Not to try is to guarantee failure.

I have no problem with folks that make more money than I do.  The more important issue for me is whether or not I can find a way to make enough money for myself and my family.  If I can accomplish that objective, I am not even really jealous of those that are astronomically wealthy.  In fact, I suspect that I probably have a better life than those that measure their value by the number of zeros in their bank balance.  I suggest that the problem that faces America today is that there are too many folks out of work - not that there are too many rich people.  The dichotomy is troubling, but the way to redress the problem is to create jobs for those that do not have work.  The way to screw our future up is to continue to take money from the wealthy and use it to perpetuate joblessness.

The folks that were at the heart of the original Occupy Wall Street demonstrations are not bad people.  They appear to have been joined by a variety of less attractive activists along with a liberal sprinkling of loons, but the original core of frustrated young people should not be lightly dismissed by conservatives just because they are inarticulate and poorly organized.  They are representative of an important part of our future.  They need to be engaged in an honest discussion that deals with their perceived problems.  To leave them foundering is to waste the potential that they represent.  To avoid addressing their real concerns substantively is to "kick the can down the road."  This overused phrase is an excellent description of problem solving in modern America.  Not convincing young folks of the values inherent in our economic system is to ensure that this country will continue to move left as they grow into the political majority.

One of the problems that causes so much of the discontent with the so-called one per cent is that too many people are frustrated because they can not figure out how to become part of that elite club.  In today's economy, salaries are squeezed and advancement is made difficult by a faltering economy.  Layoffs are the order of the day.   The traditional conservative theme of hard work leading to a better life is a hard sell to a young college graduate who can not find work outside of a fast food emporium.  Our call of "take a bath and get a job" might well be the best advice out there, but we should not be surprised when many young folks think that we have been taking too many geriatric medications.  Youth is, by definition, cocky, no-it-all, impatient, inexperienced, and often wrong, but it is also our future.  If we are so certain that we have all of the answers we should not be afraid to engage these folks in honest conversation.  Maybe even give them some honest recognition rather than just belittling them because they do not currently have a job and are very obviously distraught.

Now, having said all of that, I still believe that these folks ought to fold their tents, take a bath, and get a job.  Believe it or not, there is opportunity out there for imaginative, hardworking, intelligent people of any age who can help businesses and organizations deal with the tough times that are upon us.  Solve real problems and you will be recognized as someone of value.  God knows there are enough problems out there in this country to go around.  If you folks are so all fired smart, share your intelligence with the rest of us and help get this country going again - before really hungry people in other parts of the world take too much of the pie away from all of us.  My suspicion is that the one thing that might be holding you back is fear.  I assure you that it is a common to all of us - old and young alike.  What if I try to do something and fail?  So what?  Try again, and keep trying until you succeed.  The only way to remain a failure is to not try.

You may say that this advice is old fashioned and out of date.  I would call it fundamental truth and I would point to a legion of Americans that have proven it's validity.