by RubyUnicorn

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: December 21, 2011

A huge resounding no! I am truly disgusted and horrified by the questions and assumptions for the "new American way". On the "yes" side of this question, I have seen people use other countries as examples of how this country should be. This is quite disturbing to me. When did the United States of America become a follower? I grew up knowing that as an American we lead. "we" set the examples.

Has anyone stopped to think that maybe all the other countries are the ones that have it wrong? How did we lose our way to begin with? When did we start worrying about how other countries do things instead of doing things "our" way?

At this time in our country's history, do we really need more government mandates? What happened to this being a free society? What happened to this being a capitalistic society? Plus, you can not tell me that the average blue collar union worker who works in a steel mill or automotive factory or any other union backed job doesn't already receive a really nice vacation package. Come on people, educators in this country get an average of almost five months off from their jobs and that is paid time off. Count summer vacation, Christmas vacation, spring break, and all the other paid days off during the year.

Look at people in the banking industry? Look at doctors, lawyers, and business owners? I agree that the average non professional worker probably needs more time off, however, when I worked as a lowly telemarketer, after the first year I got one full week paid off. After two years, I got two full weeks, and after five years, we got a full three weeks. Not to mention, that by showing up for work everyday of the month, we earned another four hours of paid time off in addition to our vacation time. We had the choice of accumulating those extra hours or using as we need them. That was pretty good working for a very small, family owned telemarketing firm.

I have to ask, what ever happened to taking pride in your job no matter what it is? Have we as Americans been so pampered by wealth and prosperity, that we no longer see that the grass is actually greener on our side of the fence? I was raised to take pride in how I earn a living and if an employer pays me for 40 hours of work per week, then I must give that employer 40 hours worth of work.

How many people ever stop to think what it actually takes to maintain a successful business? Why is it that most people think that just because someone owns a business than they must be rich? It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, plus not to mention a whole lot of very hard work to maintain a business and it's employee base. What if you just opened a brand new business and it was struggling just to survive? Then after one year, one of your most valued employees who you highly depend on to help grow your business, is suddenly gone for an entire month because the government said they have to? This thought to me is absolutely ridiculous!

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