Why are things going down hill on the road .......

You think any of what you are griping about is unique to trucking?

It's society. It started LONG ago and it's been a constant downward spiral for over 40 years. Some say is started with Roe VS Wade. Jeez I get tired of that speech.

We are a modern roman empire and we are becoming that which we created. A society that is all about personal pleasure and instant gratification. It started when families no longer had a stay at home parent and both parents felt they MUST work to get ahead of the Jones'.

When our parents parents didn't want to see their kids grow up facing the same hardships they had and felt they had to give them everything.

From one generation to the next, that attitude has persevered and ingrained itself deeper and further to the point that we are seeing it today. Yet it's gotten so bad that our kids now feel entitled to more than they will ever deserve and the ability to work and earn what they have is lost in their teachings.

And when you tell them they have to earn what they get, they pitch a fit until they get it.

For one to be willing to roll up their sleeves, get dirty and WORK for what they earn, it's NOT socially acceptable it would seem anymore.

Vo-Techs have become Technical Colleges have become Community & Technical colleges have become Community colleges have become 3 year bachelor's degrees.

And that's in just under 25 years of having lived in the education system. It's an instant must-have attitude that persists and grows like a disease in our society.

 

I added this to an email with the above for my own daughter who is 18 and a freshman in college.

 

One way to correct the "always me attitude" is volunteer to help a neighbor with a project. And take your kids with you to help. Maybe help an elderly neighbor do some yard work or clean some windows. When the younger generation sees life is not all about them, but actually helping people who really need help. Maybe their attitude will change. Might take some time to change the me attitude.

 

Plain and simple fellas. All these otr companies AND the unknowing public are getting EXACTLY what they PAY for. Its a collateral effect.

I myself try and try and try and will keep on trying to make the best of any situation out here. But let's face it, a trucker will put out only as much as his wallet takes in. Not by choice. But in reality that is what's allowed. What I mean is. If a trucker pulling 80k lbs. Has not fed good that day, or has not slept good or has a cell phone and no coverage or needs a new pair of socks or has some bills or .........well you know what I mean.

 

I tried to explain and show that to my ex-wife.

When we took into account the price of an extra vehicle, fuel to/from work, day care, etc, one of us was working for less than $0.50 per hour. I told her I didn't care WHO worked. Just the one with the bigger income. The other should stay at home with the kids.

It never hit home.

She was the product of a divorced family with an alcoholic mother on welfare and drugs.

 

Speaking of kids my eldest turns 17 this year and will be getting her license. She wants to drive to school. We only have 2 cars. We told her she can drive my HHR and I'll even let her put on Cheetah print seat covers BUT she has to take me to the yard when I head out and pick me up at any hour that she's not either in school, at practice or at a competition (she's in flags). Even if I get in at 2am. She seems to be willing to agree to that.

 

As I say, she eats, breathes, and ##### flags. She makes us so proud. Its winterguard season (where just the flags perform) and her school got 3rd in the AAA category.