[MARTIAL MONK]

My primary business was a small construction company. There was no end to the parents that would come dragging their 18, 19, or 20 year old sons and asking essentially that I make a man of them. Almost always the same story: six jobs in six months, probation, defying parents, drugs. My only question to them was "What have you ever done that you are proud of?" Always a blank stare. There was no core, nothing to build on.

I do notice some apparently outstanding young men and women. They have the world at their feet. The contrast makes them all the more valuable. I wish I were young again to take the opportunities that I see for these kids. It is so simple and yet so foreign to the majority of this generation. Almost all of the rising young contractors that I know came from south of the border. There are fortunes to be made and then there are Wal-Mart jobs. My people have chosen Wal-Mart jobs.

[DoughtyOne]

I hear ya. The trades have been taken over out here also. Some of it is most likely related to the same issues you address. Some of it may be influenced by reduced wages. At any rate, it is an issue that if investigated should have real relevance to which direction our society is going on a number of levels.

[Gritty]

My recent observation is the best young workers are often those who were home schooled kids. Few tend to be slackers.

Coincidence?