Work It, Baby!

That old midwestern work ethic is alive and well, having been raised by two Chicagoans who seemed to constantly be in motion.

Even at rest, my mother never rested, not entirely. Watching TV was at the ironing board and out of the corner of our eye all of us strewn on the couch and floor could see the rhythm of movements as the iron moved over the tablecloth.

I got to thinking about how sedantary we've become because of the no-iron fabrics and remote controls and computers. The effort we have to expend is less and less. No wonder we're fat.

This is the crux to (some of) the budget crisis. Looking at all of the unemployed and welfare families we as a country are unable to sustain in support, why don't we ask them to give back?

When we need a great idea, schools usually are working on the answer to fill the cultural gaps. And there it was: volunteerism. Volunteering has been added to the curriculum because it strengthens the connection between people, creates a mindset of purpose and selflessness, and kicks in one's work ethic.

In the news this week I read that people were up in arms about the potential restrictions the government wants on food stamps and junk food. UP IN ARMS. About how to spend the government's money. Uncle Sam has every right to say - no alcohol or cigarettes or the kinds of foods that do not promote good health.

 (A friend's son recently inherited a tidy sum from his grandmother with the restriction that he be a full time student and it go only for college. Is that fair? Well, sure.)

We are sitting on a mountain of people with their hands out for welfare and unemployment, and why not mandate volunteerism?  There's tons of things in our towns and cities that need fixing, trash and graffiti abatement, and beautification projects to make them better places to live. Imagine if everyone on the rolls was required to work 10 hours a week in their communities helping others and lending a hand to those in need...

I think Roosevelt would love a purpose-driven requirement added to his social programs. It's simple economics with a jolt of caffeine. There is an urgent need to retrain citizens who currently take and not give; it would address the issue of generational welfare families; and it would improve the environments in which we live.

It's time we remind everyone that a work ethic is an action verb. Work it, baby!