Loss of Faith in our Elders

Our parents' generation has balked at the tough decisions required to preserve our country's sacred entitlements, leaving us to clean up the mess. They let the infrastructure built with their fathers' hands crumble like a stale cookie. They downgraded our nation's credit rating. They seem content to hand us a debt exceeding the size of our entire economy, rather than brave a fight against the fortunate and entrenched interests on K Street and Wall Street.

via washingtonpost.com">http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/penn-state-my-final-loss-of-faith/2011/11/11/gIQAwmiIDN_blog.html">washingtonpost.com

I am the product of my parent's irresponsibility, though you wouldn't know it by how I live my life. Within my means and mindful of my responsibilities. Quite the opposite from those in the "free love" and "decade of excess" generation, it seems.

I learned long ago to look at my parents as fine examples of what not to do. I also learned long ago I don't need heroes to make a difference in the world, either.

Clearly, some people need heroes. To them, I say: be your own hero. Or if you really do need one, look amongst your peers for one.