30 August 2008

The other day I had a vision, a vision that was not very pleasant.  It was partly based on observation, observation of what was around me, and part vision of a pessimistic outlook, of which I know I am guilty, however hard I try to resist it.  It is a vision of the future.

Not of later this year, or next year, upon which everyone today seems to want to focus, but of a longer future.  The United States has the strongest economy in the world, despite the doomsayers, and it is not going to fold tomorrow, though one cannot help but see it being undermined.  But my vision went beyond that; it had to do with resources and how effectively we have exploited what was available.  Some would point to that as the problem, as they view them as fixed.  I prefer to see them as flexible, provided we maintain the motivation to innovate.  Will we?

On that point no one can say.  History tells us what has passed, not how we will react to that with which we are faced in the future.  M y vision, however, lies beyond - and towards what I see as a growing attitude that favors entitlement over opportunity.  That attitude is growing and unless it changes will have a dramatic effect.  People, by and large, are  coming to the United States because living is potentially better.  Do they see that as opportunity or entitlement?  They want to take part in our munificence, but by adding to it or sopping it up?  The future lies in the answer to that question.  Are we to be drowned by the mulitudes of those who want the material benefits that we enjoy?  Or those who want to contribute to them?

We shall see; we shall see; but current trends are discouraging.