With this sense of entitlement…

The American economic system is doomed. We have raised and nurtured a new generation of Americans that have forgotten the first principle of any business ownership; risk & reward. America has become the wealthiest most benevolent society because of our respect for the business owners freedom to market and sell new products and services, the freedom to take risk, reap reward, and fail. In return these entrepreneurs create jobs, hire workers, make investments that encourage and support other business activity, become wealthy, fulfill dreams, under the simple rules of human behavior, needs, and economics.

Today with this attitude of entitlement it is all at risk; our jobs, our wealth, our benevolence, and our freedom. The economic and historical ignorance of too many Americans is appalling. The thought that the workers at Ford, GM, Chrysler, the window factory in Chicago, believe it is their right to have that job shows the depth of the ignorance. Do they have a stake in the future of these companies? You bet, but only to the degree that it will be in their best interest to make the best cars, at the best price so they can stay employed. Unless they want to put their savings into the company to keep it viable, they are at the will of the business investors, and owners; period.

Our politicians are part of the problem as well. They are thriving on the chaos to “save the day”. But the only thing they are saving is their own career at the expense of our nation. The future looks very bleak to me because of this permeation of entitlement from so many in our nation.

I ask every one of you to think about the business you are in and ask yourself; what did I risk to become an employee here? How much hard cash and collateral did you put up to enable your company to invest in itself for the future? Do you believe that the owner of your company deserves the rewards of investing his life savings in the business that created your job? What is stopping you from starting your own business?

Today’s stock held companies are a different model, and their failed leadership and the lack of consequence for that bad leadership has fostered resentment among the workers. A lot of it rightfully so but that is the stock holders responsibility, and they have failed to hold executives to the fire on the issue of compensation for failed leadership. To allow executives to part companies that they have destroyed with “golden parachutes” is a disgrace. A great example is the crop of CEO’s we now have at our car companies, financial companies, and all too many stock held corporations. They are so out of touch (showing up to beg for our tax dollars on corporate jets) are embarrassments to themselves as Americans, and should step down.

Unfortunately I think my words just float in the wind. No one seems to care about the American work ethic, American free markets are being ignored, and a sense that a government intervention is necessary only adds to the demise of the system. The concept seems so simple to me, and I have a hard time grasping the way people are turning to the most inefficient and dangerous solution; the government. What has happened? My God we need you now!