Is the biggest problem with America that we think we are worth more than we are?

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The difference is that the responsible person gets what they EARN through hard work, ambition, and character.

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Yes, but I also think this group thinks they deserve more than they should... For example they bitch and whine when the price of anything goes up, but aren't willing to take a pay cut. Minimum wage isn't enough to survive on right now, but if you raised it then businesses would just raise prices so they can keep the same profit.

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The difference is that the responsible person gets what they EARN through hard work, ambition, and character. The irresponsible try to seize it from others because they are lazy, do not want to work, lack personal responsibility, and want to blame others for their station in life.

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That's just dumb.

There's plenty of responsible people who have been abject failures.

Just as there have been plenty of lazy, irresponsible people who have become rich and successful.

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One leads to success, one leads to failure.

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It's the propagation of this myth of causation that is probably one of our biggest problems.

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I understand you hold a worldview that really really wants to believe these two "axioms."

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My examples are not axioms, they are examples disproving the axiom that hard work and responsibility will make you financially successful, while sloth and irresponsibility will keep you from being successful.

But yes, there are enough examples of both - ESPECIALLY very hard-working, responsible people that just never seem to get ahead - to disprove the myth, or 'axiom'.

The irony is that it's YOUR worldview that really, really wants to believe these two "axioms." I'm sorry to tell you, the world just isn't fair. Get over it.

America's problem is that we've grown fat and lazy because we've had it so good for so long that we don't apreciate it anymore. And because we are fat and lazy, many would prefer to stay at home and get crumbs from the gov. instead of work.

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From top to bottom, rich to poor, most people seem to think they and their children deserve more than they truly should

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This plus the fact that as a whole, we are fat, stupid and lazy is a recipe for disaster.

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WildTchoupitoulas

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I'll give you a real life example of myself.

I was raised in a middle class family. My parents taught me the value of hard work. My dad was in the air force out of high school, and went to work at a plant for 30+ years until he retired. My mom used to work at same plant, but stayed home with me and my brother to raise us. We were not rich, but we were rich in life. Our parents provided for us. We never went hungry, but we never ate extravagantly either. My parents parents were poor farmers. They too, worked hard for what they got, and to give their children better opportunities than they had. They succeeded.

My brother and I were taught to never beg for things, never take from others, to work for everything you want, and you will get it. They also taught us that money was not to be idolized, and a fool and his money are soon parted.
I worked hard in school as a kid, and especially in high school. I knew if i did not apply myself and make good grades, that i would end up in working at a McDonald's making minimum wage. That was enough of a deterrent for me to do good in school. I am the first in my immediate family to go to, and graduate college. I chose a major that i knew i would always have a job, and i could become successful at. I'm more than half my dad's age, and already my salary is more than his was when he retired. I earned everything I have. From my car to my house, to the things i buy to eat and live, to the things i buy for enjoyment. But success is not measured in money or material things. The family and friends i have is my marker of success. Being able to raise my child to have more than I have is success.

So, with that being said, why should I have to pay more in taxes, etc... to subsidize another person who could achieve just as much as i have, or more? Every opportunity is out there for the taking. Equality of opportunity is guaranteed, equality of outcomes is not. Why must i subsidize others if they will not provide for themselves, given the same opportunities?

Edit: My bad. I didn't catch the second "Parents" in "parents parents"

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So, with that being said, why should I have to pay more in taxes, etc... to subsidize another person who could achieve just as much as i have, or more?

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I don't think you should have to pay more taxes, I think those lazy people not working should go to work. But why would they when minimum wage isn't enough to survive on and the government will support them, and some do go to work, but are still on welfare because minimum wage is not enough to survive on. But like I said, if you raise minimum wage businesses will just raise their prices and we are in the same boat.

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For every dentist making butt loads of money there are 6 hygienists making around 10 dollars an hour.

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It's amazing the shite people pull out of their asses on here.

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The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $70,210 in May 2012.

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