When I was a lad, I worked hard for my extra money. I ran errands, I delivered perscriptions for the local pharmacy, I shovelled snow in winter, raked leaves in fall and dug ditches in Summer. I never had an allowance, nor did I expect one. I started working full time one week after high school graduation, and, except for a short two year military break, have worked for the last 40 years non-stop. Now, I do feel sorry for the younger generation and the employment situation; however, am I crazy? Do they think they are owed a living? My nieces and nephews think this is Belorussia or somewhere. They expect work and/or an allowance ready for them regardlesss of effort or choice. They call me old-fashioned and tell me times have changed. Should I hang it all up?
Atticus Finch in Hooverville, OH
Dear Atticus:
They are right - times are changing. BUT, not for the better. You are right. They do expect a hand out. It isn't Belorussia (there you'd wait a long time for a hand out). But, the system tells them that it is their right to GET money. TV shows them how to spend it. You had no TV to drive you to the bling-bling or the Internet Malls. Your work ethic was instilled by the previous generation, you know - the Greatest. Don't hang it up; and don't be smug yet. Who knows, maybe the chillin' know sumpthin' we all missed, like all them money trees planted in Eden Valley or those red Cadillac bushes mustered to keep them all in designer drugs. Who knows? Maybe the next generation will get to the ultimate goal. A life in the marsh lands of Belorussia!
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