The Land Of Opportunity — For Whom?

I truly believe that America is the greatest country in the world. I've professed this many times and continue to believe it. My father served this country proudly and instilled in us respect for this country and much for which it stands. I am a bit confused, though, about some inconsistencies regarding the opportunities and promotions our country advertises.

First of all, let's look at how our veterans are treated after their service to this country. There appears to be hidden ''small print'' with regard to what benefits are available, or what restrictions are placed on them. There appears to be (in some places) a shortage of decent or quality medical facilities and services for our veterans. Yet, without the service of veterans, those making decisions regarding these aspects would not have the opportunities they enjoy. Medical benefits, employment opportunities and college opportunities need to be made available to our veterans without any strings attached or hassles to those who served this country.

Another question which I often ponder is that of opportunities which seem to be given to some at the expense of ''others,'' and that the family members of those ''others'' can't receive the same opportunities, which their family member needs, yet they're ''giving'' to others through their tax dollars. I know a family whose child recently graduated from college and is desperately trying to get a job in his/her chosen field. Realizing that this is a process and it will take time, this college graduate is doing what he/she can to try and make ends meet. This young person worked full-time in a summer position he/she had for past years and when that ended, he/she got a position with a local retail store. The department he/she worked in was eliminated by the store, and thus all who were working in that department were laid off. The person in question then applied for unemployment benefits and was deemed qualified; however, the benefits did not come anywhere close to what this person was making at the position he/she just lost. This person also had applied and was working in a local school district as a substitute teacher. This person was doing this along with the other job he/she had at the local retail store. There were times this person refused days, for whatever reason (having to work at job number one, not comfortable/qualified to do certain classe - i.e., Special Ed, language, etc. - or being out of town taking tests or attending interviews out-of-state trying to get a position in his/her chosen field, or maybe a few times he/she refused without reason).

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It's not that this young person doesn't want to work. This person has huge tuition payments to repay, he/she has auto insurance payments to make, he/she needs gas money, and he/she would like some small pittance for entertainment as everyone needs, though not desperately and can be sacrificed. This person received a letter from the government's unemployment service stating that his/her benefits and qualifications were being reviewed because he/she refused substitute teaching days. Apparently, if this person hadn't signed on to substitute teach in the first place, he/she could stay home and collect with no problem, just going out and putting in a token application or accepting a token interview periodically. Isn't that somewhat encouraging sitting back with your hand out knowing someone will come along and fill it, without you having to do anything to try and help yourself?

How do college graduates survive this difficult transition period in their lives, if their own government will not help them the way so many others receive, what seems to be unlimited assistance, without doing much to receive it? It seems opportunities are afforded to people coming into this country, who have not become citizens, who probably won't become citizens, people who are citizens but who have figured out that they can make more money by doing nothing than going out and finding work, but to those who want to work, those whose family members are paying the taxes that make all those benefits possible (and let's not forget the tax supported low-income housing, tuition breaks, medical insurance, etc.) and also don't forget whose family members went out and fought for this country to preserve the rights of all who live here.

America builds itself on the reputation that it's the Land of Opportunity. Is that the case, or is America the Land of Opportunity for some, and if that is so, why are the ''some'' not those who are trying to help themselves?

I truly believe in assisting people, who, for legitimate medical reasons or financial strains, need the assistance. I'm not against giving opportunities to people, but I question the handing out of a free life to some who laugh in the faces of those who provide that free life.

I thank my father for teaching me respect and patriotism for this country, and I honor his memory as someone who proudly served this country and flew the flag of this country with dignity. I also thank him for teaching us that you can't get something for nothing, that you can't sit back and let the world give you a living, that it is called making a living, which requires some effort on the receiver's part, and also, some common sense and fairness on the government's part.