Originally posted by CanadianRidr
Redneck was a term used by the Urban people as a derogatory referece towards the uneducated farmers way back in the day.
CR - To take it a step further. Rednecks are often viewed as simple and closed minded individuals that are incapable and/or unwilling to accept change. If indeed that is the definition of a redneck, I have just described all the folks that support GAGs, want to stop the WTO, rule in many countries of the world, and support fundamentalist religions around the world.
I define a redneck as a simple hardworking individual that trusts with his gut, seals a deal with a handshake, and keeps his end of any bargain (good or bad). If that is a redneck, it may explain why Irish hasn't seen one, as there are not many left.
I think the word that should be used in Nephron's comments is prejudice. There are many people in this world that are prejudiced against others. In extreme cases, we tend to define them as r****t. We really don’t need r****t and/or r****m in this world, and we would all be better off if we could tone down the prejudice. To that point I agree with Nephron’s position.
That being said, America was founded on, among others, the principal that success will come to those that work hard to achieve success. There are many people, both poor and wealthy, that abuse this principal. Many rich people coast through life on the coattails of their ancestors while many poor people coast through life in a similar manner. No where in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution of the United States (to the best of my knowledge) does it mention entitlements.
Everyone deserves a fair and equitable shot at success. There are too many people, worldwide, that want the trappings of success without adopting the principals that make success possible.
I recently read an article comparing work hours in Europe and the Americas (Canada and the US). We work something just shy of 50 hours a week on average and the number is expected to rise over the next decade, while Europe is around 34 hours per week and shrinking.
Productivity is what the information age is about. Those that do not understand this and do not adapt will drop by the wayside, much like many of the species that have refused to adapt throughout history. Adapting to the principals of the society in which you live is a fundamental requirement for success.
Look at the success achieved by the Vietnamese boat people. Most arrived with only the clothes on their back and many have gone on to become the valedictorians of the high schools and colleges they attended (the majority in mathematics, sciences and engineering). No underwater basket weaving for them, they understand what it takes to achieve success.
Meanwhile many folks with the American birthright coast through life complaining that they don’t have all the success they see on the TV sitcoms, while many people in other countries view us as imperialistic because we are the economic engine of the world, and they want to destroy us.
To paraphrase
Economics in One Lesson, which I recently read ......
In 1760, when cotton-spinning machinery was invented, it was estimated that there were 5,200 spinners using spinning wheels. Twenty-seven years later there were (according to a study by the English Parliament) 320,000 people involved in the spinning and weaving of cotton.
Nevermind the increase in number of people involved in the production and transport of the raw and/or finished goods. That was at the infancy of the machine age and we now stand at the infancy of the information age.
Moore’s law defined the growth of the microchip and likely the growth demand in human productivity as well. Education and personal responsibility for individual growth are going to be the hallmarks of success in the coming years IMHO.
There is little room for those that do not want to adapt to their surroundings.