Dear Editor:

Many persons of liberal persuasion seem to relish condemning America for its historical experience with slavery. Their virtuous posture fails to recognize a corresponding present-day reality of reliance on others to perform lower-paying tasks demeaned by our own population.

The modern-day slaves are largely overseas and unseen, working at survival wages in environments that would be unacceptable to our health and safety watchdogs. Domestic corporations seeking competitive end products exploit offshore sourcing that obscures problematic employment conditions. Domestically, illegal immigrants streaming over the southern border now find work in field labor and other stressful jobs once performed by slaves and now shunned by Americans who opt for available welfare.

Our present generation of 15-25-year-olds seems to have a sense of entitlement. Can you name a restaurant that was not short-handed in the kitchen or wait staff over the summer? Did you see high-school or college-age youths working on roadway maintenance crews, mowing lawns, or delivering groceries? Does parental indulgence defer young people’s efforts to learn what it takes to earn a living?

Have we lost the competitive work ethic that once energized and distinguished our country’s innovation and productivity? Is the proposition that higher education is essential to “success” turning out to be a scam creating shortages in many essential trades and service positions?

Phil Osifer