Personal Responsibility......

[Stanley Steamer]

I saw Nobama's speech to the schools today as I was eating lunch at a local restaurant....it wasn't overly political in my opinion, but I did think back to what guided me to some decisions I had made in my life since High School....I was the first person in my immediate Family(2 older sisters, 1 younger brother) to graduate from HS.....I came from a poor family looking back on it, but my folks worked hard at low-paying jobs...they did not have any extra $$ to save towards our future education.....they didn't encourage us to go any further than HS, but didn't discourage us either.....my parents divorced when I was in the 11th grade and I ended up spending my Senior year of HS living at one of my favorite Aunt and Uncle's house.....

I worked a part-time job after school and on the weekends/summers from when I was 15 yrs old....I also realized that if I were going to go to college, then I had to figure out how I was going to pay for it.....I was lucky enough to qualify for about $15,000 in scholarships when I graduated, the most of anyone in the Class of 1988 that year.....and since I was the only one who claimed me when filing taxes to the IRS, I was able to qualify for the maximum amount for the Pell Grant.....I basically only had to borrow enough money from student loans to pay for one year of college.....I guess it costed me around $30,000(not including spending $$, etc) for a BSA degree in Ornamental Horticulture from UGA back in March of '93.......

I basically looked around me at school and home and made a promise to myself that I was going to "do things right" and go to college, get a good job, and THEN get married....in that order....I knew that if I wanted more from life that, it was up to ME to make it happen by taking the necessary steps to "Git-R-Done"...I worked every quarter but one while I was in college, never went on any spring break, and also worked each summer....my work ethic came from my Father.....so he did contribute something into the equation....and my Mom once gave me $300 for my books one quarter.....and I was very appreciative of that.....I pulled up to UGA in a 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger and had to park next to $30,000 BMW's some of the other kids were driving......

I don't regret many of my decisions from those years and actually think I appreciated it more that I didn't depend on anyone else to get me where I needed to be in life.....as I listened to Big O today, I realized that in the last 10-20 yrs, a lot has changed and maybe SOME of those kids needed to hear that they shouldn't depend on the "system" to take care of them, but take responsibilty for themselves!!....Not that it should take the President to make them realize that.....

I hate to always hear that I'm in trouble, or I did that BECAUSE I had a poor childhood, or , or he,she, they were mean to me.......Man up, and take responsibility for your OWN actions is my outlook on it.....well, that's my .04 cents worth....

[JimL]

Steamer I admire your story...its sounds very similar to mine, although I did get some assistance from my mother during my college years.  From what I have read of Obama's speech I think it was good advise and he did keep the politics out of the discussion (whether that would have been the case had parts of the media not made folks aware of it we will never know for sure).  Overall I saw it as a positive gesture by the president.

I would be even more pleased if he would hold his constituency to the same standard of accountability that he advocates for the children.  Personal accountability among Obama's constituency would better be served by recommending that they do what my parents and I did...work 2 and sometimes even 3 jobs in order to pull yourself up by the bootstraps; and forget about "redistributing other peoples hard earned money".  The truth is that he is keenly aware that this kind of honest dialogue is not too popular among most of his supporters, and would be politically disastrous.

[Doc Moose]

Good on ya Steamer.  You can't ever discount drive and determination.

That and being a quasi stud muffin! (The Girls paid me to say that.....) 

[Stanley Steamer]

Good on ya Steamer.  You can't ever discount drive and determination.

That and being a quasi stud muffin! (The Girls paid me to say that.....) 

I was just blessed with.......good looks!!!.....they didn't get me very far though!!!... ...

[Stanley Steamer]

Steamer I admire your story...its sounds very similar to mine, although I did get some assistance from my mother during my college years.  From what I have read of Obama's speech I think it was good advise and he did keep the politics out of the discussion (whether that would have been the case had parts of the media not made folks aware of it we will never know for sure).  Overall I saw it as a positive gesture by the president.

I would be even more pleased if he would hold his constituency to the same standard of accountability that he advocates for the children.  Possibly personal accountability among his constituency would better be served by recommending that they do what my parents and I did...work 2 and sometimes even 3 jobs in order to pull yourself up by the bootstraps; and forget about "redistributing other peoples hard earned money".

a political science class, I thought I was a dummycrat(makes some sense considering my upbringing).....but then I figured out that there are cursed few excuses for not making the most of life by figuring out what it takes to get to where you want....instead of blaming others for WHY I can't/couldn't do this or that...

I am not nieve enough to believe I did it ALL on my own, like the Pell Grant....but, I have been a contributing taxpayer to the "system" that gave me a "Hand-up".....which is much different than a "hand-out" that so many ppl have come to expect these days....

[Ms Old Skool]

My parents are not educated people, my Dad has a 8th grade education and my Mom a 5th grade education. They both were from very poor families and growing up I was never asked if I had homework, how I did on a test and was never encouraged in any area of education. Looking back on it they didnt know how to help me so I pushed myself because I wanted better and I want better for Noah. From a very young age his Dad and I talked about how important education is. The days of getting a good job straight out of high school are gone and where we live there is no future so Steve and I knew since grade school that Noah would not live here. It breaks my heart that Noah will not live near me  but I want Noah to fulfill every dream he has. When he comes to me and talks about the future I encourage him ,I would never say to him "Why would you want to do that". He's in the 10th grade now and he's determined to have a good future and is going to start college courses next month. Noah's dream is to live in Japan and if he gets his determination from his Dad I'd better love to fly.

[Stanley Steamer]

My parents are not educated people, my Dad has a 8th grade education and my Mom a 5th grade education. They both were from very poor families and growing up I was never asked if I had homework, how I did on a test and was never encouraged in any area of education. Looking back on it they didnt know how to help me so I pushed myself because I wanted better and I want better for Noah. From a very young age his Dad and I talked about how important education is. The days of getting a good job straight out of high school are gone and where we live there is no future so Steve and I knew since grade school that Noah would not live here. It breaks my heart that Noah will not live near me  but I want Noah to fulfill every dream he has. When he comes to me and talks about the future I encourage him ,I would never say to him "Why would you want to do that". He's in the 10th grade now and he's determined to have a good future and is going to start college courses next month. Noah's dream is to live in Japan and if he gets his determination from his Dad I'd better love to fly.

My Mom made it through the 8th grade(she was one of 13 children)....and my Dad made it through the 6th grade.....he was a voracious reader though...and though he never learned how to read sheet music, he could play any song on a guitar, banjo, autoharp, and other stringed instruments by "ear"....just by listening to it a couple of times...I wish I had of learned that from him.....

I came from a small town where there wasn't much to do....Athens is just the right size for me.....~100,000 folks......plenty to do compared to where I grew up.....my heart will always yearn for "home" though.....

I'm sure Noah will go far as long as he applies himself.....and that may mean that YOU get over your fear of flying....

[..]

He's in the 10th grade now and he's determined to have a good future and is going to start college courses next month. Noah's dream is to live in Japan and if he gets his determination from his Dad I'd better love to fly.

Well done. It can be difficult for some parents to "let their children go".  Especially a Mother.

I understand that when Stanley went to college his parents moved and didn't leave a forwarding address  

[Hoser]

I saw Nobama's speech to the schools today as I was eating lunch at a local restaurant....it wasn't overly political in my opinion, but I did think back to what guided me to some decisions I had made in my life since High School....I was the first person in my immediate Family(2 older sisters, 1 younger brother) to graduate from HS.....I came from a poor family looking back on it, but my folks worked hard at low-paying jobs...they did not have any extra $$ to save towards our future education.....they didn't encourage us to go any further than HS, but didn't discourage us either.....my parents divorced when I was in the 11th grade and I ended up spending my Senior year of HS living at one of my favorite Aunt and Uncle's house.....

I worked a part-time job after school and on the weekends/summers from when I was 15 yrs old....I also realized that if I were going to go to college, then I had to figure out how I was going to pay for it.....I was lucky enough to qualify for about $15,000 in scholarships when I graduated, the most of anyone in the Class of 1988 that year.....and since I was the only one who claimed me when filing taxes to the IRS, I was able to qualify for the maximum amount for the Pell Grant.....I basically only had to borrow enough money from student loans to pay for one year of college.....I guess it costed me around $30,000(not including spending $$, etc) for a BSA degree in Ornamental Horticulture from UGA back in March of '93.......

I basically looked around me at school and home and made a promise to myself that I was going to "do things right" and go to college, get a good job, and THEN get married....in that order....I knew that if I wanted more from life that, it was up to ME to make it happen by taking the necessary steps to "Git-R-Done"...I worked every quarter but one while I was in college, never went on any spring break, and also worked each summer....my work ethic came from my Father.....so he did contribute something into the equation....and my Mom once gave me $300 for my books one quarter.....and I was very appreciative of that.....I pulled up to UGA in a 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger and had to park next to $30,000 BMW's some of the other kids were driving......

I don't regret many of my decisions from those years and actually think I appreciated it more that I didn't depend on anyone else to get me where I needed to be in life.....as I listened to Big O today, I realized that in the last 10-20 yrs, a lot has changed and maybe SOME of those kids needed to hear that they shouldn't depend on the "system" to take care of them, but take responsibilty for themselves!!....Not that it should take the President to make them realize that.....

I hate to always hear that I'm in trouble, or I did that BECAUSE I had a poor childhood, or , or he,she, they were mean to me.......Man up, and take responsibility for your OWN actions is my outlook on it.....well, that's my .04 cents worth....

Well said Steamer,  hoser

[MP]

Good work, Stanley.  Sure wish a lot more people had that attitude, rather than the "You owe me" attitude.
MP

[hubcapsc]

He's in the 10th grade now and he's determined to have a good future and is going to start college courses next month. Noah's dream is to live in Japan and if he gets his determination from his Dad I'd better love to fly.

Well done. It can be difficult for some parents to "let their children go".  Especially a Mother.

I understand that when Stanley went to college his parents moved and didn't leave a forwarding address  

My mother never gave up on me, even though I was a classic ne'erdowell bonehead for way longer
than anyone has a right to be... I had a jolly old time living in the dorms through several years of
college... then on to stacking boxes second shift at the bottling factory... then on to working full
time, taking one class at a time and getting an 11 year Computer Science undergraduate degree...
My mother was the greatest - she deserved to have a kid like Noah (ie - not a moron)...

-Mike

[Str8shooter]

Let me stir the pudding a little. The big O gets his mug on the tube stressing personal responsibility and at the same time trying to win over some of us by directing this towards our children. The kids come home and talk about how wonderful he is and that the speech really inspired them. Can you see whats about to happen? The big O could not get us to buy into the Government take over of health care by going straight at us, as seen by all the town hall meetings, so he and the crats decide to do a round about and come from the other direction. See it now? Why would a man that cares about our children some much lead us astray on our health care issues? Is what some are thinking today.Wake up folks that little speech yesterday right before he addresses congress tonight was not about caring for our children. The one thing Government does not want is a public that is well educated and can think for themselves and not need any government handouts to survive. They want you to be totally dependent on them for everything. Which gives them the POWER and CONTROL to do whatever they think is right for us. I personally do not want any more government in my life other than protecting my life and liberty. I, like all the others on this topic, have made the sacrifices to make sure that our family's have everything they need to survive and be successful. Thank You, and I do hereby step down from my soap box.

[Varmintmist]

I hate to always hear that I'm in trouble, or I did that BECAUSE I had a poor childhood, or , or he,she, they were mean to me.......Man up, and take responsibility for your OWN actions is my outlook on it.....well, that's my .04 cents worth....

+1

My folks both graduated from HS. My dad likes to say he was 18th in his class. (of 18) My mother sold a cow to get into nursing school. It was jobs for them however not great ones. My mom used to ay that the only reason they got a mortgage was she took my sister and me into the bank and we wore the manager down. After a while my father found out he was as far as he could be where he was working unless his last name was the same as the bosses, and it wasnt real far. He started his own biz and I was on a black top crew at 8, pulling my own weight by 12. Things were not rosy for a long time. Hurricane Agnes saved our tails. If you have equipment, the government tells you that you are working for them. They paid pretty good though and after we got a real paver, nice roller and a grader. The checks from them and the damage from the flood kept us going until he got a reputation. I have gleaned potato fields behind the migrants and eaten gubmint cheese. To this day I dont like fresh green beans because I had to snap those rotten things and yellow wax beans make me want to puke. I dont like to garden because I had to. I can sweat pipes like a real plumber and do basic carpentry, run wire and paint. Before age 14. I learned how to fix oil burners when the lines gelled at 16. It was real simple, you didn't call anyone because you couldnt afford it.
My sister was the bright one, she went to school and the folks gave her a hand. When I was 17 I singed up for the University of Science Music and Culture and was told that I could come home anytime I wanted to, for a visit. It wasnt mean, but in one sentance you can learn the little secret about freedom, it means you are on your own. 4 years and out, I got Jimmy Carters f-you Marine plan called VEAP. That, Pell and Phea grants, full time + jobs in the summer and spring breaks in a grease pit got me a associates. My folks let me stay in a rental while I was in college, after I got out I got the bill.

I was a D for a long time to. Seeing the media and Dems lie their butts off during the first assault weapons ban turned me off. Then I started looking at the economics of it and it doesnt add up. After the Dems put up Billy Jeff Blyth Clinton, I switched.

[Chrisj CMA]

My parents werent rich, but we werent poor either...They told us at the beginning as far as school went.  It was their job to make sure we got there, after that it was all on us.  My dad was a electronic engineer with high degrees in math and science and I cant remember one time he tried to help me learn algebra, which to this day I cant do well enough to even sign up for a college class.  But thats ok because my choice to spend 23 years in the military would have made useless a good knowledge of math or worse yet it may have encouraged me to do some braniac job instead of combat search and rescue which was my calling and passion for the first 15 years of my service.  Me and my first wife tried to be different, we were very involved with our kids.  We made sure they had the best learning environment at home, tutors if needed, we met with teachers and made sure they had the required credits to get the Florida scholorships.  Both my kids had college paid for and still didnt go, so I cant blame my parents for a hands off approach, it made me self sufficient.  After their mom (first wife) passed they found out how hard it is to be self sufficient, mom was the softie and with her gone it was up to me, we (my son and daughter) have a good relationship but I tend to let them solve their own problems more than their mom did.

I said all that to say this.  Only when you know its up to you to solve things and make a future will you put that "nose the grindstone" and take it serious.  If you know the bailout is comming then its human nature to stall and wait for a hand.

[ThreeAces97]

Stanley,    reading your story reminds me of mine, but 8 years earlier.    Spring of 80, my Dad approached me about college and I said I wanted to go.   He said he couldn't help me, but as long as I was in school I would have a roof over my head.   Couple of weeks later I raised my right hand and was swore into the U.S. Army.   I did well on the ASVAB tests and was encouraged by the recruiter to take the ROTC admissions test at Kent State University.   Did well with that test and was accepted as a ROTC SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program) for the Fall of 1980.   Went to Basic Training and AIT (91P) and started my freshman year at KSU.   Like you, worked all semesters except spring of senior year.   Drove my grandmother's to older brother to me 1971 4 door Plymouth Valiant.   My first semester tuition was $611.00 plus another 120.00 for books.   I made approximately 820.00 as a Private E-1 during the summers training.   I received my $100.00 a month ROTC stipend and an additional 88.00 a month for participating in Army Reserve drill weekend.    Graduated with a BS in Criminal Justice in spring of 84.   Total cost of my four year degree was $7900.00.    I don't know if I would have been able to pull off living on campus because my Dad made just enough that I wasn't eligible for any grants.   Looking back on commuting, it was the right choice.   Drinking age was 18 years old back then and I think I would have partied my way out of school.   Staying home kept me grounded enough to focus on priorities.

When my wife and I started our family 13 years ago, we started saving for their education.   I work hard in trying to pass down the values that were passed to me, but I do not think a kid today could pull off working their way through a four year school and walk away debt free.  

Anyways, the similarity in cars was truly funny for me.  Mine had an 8 track player in it and my Reo Speedwagon "Hi-Infidelity" which was permanently stuck inside.   I knew that tape backwards and forwards.

[G-Man]

The first person I met was Don Williams.  Both he and I were 6'4" and weighed about 200 lbs (then).  We were both wearing blue jeans, a button down shirt, and a tie that didn't match anything (dress code for freshman and sophmores).  We both had a pad and a pen on the desk in front of us.  I'd say the only difference was that Don and I are of different races.

We started talking and the similarities were flying.  High school educated parents that did well enough to get by and maybe help out with minor expenses.  We were both return students who worked jobs and realized that we needed to go back to school to get where we wanted to be.  We both went back to finish undergrad but with no help as our parents paid the first time and we screwed it up so they weren't gonna do it again.  We worked and borrowed to finish undergrad and then borrowed to get through med school.  We both took the same tests, and had the same opportunities presented to us during school and upon graduation.  As a matter of fact, Don and I interviewed for the same residency position that he got and I didn't (for whatever reason).

I've lost touch with Don, but I'm sure he's still paying about a $1,000 a month in student loans as I am still doing so many years later.  By the time I finished my residency and started to pay back the loan, I was $140K in the whole.  After paying the thing back for 11 years now at 7% interest (I tried refinancing but didn't want a third mortgage), I still owe over $100K and I'm sure Don owes the same.

My point is that there ARE NO MORE EXCUSES.  People from all races, educational, and economic backgrounds have the same opportunities to better themselves.  Unfortunately, our present administration wishes to perpetuate the feeling of entitlement that minorities have.  The old saying is so perfect..........Give a man a fish and eats for one meal.  If he learns to fish, he eats for a lifetime.  The entitlements and excuses need to stop so people will be forced to learn and earn for themselves.  When this happens, people will have more sense of accomplishment, feel better about themselves.....which in turn will help them live fuller and healthier lives.  Imagine a nation of people who contribute, rather than waiting around for entitlements.

[JimL]

The old saying is so perfect..........Give a man a fish and eats for one meal.  If he learns to fish, he eats for a lifetime.

The concept can't possibly be stated any clearer than this.  Unfortunately there are still those who will never understand.

[Duffy]

Hey Str8shooter, you realize that when you refer to "the big O" you are referring to Oprah, right? 

[JimL]

Hey Str8shooter, you realize that when you refer to "the big O" you are referring to Oprah, right? 

I guess I am showing my age...I always associated it with Oscar Robertson (guard Milwaukee Bucks)!

[Charlie]

Let me stir the pudding a little. The big O gets his mug on the tube stressing personal responsibility and at the same time trying to win over some of us by directing this towards our children. The kids come home and talk about how wonderful he is and that the speech really inspired them. Can you see whats about to happen? The big O could not get us to buy into the Government take over of health care by going straight at us, as seen by all the town hall meetings, so he and the crats decide to do a round about and come from the other direction. See it now? Why would a man that cares about our children some much lead us astray on our health care issues? Is what some are thinking today.Wake up folks that little speech yesterday right before he addresses congress tonight was not about caring for our children. The one thing Government does not want is a public that is well educated and can think for themselves and not need any government handouts to survive. They want you to be totally dependent on them for everything. Which gives them the POWER and CONTROL to do whatever they think is right for us. I personally do not want any more government in my life other than protecting my life and liberty. I, like all the others on this topic, have made the sacrifices to make sure that our family's have everything they need to survive and be successful. Thank You, and I do hereby step down from my soap box.

I gotta say, you give a lot of power to one speech, given once a year by one guy.  I doubt very seriously that the talk he gave to kids did anything more than possibly give a minute amount of support to kids who were already planning on going through school anyway.  Parents are the single most influence on our kids.  I know Ronald Reagan's speech in the 80's didn't change any of my oldest four kids attitudes, and George Bush Sr. didn't change anything with my youngest.  Some of my kids are Conservatives, some are Liberals, one is a Libertarian.  I could see it coming as they grew up.  I always encouraged them to be the best person they could be, and am happy to report each one did it right for themselves.  I am proud of them all and do not believe anyone, ever, should disrespect the President of the United States of America by accusing him of political intentions by encouraging our children to reach for the sky.

And that is all I have to say about that!!!

[Stanley Steamer]

He's in the 10th grade now and he's determined to have a good future and is going to start college courses next month. Noah's dream is to live in Japan and if he gets his determination from his Dad I'd better love to fly.

Well done. It can be difficult for some parents to "let their children go".  Especially a Mother.

I understand that when Stanley went to college his parents moved and didn't leave a forwarding address  

so that's why my letters home kept being sent back to me with...."Return to Sender"??......

[Stanley Steamer]

"My mother never gave up on me, even though I was a classic ne'erdowell bonehead for way longer
than anyone has a right to be... I had a jolly old time living in the dorms through several years of
college... then on to stacking boxes second shift at the bottling factory... then on to working full
time, taking one class at a time and getting an 11 year Computer Science undergraduate degree...
My mother was the greatest - she deserved to have a kid like Noah (ie - not a moron)...

-Mike"


believing that you were EVER a "Hellion"!!.......

[Stanley Steamer]

Stanley,    reading your story reminds me of mine, but 8 years earlier.    Spring of 80, my Dad approached me about college and I said I wanted to go.   He said he couldn't help me, but as long as I was in school I would have a roof over my head.   Couple of weeks later I raised my right hand and was swore into the U.S. Army.   I did well on the ASVAB tests and was encouraged by the recruiter to take the ROTC admissions test at Kent State University.   Did well with that test and was accepted as a ROTC SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program) for the Fall of 1980.   Went to Basic Training and AIT (91P) and started my freshman year at KSU.   Like you, worked all semesters except spring of senior year.   Drove my grandmother's to older brother to me 1971 4 door Plymouth Valiant.   My first semester tuition was $611.00 plus another 120.00 for books.   I made approximately 820.00 as a Private E-1 during the summers training.   I received my $100.00 a month ROTC stipend and an additional 88.00 a month for participating in Army Reserve drill weekend.    Graduated with a BS in Criminal Justice in spring of 84.   Total cost of my four year degree was $7900.00.    I don't know if I would have been able to pull off living on campus because my Dad made just enough that I wasn't eligible for any grants.   Looking back on commuting, it was the right choice.   Drinking age was 18 years old back then and I think I would have partied my way out of school.   Staying home kept me grounded enough to focus on priorities.

When my wife and I started our family 13 years ago, we started saving for their education.   I work hard in trying to pass down the values that were passed to me, but I do not think a kid today could pull off working their way through a four year school and walk away debt free.  

Anyways, the similarity in cars was truly funny for me.  Mine had an 8 track player in it and my Reo Speedwagon "Hi-Infidelity" which was permanently stuck inside.   I knew that tape backwards and forwards.

I had air shocks on the back, put a new radio/cassette player in it, had a new vinyl top put on it and ran recaps on it back then...I was on the Volunteer FD back then and manys the time I had that 318 V8 wound out to 125mph on the way to a fire...that was stupid all by itself, but on recaps??...I survived being young and dumb...thankfully!!.....this isn't my old car, but was the same color....

[Stanley Steamer]

The first person I met was Don Williams.  Both he and I were 6'4" and weighed about 200 lbs (then).  We were both wearing blue jeans, a button down shirt, and a tie that didn't match anything (dress code for freshman and sophmores).  We both had a pad and a pen on the desk in front of us.  I'd say the only difference was that Don and I are of different races.

We started talking and the similarities were flying.  High school educated parents that did well enough to get by and maybe help out with minor expenses.  We were both return students who worked jobs and realized that we needed to go back to school to get where we wanted to be.  We both went back to finish undergrad but with no help as our parents paid the first time and we screwed it up so they weren't gonna do it again.  We worked and borrowed to finish undergrad and then borrowed to get through med school.  We both took the same tests, and had the same opportunities presented to us during school and upon graduation.  As a matter of fact, Don and I interviewed for the same residency position that he got and I didn't (for whatever reason).

I've lost touch with Don, but I'm sure he's still paying about a $1,000 a month in student loans as I am still doing so many years later.  By the time I finished my residency and started to pay back the loan, I was $140K in the whole.  After paying the thing back for 11 years now at 7% interest (I tried refinancing but didn't want a third mortgage), I still owe over $100K and I'm sure Don owes the same.

My point is that there ARE NO MORE EXCUSES.  People from all races, educational, and economic backgrounds have the same opportunities to better themselves.  Unfortunately, our present administration wishes to perpetuate the feeling of entitlement that minorities have.  The old saying is so perfect..........Give a man a fish and eats for one meal.  If he learns to fish, he eats for a lifetime.  The entitlements and excuses need to stop so people will be forced to learn and earn for themselves.  When this happens, people will have more sense of accomplishment, feel better about themselves.....which in turn will help them live fuller and healthier lives.  Imagine a nation of people who contribute, rather than waiting around for entitlements.

~$8,500.....only had to borrow enough for about one years worth of school....I took the WHOLE 10 years to pay them off even though I could have done it sooner I'm sure......

And you're right, I felt a whole lot better about making it through school on my own!!...I think I appreciated it more that way.....I saw a LOT of kids back then get kicked out from partying too much instead of keeping their heads straight and knuckling down...unlike HS, in college, Mommy and Daddy weren't right there to tell you to study...and the classes were MUCH harder than HS too!!!.....

[Stanley Steamer]

I hate to always hear that I'm in trouble, or I did that BECAUSE I had a poor childhood, or , or he,she, they were mean to me.......Man up, and take responsibility for your OWN actions is my outlook on it.....well, that's my .04 cents worth....

+1

My folks both graduated from HS. My dad likes to say he was 18th in his class. (of 18) My mother sold a cow to get into nursing school. It was jobs for them however not great ones. My mom used to ay that the only reason they got a mortgage was she took my sister and me into the bank and we wore the manager down. After a while my father found out he was as far as he could be where he was working unless his last name was the same as the bosses, and it wasnt real far. He started his own biz and I was on a black top crew at 8, pulling my own weight by 12. Things were not rosy for a long time. Hurricane Agnes saved our tails. If you have equipment, the government tells you that you are working for them. They paid pretty good though and after we got a real paver, nice roller and a grader. The checks from them and the damage from the flood kept us going until he got a reputation. I have gleaned potato fields behind the migrants and eaten gubmint cheese. To this day I dont like fresh green beans because I had to snap those rotten things and yellow wax beans make me want to puke. I dont like to garden because I had to. I can sweat pipes like a real plumber and do basic carpentry, run wire and paint. Before age 14. I learned how to fix oil burners when the lines gelled at 16. It was real simple, you didn't call anyone because you couldnt afford it.
My sister was the bright one, she went to school and the folks gave her a hand. When I was 17 I singed up for the University of Science Music and Culture and was told that I could come home anytime I wanted to, for a visit. It wasnt mean, but in one sentance you can learn the little secret about freedom, it means you are on your own. 4 years and out, I got Jimmy Carters f-you Marine plan called VEAP. That, Pell and Phea grants, full time + jobs in the summer and spring breaks in a grease pit got me a associates. My folks let me stay in a rental while I was in college, after I got out I got the bill.

I was a D for a long time to. Seeing the media and Dems lie their butts off during the first assault weapons ban turned me off. Then I started looking at the economics of it and it doesnt add up. After the Dems put up Billy Jeff Blyth Clinton, I switched.

memories of my childhood.....in the summers when school was out, my Mother made us go and pick green beans for Melvin Taylor....aka the "Bean Man"...he had several fields around Tiger, GA and paid several dozen workers by the pound to pick the beans for him....he would come to our house and pick us up while it was still dark outside and delivered us to the bean fields just as the sun was rising....it was usally VERY damp/wet in those fields and briars and weeds would be scattered in amongst the bean vines.....many was the time that I would reach and get a handful of briars instead of beans...my Mom and Sisters would fill up the tall bushel baskets and i would fill up the short baskets(peck baskets?)...a bushel would weigh around 30-35lbs and Melvin paid a couple of guys to bag up the beans in green mesh bags and carry them from where you were in the field to where the scales were....he'd weigh them and write the lbs in a little notebook.....and would pay you at the end of the day.....

My Mother made us save half our $$ for school clothes and supplies to be bought before school started back...she spent most of her $$ on the four of us....I HATED going to pick beans, because our feet got soaking wet and pants and arms...the only GOOD thing about it was dinner time....Melvin would load up one of his trucks with all kinds of food stuff, cold drinks, and stuff and when we'd hear that old truck rattling along the road through the woods, we'd come running...he bought those cheap old Winn Dixie brand Check colas....but they tasted darn good after a hot day in the field....and for the younger kids, he'd give us a handful of the "Bazooka" bubble gum.....

Let me tell you, when it came time to buy clothes, we didn't get the "good stuff" like Nike shoes, Izods, and etc....we got the $5 shoes from Dollar General...the "plastic/vinyl" ones...and nothing fancy as far as jeans went either....I also wore a lot of clothes bought at yard sales and flea markets during the year...corduroys(Lay's potatoe chip pants).....and had a few "high water" pants where the pant leg was too far above the ankle.....LMAO.....all these memories bring a smile to my face.....makes me love my Mother even more for all the hard work she did to raise us up.....

[alph]

My father had a third grade education, and in 1973 he was making $39,000 a year!  I’m 43 years old, I’m finally making more then my father made in ’73!!  Grant it, I’m definitely not working my butt off shoveling cement like he did! 

The thing about obama’s speech I didn’t like is when he said that the most successful people make mistakes, and that it’s all right to make mistakes.  I just hope that when a kid gets a girl knocked up, or does drugs, or gets plastered drunk he doesn’t look back on what obama said and thinks he’s going to be successful some day! 

A truly successful person learns from others mistakes, and has the sense enough to not make the mistakes they made!

[Stanley Steamer]

"I just hope that when a kid gets a girl knocked up, or does drugs, or gets plastered drunk he doesn’t look back on what obama said and thinks he’s going to be successful some day! 

A truly successful person learns from others mistakes, and has the sense enough to not make the mistakes they made!"

I looked around me and tried to avoid mistakes others had made......teen guys getting their GF's pregnant....that's SO easy to avoid....drugs weren't a big issue in my HS back then although I'm sure they could have been found for the asking....alcohol has probably always caused problems in each generation....I never tried any drugs, tried to smoke a cigarette one time in my early teens and choked up and couldn't stand it....thankfully...and tasted a beer a couple of times and spit it out because it tasted terrible to me.....and it still does....

I'd say that over 80% of the State Inmates who have worked on my crew over the years, were in prison because of drug or alcohol or the stealing of property to obtain them....what a shame....

[sugarbee]

well said Stanley.  My dad did not have a high school education, he had to WORK because his dad liked to drink beer all day, and there were 12 kids to feed, clothe, and send off to school.  My dad never asked for a hand out, the thought never occured to him to do that....we were taught to make our own way, work hard to get what we want.  I am the youngest of 3 and the only one who wanted a higher education degree, but my sister and brother both work hard for their pay.

I have tried to raise my kids the same way.  Maybe what's wrong these days is there are a lot of parents who are having kids, but not raising them.  Without guidance, they will get into trouble.  I remember working with a young lady a few years ago who did not know what the Golden Rule was....my gosh, that threw me, I thought everyday was raised to know what that was.

I am still in school, I guess I always will be, I always want to do better and make something of my self I guess.  Also, because I started late, I have always had to pay my way through school, I never would have dreamed of asking my parents for that kind of money...although they would have sacrificed to do it, I know.

[Varmintmist]

Give a man a fish and eats for one meal.  If he learns to fish, he eats for a lifetime. 

Wait???

It isnt "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he dissapears all weekend, learns to lie and drink beer and spends all his extra cash at Bass Pro"

[Sludge]

Give a man a fish and eats for one meal.  If he learns to fish, he eats for a lifetime. 

Wait???

It isnt "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he dissapears all weekend, learns to lie and drink beer and spends all his extra cash at Bass Pro"

LOL !!!