get back to work.

The modern philosophy of working to sustain a profession, learn and grow, support a family and maintain a reasonable quality of life has turned, rather suddenly, into an aggressive and selfish pursuit of wealth (money and fame).

I believe this degrades our economy as a whole, our companies and ultimately will lead to a lazy workforce and make us less competitive. Consumerism is the basis for growth and yet it's at the foundation that is killing us - kind of a evil catch-22. The value of working hard, contributing real value and achieving goals worthy of praise and equitable compensation has gone by the wayside in most American communities. In it's place we have a worker who has an entitlement to more in exchange for less. Social security is all but bankrupt, often abused and corrupt with politics and backwards policies. You have food stamps being used not for food to nourish our hungry, but to buy sugary sodas and junk food that further the epidemic of obesity and diabetes in our countries poor communities. At it's essence, we've become lazy.

Then, the economy crashed. It was a natural wake-up call based IMHO upon the cycle of our own degradation of hard work.

For the elitists who thought they could game the system, fuck you. To the Bankers who turned their cheeks and cashed the checks despite the reprehensible act - fuck you too.

For the rest of us who are now left with the rubble, let's not continue to play a part in our own entitlement mentality. Break the cycle, and stand up and speak up for the pursuit of hard work and steady, reasonable rates of return. You should expect people around you to make commitments and meet them. You should pull your own weight (at least). Don't abuse any system, but be a shining example of how the people can make this right, not politics. Be incredible at your job, whatever it is. This doesn't mean abandon the capitalism-driven economy and entrepreneurial spirit, nor does it mean to take fewer risks in investment and strategy - nearly the opposite, just be willing to work your ass off and get back to building companies through sweat and blood equity.

Go, Make it happen, now.