|
|
Welcome to the new home of Lee's Summit Tribune. We are dedicated to providing you the most current and accurate news and events in Lee's Summit
 | |  |
|
Don't drink the Kool-Aid
October 22, 2011
By, Ramsey Fowler
I’ve been watching occupy Wall Street protests, and I’m really not surprised. These protestors are confused, angry and frustrated with our current economic situation. Many of them have recently graduated college and are now faced with financial responsibilities but have limited options for gainful employment. Most are liberals who believe that Wall Street, the big banks and the rich are to blame for their predicament.
I wish they would organize their movement and occupy streets in front of the capital where laws are made, or protest at their own college campuses where tuition prices raise an ungodly amount year after year. But, for some reason, they have focused their anger at Wall Street for the high unemployment rate. Many of their signs are aimed at “the rich and successful” who they deem the enemy. I wonder where they got that idea.
It doesn’t help that we have a lack of leadership in Washington. It seems to be the norm to point fingers across the political aisle. I’m tired of people not taking responsibility for their own lives. We all played with someone like this when we were young. You know, the neighborhood kid that wouldn’t admit he was hit by your nerf bullet. He didn’t play by the rules that everyone else was honest enough to abide by.
I also think we need to look at the way my generation has been raised. Most of these protestors are young, and come from the same “fair” society that I was brought up in.
When I was four years old I started playing T-ball. The league did not allow us to keep score. My father was the coach and had us practice our batting, fielding and running in hopes we would excel on the field. Unfortunately, unlike real life, there were no winners or losers. Even at 4, my teammates and I were smart enough to know who won, but the league rules did not allow us to celebrate a victory or practice accepting defeat.
This “everything needs to be fair” mentality continued through grade school. Our field days did not consist of blue, red and white ribbons like the old days. No way! That would mean there would be some sort of competition and that had to be avoided at all costs. I wonder how many people would watch the World Series if every game ended in a tie and every citizen had the opportunity to play.
Another example is the infamous Halloween party incident.
In grade school, my mom volunteered to organize our classroom Halloween party like she had done for many years. This particular year, Cedar Creek changed the rules. It turns out that all the elementary classes in the same grade had to have the exact same party. All students in the same grade had to play the exact same games, decorate the exact same cupcakes and receive the same candy bags. Needless to say, it was the last time my mom signed up as head room mother. She’s not much of a follower and it was no longer any fun. I remember her saying, “This is crazy! Heaven forbid someone gets one extra candy corn in their take home bag.”
I am now a senior and I know that the school district had these rules and regulations thinking they were helping us. However, I feel that many of these choices and teachings were destructive. Looking back now, I laugh at the party situation because we all “drank the Kool-Aid.”
This “everything and everyone is equal” approach doesn’t prepare us for the real world. Let my team lose six t-ball games at 4 years old so we will have the motivation to practice harder. If we do excel, then why not let us celebrate our well-deserved victory? I would rather get last place in every event knowing I was honestly beat than being led to believe that I am something I’m not. In my own life I have learned more from failure than success. Let me lose so I will develop a strong character in defeat. Let me enjoy victory when I work hard, sacrifice and earn it.
I know the “Occupy Wall Street” youth could be my classmates in a few years. We weren’t schooled in capitalism. The occupy Wall Street protesters and, unfortunately, my generation doesn’t understand the pursuit of happiness, free enterprise and the free market. We didn’t have a lot of incentive to work harder and be free, independent thinkers and strive for success. Our schooling mirrors that of a socialistic society.
When those in charge try to eliminate jealousy, success and envy they will achieve one thing ... mediocrity. The protesters obviously do not take responsibility for their own lives and feel the need to blame someone else. Many well known Democrats have sided with this disorganized protest, which promotes class envy.
We all have one life to live. I don’t understand why people would not want to control their own destiny. It’s not someone else’s fault if you fail. We live in a democracy, and we are not victims. I don’t feel your chance of employment would increase if you camped out in Zuccotti Park (which, by the way, has no grass). There is a saying that says “don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” It’s seems absurd to protest the business leaders and potential job creators when you do indeed need a job. Maybe the ideal job is not available so you have to take a position that you feel is beneath you to make ends meet. That’s how you pay your rent and know you are on the right track.
Looking back, I learned one thing from my socialistic Halloween parties. The polite child who rings my doorbell with the costume that took the most effort will definitely get the biggest piece of candy I have.
Ramsey Fowler is a senior at Lee’s Summit West High School. Write to him at government@lstribune.net.
| |
 | |  |
| | |
|
Other Recent Articles from the Opinion Category:
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fowler Interviews McCaskill During Dow Kokam Tour in Lee's Summit
|
|
|
