Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe has created a scholarship for young people who have illustrated an interest and an aptitude for a skilled trade and could use some financial assistance. You can read more about the scholarship at
http://profoundlydisconnected.com. Applicants interested in the scholarship are asked to sign the S.W.E.A.T. (Skills and Work Ethics Aren´t Taboo) Pledge.
I think this is a great pledge and would love to see as many young people as possible sign in.
However, in the interest of fairness and diversity and to recognize that not everyone agrees with Rowe´s opinion, I have created an alternative pledge that might be more appealing to liberals. I am calling this the L.I.B.E.R.A.L. (Loving Innumerable Benefit Entitlements Regardless Any Logic) Pledge.
Mike Rowe´s S.W.E.A.T. Pledge:
1. I believe that I have won the greatest lottery of all time. I am alive. I walk the Earth. I live in America. Above all things, I am grateful.
2. I believe that I am entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nothing more. I also understand that “happiness†and the “pursuit of happiness†are not the same thing.
3. I believe there is no such thing as a “bad job.†I believe that all jobs are opportunities, and it’s up to me to make the best of them.
4. I do not “follow my passion.†I bring it with me. I believe that any job can be done with passion and enthusiasm.
5. I deplore debt, and do all I can to avoid it. I would rather live in a tent and eat beans than borrow money to pay for a lifestyle I can’t afford.
6. I believe that my safety is my responsibility. I understand that being in “compliance†does not necessarily mean I’m out of danger.
7. I believe the best way to distinguish myself at work is to show up early, stay late, and cheerfully volunteer for every crappy task there is.
8. I believe the most annoying sounds in the world are whining and complaining. I will never make them. If I am unhappy in my work, I will either find a new job, or find a way to be happy.
9. I believe that my education is my responsibility, and absolutely critical to my success. I am resolved to learn as much as I can from whatever source is available to me. I will never stop learning, and understand that library cards are free.
10. I believe that I am a product of my choices – not my circumstances. I will never blame anyone for my shortcomings or the challenges I face. And I will never accept the credit for something I didn’t do.
11. I understand the world is not fair, and I’m OK with that. I do not resent the success of others.
12. I believe that all people are created equal. I also believe that all people make choices. Some choose to be lazy. Some choose to sleep in. I choose to work my butt off.
On my honor, I hereby affirm the above statements to be an accurate summation of my personal worldview. I promise to live by them.
L.I.B.E.R.A.L. Pledge:
1. I believe that I haven´t won the greatest lottery of all time, because other people have more than me. America sucks. Above all things, I am entitled.
2. I believe that I am entitled to housing, food, education, health care, and a well paying job for life. I also understand that “happiness†and the “pursuit of happiness†ARE the same thing.
3. I believe that a “bad job†has no job security, no benefits and pays less than I deserve. I believe it’s up to government to make employers pay workers more.
4. I “follow my passion.†I bring it with me. I believe that any job I choose to do should pay me more by paying greedy CEOs less.
5. Debt is great. I can buy stuff I can´t afford, live beyond my means and can choose to go bankrupt if I don´t want to pay for it later.
6. I believe that my safety is the government´s responsibility. The government should take away all guns from citizens so I’m out of danger.
7. I believe the best way to distinguish myself at work is to take advantage of affirmative action laws so I can get ahead based on the color of my skin and not the content of my character.
8. I believe that whining and complaining are the way to get what I want. If I am unhappy in my work, I will file a lawsuit.
9. I believe that my education should be paid for by the state and that grades are not that important since some students have better backgrounds than others and it is not fair. I need down time to play videos games and porn surf. What´s a library?
10. I believe that I am a product of my circumstances – not my choices. I will blame anyone else for my shortcomings or the challenges I face. And I will happily accept the credit (and money) for something I didn’t do.
11. I understand the world is not fair, and government needs to fix that. I do resent the success of others.
12. I believe that government should make people equal. I also believe that people shouldn´t be penalized for their choices. Don´t call me lazy if I choose to sleep in. Why work your butt off when the government can give you a handout?
On my honor, I hereby affirm the above statements to be an accurate summation of my personal worldview. I promise to live by them.
With all the libs taking the second pledge, is it any wonder we have a problem of so many people believing government is there to take care of them from cradle to grave?
