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"For years we Americans have been fed the convenient lie: study hard, work hard in your chosen field, work hard at your marriage, save money, organize your flou

"For years we Americans have been fed the convenient lie: study hard, work hard in your chosen field, work hard at your marriage, save money, organize your flour, salt, and sugar into labeled bins, and you will be in control of your life and your destiny." I'm officially starting to get sick of hearing this. Yes, it's an interesting story, and yes, US Healthcare is in need of some serious fixing, whatever that may mean to you. But nobody ever guaranteed that you'll be in control of your life and your destiny. Freak things happen; life isn't fair. All of these things (work hard, save, study, etc.) are good to teach kids, because it increases the odds of being in control of your own destiny. But that's it--it tilts the odds slightly in your favor. What else would you rather teach your kids? The author mentions her own child is paying his/her way through college. Is that a bad thing? If higher education is a part of this "convenient lie", perhaps you should tell your child: it doesn't matter if you study hard or work hard--just sit back and wait for things to happen. Perhaps sitting down and talking with her children about career paths. No one ever guaranteed that she'd be financially independent regardless of what she chose for work (that I know of, anyways). If she chose to go into a field that she LOVES, but that doesn't pay much, she needs to be aware of that. Writing is a difficult field, I am sure. And yes, doing what you love is important, but so is being able to do the things outside of work that you love. The article talks about "massive nooses of debt" that affect the economy. Nobody forced her child to go to a college where he/she had to take out massive loans. State schools are excellent choices! Outside of the top 10-ish in the country, I'd be surprised if the higher-cost schools are "worth" their cost. Talk to your children about their college choices! Yes, there are things that need to be addressed about our economy. Yes, our healthcare system is in a bad state. But I am sick & tired of hearing people blaming the lie that "some anonymous person/society told me to work hard and study hard, but now I'm not where I want to be--it must be society's fault". She had to downsize your apartment, she can't pay for her child's college. So what? Is that society's fault?

briandear 12y ago
Of course it is. Even worse, it's the CEOs' fault. Because we all know they didn't actually work hard to get their position, they were anointed by the king. All rich people cheated their way to the top and they should be paid more closely to the assembly line worker because after all, assembly lines are hard work. It isn't fair! It isn't fair! I blame Canada first and CO2 emissions a close second. Now someone reading this please send me $1000, I deserve it and besides, why should you keep any of it? You didn't really earn it and you don't need it. You only have it because you are a white male. I think that summarizes a large number of people's thinking on the subject.
a_c_s 12y ago
You miss the point: most people think America is a place where hard work and education allows somebody to achieve a middle class lifestyle (aka the American Dream). Following from this, here's the key point: most Americans want to live in such a society where the American dream is achievable.
- JonFish85 12y ago
  And, for the most part, that is true is it not? The author had to downsize her apartment and couldn't afford to pay for her child's school, but overall it sounds like she is comfortably middle class.
angersock 12y ago
But I am sick & tired of hearing people blaming the lie that "some anonymous person/society told me to work hard and study hard, but now I'm not where I want to be--it must be society's fault". What if--and I'm just spitballing here--what if they're right? What if it is society's fault, because of the numerous extra requirements we place on people: car insurance, health insurance, taxes, etc.? What if we aren't actually giving back their money's worth?
- JonFish85 12y ago
  Wait, those are the examples you're choosing? Car insurance, health insurance and taxes? I don't really understand what you're arguing, I guess. Would people be better off without car insurance, health insurance or taxes? Or are you saying that those services be provided for by the government (although how they're paid for without taxes, I couldn't tell you).
  - angersock 12y ago
    Health insurance, for example, is a layer of indirection and wage garnishing imposed by society due to its unwillingness to allow government provisioning of healthcare. Car insurance is required because cars are required, because society has forced sprawling urban and suburban design on the masses and neglected mass transit. So, yeah, I'm going to pick those examples.

briandear 12y ago

Of course it is. Even worse, it's the CEOs' fault. Because we all know they didn't actually work hard to get their position, they were anointed by the king. All rich people cheated their way to the top and they should be paid more closely to the assembly line worker because after all, assembly lines are hard work. It isn't fair! It isn't fair! I blame Canada first and CO2 emissions a close second. Now someone reading this please send me $1000, I deserve it and besides, why should you keep any of it? You didn't really earn it and you don't need it. You only have it because you are a white male. I think that summarizes a large number of people's thinking on the subject.

a_c_s 12y ago

You miss the point: most people think America is a place where hard work and education allows somebody to achieve a middle class lifestyle (aka the American Dream). Following from this, here's the key point: most Americans want to live in such a society where the American dream is achievable.

JonFish85 12y ago
And, for the most part, that is true is it not? The author had to downsize her apartment and couldn't afford to pay for her child's school, but overall it sounds like she is comfortably middle class.

angersock 12y ago

But I am sick & tired of hearing people blaming the lie that "some anonymous person/society told me to work hard and study hard, but now I'm not where I want to be--it must be society's fault". What if--and I'm just spitballing here--what if they're right? What if it is society's fault, because of the numerous extra requirements we place on people: car insurance, health insurance, taxes, etc.? What if we aren't actually giving back their money's worth?

JonFish85 12y ago
Wait, those are the examples you're choosing? Car insurance, health insurance and taxes? I don't really understand what you're arguing, I guess. Would people be better off without car insurance, health insurance or taxes? Or are you saying that those services be provided for by the government (although how they're paid for without taxes, I couldn't tell you).
- angersock 12y ago
  Health insurance, for example, is a layer of indirection and wage garnishing imposed by society due to its unwillingness to allow government provisioning of healthcare. Car insurance is required because cars are required, because society has forced sprawling urban and suburban design on the masses and neglected mass transit. So, yeah, I'm going to pick those examples.