The Parasite Generation

Normally I resist putting up clips from news programs. But occassionally, even in the news, ideas matter. One professor in Florida -- which I realize is a small sample -- has discovered that most of his students have a sense of entitlement that extends far beyond what they expect from their parents.

This does not bode well for the United States. It suggests we are following on the heels of the European social democracies in accepting that a) anything considered good should count as a "right" or an "entitlement;" and thus b) anything considered good should come from the state (read: your neighbors). 

American paternalism has created a parent class (politicians and bureaucrats) and a child class (the citizenry). The Founders are spinning in their graves. This cultural-demographic crisis will not only make us insolvent (as it has made Europe insolvent), it will make us uncompetitive. We will fall into a social torper. What was once a social "safety net" has grown into a Web that has ensnared an entire generation. 

But wait: this is just one professor. How do you know this extends to an entire generation? I've seen enough Occupy Wall Street protests to be concerned about how widespread this perspective is among the young. And in that sense, the parent class has already won. The only thing that will transform the country is a real, purgative, crisis. And I fear that crisis is coming soon.

So who is to blame?

Comments

[examples of essays]

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[examples of essays]

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[Lord Keynes]

"What was once a social "safety net" has grown into a Web that has ensnared an entire generation. "

Largely because macroeconomic policy has failed to maintain high employment, as in 1945-1970s, and created a large class of long term unemployed. The free market does not result in general equilibrium or the elimination of involuntary unemployment, and to think so is a Walrasian fantasy.

"The Founders are spinning in their graves."
I doubt it. Thomas Paine was fine with a welfare state.