Entitlement and Self-Destruction

The United States is one of the most unique cultures that has ever existed; unique in both the variety of sub-cultures that contribute to the whole, as well as the end result of that blending. Still, after all the hooplah about diversity and multi-culturalism, America has a base-line culture that is recognizable and speaks to the world.

As the wealthiest, most powerful, and most innovative nation on earth, our culture reflects not only the immense capabilities and responsibilities that rest on our people, but reflects as well the weaknesses inherent in a nation that grows to predominance.

Any such nation, and the US is certainly no exception, has a wide diversity of opinions and general sense of direction. It will always be imbued with certain trends. In the US we most notably see a general shifting from being a people of "obligation" to a people of "entitlement."

My parents generation, the WWII generation, were most definitely people of obligation. They felt, despite the desire to be isolationists and not meddle in world affairs, that there came a point when those privileged enough to be born into freedom should step up and be willing to sacrifice all to give other people's such an opportunity.

That generation grew up during the great depression. They grew up "hard scrabble"...in a society where little was given to them nor expected from others. Their parents struggled and sacrificed to a degree we don't now appreciate simply to keep their children from going hungry. They often went hungry themselves in order to spare their children such pain. Everything they did was to give the next generation the chance to rise up and create something better.

And they succeeded! Millions of their children, mainly teenagers, stepped up to the plate and many sacrificed all. They did so that their children, my generation, would have opportunities they didn't have. They created factories and foundries. They built homes and communities. They grew a nation capable of leading the people of the world to a better future.

We built on that foundation, and created an amazing new world; a world where people are interconnected instantly by hand-held devices never imagined by science fiction writers. A world where dictators and demagogues could be exposed by a child with a camera in a phone. A world where common products might be built of parts manufactured in thirty different factories in as many different countries.

But as each generation struggled to make the lives of the next generation easier and more rewarding, a sea-shift took place. It did so slowly, but surely, and human nature played the vital role in making it happen.

I recall hearing JFK's speech in which the famous line "ask not what your country can do for you" was spoken. He was fighting back at the growing sense of entitlement that was beginning to work its way into the culture of America. If he could see what was happening today he would be shocked and disgusted.

No sooner had he passed, when LBJ jumped with both feet into the world of promising "stuff" in return for votes. His "War on Poverty" was as badly planned as his war in Vietnam. He forced our military to fight a winnable conflict in an non-winnable way. He used a similarly flawed strategy in "eradicating poverty in our time."

Not only did LBJ's social programs fly in the face of JFK's ideals, they did so at full speed and with maximum effect. We were thrust, in a matter of years, into a cultural change that might have taken decades to evolve under normal circumstances.

I recall sitting in Econ classes where professors warned us how such government programs were tools to guarantee a large, dedicated, voting block of people who would be dependent on government for all of their needs...and who could be threatened to maintain politicians in office for life in order to guarantee their own survival.

Oddly enough, we seem to have a lot of folks in congress who obviously appeal to that voting block...and have been in office for four decades and more. Ever wonder why no one has been able to put forth a "term limits" law?

Our parents generated and enjoyed far greater wealth than their parents, and we did the same, as have our children. But suddenly the apple cart seems to be wobbling. I see dramatic differences in the young people I deal with. When I work with military personnel I recognize the fire-in-the-belly along with the sense that they stand on the shoulders of past generations and have a duty and obligation to their communities and nation.

But when I interview young people for the private workplace I am shocked to hear how many  turn down desirable jobs because they won't get stock options, or three weeks vacation their first year, or the type of benefits they feel they "deserve." I am amazed at how many will "throw" interviews so they can remain unemployed and stay home playing video games. When they get bored with that, they join the "Occupy" movement.

I hear the self-indulgent and self-important scream about their needs, how society owes them "stuff," and how they have "a right" to other people's labor in the form of services. I see students at Ivy League schools moaning on national television because someone else won't pay all of their expenses, including the costs of entertainment and hobbies. I see people who sob in joy because they believe a politician will "pay their mortgage" or give them a new car...and they are serious in these beliefs.

I contrast these people with generations past and I am ashamed. I am ashamed because we have allowed such idiocy to become acceptable and because we have not had the courage to step up and denounce it. We vote incumbents back into office because "well...they're experienced" and it's just easier than to study the resumes of challengers. I am ashamed because the buck stops here...and unlike this ruined and worthless segment of the new generation, we should be willing to take responsibility for our actions, or lack thereof, and now step up to make things right...and so far we haven't done so.

I feel ashamed when the media attacks anyone who does step up...and we don't strike back and defend those brave souls. When someone in media challenges the idiocy, instead of being champions of provocative thought, we approve when their advertisers back away in fear. We literally endorse censorship when we do so.

I feel ashamed when we "go along" with pop culture because we don't want to offend anyone or be labeled an outsider, a denier, or a racist (I was called a racist for my stand against giving our tax money to a certain solar energy company that recently went broke).

So how do we fix this before it's too late? I'm not sure I know the answer, but we have to be honest, we have to speak out, and we have to use tough love on those we personally know who are trapped in the "culture of entitlement" that is destroying their lives as well as our culture and our future.

And if the going gets rough...we have to recall our parents and their parents and how tough the going can really be, and could be again, if we don't succeed.