No Arguement Here Mr. Obama But,

[seapower]

While speaking at the graduation ceremony at Hampton University, Mr. Obama said that a High School diploma was no longer enough. It was the responsibilty for us to achieve higher education. I really can't argue that point in a perfect world, but perfect it ain't!
The root of the problem from what I see in my little corner of the world, is the desire to get out there and WORK. I have nothing against education at all, but the fundemental's start with DESIRE to support yourself and your family. Some of the most successful folk's I know never spent 1 day in college, oh wait, some didn't even attend High School. The common denominator, is they weren't afraid to work!
Work ethic and pride is what we are missing at the grass-root's level. Stop the "give-away's" and you'll see alot more out working. Higher education is not what built this Country to start with. It was the the will to get out there and make it happen, getting a little dirty along the way was expected not detered. There aren't many advances in this "modern" world, that don't have their root's right here in the Good Ol' USA. Why ??? Because when there was a problem we worked our way through it. We as a Nation didn't sit around and wait on the "system" to provide. Work is the answer, work here, work now!
We all complain about the illegal's leaving their home's and working here. Truth of the matter is the work they are doing (for the most part) is work, we as a people USED to do. If the work wasn't here, they wouldn't be either! It may hurt, but it's the truth. I never even concieved the notion that my nieghbor's would have a buch of "illegal's" mowing their grass! When did we become too lazy to mow our own grass???
What happened to the "kid" that used to push a mower around and knock on your door, looking for work? Oh I know, he's in his air conditioned bed room playing the latest version of Nintendo, Play Station or Texting his buddie's. More than likely bought by his parent's, trying to be his "friend", instead of being his parent. This "social experiment" WE'VE bought into for the last 30 odd year's has got to come to a close, or WE'RE done for !!! Frank

[BarryTurano]

I am in total agreement with you Frank. As someone who barley made it out of high school worked in the printing industry at 15 years old and did not stop until retiring. The only way to get ahead is to work.I became successful because I worked. We instilled the same values in our two sons. They are on the same paths to success (thankfully not in the same industry), I believe it is up to the parents to teach being responsible to the children. This country is always handing out and trying to buy the loyalty of other nations. Maybe that is where it starts and needs to end.
Just my $.02

[cdail28590]

Work and respect are two things that are not being taught much today. I went to my little sisters college graduation this weekend and I was totally disgusted with how the people in her class acted as well as the faculty that was giving out the awards. It was as if the faculty had never done a graduation before. It was a complete joke. One faculty member was giving out a award and was commenting on the person the award was named after and said she had died but didn't know when. Then he said I'm sorry she still living she's right here you have to excuse me they just gave this to me to read. These people are supposed to be teaching our youth how to perform their livelihood and they can't be professional themselves. Seems like everybody is expecting a hand out from someone to take care of them instead of actually doing it themselves. I don't mind paying taxes to help the government support our troops and various other items but I don't agree that I work and pay taxes so some sorry ass can sit at home and get a pay check for having a kid or being lazy.

[NY Bearhunter]

YEAH, THE KIDS TODAY USED TO HAVE A FREE RIDE, NEW CARS ALL OF THE NEW TOYS AND EVEN HAD CREDIT CARDS, BUT THOSE DAYS ARE OVER, THINGS WILL CHANGE ON THAT PLAYING FIELD.

MOM AND DAD ARE LUCKY TO HAVE A JOB TODAY, TIMES WERE TOUGH AND STILL ARE, ALLOT OF PEOPLE ARE REALLY LUCKY JUST TO HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS, SO I REALLY BELIEVE MOST OF THOSE KIDS WILL SEE JUST WHAT LIFE IS REALLY ABOUT.

ONE THING THAT STILL DOES EXIST IS THE TOTAL LACK OF RESPECT THESE KIDS HAVE FOR PEOPLE, THAT WILL HAVE TO BE THE NEXT SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT FOR THEM..

[Hatterized]

here in the Wash DC area......all the Bama peeps still have their hands out looking for a freebie....

i for one would love to see drug testing being mandatory to get welfare and other freebies that many of these peeps expect and are getting when really not even eligible....

is this system broke....F YEAH it is......and its not getting any better under Bama watch only more abusing it....

[clt_capt]

You are dead on. We don't make much of anything anymore - We used to be the world's steel mill, we used to make textiles
and lots of other things.

Not every one is suited to college - There used to be NO PROBLEM - there used to be lots of fine, honest trades that you could easily raise a family on. All you had to do was put your nose to the grindstone and deliver solid work for a fair wage.

It drives me bonkers to go into a store and see someone paying with Food Stamps and then getting into a high dollar new sports car.

At a minimum, if you can walk into the Food Stamp office you should be required to push a broom, or pick up trash off the side of the road - Seems to me that there is a ready market for "shovel-ready" workers.

[netman9]

Just a few years ago my father-inlaw retired from a large university hospital where he was an administrator. The amazing part was his first job working for the university was a bread delivery truck driver. The days of working hard and moving up the ladder for your efforts are all but gone. Wonder how many of todays politicians cut a neighbors lawn for quick summer money back in high school? (Or even the parents lawn) Just a thought.

[gottaflylee]

The goverment can keep it's hand outs, I don't want them, I just want to work and being able to do that is getting harder all the time...

[seapower]

That's just my point! Keep on getting up in the morning and go to work. You'll make it! It's really that simple in my little pea sized brain. Frank

[jazzrockskier]

I agree with you all. I started work at 17, even had a summer job in the fruit orchards at 12. I am now 63 and retired. I have a small pension and Social Security, All of which I earned by working. I still have a part time boat wiring business. So get out and work, it is what my parents instilled in me and I passed to my son, He has a good job.