Shirley .... Like you, I worked since I was 16 or 17 years old. I never called in sick unless I was truly sick. I remember my parents telling me that if you needed unemployment, you had to do "SOMETHING" before receiving a check. That means you swept the streets or whatever task or assignment was given to you. People complained it was demeaning and it stopped. Really? Just like when prisoners actually had to work while imprisoned, rather than have use of fancy gym equipment, more TV channels than I can afford and healthcare, which many working Americans don't have.

The same goes for tolerance of other cultures. While I am respectful of everyone, we certainly don't have to fund other countries when so many here continue to suffer. And while I'm on this subject .... if you're here, SPEAK ENGLISH! And those who believe in this should stop buying things with things written in Spanish on the packaging. I was so ticked off recently while food shopping. I came across frozen vegetables that not only showed the picture of the vegetable, but it also showed what the vegetable was in English AND Spanish. This is America, right? Learn the language!

As far as the drug addicts go, I'm all for treating them. I'd like to treat them all to ONE LAST HURRAH.... the ULTIMATE HIGH.... give them all an overdose and be done with them. No one made them try it to begin with so there's no sympathy here.

Athletes, entertainers, CEO's, and certainly politicians all make way too much money! Enough said.

With regard to those who think tattoos, piercings and my favorite ... the huge holes in the ears, are a form of art and feel the need to display it on their bodies, don't expect to accomplish great things in the corporate world. I just can't imagine anyone showing you any kind of respect when you can't even respect your own body.

Anyway, great article, Shirley!