Some of my fondest childhood memories include times when my father and I served meals to those in need at our town’s local Rescue Mission. Coming from humble beginnings as the daughter of a hard-working blue-collar worker, helping the homeless, sick, hungry, abused, and addicted taught me there would always be someone a little less fortunate than I out there who was in need of a helping hand. I came to understand was it not for my father’s self-determination and sense of personal responsibility, given his personal circumstances, Dad could have been on the other end of that kitchen counter, and I’d probably be a registered Democrat today.These lessons are the reason why I have knee-jerk reactions when I hear statements suggesting that government should do for us what we should be doing for ourselves.