Work Ethic--A Dying Philosophy

If you've shopped at a local mall, eaten at a restaurant, or purchased items at a convenience store perhaps you've noticed how little work ethic the contemporary American worker possesses. How long have you waited for a clerk to get off his or her cellphone before getting service, if you can call it that? Have you sat at a booth at a burger joint only to have your arms stick to the table? And Lord forbid you ask the waiter or waitress to wipe down said table so you can have a clean place to eat.

My friends, welcome to the world of work in the new millennium. We've got too many workers that believe something is owed them, or take the attitude "how dare you expect me to do my job?" Where did all this come from? Us. And when I say "us" I mean whiney, cry-baby, never-lived-through-a-war-or-depression Baby Boomers. Yep, it's our fault. We were born in an era of great economic prosperity and transitioned into one of instant gratification. We raised our kids to believe they were special because they could poop or burp or color an apple purple. Wow! We are the status quo that runs this nation and makes policies and allow our children to get away with murder because we don't want to injure their fragile self-esteem.

Our kids receive awards just for participating. They all get to play in the game, no matter how crappy an athlete they are. They draw art projects we wouldn't wipe our rears with, but we tell them "Oh my, aren't you my little Picasso!" We are liars and have lowered our expectations and now we are reaping our just rewards.

Anyone under the age of 30 wants to show up to work, hang out with latte in hand, do some text-messaging, and "find themselves." Unfortunately, that isn't just limited to age 30 and under. Remarkably, we have a Presidential candidate that is that too.

The modern American worker is on a journey of self-exploration. Work is an abstract concept. Mommy and daddy are held to a higher standard than they hold their kids. I mean, would you or your boss put up with what our kids think we should allow them to get away with on the job? The aforementioned examples of long waits, dirty tables, lousy service, clerks lounging about are so commonplace that we, the consumer, have accepted this behavior.

We've got to get tougher with our kids and teach them they must do more than just show up to work. They must be present and make a contribution. If they want to "find themselves" then they need to it on their own time, not their employers' and certainly not their customers'. We must set the right example for our children and instill within them a sense of pride in a job well done and never settle for halfway. Halfway is no way.

With the impending recession and collapse of the major annuity and financial players of our country, a depression, similar to the 1930's, just might not be a bad idea. It just might galvanize this nation into the superpower it once was. Americans will be forced to quit griping and start working. People that have long mooched off society will have to take a number and stand in line. And maybe, just maybe, our kids and young people will learn it takes sweat, blood, and hardwork to be successful, not cradling an i-Phone and a Starbucks in your well-manicured hands.

That's my rant for the day.



TFR