Millennials: Downtrodden or Just Dumb?

"The landscape is changing before our eyes. Younger voters
struggling with the enormous costs of a college education, or trying to
raise families in a bleak employment environment, or using their credit
cards to cover everyday expenses like food or energy costs are not much
interested in hearing that the government to which they pay taxes can
do little or nothing to help them."

Research shows that this is the most progressive generation in
decades. We want nothing less than a new New Deal--and along with
rebuilding the middle class, we're going to need a new WPA to rebuild
our transportation and energy infrastructure in a post-fossil fuel
world.

On the other hand, maybe a wholesale transformation of government
and American seems too difficult or out of reach. Instead, you can
indulge in a nice round of Blame the Victim.

Ok, I'll be fair, I know a lot of "millenials" and some of them are pretty bright. However, just take a look at this sorry excuse:

As a Millennial (born 1984), I ask; whose fault is it that there is a
certain degree of ignorance in my generation? Were we the ones who gave
us a third rate education? Are we the ones who have grown up in a
nation who (for example) airs ABC World News Tonight with only 90
seconds of actual world news (this has bugged me since the age of 12).
Are we the ones who have systematically ensured that teachers are the
third most educated workforce, yet are paid worse than most non-college
graduates? Are we the ones who voted for the politicians that pass No
Child Left Behind (more appropriately called 'Lets bring them all down
to the lowest common denominator'

I ask you all; why is it that my generation is considered ignorant and
apathetic? Could it be the result of the systematic decimation of our
capacity to learn and care?


Now that you've thought about that; ask yourselves, why is this
generation so much more politically motivated that the last several
generations? Could it be because we have been systematically trampled
underfoot by the establishment, and now, that same establishment has
the gall to accuse us of being ignorant, at a time when finally, we see
a politician who can restore light to our future, and are being told by
some that we don't matter

.

When I was growing up (80's to early 90's), education was basically "take a bunch of idiots, and bump their intelligence level up slightly". That seems to be true even today. However, the difference was, we were failed and made to repeat a grade if we didn't cut the mustard. This is no longer true. It might hurt the kids' delicate feelings or some other such bullshit.

However, as this kid (I use that term loosely) shows, they seem to enjoy blaming others for their lack of an education. If you want an education, it's there for the taking. Knowledge isn't going to force itself into your head, you have to want it. The only person responsible for your education is you. You can coast through life, do as little as possible, and blame the teachers, parents, and various other people except you. You will have a menial job, make just enough to support you in a shitty apartment, and afford a shitty car.

You will watch MTV Cribs and drool while the world passes you by. You will never achieve wealth and you will dread waking up every morning.

Or:

You can take an interest in your education. Ask questions, use the library, Google, study, and think. Sure, it's a lot of fun to hang out with your friends and socialize, but when your friends go home, you need to think about the future life you want to have. You can have EVERYTHING the celebrities in MTV Cribs have. This is the only country on Earth where literally ANYONE can achieve vast amounts of wealth.

It's easy to give up when life kicks you in the teeth. It's hard to get back up and go at it again. But it does get better, I promise you. I personally have been on the verge of bankruptcy tons of times when I was first out on my own. It would have been easy to declare bankruptcy and not pay back my debts. But there was something inside of me as a man that said "you will pay your debts", and I did. I had 2 jobs and went to school at the same time. I had no social life and no free time. But after I finally landed that first real job, I paid attention, worked hard, and now I live quite comfortably. I own 3 cars, live in a nice, large 4 bedroom home, and have money to do what I want, when I want.

So when I see people like this guy blaming teachers, politicians, and the news for his lack of education, the first thing I think is that he's going to have a rude awakening when he gets his first job and tries to pawn something off onto someone else.

His boss isn't going to care about his excuses. He's going to expect results, and when he can't deliver, he's going to have a nasty surprise waiting for him; a pink slip.

Travis
travis@rightwinglunatic.com