The Haves and the Will Nots

And with a few clicks, the blogging portion of my life embarks.  I may have some decents views, I may have some garbled views, and I may have some that come off as righteous views.  However, they are just that - views.  I write, just views..

We have all heard of the social classes the Haves and the Have Nots.  Families of privilege, and those that struggle endlessly.  Growing up, I believed that money was a hereditary benefit of others, but that with hard work and a little luck, I might see a little of it myself.  Those that struggled would also pass on their tribulations to their kin and this was just they way the world wound itself.

As a young worker washing dishes, stocking grocery shelves, mixing mortar, mixing drinks, raking sand traps, and ringing up everything from Tylenol to Bikinis, I too struggled with earnings.  Fortunately, I did see the benefits of a little extra effort.  I may not have always deployed those efforts, but when I did, I saw the appreciation employers had for any glimpse of work ethic.  It wasn't until I started with RadioShack and being given the managerial duties of running a store did the tides really turn.  I needed people to do their job and if not, I would find someone that does.  When the employee didn't work out, we would just replace them with one that did.

Fast forward 27 years.  I am still with RadioShack, now as a Franchisee instead of corporate manger, but the same holds true today as it did in 1985 - replace a malfunctioning employee with one that works.

One Problem.  There are too many malfunctioning ones out there.  Today's worker 25 years old and younger may be the most delusional generation ever to come along.  My generation was not a work of art by any means, but applicant after applicant fails to impress.  When the least wretched become new hire after new hire, many arrive with a chip on their shoulder and a air of 'how did you ever get along without me', when the thing that goes through my mind most frequently is 'what did I see in this person during the interview?'  Don't get me wrong, a gem does come along once in a while, but I have to polish a lot of cement before I unearth a precious stone.  As of this writing, I have a pretty good staff.  Maybe the best in years, but it took a LOT of weeding out the chaff to get there.  That was not always the case.

Just to set the record straight, any future applicants may want to avoid past gaffes made by 'Mensa' associates:

• Your birthday may have come before my need for you to work.  Fine, have a nice birthday.  See ya.
• Yes, I am aware that this is the 5th 85-degree day you have called in sick, and then shown up with a sunburn.  See ya.
• OK, you stopped drinking last night, but I don't know when.  My guess is that since you smell like a dive bar and are slurring your way through the English language that it wasn't too long ago.   For the third time in 2 weeks. Buh-bye.

I have heard so many reasons (excuses) not to work, that if you could put that energy put into coming up with new excuses towards actually working, you'd be rich.

So it boils down to the Haves and the Will Nots.  Those willing to overcome CLAS, or Chronic Lazy Ass Syndrome, will Have.  They will have success and be able to have their heads high for giving an honest effort and the rewards that come with it.  The Will Nots are the polar opposite.  They will not have success because they will not make an effort.  They will not understand that our whole system of commerce depends on the efforts of its workforce.  Those that have a disability are exempted, but those that will not because they know they can get away with it are part of our problems in these economically tough times.  Get out, make an effort, and reap the rewards.  Otherwise....see ya.

Election Night 2012

Now that the election is over, I have to admit the shock I have from some of posts I have seen trickle through my Facebook stream.  I have seen accusations of how uneducated we Americans are.  That we should move to Canada.  That the 47% got their way (even though by the end of the night, Obama had won the popular vote too).  I have seen ‘let the handouts begin’ and ‘what shape will we be in after 4 years’, ‘Let the degradation of our country begin’ and finally, ‘Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups’.  There you go 50+ million voters…you’re stupid.  Wow.

I have questions for those of you who feel the election has jaded your view of this country.  If you were serving in a war, would you care less if the person that was supposed to have your back was Republican or Democrat, or just glad they are an American?  How about if it was your son or daughter?  Do you think our troops in Afghanistan gives a rat’s behind whether the guy they are searching for IEDs with is Republican, Democrat, or any other party, or that he/she is precise and thorough in their job?  Think about it – every soldier that has gone to war has done so for his country, not his party.  I wholeheartedly support our troops – from every party – as I’m sure you do too.  We have more battles in front of us, some literal and some figurative.  I could care less about the party of the people with which I will go to battle.  I would love to see changes made in a lot of things, but it won’t come easily.  One asset is that as Americans, we share a patriotism that very few countries share.  All too many times we see the tragedy of countries embroiled in civil war, and the slaughter of each other’s people.  We learned the hard way that just doesn’t work.  We became the UNITED States of America, but somehow have lost the definition of united.  Change will be a lot easier if we find the meaning again.

As I listen to Mitt Romney give his concession speech, he says it’s time to end bipartisanship, it’s time to reach across the aisle and work together.  He calls for an end the political posturing, and to support the leader this country has chosen.  If he had won, this is what would have expected of the Democrats had they lost.  Be disappointed your party’s candidate lost, fine, but to admonish the very freedom we have to elect a leader by trashing those who have made the decision is un-American. 

I saw two posts tonight by people that gave me hope that after the dust settles, we will all head down the path together.  John Hess says, “My personal professional and economic success does not rely on a President.  It is a reflection of myself and my work ethic. It always has been and always will be. The economy may change, markets may change, but I will always try to rise above”, and Russ Ludens says, “If the candidate(s) that you voted for won, then I congratulate you.  If they lost then I send you my sympathies.  BUT I WILL NOT STOOP TO RUBBING IT IN ANYONES FACE.  The right to vote your convictions is too precious and too sacred to gloat about.  I will accept the outcome and pray that we move on to a better country for all of us to live in.”  Well said gentleman.

My personal feeling is that we have some work to do, and my country elected a leader to lead us.  We do not have to be lemmings and follow everything, as it is our obligation to correct our leaders when the path they are taking may lead us astray.  However, we do have moral and ethical duty to accept what the vote has determined.  He won the electoral AND popular vote, so clearly America has spoken and whether I agree or disagree with the outcome, I stand behind our leader. 

It boils down to this for me… whether it is a city, state, or national issue, nothing will be achieved by the person pointing the finger, but will be by the person lifting one.