re: Can anyone here admit that a lot of hardworking young people are fricked?

quote:

---

That’s just you not liking my delivery.

---

I seriously doubt you speak this way, to "deliver your message", to people standing in front of you, i.e., face to face.

That’s decent for that kind of work.

quote:

---

Sure do.

---

Sure, sure

So it goes without saying, if someone spoke to your wife in this manner, to deliver their message, you would have no issue. Cause after all, they could be aged, experienced, and smart like you are. Their position would, doubtless, be correct, like yours undoubtedly is.

Oh and people want to talk about how empathetic they are? I developed a grinding teeth habit and stayed up many a sleepless nights concerned for their welfare and thinking how I could do my job more effectively.

Ground my teeth so hard that I had 5 crowns done because of it. Oh and migraines.

I’ll play along. They were less materialistic than I am. But the VCR they bought cost an arm and a leg, and a DVD player and streaming doesn’t cost shite these days. In that regard, I suppose it evens out.

I drive a 14 year old truck with 175K on it. The engine doesn’t sound great these days, and that’s the ONLY reason I figure I’ll be in the market soon. I have a dated home, and do my best to get some wiring, painting, patchwork, etc done as needed. I coupon a lot these days. I’m old school…and I document and budget for every dollar I spend, even if it’s something for a buck.

In a nutshell, them not buying the newest TVs and electronics probably evens out, as the cost for that stuff is so damn cheap now.

quote:

---

I’ll play along.

---

No no no. Don’t play along. You’re still fighting it.

quote:

---

They were less materialistic than I am.

---

I think you are close. Real close.

Joe,
No one here is saying “don’t work hard,” “don’t save,” or “don’t better yourself.”

What people are pointing out is that, on average, it’s objectively tougher now for younger and blue-collar workers. That’s not feelings, that’s data.

So the real question is: can you acknowledge that the starting point is worse for them than it was for you?

If yes, then “work hard and save” is necessary but not sufficient. We should be asking how to add to that—policies and support that give them a real shot at the kind of security you had, instead of pretending it’s all just about individual grit.

If you genuinely want them to succeed like you did, step one is admitting they’re not playing the same video game on the same difficulty setting.

I was squeezed for the better part of a decade and random shite in my life after I first graduated. I figured it out painfully by not being an impulsive dumbass. They will either sink or swim. No different than anything else or any other generation.