The First Rung of the Ladder

I believe the ladder to success in America is solidly in place.  I believe everyone can climb that ladder to whatever level their drive and ability allows.  

HOWEVER, I also believe there are many Americans who cannot reach the first rung to begin the climb.

I do not believe a college education is necessary for success. In fact, I see many college graduates who are less qualified to climb the ladder than others who have a lower educational level. 

BUT in order to reach the first ladder rung one must be able to read, write and speak intelligibly. Every child in America should be guaranteed a basic education so that they can begin their climb. 

It is inexcusable to allow a failing school to continue. It is inexcusable to allow anyone to leave high school without the basic tools necessary for survival and success. 

Once armed with a basic education everyone can begin to climb that ladder BUT they must be able to reach that first rung. 

Wait, I am wrong. I am wrong, wrong, wrong. 

 I just had a flash of insight. The ladder to success is not a single unit.  It is more like the cliff dwellings of the Anasazi. 

There are multiple levels of success and multiple ladders each leading to a different place. Picture a multi-story building.  There is only one ladder to the first level; the first level to which I was referring before I realized I was wrong.

Each level has multiple ladders to different paths. Some are dead-end.   Some go straight to the top. Each ladder and each choice limits the opportunity to move to some other levels. 

To reach the first level, all that is required is the desire and the willingness to expend the effort to climb to level one. 

From there on I was correct that to climb ONE of those ladders requires being able to read, write and speak intelligibly. Every child in America should be guaranteed a basic education so that they can begin their climb. 

It is inexcusable to allow a failing school to continue. It is inexcusable to allow anyone to leave high school without the basic tools necessary for survival and success. 

Then each of us will choose a path that leads to the level of success to which we are willing to climb.

On the other hand, in America today we have many “snowflakes” who aren’t willing to climb.  They sit at the bottom of the ladder and think someone else should carry them to the top.