As I mentioned before, I also admire the way you’ve lived your life and raised your kids, BG. They should be proud to have you as their Mom.

Like you, we made sure our kids were clued in with regard to the economic realities of life, and, even though we did, and continue to do a lot for them, they take nothing for granted and, for the most part, have made their way in life on their own merits.

In our opinion, many of our kids peers (even college grads) from what some would call “privileged” backgrounds have “failed to launch” because they couldn’t cope with life outside of the cocoon.

They grew up with Mom and Dad telling them that life is like school–if you jump through all the hoops–you’ll get exactly what you want. When they find out this isn’t true in the real world–many cave.

Relating this to the op, I think the actual “State of the Union” may be a wake-up call for many, and, possibly, just what they need to face the realities of the future.