27th Edition
The Luckiest Generation
My generation has been the luckiest generation in the history of our country. Our standard of living has reached an unprecedented level, one that is unlikely to be maintained, let alone exceeded, by future generations. Why this pessimistic view of our future? I’ll get to that, but I’m not sure it is a pessimistic viewpoint. If our standard of living slips a bit for the next couple of generations, it will remain higher, on average, than any other country. Is that so bad? So, why has our country peaked? Three reasons. First, we have lost our work ethic, which should not be surprising given our economic success. We’ve become entitled and comfortable and have lost the chip-on-our-shoulder-mentality that made previous generations so competitive. Second, we have granted too much control to government bureaucrats, and higher taxes, over regulation, and profligate spending will produce lower economic growth going forward. There is no way around that. Third, the decline in core values and the pervasive absence of integrity has decimated community spirit. Polarization and tribal mentality have replaced patriotism and civic duty. We have abandoned the TEAM philosophy – Together Everyone Achieves More.
Despite this dire situation, we have the ability to reverse each of these destructive trends. Why this optimistic view of our future? Because despite the naysayers, the America Dream remains alive and well. Let me explain why. Here are two very different perspectives, but both are true. On one hand, just because some people face challenges and hardships that prove insurmountable, does not mean that others can’t overcome similar circumstances. There are too many variables to predetermine failure or success. This fact is proven virtually every day, as we read stories of people who have achieved amazing things despite colossal odds against them. On the other hand, just because some successful people seemingly had every perceived advantage, doesn’t ensure the same level of success for all people with the same perceived advantages. Again, there are too many variables involved to make generalized predictions. What does this all mean?
America is still the land of opportunity. Equal opportunity? Of course not. But, with very few exceptions, the possibility exists to overcome challenges or disadvantages, just as it is possible to squander opportunities. If we are ever going to regain our work ethic, reharness the motivational energy of having a chip on our shoulder, or unite behind goals bigger than ourselves, we have to believe in the American Dream.
Why would anyone not want to believe in that dream? The American Dream relies first and foremost on individual initiative and responsibility. Those who contend that the dream is dead want opportunity and success to be determined by the administrative state. They despise individualism and push aside the important balance between rights and responsibilities. They prefer dependency, which equates to votes, which underpins their lust for power and control.
Calling on the Luckiest Generation… It remains vitally important, as it always has, that the most fortunate ones in this Luckiest Generation continue to give back. We need to help those who aren’t so lucky, help guide them to overcome challenges that others may call insurmountable. The guidepost here is to Know the Way, Show the Way, and Go the Way. We should never say – It’s not my problem. Or worse yet – It’s the Government’s responsibility. With a positive work ethic, the right attitude, and working together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish as individuals, communities, or as a nation. If there is even an ounce of potential for things to improve, there is always hope, which is the foundation post of the American Dream. And it still exists!
How should we digest all this? Perhaps by thinking in terms of Kingdom building. Kingdom building means helping others before ourselves, striving to become all that God created us to be, and embracing the Fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. We can do this in so many ways. How we spend our time, what we teach our kids in school, and how we utilize our resources and talents, reflects our commitment to Kingdom building. The Greatest Generation, to whom the Luckiest Generation owes so much, were Kingdom builders. Their work ethic was legendary. They believed in individual initiative, and they embraced civic responsibility. There is no reason we, the Luckiest Generation, can’t do the same thing.
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Michael Kayes
*These views are my personal opinions and are not the viewpoints of any company or organization.