Learned Helplessness

Some years ago there was a commercial that used the phrase "I've fallen and I can't get up." As I get older I am more and more aware of the physical pain behind those words. There is a deep understanding of what it means to be dependent upon someone else. It seems that our country is wrestling with the issue of dependency these days. It appears that we need to take care of everyone and watch over them to make sure that they make good decisions. There is always a grain of truth in that, but we may also be creating a boatload of helplessness. I am wondering if the new health care plan will make us more creative and responsible. Or are we just learning more about dependency and being helpless?