Exhausted by the System, Not by the Dream

The Road We All Walk

I came across a post this morning that asked: “Is the government really to blame for your struggles?” It triggered me, not because I’m poor, and not because I wanted to sound like a hero for caring about the poor, but because I know how heavy the road of life can be. My own dreams are not easy to achieve. There are days when I tolerate jobs I no longer love, when I embrace difficulties as part of growth, yet I feel drained by a system that exhausts rather than supports me.

Whether rich or poor, if we look into each other’s eyes, we’d see the same truth: every path is steep, every bridge fragile.

The poor might wonder why the rich would ever say life is hard. But before wealth, there were roads to cross. And even those born rich are not immune to cracks in the bridge. Problems don’t discriminate; they find everyone.

Partly No: Building Our Own Paths

So, is the government to blame for all our suffering? Partly yes, partly no.

On the “no” side, we’ve seen people carve their own roads without government assistance. Some adapted to change, discovered new skills, or found environments that aligned with their goals. Others were lifted by supportive communities or sheer resilience. These stories remind us that sometimes, we build our own bridges when none are offered.

Partly Yes: Cracks in the Bridge

But here’s where the government is to blame: corruption and division among leaders. These are not abstract problems; they are cracks in the bridges we all must cross.

Without corruption, people would walk on decent streets, receive timely help during disasters, and find support when jobs are lost. The poor and middle class don’t complain because they expect an easy road, they complain because they know what kind of bridge they deserve. Long lines in transport and offices, delays and inefficiency, these are signs of a system that keeps breaking beneath our feet.

Better service requires transparency and accountability. Life will always be challenging, but a government that repairs its bridges can make those challenges bearable.

The Rich Are Not Exempt

It’s a mistake to think that the rich are unaffected. Business owners rely on investor trust, which corruption erodes. They pay taxes too, and they have the right to ask where their money goes. That money could pave stronger roads, pay teachers fairly, strengthen healthcare, and build bridges that connect communities.

Even in leisure, driving cars and traveling abroad, the rich do encounter the consequences of corruption. Pride in one’s country is hard to sustain when its bridges are crumbling.

What We Deserve

Corruption robs us of dreams, freedom, and opportunities. Institutions should be the bridges we trust, the first place we turn to for help, not the last. Hardship is not a crime, nor is it our fault.

Personal problems may not be produced by the government, but when life becomes unendurable, the government should be the bridge that carries us across. No matter who we are, poor, middle class, or rich, we all deserve better.