When Did We Stop Caring?

People stand around and ask themselves, "Where are all the jobs going? What happened to all the American jobs?"

To this I answer, "You stopped thinking about what you could do today, and started thinking about what can I get others to do for me today."

We're lazy. Overweight by the millions, underemployed, with all the manufacturing jobs going overseas because its cheaper, and the tech jobs going overseas because their students score better on science and math. We're not a nation of artists or sport heros. We're a nation of coddled, overeating, underachieving whiners. Instead of our number one export being cars or computers, it's democracy and ideology. We've given up on winning the game and started worrying about if all the players were on the same field.

Students have stopped trying. What's the point? Everything is provided, nothing is taken away. I KNOW I am extremely lucky. And I KNOW that if I don't work, I'll have nothing. Many kids are living with their parents until they're thirty or even older. I can't even imagine. I would be shamed more than I'm worth to be living at home after I've finished my schooling and I have a real job. These problems will just get worse. More and more people on welfare, with a growing clamour for the government to "solve" the problem. Tax the successful and care for the unworthy. More and more straws added to a camel who might just not take it any more. I am continually impressed by the work ethic displayed by the students who are studying in America who come from abroad. They know that if they don't work, this enormous opportunity they were provided will just vanish, like so much smoke. So they work their ass off. What do Americans do? Watch more TV and debate about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Complain about how they've been "victimized" by the system. You know what? Shut the fuck up and make the system work for you. It's not hard. Welfare should be a temporary condition as you're unemployed between jobs. It's not a lifestyle. Hell, you shouldn't even consider it a right.

People talk constantly about "keeping immigrants out". Those immigrants do their jobs as if their life depended on it, because for them, it does. It's a make or break situation everytime they pull on that McDonald's uniform. What do Americans think? Maybe if I slack off they won't notice... maybe if I can point the finger at someone else, I can avoid work... hell, there's always unemployment checks right? This is BULLSHIT. If you've ever wondered why you're losing your job to someone else, it's probably because you're slacking your ass off. We previcate, claim to be the victim, we even expect the government to bail us out.

So why us now? Why not... say, 50 years ago? Your grandparents and older parents grew up in an era where making America great wasn't simply an idea, it was a necessity. World War II, communism, Korean War, Vietnam War, and other huge threats to our way of life loomed large. So what did we do? We pulled together, worked hard, sacrificed, and kicked ass. We became what we are today because the power of America lies in our ability to pull together under pressure and make the most of any situation. We lack this sparkle today. There are no challenges. America has its thumb, or so we think, over all the other major powers. Guess what? 1.2+ billion Chinese have another story to tell you. They see America as misguided, shortsighted, and above all, vulnerable. The EU, China, India, and other countries are licking their chops as we devour their imports and stack up huge deficits. We've stopped doing that which makes us great: working hard, making a better life, and become more.

So I challenge everyone today: Become something more today than you were yesterday. Be bigger, learn, and make the most of the time you have. Your life is your greatest gift. Make something of yourself.

I feel: Pissed >8(