Get Off Wall Street, Go to Work

It started on Wall Street.

Across the country, like a swarm of flies on Lake of the Woods during summer, people have gathered to protest the way big businesses and corporate America have purportedly taken advantage of the common person. These protesters say investment banks and the people working behind huge office desks in their neatly pressed suits are to blame for the current state of the economy.

They say these pecunious, miserly, fat cats take huge bonuses while they, Average Joe and Jane, sit on the unemployment line, living on food stamps and a small government stipend each week.

For a country founded on free markets and democracy, these protesters sound more Marxian than Adam Smith.

The best of times bring out the best in people; the worst of times bring out bitter, grumblers.

When things go wrong the human mind tries to, nay, needs to rationalize the reason for the body's demise. Instead of looking within and adapting to the state of their environment, these protesters have instead used Wall Street as scapegoats.

Let's be real here.

Wall Street is not to wholly to blame for the current economic state of individuals; Wall Street doesn't choose who is employed; Wall Street isn't entirely culpable for those select people inclined to live outside their means who refinance a $500,000 home on a salary of $25,000 per year. 

Individuals control whether they have a job; whether they view the world positively or negatively; whether their life, like Guido Orefice's, is beautiful.

Whatever the sentiments are of how Barack Obama has done in office, there's no denying he was spot on when he said America has gone soft. Maybe his administration hasn't helped; maybe investment banks could have been more upstanding; maybe there, too, is alien life in another galaxy.

Instead of complaining about the don't haves, or wishing for something someone else has, work.

The best solution to all of life's aspirations is work. It funds lifestyle choices. 

Put in the time, the energy -- give it everything -- and there won't be need to protest.

Sure there are a fair share of individuals who haven't had to lay down a finger a day in their life, carrying a silver spoon in hand. But the majority of those successful individuals these protesters are singling out have put in the time and are being justifiably paid for it.

When faced with a problem, focus on finding a solution rather than blaming something or someone else.

Resilience, perseverance and unity is what made America great during the Industrial Revolution through World War II; creativity, positivism, ideas and innovation did the United States proud during the 90s and 2000s.

Let us work to bring back those attitudes today and maybe, just maybe, things will improve.

Hell, it's more productive than barking upon deaf ears.