Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

Imagine a manager that doesn't see it.  It's a mismanaged fast food joint.  It goes out of business. 
OPEN YOUR EYES.

Here, just this morning, I'm on my way to work, I'm going to get some drive-thru breakfast (because my health isn't important to me).  So I pull into a Burger King in the ghetto.  It's obviously open, perhaps for 5-7 minutes (6:37) and no one answers at the menu sign.  I pull around.  Honk gently.  A guy comes over - "the system is still booting up, it'll be a few minutes."
I leave, because I'm in a hurry.  That fast-food joint is mismanaged.  They should have someone there early enough to boot the system so that they're ready to take orders the minute they open.  I doubt the owner knows his "restaurant" is being handled this way.

A shitty joint like that isn't going to appreciate the good worker who is on time and does a good job, they're going to run him ragged, covering other, bad worker's shifts until he wants to quit.  It's called reality.  Try it, sometime.

Nice anecdote.

The American dream is why people risk their lives to cross that border. 

The American dream is dying as a caste system here develops.  The opportunities to grow are being crushed with each move away from capitalism and toward 'free'.  Ain't nothing free.  The flavor of free socialism offers costs you freedom.  Those atop the stack won't notice or care the opportunities are taken from those without stake to enter the game.  It makes it harder for those, if not impossible. 

I'd think it foolish to suggest some don't have advantages others do- and I haven't seen that suggested here, I'm just throwing it out there.  Some receive the ball on their opponents 10 yard line.. others on their own 10 yard line.  Even the mighty Bama would lose more games if yardage was subsidized, but even then people would seek out the product bama produces as its known to be superior to most... is that a pisser? Yeah it sure is, but you know what? Bama earned that, and it's now up to a team with luck as much as skill and determination to take that from them.

This isn't a American problem.  It's a dynamic that has existed long before- as in "always".  You can either sit around and complain about it, which seems popular to do while trying to get something for as little as possible, or, you can bust your ass and attempt to be prepared when an opportunity presents itself- and hope one does. 

It's the story of life... ain't no legislation going to change it.  It may alter it, but natural progression will win. 

"No law, written by man and which contradicts the laws of nature, will survive the test of time.". 

But, at least you get the ball, with an opportunity to do something with it.

This is my whole point.

The way things seem headed could be detrimental to my solutions.

But, at least you get the ball, with an opportunity to do something with it.

This is my whole point.

The way things seem headed could be detrimental to my solutions.

Absolutely.  Some opportunities are out there and are completely disguised as pitfalls... somebody somewhere, either through vision that others lack or through necessity will identify that opportunity.  Yet there are opportunities galore that far outnumber the hurdles... it, in my humble opinion, is about positioning and being able to respond.  For many, who live a life defeated before they even begin, they'll identify the reasons they have no opportunities with the same vigor that would be better spent 'positioning' themselves.  Those who have spent a lifetime positioning themselves may not cash out as quickly or dramatically,  but... theyve given themselves every opportunity they could.  For those folks, I feel bad.  

 For many, who live a life defeated before they even begin, they'll identify the reasons they have no opportunities with the same vigor that would be better spent 'positioning' themselves.  Those who have spent a lifetime positioning themselves may not cash out as quickly or dramatically,  but... theyve given themselves every opportunity they could.  For those folks, I feel bad. 

I've been assured that those people either don't exist or simply need to try harder.  Because this is 1954 and everyone gets the payoff hard work provides.

I've been assured that those people either don't exist or simply need to try harder.  Because this is 1954 and everyone gets the payoff hard work provides.

You're blaming the times and the system. 

Convenient. 

History is bound to repeat itself because the nature of man hasn't changed.  People are greedy and seek power over their environment- that ain't no secret.  In America, you have opportunities other nations citizens don't have. 

You can blame the times or the system, but those are both ever changing.  Nature of man doesn't.  There are just of not many many more opportunities now than ever before... time and effort was a massive barter piece 50 years ago as it took people to process materials, paperwork, logistics, et al... now, most of that is automated and people's time less of a barter piece for pay... now, it's about effectiveness and innovation.

I met a guy who was friends with my dad (better said my dad worked for him) when I was a kid.  I labored for him on his farm.  He's still likely the wealthiest person I ever personally knew.  He told me once "sell to the classes live with the masses; sell to the masses live with the classes"... that summed up his business approach.  Guess what? That is dead, now... with the advent of internet and communication, YOU can sell a college football board game.  Without it? Good luck.  With that board game that appeals only to a small segment of world population, you can make a reasonably successful side gig- where that effort would earn you squat without being able to find that market.  The rules changed.. as they always do.  How many people at the fast food joint are busting their asses producing and packaging board games in the wee hours and sending them across the globe for reasonable prices?  ......... 

Be careful with your response here... you've painted yourself into a corner. 

You are absolutely right. Simply wanting to be successful isn’t enough. It takes action, initiative, sacrifice, etc. If you asked me if I wanted six pack abs I’d tell you yes, but I’m unwilling to put in the necessary work to achieve that. And, yeah, I was probably born with some traits that make it harder for me to achieve that than others.

But, yes, your point is well taken. Badge’s message probably wouldn’t be well received by some. Once people make up their minds they can’t do something it’s very difficult to convince them otherwise.

That word in that context is not in my vocabulary. Sorry.

That's why we need more immigrants