There is a built in natural system of quality of life that seems to automatically happen. It is not fair, but consider this. I have been helping a neighbor’s kid find a college. For example Southern Illinois University tuition, housing, books, the whole ball of wax $23,000 a year in State, $35,000 a year out of State. Without scholarships or grants how many Americans can afford $100,000 to $140,000 for college education? This is a cut-off, an automatic block on the advancement of a lot of people. Who goes to college and who does not is a probable limitation of a person’s career success.
How would you like to compete for a job with a guy whose family went four generations to Princeton? Some doors are automatically closed to us just because of circumstances like what womb you popped out of.
Then there is entry to the work force, and employers are looking for practical work experience not merely a degree. References are important too, how do you think you would do going for a job in aviation with a personal reference from a neighbor who is on the Board of Directors of American Air Lines? Certainly not fair, but it happens every day.
My parents had two children because they calculated that they would have enough money in 18 years to send two to college. In our family college is required, everyone in the last five generations has gone. My brother and I thought we knew our income potential until I went to college and learned that what high school education meant for my father, a college education meant for me. The value of college has diluted with more graduates. Both my brother and I went for advance degrees to secure an income advantage.
So, I believe an appliance service tech with has five kids is doing a dis-service to his children. My wife and I will probably adopt, but no more than two, and they will go to college.
Let’s admit it, the deck is stacked. Poor people with a lot of children lose. Sad as it is, I do not see a change coming in my lifetime. In fact I think it is going to be harder for everyone. Home ownership in America is a dream that is slipping away fast. But, my job as a parent includes giving my children every advantage I possibly can. What ever happens to the average guy in America, my kids will have just a bit better. I have the means to do it, and I will see to it.
The peoples of the planet are going to have to resolve overpopulation, or nature will continue do it for us in the twisted fashion we call reality. CBS reported recently that $200 million are needed to feed 17,000,000 in Somalia for the rest of this year. The poor keep reproducing, and more children die of starvation. I wonder how many people in this forum have sent checks for Somalia? Deep down in places we don’t talk about, we look the other way and let these people die. It is the natural way of things. Then we call ourselves compassionate liberals. I am as guilty as anyone else.
I believe as a citizen of the United States my first concern is for my fellow citizens. American foreign policy is up to our government, and is implemented with your tax dollars and mine. America can not solve every problem. If we did raise $200,000,000 for Somalia, next year we would hear something like we have 20 million people who need $250 million people. We need, especially us liberals, to be honest about how this planet works and start coming up with real solutions to deal with these problems, no more bleeding heart liberal platitudes. We need to roll up our sleeves and go to work. First, clean up our house, then see what we can do beyond that.
