We have noted for some time how leftist in the media, politics and entertainment work overtime to convince us that the country, its economy and society as a whole is in the toilet. We frequently hear published reports described the plight of the victims of poverty. This strategy of denigrating the American economy is fundamental to the leftist strategy for regaining control. If they can create a scenario in which the outcome is seen as bleak, the Democrats can portray themselves as the only saviors for the faltering American economy. It is for this reason that everyone from John Kerry on down has constantly talked of the poor state of the American economy.

The left ignores any and all evidence to the contrary, such as the housing market, relatively low inflation, the rate of economic growth (especially when compared to the rest of the industrialized world) and low unemployment. To some extent the leftist strategy has worked, according a USA Today/Gallup Poll, some 60% of Americans believe the economy is getting worse, though the facts strongly disagree. The strategy works because the President and his allies have failed to respond in the face of an overwhelming onslaught of negative (and unfounded) criticism. The strategy also works because the left has convinced an entire slice of the US population that they are entitled to a certain lifestyle regardless of hard work or effort.

USA Today recently chronicled the profiles of low wage earners as symbolic of the economic problem America faces and also noted how such realities have spurred increasing calls for an increase in the minimum wage (yes they continue to beat that dead horse). Invariably, some Americans have faced increasing difficulties. Is this due to a faltering American economy or the actions of George Bush? Certainly not, it is a result of lifestyle choice. Each and every person in this country has an equal opportunity to succeed or fail. People choose to have families they can’t afford to support, people choose to ignore educational opportunities, people choose not to make sacrifices to get ahead (preferring to rest on their laurels or relishing in the fact that the government should provide for their every need and want).

Indeed, this is the reality of the entitlement generation. Should we feel guilty because some poor wretch has squandered every opportunity for success? No we should feel indignant, if not enraged, as these people who have wasted their lives now seek to waste our money and for that they should be ashamed.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2005-11-22-wages-1a-cover-usat_x.htm