Lonewolf Diaries: Shut Up and Do Your Job, Dipstick!
by Steven CrowderEntitlement. It’s a silly notion. Almost as silly as the idea of “homophobes” or the “whitey,” yet it is still an idea that permeates the minds of much of America’s lower and middle classes today. Truth be told, I’m getting really tired of being made to feel guilty for other people’s shortcomings. When will people stop playing the blame game, suck it up, grow a pair and take control over their own lives?
I was at the Houston airport the other day and I couldn’t find my baggage carousel. I asked the employee there where it was:
“What does it say on the screen?” he asked grumpily.
“Well, it says Carousel 2 but…”
“Then that’s what it is. You should be old enough to know that,” he said as he went off mumbling about how they weren’t paying him enough.
Anyway, it turned out that Carousel 2 wasn’t working and I had to pick up my luggage at Carousel 3, but I digress. I had two more run-ins with airport employees, all of whom were putting out the same vibe that the crumminess of their jobs was somehow my fault. In this country, people are of such an entitlement mentality that they want to blame everybody they comes across, requiring them to legitimately do their job and serve a purpose. I hate to say this but…
More often than not, people who are poor…. are right where they should be.
Nobody likes being broke. As somebody who’s had to live out of a 1982 Datsun, trust me, I know. I also understand that the first step to improve your situation is to fix the problem that landed you there in the first place.
The mistake that all “long-term poor people” make is putting others under a microscope in an attempt to set blame. That right there is a true loser’s mentality (or “poppycock” if you will).
When a great fighter loses a fight, he analyzes his loss extensively to look for possible fixes. He’ll watch tape, review the footwork and counter-punches, but most importantly, he’ll take a good, long look inside of himself. He’ll figure out which possible repairs are within his control and take charge of it. That’s what separates the champions from the “bums,” as Burgess Meredith so eloquently put it.
The same applies to life. If you’re unhappy with your circumstances, then change them. Don’t blame the government or your boss or the guy down the street who’s better looking than you (exceptions include Hugh Jackman and George Clooney). Just take some Pepto-Bismol and be a man (or woman, for all of you bullish feminists).
Until then, how about shutting your mouth and doing the job you’re paid to do? We don’t need any more Sean Penn’s running around.
Doing your job and doing it well may result in long-term success. What a concept!
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153 Comments
Can I get an "AMEN!!!!!"
Hard work– the American way. Sit around, sponge off the government and blame the other guy– the Obama way?
I don't have to take this crap, Steve. I don't get paid enough to
Hugh Jackman…. *sigh* Sean Penn… *groan*
Well-written as always, Steven, and crikey sakes alive… I'll bet you WROTE IT YOURSELF. You've earned yourself a cookie for doing an excellent job without any government assistance.
Amen!
Its called "free agency". We have this beautiful gift from God that enables us to make choices,
we also live in this awesome place called America which enables us to exercise our "Agency"
to a degree unknown by most human beings,and have control of our lives !!!!!!!!!!!
The problem is that most people cry and complain about their circumstances when almost 99% of the
time it was brought about by exercising their "Free Agency" and making choices that OH MY GOSH…..
lead to CONSEQUENCES……….:O
Please people….take your ba11s out of your wife's purse and stand up and be responsible for your actions!
Funny how life works that way…… any way, peace and love to all you BH people !!!!!!
Das Kirche ist War !
what are you, a troublemaker??
Blue you are just one of the lucky ones, you won life's lottery. But, I am sure the harder you worked, the luckier you got.
If people would remember that "THEY" are the government they wouldn't be so quick to wait for hand outs. People think everyone else has it made and forget that the grass isn't green on the other side. "WE THE PEOPLE"
You can just use a charge card at Mickey D's if you haven't saved up the cash yet
)
Perhaps this is a related thought on Mr. Crowder's post. Here in Birmingham(Alabama)a public housing project stands called Southtown. It is drug infested and overrun with thugs and criminals out to harm law abiding citizens.
The surrounding areas are long standing , stable neighborhoods and a University that is world renown(UAB)for its' research and medical strengths.
A redevelopment plan has been proposed(Magic Johnson, the Laker bb player is the lead player in this plan). The residents of Southtown are objecting to razing this site because it will deprive them of their "home". One resident, A 37 YEAR TENANT IN PUBLIC HOUSING, is very vocal about stopping this redevelopment.
I'm sorry, but, PUBLIC HOUSING IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TEMPORARY REMEDY to help someone overcome misfortune or a catastrophe. IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE PERMANENT. Where did this entitlement mentality come into our lexicon?????
The so-called Progressive tax system is the start of all this nonsense. So, you make more, you pay more.
Well, THAT seems fair. What happens if I make a TON of money, you kill me?
Can I use your card?
Poverty is a state of mind, a self inflicted wound in America.
Democrat constituency!
Its at the limit, sorry…
ah, airport employees… the most rude, impatient people on planet Earth. I fly out of Atlanta a lot. Southern Hospitality stops at the front doors when it comes to airport employees.
Amen, brother.
I hope what follows is not taken as bragging, but as a testament to what hard work and the right attitude can get you in this great country. My husband and I were both immigrants who each came here twelve years ago with only some books and a few clothes. We worked our way through university. I went on to a PhD, but hubby couldn't find employment in his field, so he worked as a bag boy at a grocery store. I knew this had to be a blow to his pride, but he never complained. His incredible work ethic and great attitude were noticed by a particular customer, who turned out to have connections in my husband's field. With this man's recommendation, my husband landed a good job, and has since risen in the field to the point that he's one of the most sought after engineers in our state. We went from $8 in the bank to a six figure income and comfortable lifestyle all because my husband was not too proud to be the best damn bag boy he could be.
That is what America is all about.
I think a huge problem is that so many of these people are told by our government that they can't do any better and basically shouldn't try. I myself know a few idiots who look at government assistance as "getting something from the system" (in their case, it's unemployment from jobs they didn't work all that hard at keeping). I feel like barfing whenever I hear it.
Anyways, if our government actually had their best interests at heart, they'd obviously be more encouraging…but then again 90% of the people in our government is either spineless or evil…so, there you have it. Straight out of the otter's mouth.
So, Steven, I take it that you are not supporting Judge Sotomayor. ( I think she blames it on Penelope Cruz )
Remember to call 911 if they're out of mcnuggets.
As for #4, I think maybe we should get the Government out of education, certainly the Federal Government. I would like to see the local school boards in charge of education and of course, school vouchers put in to use.
THIS is what they should be teaching in public schools. Hey, maybe you can get a govt. grant to develop a program to introduce this new, innovative idea to America's youth. Yes you can, can, can.
"Don’t blame the… guy down the street who’s better looking than you"
I used to blame Tom Cruise until I met him and found out he was roughly the size of a espresso maker.
It's hard for me to be upset with a hobbit.
You hit that right on the nose my brother……
Seems like you got that concept down as well……
Kreskin!
You read my mind.
When I was doing the crap jobs, I was saving and working to go for the better job. Now that I have the job I worked for, the waves of envy hit me daily, from people who thought life was a sitcom and they were going to be handed their dream twenty minutes into the program. I'm tired of "must be nice" said with a sneer when they hear what I do.
But also, always remember to tip the hardworking waitress, always be kind to the guy that's busy sweeping the corridors, because someday they might be handling your account. I'm good at remembering faces, and I have a tendency to recall who was crappy towards me when I was the clerk in the hardware store.
"pretty clear that an American has the right to "pursue" happiness, not have it handed to them."
Very Nice !!!!!
I can't wait to use that quote with my liberal friends !!!!
What's the number
Love it! You are a funny, funny–as in humorous–guy. Very true. I look forward to more of your musings.
Steven – you might benefit from a dose of your own medicine. Analyze the failings of your previous columns, look for mistakes, "take a good, long look inside of [your]self," &c (whining about the other guys at the gym, anyone?). This column is mostly whining about other people who are whiny. If I were you, I'd suck it up and realize that . . . well . . . sometimes people suck. Of course, you suggest that people ought to focus on "Doing your job and doing it well." If your job is to write a consistently whiny column, you're doing well. It always surprises me that a self-styled "Lonewolf" would spend so much time complaining about the people around him.
AMEN!!!!!
…"he said as he went off mumbling about how they weren’t paying him enough."
There's a saying I've heard in workplaces since the early 70s–> "They don't pay me enough to think"
After many years of dealing with help, mine is "They don't think enough to get paid"
Careful Scott, that Hobbit has powerful friends. . . with spaceships.
This is why every low-skilled person wants a government job. When there's no competition for providing a product or service, management has no incentive to improve service or make something (or someone) work better. So when the DPS person is snippy, or the city hall worker is too busy talking on the phone to answer your questions, it's solely because they aren't incentivized to do a better job.
But, hey! Let's create thousands of new government jobs as part of the economic recovery! And thereby thousands more union members, further nullifying the need for competition!
I'm embarrassed that this was the welcome you got from Houston.
I have had clients come tell me how they couldn't "afford to buy food." But they refused to give up their cable, they refused to give up their air conditioning or their second cars, they refused to stop renting/buying DVDs, they refused to give up their separate cell phones. . . etc.
There are a group of people out there who simply have no problems demanding other people's money and they know the lingo to use to get unsuspecting people to sympathize.
The new American Dream:
Sit around on your @ss drawing welfare until Jimmy Carter shows up to give you a house.
That is great and all so true! I did the same thing at the Houston airport baggage claim!
In all fairness, you've got to admit that Canada is hard to find. . . being behind the moon and all.
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Doing your job well can lead to long term success? You must one of them capitalist pigs I keep hearing about in my classes. LOL!
"When a great fighter loses a fight, he analyzes his loss extensively to look for possible fixes. He’ll watch tape, review the footwork and counter-punches, but most importantly, he’ll take a good, long look inside of himself. He’ll figure out which possible repairs are within his control and take charge of it. That’s what separates the champions from the “bums,” as Burgess Meredith so eloquently put it.
The same applies to life. If you’re unhappy with your circumstances, then change them. Don’t blame the government or your boss or the guy down the street who’s better looking than you (exceptions include Hugh Jackman and George Clooney). Just take some Pepto-Bismol and be a man (or woman, for all of you bullish feminists)."
I have a hurt friend who does this with the finesse of no one I have ever met. I need to show him this article. Boomin'.
Fortunately, I live near a volcano.
No, they just make you wish you were dead.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution guarantee the right to the pursuit of happiness, not the right to be happy.
They call these people Jobsworths in England — as in "I'd like to help you, but I'd be risking more than my job's worth." These are the people who use their superiors as an excuse to be an @$$hole to the customers.
Hey are you chanelling Joe Biden again?
Just got done discussing this at work with one of the girls. It's like you read my mind. Medicaid patients all day, yet the dames still have their nails done and are toting coach purses that would cover both my truck and insurance payments together. It's sick, really. Oh, don't forget to count the Blackberry phones and how many smoke.
I'm pretty sure that they can afford groceries, but that this is just part of their "con." Otherwise, where would they be getting the money to pay for the frivolous stuff? Plus, when people turn down their requests for money, they always seem to find enough to "just make it through."
I've found over time that it's actually fairly easy to tell the people who genuinely need help apart from those who are faking. The fakers tend to be demanding, and they are usually pretty bad liars. The ones who need help often seem to be the people who are least willing to ask for it.
Where this really angers me is that the fakers clog the legal system and make it so much harder for the genuinely needed to get help.
That could come in very handy if you need to get rid of a ring or two. Of course, you probably need to buy virgins in bulk to keep your house safe from the volcano.
Not to get conspiratorial, but have you noticed that they cancelled the plans to return to the moon right after Kraft Cheese made a significant contribution to key Congressmen? I guess they don't want the competition from all that free cheese.
I have to say that I've been VERY poor in life and I've never felt that anybody has ever "owed" me anything. I've worked hard all my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Life is a challenge and it should be looked upon as something that can be overcome and conqured. No fatalistic attitude for me, I say bring it on and I'll kick it's butt.
"They don't pay me enough to think" To which you should reply.."obviously"
Xenu drops Thetans into volcanoes. Not as effective as virgins but I'll take 'em.
Didn't Sara Palin just quit her job?
Hey that's no conspiracy. You think the Apollo missions where for exploration? Think again! They where mining Goverment Cheese the whole time…….Kraft promised them an endless supply of a yellow,semi-edible, cheesey like substance (think generic Mac and cheese) and free lifetime peticures in exchange for ending the program. if you don't believe me check out the website http://www.unicornfarts.org.uk. They have some very compelling information on it!
Sorry That's all I got! Feel free to remove points for that one…..But it did kinda sound like Planet Hero No?
Right on. Most people's lot in life is determined by the choices they make. Good choices= success. Bad choices=failure. People who don't get an education, have kids out of wedlock, smoke, do drugs ( hold on to your hats..) generally do poorly in life. It is not rocket science. Problem is unions say a baggage handler at the airport should make $100 dollars and hour and get 3 months off a year.
There's two sides to every story.
Congratulations, but why _wouldn't_ you tell him? Nothing wrong with tooting your own horn when it' something truly worthwhile, like…saving a life! What if there was a promotion choice between you and an otherwise equal employee who _didn't_ prevent a death?
I've actually used the same comparison as it applies to affording health insurance. You don't need a car made in 2009 more than you need insurance. You don't need cable, cell phones, netflix, etc more than you need insurance. I know a guy that complains all the time that he's broke, but he has different ringtones for almost every number in his phone. On my phone, that's 2.99 each for ringtone times about a hundred. Really? $300 on ringtones? Maybe that's why you're broke. It's a matter of priorities, they'll spring for all the stuff they want, then when it hits the fan and their stuck with huge medical bills, they expect someone else to make it ok.
"More often than not, people who are poor…. are right where they should be."
This isn't limited to the poor. We all get what we deserve.
If you are in a bad situation, then you haven't done enough to get out of it. Life's tough. Deal with it or vote Democrat.
Could someone read the article and write a synopsis for me? I recorded MJ's memorial and I still have to run to MickeyD's Thanks
more raw sirloin for the grist mill…
As human beings on this planet we are entitled to absolutely nothing. That's your baseline. Now, what do citizens have a right, or 'entitlement' to expect?
1) Strong defense. The least our taxes should do for us.
2) Good roads. Makes sense.
3) Decent infrastructure. (see above)
4) Good public education. We're waiting…
5) Positive leadership. (see above- again)
As far as the rest, well, you're on your own…
Well said, Steven. I get so tired of the demand for "rights" (and the contortions people go to justify them) as an excuse for personal inaction and irresponsibility. I've often thought about what rights every human has, regardless of nationality, location, race, environment, etc. I've come up with a short list of guaranteed rights every human has once they are born (e.g. they cannot be taken away from you by anyone else at any time):
1. The right to know the difference between good and evil
2. The right to choose how you react to good and evil
3. The right to die
(I didn't put a right to live, as, tragically, people are willing to kill even the defenseless unborn). There may be other rights that cannot ever be taken away; those born with mental handicaps may not get even #1 and #2.
Any other additional rights are granted by citizenship in a community, such as those described in the Declaration of Independence, and can be lost through carelessness and apathy. However, the Declaration of Independence was pretty clear that an American has the right to "pursue" happiness, not have it handed to them.
Holy crap are you right! A friend of mines kid, now in the sixth grade at public school, had no idea if Canada was to the north or south of the United States. What? He could however tell you where BH0 was born and everything you ever wanted to know about Al Gore!
The kid starts at a Private Catholic School next school year!
It's humorous that you would use Entitlement as a topic in your entry since it is a topic my friend and I have been discussing for the past few weeks. (Mostly applied to the Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings scandal and a recent book that proves Jefferson's innocence….but I digress.)
2 weeks ago I chaperoned my church's group of teen girls at camp…nothing like roughing it on a bunkbed in the middle of no where with 14 year olds constantly chattering about "hot" guys and complaining about their circumstances. When I was their age (which is like 8 years ago) guys were just fun to fish with and I had to suck it up and deal with the heat and bugs. Any ways, a situation between the girls happened that has forever embedded the spirit of entitlement in my head.
One of the girls purchased some chips from the store and another girl "couldn't afford" to purchase food (even though she JUST purchased a $5 energy drink…) so she asked the "chip" girl in a whining and demanding voice, "Can I have a few chips?". The girl being kind hands her one and the instead of saying thank you the girl screams, "I SAID A *FEW* CHIPS!" I whipped my head back in shock and said, "HEY! She was kind enough to share with you and instead of being grateful you demand more. That is no way to act towards someone who was kind to you!"
I find more and more people in today's society pointing out that the kindness of others doesn't measure up to their "expectations" (aka greediness). They do blame people for their poor circumstances in life and when someone is kind they usually bite the hand that feeds them. Like you stated Stephen, change your circumstances, pull yourself up by your bootstraps and do something about it instead of blaming someone for not giving you enough. (Also learn to budget your money better by purchasing a bottle of water for $1 and having $4 left over to spend on food.
)
The other day I saved a customer's life. I found an electrified gas line in a customer's house that was popping her circuit breaker. What would have happened if a spark led to an explosion? My boss will never know though. Saving lives doesn't figure in to productivity. Nobody will ever know what I did. Until today, that is. All of you BH people, come celebrate with me, as we all express true skill and professionalism in our jobs. Mine saved a life! But my boss will never know.
Hopefully it's not one of those places run by people who were all into what they called the "spirit" of Vatican II. I was raised Catholic, and I can't help but feel that that willful misinterpretation of the rules ruined my chances of ever being close to the Church. It struck me as just something you did on Sundays — there was no sense of the sacred, not even in that intuitive state that children seem to always have access to.
After twenty-odd years of Marty Haugen songs, peace handshakes and liturgical dance, I can't take my own religion seriously now. I feel like I've been robbed.
I guess your right. Even Bill Ayers couldn't get there…………
It's so sad that people if they really can't afford groceries that they won't sacrifice things for their own well being for themselves and at times their children. Then there are those who really can afford it but they decide to live off of others (and the government). It is the hard working people who pay for it in the end…such an upside down world we live in. John Smith stated to the colonists, "If you don't work you don't eat" Now it's become "If you don't work go on food stamps!". *sigh*
ETA: I am NOT judging those on food stamps because there are legitimate cases. However, the system is being abused by people who can provide for their families so that's who I'm pointing to in this case.
Nah. When you can envision the embodiment of every far left stereotype possible that stops short of avowed communism, where everyone is entitled except those nasty mean white people, especially horrible white males, who actually ends up demeaning everyone but his own special class, who can cry out against an injustice but in the same post reveals he is guilty of committing it, and then picture all of it together, just by reading his words, being delivered by someone who makes Perez Hilton's shtick look tame, then it sounds like Planet_Sub.
He was still posting over at a breitbart.com news piece, where the Occupant in Chief was saying the Supreme Court was "moving the ball" after the firemen decision, about how racism is so alive and well in the US, 4-5 days after the article first showed up. Get this one: It is proof of racism that there are not enough minorities at tea parties and NRA and RNC events, we might as well get out the robes and pointy hats. Earlier commenting, white people must still make up for slavery, regardless of who you are, due to the benefit of having white skin. Well, if this is a benefit I would seriously consider a reverse MJ and being "disadvantaged." Ah heck, if you can get recognized as transgendered without getting any work done, you are merely "in the wrong body," then the courts should recognize my "inner African-American-ism." Seems fair and just to me.
Cities around the country had these "projects" as the 60's humane answer to poverty. Invariably they became drug infested, crime ridden warehouses for the poor. Typical democrat solution. Take control of people then just give them enough to subsist, but more important, more reliant. Could never understand what the difference was between these projects and the slave quarters on some plantation.
I'm reminded of my sister-in-law who graduated from nursing school (LPN) but couldn't pass the state license exam. Rather than take the test again, she just bailed and went through a series of "dead end" jobs. She hated them all and it was always somebody else's fault. She loathed working at Wal-mart and was always complaining about it. I always felt that with her attitude and ambition that she was lucky to have the Wal-mart job. I'd also like to add that she was accepting a ton of goverment freebies which kept her in a cycle of "do-nothingness." What's the point of really trying when you are getting a housing voucher, food stamps, day care subsidy, etc.
So true! That has been my major beef with those who say they can't afford health insurance so national health care is a "must." I've started speaking out. When a nurse practitioner friend of mine commented on an anti-national health care article I posted on my Facebook telling me all about this patient of hers who had no health insurance and had to choose to between treating her breast cancer of feeding her children. She even threw in the MIchael Moore movie Sicko saing it was a great and accurate movie. My comment back to her was to ask her if her patient had a cell phone, cable, internet and more than one family vehicle (and also what kind of vehicle did she drive). I told her that I don't want my hard earned tax dollars paying for someone else's health insurance when it's clear they are making a CHOICE between luxuries and necessities. I also told her that I'd rather have my eyes poked out with a hot poker and have my skin flayed from my body rather than watch anything by Michael Moore as I knew better than to drink the koolaid.
Incidentally, this nurse practitioner is a diabetic herself – a hugely overweight (probably morbidly obese) diabetic who pretends to watch her diet by who justifies eating the regular (vs. sugar-free) dessert because she had a salad at lunch. We'll probably end up paying for her care at some point, too.
Incidentally, this nurse practitioner is a diabetic herself – a hugely overweight (probably morbidly obese) diabetic who pretends to watch her diet by who justifies eating the regular (vs. sugar-free) dessert because she had a salad at lunch. We'll probably end up paying for her care at some point, too. (1st comment is in moderartion?? I didn't use profanity or any derogatory words…..)
In that case I must ask you what your stance is on "renewable energy" since you are objecting to the use of a free and widely-available natural resource.
Barak Obama, choice of the freeloader.
Barak Obama: choice of the freeloader.
From the Great Society froward, public housing has become a generational blight from Appalchia to the southside of Chcago, it’s not a hand up but has become a lifestyle Democratic slavery if you will.
To quote my TEA Party sign: THE ONLY THING I'M ENTITLED TO IS LIBERTY
Waah! Waah! Waah! Whitey keeps the black man down. Gimme some money. I want food stamps. Gimme a better place to live. I want an easier job. Make me a citizen without all that mumbo jumbo. Stick it to the rich man. Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah!
The white man killed Michael Jackson. Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah! Waah!
She's a good little Democrat now, useless!
Too many Americans think they are entitled to "equal outcomes"
That was wrong on soooo… many levels.
Good one, Steve! My husband has an expression – "Showing up doesn't justify a paycheck." You have to show up and actually DO YOUR JOB. Too many people don't see it that way.
The worst people are employed at airports. I don't care if every one of them is closed for good. Great article.
Yes I get it. But when you are given health worries to deal with all your life, your grades do suffer and instead of being the engineer your teacher's predicted you would be at first – you are stuck in a cublicle working with people who do deserve to be there.
teachers
heh
That is an amazing, incredible story. Thank you for sharing.
word.
Needs more wolf.
Sgt,
The 1SG of C Co 2nd Bn (ABN) 503rd Inf (101st in 1973, my first unit) had a sign above his desk
"Lead, Follow, or get the Hell Out of the Way." More people should just shut up and do that.
NOW THAT'S THINKING WITH YOUR DIPSTICK, STEVIE!!!!!!
Sorry, that's what first came to my head. Good post, Crowder.
Iwwalker-you're a conundrum wrapped up in an enigma. Get a clue! Pffft.
We can always make sure he just never leaves the closet again..
agreed. We simply meant government (local as well) has a responsibility to offer basic education…
Harrumph!
So's mine. Way too many trips to Mickey D's.
So's mine. Way too many trips to Mickey D's.
Indeed. Originally the Democrats had all the slaves. Then they lost them, thanks to Republicans. Now, a hundred plus several decades later, the Democrats have their slaves back, but instead of using violence to subdue them, they used handouts.
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