THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 24, 1995 TAG: 9501240495
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Baltimore's public-housing authority helped pioneer the idea of requiring tenants to perform community service in exchange for their lodging. Residents are expected to mow lawns or otherwise lend a hand in lieu of full rent.
Now a protest by tenants has caused the housing authority to consider a change in its lease requirements. No longer would community service be required; it would simply be ``encouraged.''
What was the complaint? Anna Warren, a public-housing resident, has been quoted as saying the work requirement made tenants feel like slaves and second-class citizens. It wasn't the work they objected to. ``It's that we don't want to be told what to do.''
Well, most people don't. But most people also realize there's no free lunch - and no free rent either. To acquire food, shelter, transportation, clothing and the amenities of life, work is required. Most often, it's work that entails being told what to do.
There's no reason public-housing tenants should be treated differently or held exempt from the laws of economics. Having to work to obtain housing doesn't make you a slave; it makes you a breadwinner. Having gainful employment doesn't make you a second-class citizen; it is the first step toward becoming a fully contributing citizen.
Baltimore was right to try to teach such lessons to residents housed at public expense. It is making a mistake in backing down. It is time to discourage the entitlement mentality that has persuaded too many Americans that the government owes them a living, housing, food, health care and anything else they fancy.
If the protesters don't want to work in exchange for public housing, they should find private housing. It may come as a rude shock to them when a landlord other than the government expects to be paid for providing a place to live. Ever since Adam, we've all been condemned to earn our daily bread and to put a roof over our heads by the sweat of our brow. Those who believe it is the government's job to provide them could benefit from a dose of reality. by CNB