The other day, I was talking to a successful lady who admitted to being very liberal, and even voting for Barack Obama.
It was interesting how many things we had in common, even if our political views were diametrically opposed.
I made a statement about the need to reward individuals for achievement - and how giving a certificate to everyone for merely showing up would only inspire more mediocrity.
We seem to agree upon that, even though we'd come from diverse backgrounds of experience and had completely different observations because of it.
You see there is something inherently natural about complementing an individual for their success, that is to say there is a sense of fairness when the person who puts out the most effort and tries the hardest, is the individual who ultimately succeeds and is rewarded.
And there is something that is somewhat unfair when someone that doesn't put out the effort is given equal accolades for piss-poor of performance.
In the United States we are a nation of winners, and people have come from all over the world to live here in the land of opportunity.
We truly are the bright shining city on the hill.
That's what we've built, and if we want our society to be strong we must reward achievement, if we want our children to be successful we should reward them for their accomplishments.
It's okay to give someone an atta-boy for trying, if they truly did try.
However if someone is unwilling to put forth the effort, and they merely showed up to participate, well then, if you reward them with the same fervor as the winner, we will have more people participating in mediocrity, and fewer people pushing forward to do their best.
Our society is strong because each and every individual is strong.
You cannot have a strong chain with weak links.
We must focus on honoring the individual's achievement if we hope to progress as a nation.
If we hope to live by the high standard set by our ancestors, and those that came before us and built this great nation, we have to remember to strive to be the best.
If we want achievers in our society, we are going to have to at some point drop the political correctness, it's the only way.
There's nothing wrong with winning, nor should the winners be forced into pretending, just as we should not be forced to pretend that a half-assed effort is acceptable.
I'd like to leave you with that thought, and if you have any comments, concerns, or questions you may shoot me an e-mail.