuses everything. mainer Jun 2014 #140

That's not how it works pipi_k Jun 2014 #141

It excuses a Wall Street trader's continual need to accrue cash, as well mainer Jun 2014 #142

No, it doesn't. It explains it. Hissyspit Jun 2014 #234

+1 nt Live and Learn Jun 2014 #181

How about non-smokers who get lung cancer? Are they reaping what they sow? tenderfoot Jun 2014 #170

Saying anyone deserves to be ill is disgusting. Live and Learn Jun 2014 #182

There's a huge difference between those who ignore the warnings mainer Jun 2014 #242

Then, I'm glad you're not in the profession, the less indifference the better. tenderfoot Jun 2014 #259

MARKETING. You can thank Frank Luntz, Mark Levin, Lee Atwater, and other savvy right wingers. alp227 Jun 2014 #124

True.... clarice Jun 2014 #149

When they became used exclusively to concern troll the poor. LeftyMom Jun 2014 #126

+1 nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #128

Very succinct gollygee Jun 2014 #131

The term should apply to everyone, regardless of background. nt clarice Jun 2014 #146

But background matters. You can't treat everyone equally because they aren't equal kcr Jun 2014 #161

Agreed, but I believe that everyone... clarice Jun 2014 #164

Capability has little to do with it kcr Jun 2014 #171

Yes we DO agree, you just don't realize it yet....it takes time. nt clarice Jun 2014 #174

Nope. Pretty sure I don't agree with you at all kcr Jun 2014 #175

It's simply a matter of maturity....hang in there.nt clarice Jun 2014 #190

And calling someone a fool when you can't argue your point is the height of maturity? n/t kcr Jun 2014 #193

* yawn*.....There is no reason to debate with an unarmed person....stay well. clarice Jun 2014 #195

Such maturity. Great example to set for the youngins. n/t kcr Jun 2014 #196

That about sums it up. tenderfoot Jun 2014 #169

It's all a matter of the how the words are used, and with whom mainer Jun 2014 #134

Logical...thanks nt clarice Jun 2014 #145

Whenever they are uttered in a discussion of incarceration. Orsino Jun 2014 #148

+1 nomorenomore08 Jun 2014 #156

Personal responsibility.... 840high Jun 2014 #150

Yes indeed...bravo for him !!!! nt clarice Jun 2014 #154

When the radical right wing adopted the phrase and started using it like toilet paper. (nt) Paladin Jun 2014 #157

Since it became bandied about principally by the people who never believe in it for themselves. raouldukelives Jun 2014 #160

And yet you never hear it come from.... clarice Jun 2014 #165

Those like you who who never hear it aren't paying attention kcr Jun 2014 #172

My dearest kcr....I usually never stoop this low..and moderators please forgive me... clarice Jun 2014 #173

So you've got nothing kcr Jun 2014 #176

"Bootstrap Philosophy ???" you started it. I finished it. nt clarice Jun 2014 #188

Yes. Bootsraps. It pefectly explains your posts in this thread. kcr Jun 2014 #191

Well then..... we will agree to disagree.....what a beautiful day it is outside today ! nt clarice Jun 2014 #194

That was just silly. Do you own a mirror? Live and Learn Jun 2014 #185

Indeed. But it all depends on what you consider to be the greatest personal responsibility. raouldukelives Jun 2014 #217

At LAST !!! A voice of reason amid a storm of stupidity. Thanks.nt clarice Jun 2014 #218

What storm of stupidity? Hissyspit Jun 2014 #223

Language please. nt clarice Jun 2014 #224

No. Hissyspit Jun 2014 #225

Well, have a nice day anyway. nt clarice Jun 2014 #236

+10000 YoungDemCA Jun 2014 #167

It became taboo when the rw replaced concern with our fellow citizens with it. jwirr Jun 2014 #168

Since we quit self censoring ourselves ... near as I can tell. Tuesday Afternoon Jun 2014 #177

Since it began to be used in opposition to 'collective responsibility' n/t markpkessinger Jun 2014 #178

I love that. We sure never hear that one anymore. nt Live and Learn Jun 2014 #184

I fail to see the connection between personal responsibility and prison. Live and Learn Jun 2014 #179

Remember that time you were worried about the New Black Panthers In Philly? bravenak Jun 2014 #186

Not upset at all....how are you ???? nt clarice Jun 2014 #192

Good. bravenak Jun 2014 #197

I'm so glad that you are doing well. Big plans this weekend? nt clarice Jun 2014 #198

Not really. bravenak Jun 2014 #199

I've got a weekend full of.... clarice Jun 2014 #200

Oh my, She is one smart kid!! bravenak Jun 2014 #202

Yes she IS !!!!! Have a good one. nt clarice Jun 2014 #204

Oh, we ALL see what this thread is about. Even folks that have no idea about this poster's history Number23 Jun 2014 #227

That one is always transparent. bravenak Jun 2014 #229

I would like a link to that thread U4ikLefty Jun 2014 #241

Ok, here goes. bravenak Jun 2014 #243

Glad you put it out there! Number23 Jun 2014 #246

LOL Cali_Democrat Jun 2014 #248

Self empowerment and personal responsbility used Harmony Blue Jun 2014 #201

The US has 5% of the world population, yet it holds 25% of the world's prisoners Cali_Democrat Jun 2014 #249

It is such a bullshit line, so much that when I hear someone say it I am offended kimbutgar Jun 2014 #203

Disability rolls-record high and an increase of 18% since January 2009 maced666 Jun 2014 #206

Thank you !!!!!!!! a voice of reason. nt clarice Jun 2014 #209

What the report noted RainDog Jun 2014 #212

I agree. nt clarice Jun 2014 #214

Oh, it's you. Ikonoklast Jun 2014 #226

Yep. But gotta love the attempts at innocence. That seems to be the tactic of choice by some less Number23 Jun 2014 #228

When asked a direct question calling them out on what they posted, react angrily and call the other Ikonoklast Jun 2014 #230

I hadn't seen the thread, earlier RainDog Jun 2014 #231

"She". Ikonoklast Jun 2014 #232

Please speak only when spoken to. I'm sure "She" has her own opinion. Peace. nt clarice Jun 2014 #238

No. And I don't care for phonies. Ikonoklast Jun 2014 #258

You go Ikonoklast... tenderfoot Jun 2014 #260

I'm sorry that the question offended you, but please try to stick to the subject. nt clarice Jun 2014 #239

Hi Ikon, how is your day going???....Are certain subjects taboo on DU ? clarice Jun 2014 #235

Well hello, Clarice Alex P Notkeaton Jun 2014 #233

Hi Alex, you know, I have never heard that one before !!! lol I never get tired of it ! Peace. nt clarice Jun 2014 #237

Too bad that someone like Zimmerman escaped personal responsibility for shooting an innocent kid MrScorpio Jun 2014 #244

I agree....but that was hardly the sentiment of my question ... clarice Jun 2014 #245

BECAUSE Skittles Jun 2014 #251

In that case, there WAS no personal responsibility which was my point to begin with. clarice Jun 2014 #252

Don't worry, Scorp. None of us will forget what's been said despite the adorable "who me?" BS Number23 Jun 2014 #247

I'm just thankful to be able to throw another log on your neurosis. nt clarice Jun 2014 #254

Disgust at your racist remark is someone else's neurosis? RainDog Jun 2014 #257

Maybe there's some happy poolside song RainDog Jun 2014 #256

You answered your own question: "when....words are co-opted by other factions ( the right)...." WinkyDink Jun 2014 #253

But why does that mean that we have to abandon a very integral phrase..... clarice Jun 2014 #255