Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
Today, in Micronesia there is a culture of entitlement. It seems fully embedded in the psyche of many Micronesians of working age, those out of high school and college to right about retirement age. They make up the majority of the workforce and mainly work for the biggest employer in town, the Government.
You will know entitled ones by their attitude. The "entitled" attitude exudes absolute disregard and disrespect to all around them. Let me give you an example that best illustrates the entitled attitude:
You walk into any government office, but particularly one that provides some type of essential service to the public, and be prepared to be amazed or disgusted. As soon as you walk in, you notice the smell. It doesn't reek, but it ain't no bed of roses. It reminds one of a dusty, deserted place. Only in this instance, there are people in there. The smell is there, because there are no dedicated housekeeping services, even though, there are housekeepers. Wrap your head around that one.
As you enter the office, it's quiet, and everyone is at their desk looking at their computer screen. Or they are gathered around a table with food and deeply involved in conversation. No one looks up as you walk in. No greeting or welcome. When you finally do get the attention of someone they act as if you are bothering them and are not very helpful. In fact, if what you are seeking help for requires them to move away from their computer screen, you will hear it in their voice and displayed in their body language, which is usually similar to an 80-year-old person (remember these are young people in the prime of their lives, for the most part).
This is pretty much the sort of welcome you will receive in maybe 8 out of 10 government offices from the National Government in Palikir to the State Government down to the Municipal Government level. Sad, isn't it? I think it is unfortunate that those who serve have an attitude of entitlement. As if those who they serve are entitled to their attitudes.
I said I don't know how long it has been here because I don't remember this attitude of entitlement as a younger man in the early 90's (90-91). I had just graduated from high school and started working and going to school. I accessed and used government services often. I always ran into respectful, professional, and mature individuals. I don't recall that feeling of disgust or frustration. So, what happened from 1991 to the 2010s?
TOUGH TIMES
Have you ever heard the saying "Tough times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create soft men"? Well, that is exactly what happened here in Micronesia.
The tough times were the post-World War II days. The Americans had defeated the Japanese and in many islands left a mess of it. The hard times came after the war. The reconstruction and then building of a society, a government, and a nation. The tough times gave birth to the founders of what would eventually become the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Commonwealth of the Marianas Islands, and the Republic of Palau. These were men who were born in the lean, hard times of post-war Micronesia. Before the current government structures and services were available, there was nothing. So, these men and women had to create, design, and implement a society out of the ashes of war. Tough times created strong men and women.
So, through their hard work, dedication, and force of will, these strong men and women created good times. Good times for their nation, and for their families. Unfortunately, these good times also meant that some of the hard lessons learned were either forgotten or not taught. Why? Because the times are good! Why learn in times of plenty?
The unfortunate benefit of good times created by strong men is a generation of entitled, self-serving soft men and women. I don't just mean physically soft, although they can be, but also soft in their thinking and focus. This then creates an obvious problem for society. When the pool of potential workers and leaders comes from such low standards, how can society advance, let alone thrive? The answer is it can't. If no one steps up to advance the current state of society and champion new causes that will make our lives better, how will lives become better?
THE CYCLE
All that is needed is for young hearts and minds to embrace the principles that created our country and all other countries; Those principles of hard work, dedication, focus, delayed gratification, respect and humility. While 8 out of 10 are useless and entitled, 2 out of 10 may represent all the good qualities needed. It's just enough to keep the wheels turning and the lights burning.
In the end, what will eventually happen is that the soft men and women will create tough times that their children will have to suffer and endure. The cycle continues.
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