Selfishness supersedes Christmas spirit

Michael R. Stilley, Mesquite

Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 | 2:04 a.m.

The election is over and we recently celebrated Thanksgiving — with all due respect to the Pilgrims, Thanksgiving is probably a celebration of the election ads being over — and Christmas is now approaching. A common theme for the holidays has been sharing with those less fortunate to help them enjoy a Thanksgiving meal or help them with a Christmas meal and/or presents for their children. I always try to donate something for these causes but lately have wondered where our priorities are.

This nation is coming out of a severe recession, unemployment is still at a very high level, foreclosures are high and there does not seem to be any resolution in sight. Still, this nation spent millions, probably billions, to elect government officials. As my grandfather used to say: Why would people spend millions of dollars to get a job that only pays $100,000 to $400,000 a year?

Think of what this money could have done to assist the less fortunate. Then we have Black Friday, when people literally trample each other just to buy something — the epitome of self-indulgence. While thousands of Nevadans are trying to collect food and money to assist others, television stories are highlighting individuals who are spending thousands of dollars to light up their houses for Christmas.

The spirit and meaning of Christmas are gone, usurped by vain, egotistic and selfish individuals whose only purpose is to glorify themselves. These are, no doubt, the same individuals who are wealthy and clamoring for their big tax breaks while most of the nation suffer.

Our nation is fast becoming a nation of the haves (2 percent or 3 percent of the population) versus the have-nots. As long as we continue on this path, the sooner we will become, in all respects, a Third World nation. How sad that we, as a people, have let this happen.