As you may have noticed, I've taken a leave of absence from blogging. Fortunately, Becky's sardonic prose has proven more popular with our readership than my own. As some of you may know, I've been spending much of my discretionary time writing in hopes of being published later this year. While this endeavor may ultimately prove nothing more than a pipe dream, I figure it's a shot worth taking right now. In Becky, the blog is obviously in very capable hands.
This morning, I came across a site for "United Professionals." It was started by Barbara Ehrenreich, a journalist who wrote "Nickeled and Dimed," a personal narrative of hellish minimum wage working conditions. (The author spent two years working as a waitress, chambermaid, etc.) I have not yet read the book, though I intend to.
Subsequent to the the publication of "Nickled and Dimed," Ehrenreich started "United Professionals."
www.unitedprofessionals.org/about/"UP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for white collar workers, regardless of profession or employment status. We reach out to all unemployed, underemployed and anxiously employed workers -- people who bought the American dream that education and credentials could lead to a secure middle class life, but now find their lives disrupted by forces beyond their control.
Our mission is to protect and preserve the American middle class, now under attack from so many directions, from downsizing and outsourcing to the steady erosion of health and pension benefits. We believe that education, skills and experience should be rewarded with appropriate jobs, livable incomes, benefits and social supports."
Entitlement manifestos like this really irritate me. Far too many GenXers have bought into this line of thinking, which goes something like this: "I worked hard in high school so I could get into Dartmouth and earn a BA in British literature. I went on to get an MBA. Therefore, because I'm obviously smart and well-educated, the market must pay me this. Otherwise, I'm going to pout because life's not fair."
I have two words for you people: so what? Do you know what education, skills and experience are worth? They're worth whatever an employer is willing to pay for them. Oh, by the way, skills and smarts are meaningless unless you are also hardworking and/or an effective communicator.
I don't give a damn about your "education." If you're so smart, then find a way to make money, you erudite wusses. I know that it's a cruel world that neglects to pay you a six figure salary when you know you're worth it, but you'll just have to be creative for once in your lives.
I know my words are harsh, but don't worry, you'll eventually get your due. Some future politician will undoubtedly erect a monument (maybe even a museum) to honor your suffering. I'm sure there's a place for it on the National Mall- perhaps next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Because any "educated" person realizes your collegiate endeavors were just as heroic as a firefight in the bush with Charlie.
