Quote Originally Posted by knightnorth View Post
This is the stuff that eats at me a bit. I knew times were tough so last year I got a new job that got me 50% more pay. I had to go from driving a company car 90 miles one way to driving my personal car 110 miles one way but I needed to support my family. I pay my taxes - live within my means - pay a mortgage I can afford. When the price of gas went up last year to over $4 around here I just bought a more gas efficient vehicle. And I made darn sure I bought American made. But I didn't cry about it and ask for handouts from the gas man. I'm not asking for a stimulus plan, or a federal bailout, or free smokes.

Yeah the economy sucks. You know what sucks about it? The whiners. "Oh, I lost my job" well you should have gotten a better friggin skill. Prisoners always have a job making furniture, or chain gang, or something. If you can't find a job in this country you're just not trying. I'm pretty sure the Army is still hiring and the Marines (for damn sure the Marines) could use some help. If I can make it where I am, and I'm just a former high school drop out, then anybody can make it anywhere. Hey, you are where you put yourself. But that's just how I feel.
Right on!

My grandfather used to say, "If the government took all the money away from the rich - and redistributed it equally amongst everyone - within a very short period of time the same people that were rich would be rich again, and the same people that had nothing would have nothing again."

If you're not SUCCESSFUL, you only have yourself to blame. The US have some of the most stringent laws around workplace discrimination - sex, race, creed, color, sexual orientation, age, disability, - you name it - it's covered and vigorously prosecuted. Our national education system is solid and reasonably priced - with plenty of opportunities for scholarships, grants, loans, etc. Many employers have tuition reimbursement programs, and encourage their employees to continue their education. Bottom line - how could you NOT be successful?

Perhaps I've been fortunate - with very little effort on my part I've managed to make a decent living. I regret some decisions I've made that didn't position me better (i.e. education) - I had the potential to be in an even better place than I am - but I truly have no one else to blame.

Altitude has everything to do with attitude.