Why America Doesn't Work

This is an excellent book that everyone in government should read, including Congress and state legislators. Written during the final years of the USSR, Colson and Eckerd show how socialism in Russia destroyed the work ethic and how it is doing the same in America. Very compelling, it is a shame that it is now out of print. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book that everyone in government should read, including Congress and state legislators. Written during the final years of the USSR, Colson and Eckerd show how socialism in Russia destroyed the work ethic and how it is doing the same in America. Very compelling, it is a shame that it is now out of print. Highly recommended.

The title of this older book was catchy, and I decided I wanted to see "how the decline of the work ethic is hurting my family and future." It's an easy read, and Colson and Eckerd make some very good points about America's habits. My fear is that our educational system combined with our declining work ethic will mean we are going to be overtaken by the Chinese--we just seem to have a potbelly attitude and think everyone owes us because of who we think we are. I especially appreciated the research on prisoners who were more likely to become better citizens if they learned to work in the prison rather than just sit around and eat/watch TV. People with a purpose are much more beneficial to themselves, their families, and society as a whole than if they lazy bums. Good stuff...now, let's get to work.

What happened to the once strong work ethic in America? This book seeks to answer that question by looking at long term trends and assumptions of workers that has resulted in societal changes in this country.Work has broader ramifications than one might initially think. We're told "For better or worse, our work defines us." They go on to make the argument successfully for this statement. Work has a "purposeful nature" they write and add that "meaningful work is a fundamental dimension of human existence, an expression of our very nature."Consequently, by talking about the work ethic of the United States, they're talking about larger issues, issues that pertain to who we are.Included in this book are some particularly interesting historical asides. For example, Johann Sebastian Bach inscribed "SDG" on his compositions, meaning "Sola Deo Gloria" (to the glory of God alone).The work ethic of the nation's founders was based on Christian teachings. "To ignore the religious roots of the work ethic is to ignore the clear evidence of history," they write.Work requires effort. Obtaining an education is work. "Knowledge is not acquired by osmosis, but by discipline and hard work," we're reminded.Not only did I find this book to be informative, but I was inspired by it. Working for an audience of One. Doing work as unto God, as the Bible teaches adds a dimension that can find significance no where else. The Reformation brought this realization back to the attention of workers. No job is insignificant if done as unto Him. That's the message of this book.

This book is easy reading - I read it in a day or two and enjoyed it thoroughly. It caused me to question some things I take for granted and affirmed things that I have felt. My generation is picking up where the previous one left off - not feeling any sense of moral obligation towards anyone. Some of the money spent on studies to find out why American companies are less competitive should be spent on copies of this book and placed on every worker's desk