Picky

     I have found that a lot of the young people now are very picky. Not picky however on their own actions but for what they want. Epicureans if you will. My faithful old American Heritage dictionary defines Epicurians as "devoted to the pusuit of pleasure, fond of good food, comfort and ease. hedonistic".
     In fact when I was at the dentist three weeks ago I skimmed through an article in Time magazine about just that. They are living with parents, a parent or gaurdian longer. They are not motivated to move up in the employment world. Part time is good enough. Seeking full time employment that may entail a sizable effort is beyond the pail. As long as we have our smartphones, money to buy prepared food, and a job that doesn't take up too much of our life or energy.
     It took a thousand years to perfect an agrarian lifestyle. Within the last twenty years we have reverted to hunters and gatherers. My generation is probably the root of the problem. Spoiled by Depression Generation parents who were determined that their kids weren't going to go through what they did. A serious economic depression, World War 2, Korea and Vietnam. My generation was not going to have to go through these hardships.
      So we for the most part had things that previous generations only dreamed of. Luxuries, choices, easy food (groceries not gardens and farm animals). Get married. Get divorced. No big deal. So what if there may be a kid or two envolved. Grandma and Grandpa will surely help. I have my own life. Got to get back out there. Have some partying to do. I can't let all this previous stuff hold me back. After all I have my life. These were not options to most previous generations.
      This created an economic boom for certain sectors. Divorced. Now two homes, automobiles and jobs are needed. So that makes twice as many appliances, license plates, insurance policies, electric bills, telephone bills etc. Plus courts and attorneys made a mint too. Bars and clubs too. Because if I have a life I sure am not going to spend it at home with my kids. In many cases the courts and attorneys made money again. I made money too. As every fresh divorcee needed a sporty car.
     In the best case scenario the wife had a slug (ex) who paid the child support. She could get a little job and carry on. Easy credit let the ex husband to keep on spending. Children figure this out at a young age. Ping Ponged between the parents for custody weekends. Let's see, I can milk mom for this. I can milk dad for that. Then I can tell dad mom is out and about. I can tell mom daddy bought a new car and has a neat young girlfreind.
     Many years ago if you got a girl pregnant you got married. Hopefully before she started showing. In many cases there was what was called a shotgun wedding. You are responsible for your actions and will carry on as has to be.
     Now this clever next generation has it figured out. As in their childhood the McDonalds Happy Meal is no longer cutting the mustard. Let's see. I can get pregnant. Get Section 8 housing, a free phone (which I think they are getting an upgrade), WIC, SNAP (food stamps), utility assance, Medicad and carry on.
     I think there should be a limit on benifits. Everybody can make a mistake. If a low wage earning family has another child their boss don't automatically give them a raise in pay. They have to learn to live within the income they already have. No free stuff. Well you have one. Figure out how to make it on the same amount with two. Bet you won't have three!
     I think that as a nation we need to step up to the pump. In the old days only the winners received the trophy. Losers did not get anything. And do not get offened. Political correct is incorrect. Correct is correct.