“Catch me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime.”
–Origin unknown (but it sure sounds like an ancient Chinese proverb!)
I like to fish, but I don’t depend on catching something in order to eat. Thank goodness! But, don’t worry–this post isn’t actually about fishing.
While I have no data or evidence to support my suspicion, I wonder if, with each generation, we’re losing that sense of work ethic foundational to America’s success? Have you wondered the same? If so, I hope we’re mistaken.
The most recent jobs number confirms that we’re finally back to the pre-pandemic level of employment–actually, about thirty thousand over that number. But there are some six hundred thousand fewer people in the workforce and hundreds of thousands of job openings. We’ve all seen the signs on restaurant and store windows. Anyone with a desire to work, can work, and often at a higher wage than previously. This begs the question, then, “Why aren’t people working?”
To be fair, the pandemic shutdown severely damaged the job market. But, in their magnanimous effort in the spring of 2020 to support their citizens (or garner votes at the next election), our government officials starting printing money and mailing checks. The problem was they didn’t stop the welfare nearly soon enough, and many people elected to stay home rather than return to work. And why not, they reasoned, as they were getting just as much money to not work as they would have earned on the job.
If you’re a Baby Boomer, chances are your dad and/or mom served in World War II. They were what Tom Brokaw famously called the Greatest Generation. Think G.I. Joe, or Rosie the Riveter (aka Naomi Parker Fraley). After defending our country’s and the world’s freedom from a tyrannical maniac, they came home to resume their pre-war lives.
All they asked for was the opportunity to finish their education or go straight to work. They rolled up their sleeves and either hit the books or hit the pavement, looking for a job. And then they expected their children to do the same. In fact, their goal was to create a world in which the next generation could live more freely and abundantly than they had.
It worked. Boomers were fortunate to have the availability of college, trade, or technical education, or job openings, waiting on them. Some went to work at an entry level and climbed the proverbial ladder. Others started their own businesses. Still others, through diploma, degree, licensure, and/or certification, learned to “fish,” if you will, and then put that education or training to work in a career.
Those careers supported families, contributed to Social Security, and built retirement nest eggs, as well as self-esteem. That’s what we call the American Dream. Just as important, when folks retired, they had a work history they could be proud of.
It’s our government’s job to provide for our homeland’s security, not our citizens’ financial well-being. Of course, all of us, through government and private efforts, should support “the least of these.” After all, the Bible teaches us there will always be the poor among us and their welfare is our responsibility. That’s why America’s longest-running war–the war on poverty–has not ended, and never will.
As more people depend on government welfare, including those who could be gainfully employed, we’re at risk of reaching a tipping point after which the number of people who take from the system exceeds the number who contribute to the system. That’s an unsustainable phenomenon.
When President Reagan said the scariest words we can hear are, “We’re from the government and we’re here to help,” and President Clinton later said, “We ought to provide people with a hand up, not a hand out,” they were addressing this very issue. We need to identify and help the folks who can’t work, and incentivize everyone else to work.
If the government gets out of our way and we teach our young people the pride, self-worth, and financial worth that working affords, I’m optimistic the pendulum will swing back in the direction of a stronger work ethic.
6 Comments
Leave A Comment
“Catch me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime.”
–Origin unknown (but it sure sounds like an ancient Chinese proverb!)
I like to fish, but I don’t depend on catching something in order to eat. Thank goodness! But, don’t worry–this post isn’t actually about fishing.
While I have no data or evidence to support my suspicion, I wonder if, with each generation, we’re losing that sense of work ethic foundational to America’s success? Have you wondered the same? If so, I hope we’re mistaken.
The most recent jobs number confirms that we’re finally back to the pre-pandemic level of employment–actually, about thirty thousand over that number. But there are some six hundred thousand fewer people in the workforce and hundreds of thousands of job openings. We’ve all seen the signs on restaurant and store windows. Anyone with a desire to work, can work, and often at a higher wage than previously. This begs the question, then, “Why aren’t people working?”
To be fair, the pandemic shutdown severely damaged the job market. But, in their magnanimous effort in the spring of 2020 to support their citizens (or garner votes at the next election), our government officials starting printing money and mailing checks. The problem was they didn’t stop the welfare nearly soon enough, and many people elected to stay home rather than return to work. And why not, they reasoned, as they were getting just as much money to not work as they would have earned on the job.
If you’re a Baby Boomer, chances are your dad and/or mom served in World War II. They were what Tom Brokaw famously called the Greatest Generation. Think G.I. Joe, or Rosie the Riveter (aka Naomi Parker Fraley). After defending our country’s and the world’s freedom from a tyrannical maniac, they came home to resume their pre-war lives.
All they asked for was the opportunity to finish their education or go straight to work. They rolled up their sleeves and either hit the books or hit the pavement, looking for a job. And then they expected their children to do the same. In fact, their goal was to create a world in which the next generation could live more freely and abundantly than they had.
It worked. Boomers were fortunate to have the availability of college, trade, or technical education, or job openings, waiting on them. Some went to work at an entry level and climbed the proverbial ladder. Others started their own businesses. Still others, through diploma, degree, licensure, and/or certification, learned to “fish,” if you will, and then put that education or training to work in a career.
Those careers supported families, contributed to Social Security, and built retirement nest eggs, as well as self-esteem. That’s what we call the American Dream. Just as important, when folks retired, they had a work history they could be proud of.
It’s our government’s job to provide for our homeland’s security, not our citizens’ financial well-being. Of course, all of us, through government and private efforts, should support “the least of these.” After all, the Bible teaches us there will always be the poor among us and their welfare is our responsibility. That’s why America’s longest-running war–the war on poverty–has not ended, and never will.
As more people depend on government welfare, including those who could be gainfully employed, we’re at risk of reaching a tipping point after which the number of people who take from the system exceeds the number who contribute to the system. That’s an unsustainable phenomenon.
When President Reagan said the scariest words we can hear are, “We’re from the government and we’re here to help,” and President Clinton later said, “We ought to provide people with a hand up, not a hand out,” they were addressing this very issue. We need to identify and help the folks who can’t work, and incentivize everyone else to work.
If the government gets out of our way and we teach our young people the pride, self-worth, and financial worth that working affords, I’m optimistic the pendulum will swing back in the direction of a stronger work ethic.
6 Comments
-
Very well written!! The message is clear. People have grown accustomed to depending on the government to meet basic needs…and even more so now. It is up to us to re-educate this generation on just what “learning to fish” really means.
-
I believe there is still a strong work ethic in this country. It is different because the job market is different. We as a country have moved from making things to being a provider of services (medical services, software services, food services, home services, etc). Welfare took a turn in the wrong direction under FDR and the result is generations of welfare dependent folks. The concept of helping “the least of these” became a system to manipulate the general public to gain votes so as to maintain the elite status of elected representative particularly at the Federal level. Programs like Families Forward is breaking that dependency by teaching folks “to fish”. We are each called to do our part in bettering the world in which we live and that takes ACTION. Our actions tend to drown out our words especially when the actions and works are in conflict with one another.
-
Thank goodness I was taught at an early age that hard work was not an option, it was what we do. As a child I saw the dedication, long hours and effort my Dad put in his work and in order to make it in business you have to earn it. I learned so much from the “greatest generation” as have so many of us “baby boomers”. You make the sale… you get paid, if you lose the sale … then figure out what you done wrong. Not everybody gets a trophy, but with hard work, listening and learning from the people we admire and respect hopefully that trophy will be on our desk. Thanks Tim for an excellent blog.
-
Another good one Tim – thanks. I have worked for a large Telecommunications company for 48 years and have seen some really good work ethics and some very poor, not just with the younger crowd. Most of the high tech jobs in IT have been outsourced to India and I’ve seen some really excellent workers who don’t get paid much but lately, even in these outsourced jobs, the work ethic has declined since the pandemic – not sure if this is related. I think the problem is an new type of Pandemic! BTW, I enjoyed reading the comments from others almost as much as the blog. You have a great group of followers. I highly recommend all to get Tim’s book. I was very fortunate to get an early copy and my wife and I really enjoyed the read.
-
I totally agree with your message today, Tim. My parents instilled in their children a solid work ethic from an early age. As soon as we were old enough, my sisters and I began earning money by babysitting and were taught to save at least a portion of our earnings. As we became old enough, we secured summer jobs and worked during school breaks as well. It gave us a sense of pride and accomplishment. Our government has weakened and enabled a lot of citizens and created in them a sense of “entitlement” by giving them a hand out instead of a hand up. Workfare, instead of welfare, would be a good start to break the dependent cycle and instill a sense of self worth in a lot of these recipients. I believe part of the problem is also a breakdown in the family unit and lack of parenting, deteriorating more from generation to generation. This cycle can be broken and fixed over time. I didn’t mean to get on a rant here! But I believe these thoughts aren’t mine alone. Your message is good to stimulate thought and discussion! I really enjoy your blog. Also – your book is a great read! I highly recommend it!
-
A few weeks ago, one of my grandsons and a friend decided they wanted to buy something they both wanted. They are ages 11 and 9, so there is a limit to what they can physically do. They decided to go around and offer to pick up sticks in yards as there had been a big storm in their area the day before.
These two boys knocked on 19 doors before they finally got a woman to hire them for a couple of hours. I was so proud of the boys for deciding to earn money on their own, for knocking on doors and asking for jobs, and having the resilience to keep going after so many rejections or “not at homes”. I know times have changed and we live in a more dangerous place, but most of these people were neighbors, the kids are well known in the community and they looked after each other. It’s too bad that today we look at this industriousness as uncommon.
Very well written!! The message is clear. People have grown accustomed to depending on the government to meet basic needs…and even more so now. It is up to us to re-educate this generation on just what “learning to fish” really means.
I believe there is still a strong work ethic in this country. It is different because the job market is different. We as a country have moved from making things to being a provider of services (medical services, software services, food services, home services, etc). Welfare took a turn in the wrong direction under FDR and the result is generations of welfare dependent folks. The concept of helping “the least of these” became a system to manipulate the general public to gain votes so as to maintain the elite status of elected representative particularly at the Federal level. Programs like Families Forward is breaking that dependency by teaching folks “to fish”. We are each called to do our part in bettering the world in which we live and that takes ACTION. Our actions tend to drown out our words especially when the actions and works are in conflict with one another.
Thank goodness I was taught at an early age that hard work was not an option, it was what we do. As a child I saw the dedication, long hours and effort my Dad put in his work and in order to make it in business you have to earn it. I learned so much from the “greatest generation” as have so many of us “baby boomers”. You make the sale… you get paid, if you lose the sale … then figure out what you done wrong. Not everybody gets a trophy, but with hard work, listening and learning from the people we admire and respect hopefully that trophy will be on our desk. Thanks Tim for an excellent blog.
Another good one Tim – thanks. I have worked for a large Telecommunications company for 48 years and have seen some really good work ethics and some very poor, not just with the younger crowd. Most of the high tech jobs in IT have been outsourced to India and I’ve seen some really excellent workers who don’t get paid much but lately, even in these outsourced jobs, the work ethic has declined since the pandemic – not sure if this is related. I think the problem is an new type of Pandemic! BTW, I enjoyed reading the comments from others almost as much as the blog. You have a great group of followers. I highly recommend all to get Tim’s book. I was very fortunate to get an early copy and my wife and I really enjoyed the read.
I totally agree with your message today, Tim. My parents instilled in their children a solid work ethic from an early age. As soon as we were old enough, my sisters and I began earning money by babysitting and were taught to save at least a portion of our earnings. As we became old enough, we secured summer jobs and worked during school breaks as well. It gave us a sense of pride and accomplishment. Our government has weakened and enabled a lot of citizens and created in them a sense of “entitlement” by giving them a hand out instead of a hand up. Workfare, instead of welfare, would be a good start to break the dependent cycle and instill a sense of self worth in a lot of these recipients. I believe part of the problem is also a breakdown in the family unit and lack of parenting, deteriorating more from generation to generation. This cycle can be broken and fixed over time. I didn’t mean to get on a rant here! But I believe these thoughts aren’t mine alone. Your message is good to stimulate thought and discussion! I really enjoy your blog. Also – your book is a great read! I highly recommend it!
A few weeks ago, one of my grandsons and a friend decided they wanted to buy something they both wanted. They are ages 11 and 9, so there is a limit to what they can physically do. They decided to go around and offer to pick up sticks in yards as there had been a big storm in their area the day before.
These two boys knocked on 19 doors before they finally got a woman to hire them for a couple of hours. I was so proud of the boys for deciding to earn money on their own, for knocking on doors and asking for jobs, and having the resilience to keep going after so many rejections or “not at homes”. I know times have changed and we live in a more dangerous place, but most of these people were neighbors, the kids are well known in the community and they looked after each other. It’s too bad that today we look at this industriousness as uncommon.