We are not stupid. We let it go on because we don't know what to change it to or how. We know somethings that we can and should change but people with power fight most changes.

Who thinks we live in a meritocracy? Certainly, we don't live in an egalitarian meritocracy. We sort of have a classist meritocracy where intelligence and effort will advance you in your class or in comparison to your peers.

Most of us know that circumstances have more to do with our success than effort or intelligence. I made one decision that changed my circumstances that facilitated my success. I moved far away from my hometown that presented very little opportunity. No rich people live in that part of the world. A rich person did take advantage of a state jobs program to build and expand a shoe factory there only to have most of the jobs eventually move overseas.

I am more successful than any of my High School peers who stay there.

Am I happier? Moving far away from home has a price.

TEK