"The sense of entitlement, the sense that because we once dominated global commerce and geopolitics – and Olympic basketball – we always will, the sense that delayed gratification is a punishment worse than a spanking, the sense that our kids have to be swaddled in cotton wool so that nothing bad or disappointing or stressful every happens to them at school is, quite simply, a growing cancer on American society. And if we don't start to reverse it, our kids are going to be in for a huge and socially disruptive shock from the flat world."The above quote is taken from page 303 of a book called, The World is Flat, by Michael Friedrich. This book helps you to take a look at the growing competetiveness of developing countries in the world, how the business of communication is allowing these countries to work for and against us, and how on a global scale of competetiveness--we're in trouble(if we don't buck up).
As Americans in over the better part of the last century we have known a world where we are on top, no questions asked. Our predecessors and fellow countrymen have always outworked, out smarted, and out fought the rest of the world. In a way, we have had a quiet sense of security that only we could do this. According to Friedrich, that quiet sense is a poison that could potentially knock us off our pedestal in world standing. I have a tendency to agree with this part of the book, especially after two years of work in the public education system! Kids in high school today (and 8 years ago when I was there) believe they are entitled to some thing they have never had to fight for. Unfortunately in our lifetime I believe this is an attitude from which we will all have a rude awakening, and we may have to fight for our standing all over again.
Decades ago it was widely believed impossible for a runner would be able to run a mile in less that four minutes. A barrier was created around that four minute mark that blocked runner after runner! Finally, Roger Bannister (not an American) came along in 1954 ignoring the barrier and ran the world's first sub-four minute mile. Now get this: within two years more than 30 additional runners also broke the record! The barrier was smashed and the flood gates opened for anyone that wanted to work hard enough. World competetiveness is not all that different in my opinion. The United States has been dominating the planet ignoring and smashing all kinds of barriers, leading the way. Should you now be surprised that other countries are catching up faster, and even exceeding Americans on many levels? I don't think so. You should be strategizing about how you are going to prepare your kid for the changing world and enstilling in them the work ethic that surpasses that of our competitors--we need to erase the entitlement mentality from our country's young people. (Subsequently the current record for the mile is three minutes and forty three seconds...set by Hicham El Guerrouj who is also not an American.)
As we march into another year we are about to embrace one of America's great priveleges - the election of another president. We now have a responsibility to select a leader that will be challenged with the work of removing this sense of entitlement and installing a system of progress. It will mean more than breaking down barriers between political parties, or balancing a budget. The next four years needs to contain a beginning to a new rejuvenation of 'go get it' mentality in America. Ronald Regan said, "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." We need to select a leader that will start by restoring respect to family values, someone that will stand for what is right and not necessarily what we'd like. We need a leader that puts less emphasis on big government and more power back into the family and local leaders. If we select a President that will increase taxes to pay for all their campaign promises, we begin turning our power over to the Feds and therefore reducing our own need (or our kid's need) to work hard and define our own destiny. Do you think the young scholar in India who will work for years earning pennies just to have a chance at getting your job someday cares about your salary or house payment? The answer is no! They have the same financial problems that you and I do. In the world today developing countries have seen us break down barriers for decades, and now they are fighting for their chance! If you think they are going to stop just because America has been outworking everyone in the last 100 years, you are mistaken; we are not entitled to anything. We need to select a leader that can motivate Americans to get off their obese emotional issues and start creating a new change from the grass roots levels.
This year we are going to be inundated with television ads, CNN reports, Presidential debates, yards signs, and more. You'll be tempted to say, "I'm so sick of all this political B.S." This is completely understandable as everything has its very own marginal point of return. However, I urge you to take an active role in your local political process. You might jump in and work on your favorite candidate's campaign, perhaps you'll donate money, maybe you'll take a stand for your beliefs and try to motivate others. Which ever way you do it, I emplore you to get involved! This is a great privelege, and an opportunity in 2008 to be a part of great change in America. Your attitude towards the political process this year is going to be mirrored in your children and friends in the coming years. Take a moment to think about the priveleges we have as Americans and ask yourself, "Do I want others to take this for granted?" It is time to get active and stand for what you believe in, or at least stand for what your children will believe in...after all we're entitled to nothing.
