Entitlement – America’s Epidemic Exposed by Recession

Entitlement – America’s Epidemic Exposed by Recession

 

Good day readers and thanks for your continued loyalty. You may have read a scribbling of mine in the past with a similar title, I assure you this is not the same story. Recently I was slapped in the face by none other than Gary Keller, not literally of course, yet equally painful. It is one of those slaps that are so powerful, they change your life. Why was I slapped? Because I am a spoiled brat and I won’t call you one, but I do intend to help you self discover that may be the case.

 

Here we are bathing in some of the WORST economic times since the great depression. How are these times affecting you? Personally I write this from my heated bedroom with flannel sheets overlooking my beach house and the Madison skyline after just moments ago walking out of my steam shower… and yes I am writing this on my laptop. My beautiful and very pregnant girlfriend just brought me gourmet pizza for lunch and our baby is almost text book perfect already equipped with every material item she will need for the next 2 years. When I was 25 I was named CEO of a multi-million dollar company with little more than a years worth of experience and no management background whatsoever. My career today is as secure as my commitment to results and my ability to adapt to changing market conditions. I control my destiny. Those that know me know that I wouldn’t share this unless I needed to make a point. What is my point today… this is the era of entitlement. I still felt at times the world owed me more and today that sickens me.

 

A recent poll which I cite from memory alone and picked up from walking by a cable network newscast in Orlando International asked Americans, “Are you fearful for the economic future of the United States?” Upwards of 70% of respondents said “Yes”. In the same poll it was asked, “How would you rate your current situation?” Upwards of 70% said they were “doing fine”. Now I’m sure that for some of us this recession is very, very real, but for most, this is simply a time for us to cut back from a double, to a single shot in our 23oz non-fat Chai Lattes. How are you affected? I spend time recently asking myself, have I ever really sacrificed? Reflecting on all of the things that I have complained about in my life and the trivial things I hear others complain about I have realized that this isn’t a generations mindset (X, Y or Next), not the baby boomers or the echo boomers, there is a disease that plagues an entire era, the disease is entitlement.

 

There has been a huge gap in time since my last history lesson and today, however I have always been blessed with a great memory. I can see my Great, Great, Great Grandchildren reading about this period in the U.S. as “The Era of Entitlement”, which by the way, I thought lead to the downfall of every other major civilization that wasn’t destroyed by a natural disaster. With our country’s current and brightest minds not having a blueprint to work from, how do you think they would have started The United States of America?

 

Let me define entitlement “to give somebody the right to have or to do something”. Do you hear that, I mean really hear that? My personal definition remains, the absence of gratitude. I think it is time that we review what we have a RIGHT to in our lives, and what PRIVILEDGES have been presented to us. Does anyone know what document we should review? I bet some were clueless, as I was until I started to gain perspective. It’s the “Bill of Rights” or the first Ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. (cited www.wikipedia.com)

 

Amendments

First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly; right to petition

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. ^[6][7]

Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain.

No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury.

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Ninth Amendment – Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment – Powers of states and people.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

 

I missed Amendment

• 1.5 which clearly states, “The right to a latte every day!”
• 2.5 which clearly states, “The right to drive a car!”
• 3.5 which clearly states, “The right to have great shoes!”
• 4.5 which clearly states, “The right to have everything without giving anything to society!”
• 5.5 which clearly states, “The RIGHT to social security!”
• 6.5 which clearly states, “The RIGHT to be in business despite operating on HORRIBLE business practices!”

 

Seriously read through your RIGHTS and you will see the only thing you are guaranteed in America is a fair shake, NOT WiFi, NOT Housing, NOT Handouts! I am embarrassed at my behavior, the complaints I have made and I vow to be grateful… moving away from the entitlement mindset I have allowed into my life and towards a pro-active accountability mindset at a deeper level.

 

So where do we go from here? Think of the sacrifice of war, bullets whizzing by our friends and relatives heads. Think of the basic “Rights” we are granted in our country that others are not. Think about our infrastructure, sewer, water, electricity compared to other parts of the world. Since I have been with Keller Williams Realty, I have met the sole survivor of a 200 person genocide in Africa, his friends and family burned alive. I have seen a man go to the Olympics after becoming paralyzed, a man born with no arms play the guitar with his toes far better than most musicians with arms, an eleven year old girl speak in front of thousands about her passion, saving lives and showing more leadership in a single breath than many of us show in a lifetime. I have seen all of these things and yet I still can muster up an excuse for not performing at a higher level. Again I am embarrassed and overwhelmed with emotion when I think about that. We are blessed with so much privilege, it is time we think without limits, eliminate excuses and earn our place in this world.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brett Boettge

Team Leader | CEO

Keller Williams Realty – Madison Crossroads

608.661.7000