Is America Incompetent?

I loved growing up in the 50's-70's.  Yes, we had to suffer through Hippies, Vietnam and assassinations - but basically, life was still good and most families prospered. 

The thing I liked the most about those years was the drive for excellence.  I personally believe that's why life was so good.  Criminals and idiots weren't given the spotlight and public opinion looked down on them.  Now unfortunately... we elevate stupid to the point of making movies like Dumb and Dumber. 

In my day no one talked about the "bozo" in the family that went to California in a van painted with psychedelic flowers.  Instead we talked about, praised and applauded the accomplishments of the valedictorian who went on to college to become a doctor! 

The bum that banged on a tin can with two sticks he found in the yard wasn't going to be asked to do a concert.  People hurried past and knew that he was just foolin' around.  The concert pianist and the gal that could sing like songbirds not only received compensation for their hard work, they received rave reviews in the press.  When did we decide that the bum deserved money for lack of talent?

And my favorite 50's trend was the craftsmen that stood behind their work.  If you bought a table from "Al's furniture store" you could be sure your great-grandchildren were going to eat off that table.

My parents provided a nice home and I had a very nice bedroom.  However, it had somewhat childish decor and the bedroom suit was eclectic with a table hand-me-down from my parents and a headboard that we found at a garage sale.  They still worked...but I wanted something a little nicer.  Something that said I was a young adult.  So at age 14 I asked my parents for a new bedroom suit.

My Dad thought it was a wonderful idea.  However, he felt that if I was old enough to ask for and make a large purchase, I was old enough to pay for it.  After all, when I married I would surely want to take it with me.

Mom and I went to a great "mom and pop" furniture store and I found the perfect bedroom suit.  I even promised mom that with so many drawers, I could keep my room clean without even trying.  The bed, the dresser and a nightstand cost a whopping $400.  I was given a 30 year warranty but the manager smiled and added, "We stand behind our work.  If you have any trouble with this you let me know and I'll take it back and replace it!"

I worked 800 hours at $.50 an hour babysitting.  I charged $.75 if I did laundry or cleaned house.  I paid it off all by myself and on time!  (And I was taught to take care of it and not beat it up.)

What a fantastic claim.  "I stand behind my work!"  I still have that bedroom suit.  It's in wonderful condition and will probably outlast me.  Every drawer, every door....works perfectly and I'm four years past the warranty date.

What has happened to America?  We praise, worry and coddle teen idols that don't have a clue about history or decency.  We spend hundreds every year supporting the movie industry that continues to spout garbage that's hurting our teens.  We accept the fact that any item under $300 is probably going to break within a year.  We tease about being a "throw away" nation. 

We turn our head when people who can't sing and have no real talent - pick up a mike, spit and sputter while yelling obscenities....and our children pay $20 a pop to listen to their rant.  And...then that angry generation has the gall to fuss at me when I say it is not music!

We allow our children to graduate when they can't spell, can't read and can't count.  We give them jobs they are not qualified to do in order to appease the government or some special interest group.  What they really need is a tough love program that kicks them on the behind when ever they act stupid. 

We allow smart children to be put down while we coddle and don't want to hurt lazy stupid children.  Then America is surprised when those stupid young people go into the work force and can't do their jobs.  Have you ever called a company for help and got a stupid person who makes matters worse.

My uncle was Vice President of a very large company.  He had given a young lady almost a year to learn her job.  Finally he called her in and said he was going to have to let her go.

"Why?"
"Because you can't do the job."
"Just 'cus I can't do the job doesn't mean you gots to fire me!"

My son Ken introduced me to a heartbreaking phrase.  "You can fix almost anything in this world.....but you can't fix stupid!"

We find ourselves using that phrase to calm down every time we meet someone who just doesn't get it.  But...the problem remains that if we aren't at least trying to fix stupid we are probably sealing the downfall of our country. 

It's time to step up to the podium and demand "Excellence".  We need to demand it from our children, from our spouses, in our churches, in the workplace and above all....we desperately need it in the political arena.  Without it this country is doomed to an avalanche of "Stupid" that will not be able to solve the issues we face. 

I received an e-mail today from a ticket agent in DC.  You won't believe the junk he has to deal with.....from political figures!  Out of the 15 or so examples he gave, here's just a few.

***A senior Vermont Congressman (Bernie Sanders) called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that's not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state.


He replied, 'Don't lie to me. I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state!'' (OMG)

***An Illinois Congresswoman (Jan Schakowsky) called last week. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:30 a.m., and got to Chicago at 8:33 a.m.


I explained that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she couldn't understand the concept of time zones. Finally, I told her the plane went fast, and she bought that.

***A Senator John Kerry aide (Lindsay Ross) called to inquire about a trip package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, ''Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train to Hawaii?''


***Senator Dianne Feinstein called and said, ''I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola , Florida . Do I have to get on one of those little computer planes?''


I asked if she meant fly to Pensacola, FL, on a commuter plane.

She said, ''Yeah, whatever, smarty!''

***Mary Landrieu, Louisiana Senator, called and had a question about the documents she needed in order to fly to China . After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded her that she needed a visa. "Oh, no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those.''


I double checked and sure enough, her stay required a visa. When I told her this she said, ''Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express!''

And you wonder why Washington can't get anything done!  Duh!
 
God loves you,
 
Debbie