Work is a life-sustaining activity—literally life-sustaining. We work to acquire food, to earn money to pay for shelter, and to produce all the values upon which our lives depend.
Work is the lifeblood of not only our physical health, but also our psychological/spiritual health. Purposeful work is one of man’s noblest values and virtues.
That’s why I’m so disturbed by an article written by Andy Kessler in the Wall Street Journal: “A Nation of Quitters.”
[T]he U.S. has three million fewer workers [since Covid]. Where did everyone go? This in an economy with 11.2 million job openings. It’s mostly men 25 to 54 who haven’t come back to work. Now a McKinsey study suggests that 40% of workers are thinking of quitting their jobs. Does anyone want to work anymore?
Everyone has an explanation for the Great Resignation: extended unemployment benefits, eviction moratoriums, baby boomers retiring, work-from-home complacency, anxiety, long Covid. Sure, all reasonable excuses. Here’s my theory: Too many got a taste of not working and liked it. A lot.… living the easy life by sponging off the rest of us. What’s not to like?
Another stat which was astounding: half of U.S. households currently support an adult child.
Productive work is a virtue—a basic trait of character. Our culture is literally encouraging the vices of parasitism and sloth/laziness. Today, political culture is undermining character.
Carl B. Barney
October 2, 2022
Well said. If you put out cheese, you tend to get rats.