Oh boy, "Reflections by Ginsue"

[BlasterBob]

There are some really great posts in this thread started by theGinsue. Really makes a guy think and reflect on what we have experienced and now we can see many of the things that we wish we had done differently.
Since I am most likely the oldest of the old farts on this great web site, I can assure you guys that I have seen a LOT of both good and bad....
Over my 75 years, I have seen a lot of shit happening but still a whole lot of good things also happening here in our Country, just have to look kinda hard to see all the good stuff.
One of my biggest complaints is the way work ethics have taken a serious tumble. Quality of so many of the products that we purchase with our hard earned money are now classed as a poor grade of crap. The warranties on those products are then meaningless too. Too many folks arrive late for their jobs, if they even show up at all. Responsibility has been tossed out the window. Oh, there are still a lot good workers with great work ethics but the bad apples do spoil the lot.
Finally, I have to say that although I do receive a Railroad Retirement check (the RR version of Social Security) I have paid in each month for 34 years to be able to collect my little monthly check. I burns my ass to have someone being critical of my "taking" those monthly checks and they would like to have us older folks just kick off so we no longer receive that "entitlement".....
I could go on and on but most readers have probably advanced to the next post rather than read more than a line or two of this gabby post of mine.
Thanks Thomas for getting the ball rolling on this matter.

[Ronin13]

Thomas- words exist to describe this, but I figured this picture would be more profound:

I'm glad we're on the same sheet of music! I agree with everything you said, and I fear I was among the last generation to be instilled with those kind of morals- My father raised me to work hard for what I have and that handouts are only good when they are a temporary step to reach the top.

[Sharpienads]

That was a nice read, Thomas. Lately I've been wondering if a society once founded in freedom can remain free. In other words, can the public, as a whole, really handle freedom. It's not just the poor/lazy/suck at life people that want for free what others have worked so hard for. There's plenty of well-to-do people that want to give what you have to people who do not have, and want government to do it by force. I'm constantly reminded of Thomas Paine:

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

There are some really great posts in this thread started by theGinsue. Really makes a guy think and reflect on what we have experienced and now we can see many of the things that we wish we had done differently.
Since I am most likely the oldest of the old farts on this great web site, I can assure you guys that I have seen a LOT of both good and bad....
Over my 75 years, I have seen a lot of shit happening but still a whole lot of good things also happening here in our Country, just have to look kinda hard to see all the good stuff.
One of my biggest complaints is the way work ethics have taken a serious tumble. Quality of so many of the products that we purchase with our hard earned money are now classed as a poor grade of crap. The warranties on those products are then meaningless too. Too many folks arrive late for their jobs, if they even show up at all. Responsibility has been tossed out the window. Oh, there are still a lot good workers with great work ethics but the bad apples do spoil the lot.
Finally, I have to say that although I do receive a Railroad Retirement check (the RR version of Social Security) I have paid in each month for 34 years to be able to collect my little monthly check. I burns my ass to have someone being critical of my "taking" those monthly checks and they would like to have us older folks just kick off so we no longer receive that "entitlement".....
I could go on and on but most readers have probably advanced to the next post rather than read more than a line or two of this gabby post of mine.
Thanks Thomas for getting the ball rolling on this matter.

I read your entire post

[BlasterBob]

I read your entire post

Great but you failed to indicate how many times you dozed off while reading my epistle.

[yankeefan98121]

good reading, thanks

[Sharpienads]

Great but you failed to indicate how many times you dozed off while reading my epistle.

Only twice.

[crashdown]

A "rant" for the ages....
Ginsue for prez!

[kuench]

Wow that was deep, definetly made me reflect a bit. Thanks Ginsue

[theGinsue]

I'm pleased that I was able to have such a profound impact on so many of you. I'm surprised this effect could come from me (no, honest).

I could go on and on but most readers have probably advanced to the next post rather than read more than a line or two of this gabby post of mine.

I read the entire thing. Not nearly as long as my OP so it was an easy read.

Regarding your Railroad Retirement ("entitlement"): I receive a government pension for retiring from Active Duty USAF. I don't look at things like the RR retirement or military retirement as "entitlements" at all but EARNED benefits. You worked to achieve your retirement and because my brother is a former railroad locomotive engineer I KNOW you earned it. Don't let anyone tell you it's some sort of handout or entitlement without giving them a good smack in their yapper!

[sellersm]

Well said, the sentiments are shared, apparently, by many of us. Makes me wonder if it isn't these kind of sentiments that started our Country in the first place?