Originally Posted by MS Fowler

SwampYankee made an important point. How do we overcome the work ethic of many of today's young, and not-so-young people?
When they hear one of the major political parties continually bash " the rich" are we surprised when they have a poor work ethic? I am not.

My wife deals with the attitude almost every day in her job as a substitute teacher in Harford County, MD. The County is split by US rte 40, and the attitudes mirror that split. The kids in the rte 40 corridor generally come to school with poor attitudes toward education. One 3rd grader had a 5th grade brother who actually PAID little brother to do poorly. Parents almost always defend their little darlings--My child would NEVER say/ do that! Kids KNOW there are no consequences to their actions--they even pass from one grade to the next in spite of their lack of learning. Yes, there are exceptions to this generalization, but they are rare. The odd thing is that in many cases the poor work ethic is also mirrored in the school administration. The kids are doomed. When the school board and administration accepts the crap that goes on, they will get more of it. They need to demand excellence instead of making excuses for failure.